Somerset Cottage, 14 Somerset Lane, Lansdown, Bath, Bath and North-East Somerset, BA1 5SW
Installation of rear dormer to detached garage and pv panels to front. Installation of timber driveway gates. Repairs to existing front boundary wall with new gated entrance relocated. Installation of dormers to front of dwelling, porch canopy, pv panels to front elevation, enlargement of rear dormer and pv panels to dormer roof. Proposed side extension. Alterations to front elevation of existing outbuilding.
14 Somerset Lane (No. 14) is situated within the City of Bath World Heritage Site (WHS) and the Bath-City wide conservation area (CA) and is likely to date from the second half of the 20th century.
No. 14 appears to be sited in an elevated position on the northern side of Somerset Lane. Without the benefit of a site visit, it is not evident as to if No. 14 can be readily seen from other vantages points.
To the south of the proposal site and south of Somerset Lane, is Somerset Place which is included on the National Heritage List for England at Grade I.
For clarity, note that the consideration of the scheme is generally limited to the proposed pv panels.
Both the proposed dormers and PV panels to the front elevation will create a cluttered appearance and the proposed panels to the flat roof to the rear, might just be visible above the ridge. The proposed panels to the front roof slope of the garage will be clearly visible in the street scene.
Based on a consideration of Google Maps Street view (August 2012). The character of the CA in the immediate vicinity of the proposal site, in Somerset Lane, is varied and chiefly comprises boundary stone walls, established planting and garages. Views of the dwellings north of the highway are limited. The lane – though with modern elements – retains aspects of its likely functional origins as a service lane to the rear of Somerset Place to the south.
The panels to the garage will not detract from the character of the CA and it is unlikely that the panels to the dwelling will detract from the character of the CA or the setting of the listed terrace, or the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the WHS. The officer will of course benefit from the opportunity of a site visit to inform their decision.
If the Local Planning Authority (LPA) is minded to permit the scheme, then consideration should be given to attaching a condition relating to the specific design of the pv panels.
Notwithstanding the above, BPT supports sensitive retrofits that preserve the special qualities of the historic environment.