Paragon School, Lyncombe Vale, Lyncombe, Bath

The proposed site of tree works is the setting of the Paragon School, a Grade II* mid-18th century detached house, now school, situated within the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site. Within the Conservation Area Appraisal, the area is positively noted for its “semi-rural character” and low-density appearance due to the mix of developed streets bordering open fields and woodland, notably contrasting with the denser, urbanised core of Bath city centre. The site is situated within both the Local Ecological Network and the Green Infrastructure Network. The proposed area of tree works is located just outside of a Site of Nature Conservation Interest to the east. The school site is expansive in scale and forms an important contributor to the green, wooded character and appearance of the area.

Whilst we recognise the need to remove trees symptomatic of dieback, for the benefit of the wider health of trees across the site, there is a lack of information as provided pertaining to the number of trees in G101 and the total number of trees proposed for felling works. Further details should be clarified regarding the scope of works, given the tree group’s position within a well-established belt of woodland along the site’s eastern boundary, as well as being on the edge of a designated Site of Nature Conservation Interest. We further encourage the consideration of appropriate replanting where necessary as part of a rolling programme of future maintenance to ensure that this significant area of tree coverage is sustained and enhanced as part of Bath’s landscape setting, as well as reinforcing the existing ecological value of this area.