Fatface, 5 – 7 St Lawrence Street, City Centre

BPT is generally resistant to the principle of illuminated signage within the city centre. Bath is recognised as a low-illuminated city in which the maintained low levels of lighting complement the historic character and appearance of the city, and create a distinctive evening and night-time atmosphere. The increased provision of independent retail signage illumination would result in the cumulative increase of lightspill and over-illumination to the detriment of the visual amenities of the conservation area and World Heritage Site.

We recognise that the Southgate area has a more distinct, contemporary shop frontage treatment in contrast with the historic city centre. There is a planning history within the Southgate district of an increasing number of permissions granted for illuminated signage within this area, on the grounds that the use of illuminated signage within this area has already been established and is considered to form part of the signage ‘typology’ for this localised area. Nonetheless, we continue to reiterate that Southgate should remain a coherent extension to the historic city core to the north, and the use of excessive illumination is an increasingly jarring addition that serves to further disassociate the Southgate shopping district from its surroundings.

Where it is proposed to use acrylic-faced lettering and an acrylic-faced projecting sign, we recognise that there are examples of this type of signage within this area, but express a strong preference for the use of signage that is materially coherent with the historic city centre, such as timber or metal lettering in an appropriate finish.

This signage as proposed is therefore contrary to the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, section 16 of the NPPF, and Policies B1, B4, BD1, CP6, D1, D2, D8, D9, and HE1 of the Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan, and this application should be withdrawn or refused.