Flat 1, 41A Great Pulteney Street, Bathwick, Bath
41A Great Pulteney Street is an end of terrace late 18th century townhouse by Thomas Baldwin situated within the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site. It forms part of the immediate streetscape setting of a high concentration of Grade I late 18th century terraced townhouses, also by Thomas Baldwin, along Great Pulteney Street as well as the Grade II terrace along Darlington Street. The building features unusual prominence due to its three-aspect façade on the junction between Great Pulteney Street, Sydney Place, and Darlington Street. Due to the terrace’s architectural homogeneity, scale, and the intentionally designed sightlines between the Holburne Museum and Great Pulteney Bridge, Great Pulteney Street constitutes an exceptional example of Georgian Town Planning and Architecture OUV of the World Heritage Site. The southern, lower ground floor extension appears to date to approximately the late 19th century, with this gap having previously been infilled earlier in the century.
BPT does not oppose the proposed extension of the existing window opening where this is indicated to affect an area of 20th century infill. The existing window and door are also suggested to be later alterations due to details of their construction, and as such proposed works would have a very limited impact on historic fabric.
The infilled arch is visible in close-range overlooking views from pavement level, but is largely obscured in wider streetscape views due to its recessed, below-ground position. As such, it is of lesser significance in relation to the principal façade and key architectural value of the listed building as part of a terraced ensemble.
However, considering the proposed replacement of a non-historic window on a well-concealed and less architecturally prominent elevation of the building, we consider that this could be a positive opportunity for a traditional timber sash window to be fitted that utilises slimlite glazing rather than single glazing to ensure an improved thermal performance in light of the current Climate Emergency. The suitability of this measure would remain dependent on the provision of suitable details relating to the window’s fenestration and profile to ensure coherence with the wider building.