Top Flat, 13 Grosvenor Place, Lambridge, Bath

13 Grosvenor Place forms part of a monumental Grade I late 18th century terrace of townhouses situated within the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site. It originally formed the initial phase of works around the proposed Vauxhall Gardens, now Kensington Meadows, by John Everleigh, and remains evidentially significant of a speculative Georgian leisure enterprise. The terrace form is notable for its symmetrical layout and uniform detailing in plain Bath stone ashlar with rusticated window and door arches. However, there are some instances of architectural diversity with some townhouses, including 13 Grosvenor Place, featuring rustication along the ground floor. Nos. 12, 13, and 14 form a distinctive, shared projecting aspect of the terrace, with No. 13 featuring a number of late 19th century alterations including a projecting entrance porch in rusticated Bath stone ashlar and a cast iron balconette that runs the full length of the first floor. The upper floors have since been painted yellow in contrast to the largely retained appearance of the terrace façade in Bath stone ashlar (albeit with a high number of properties being painted at ground floor level). The terrace is set back from London Road on a private access road and is partially screened from wider streetscape views from mature tree planting on the adjacent verge.

It is indicated that the roof is currently in poor condition. We are therefore supportive of remedial works to ensure the continued material health of the listed building. We welcome the principle of the replacement of existing fibre cement roof tiles with natural Spanish slate. The use of natural slate would be a more materially coherent addition to a Grade I building.

The proposed alterations to the dormer windows are intended to address ongoing water ingress issues and encourage water flow away from vulnerable areas. Whilst the alterations to the central dormer within the roof valley is evident from the proposed sections, it is unclear as to how the proposed works would apply to the external dormers that form part of the principal and rear elevations. Based on the elevations provided, it appears that no significant changes are proposed that would have an effect on the appearance of the dormers; considering their location at roof level, they are of limited public visibility and alterations would likely be less aesthetically evident. However, appropriately scaled detail sections may be more helpful in indicating the changes to be made in these areas.