Entry Hill House, Entry Hill Drive, Lyncombe, Bath

Entry Hill House is a Grade II mid-19th century villa situated within the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site. Entry Hill Drive is characterised by a high concentration of sprawling 19th century villas set within generous grounds on what historically formed part of Bath’s rural periphery, a number of which are also Grade II listed. The character of the Entry Hill area is defined as “semi-rural” (Entry Hill Perrymead, and Prior Park Character Area Appraisal) with intentional seclusion as “a place of retreat from the growing urban centre of Bath” resulting from a mix of open fields and woodland. Part of this character is a result of the large, well-planted gardens associated with the larger villa/manor-style housing of the area. In particular, Entry Hill Drive is a well-treed and private residential street, sandwiched between thick tree belts to the east and west. The garden of Entry Hill House forms part of the tree belt to the north that encloses this area of residential development from the open fields heading out towards Perrymead. Topographical evidence further indicates a historic precedent for thick tree cover in this garden setting.

We note this application is accompanied by application 22/03569/TCA for associated tree works, including the felling of another tree on the site.

We note the necessity of proposed tree works based on the indicated decay and poor condition of the identified tree specimen, which also forms part of a wider tree management plan. However, we emphasise the significance of tree coverage in this area as part of the character of the conservation area as well as its contribution to wider landscape views. We therefore encourage consideration of planting of suitable native replacements wherever possible to appropriately maintain and enhance the existing tree canopy.