No. 15 Great Pulteney, 13 – 15 Great Pulteney Street, Bathwick, Bath

13-15 Great Pulteney Street forms part of a Grade I section of late 18th century townhouses by Thomas Baldwin situated within the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site. The terraced dwellings at 13-15 Great Pulteney Street were merged by the 1970s at the latest to form the Carfax Hotel, now No. 15. This conversion is reflected externally with the replacement of front doors at 13 & 15 Great Pulteney Street with sash windows. The immediate streetscape setting is made up 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. 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.

Two of the proposed air source heat pumps (ASHPs) would be located in “the store room accessed from the existing open light well” to the front of the building. As it appears that the ASHPs would be located internally, there would likely be a negligible effect on the appearance or character of the listed building as publicly viewed from pavement level. Enclosure would likely help dampen any potential increase in noise in this area, although we note that ASHPs that run at a reduced volume are available and should be considered.

However, we note an absence of information regarding the proposed location of the ASHPs and how installation may affect historic fabric. For example, whilst it is indicated that the units would be “affixed to the later infill walling beneath the external staircase”, the proposed plans indicate that the new pipework would penetrate the thick northern wall to connect up with the internal AC units. Furthermore, it is proposed that the store room “will be lined with acoustic insulation” to minimise sound disturbance, although no further details are provided as to the type of insulation, how it would be fitted, and its possible interaction with historic fabric. We therefore maintain that further detail is required regarding these aspects of the scheme.