Proposals for two new dwellings in the garden setting of a 19th century workers cottage in Fairfield Park have been dismissed at appeal.

The cottage, now known as Waterworks Cottage, has historic associations with the former Charlcombe Water Works site and is recognised as a Non-Designated Heritage Asset (NDHA) of local importance.

BPT has continued to oppose the proposal on grounds of harm to the setting of a NDHA. We maintained strong concerns of the development’s impact on long-range landscape views across the World Heritage Site, and the visual impact of development on the setting of the Green Belt and Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The inspector described the proposed development as “an unduly intensive redevelopment of the site” which would cause harm to the character and appearance of the area. Development would be of detriment to the site’s “gentle transition between urban Bath and neighbouring open countryside designated for its outstanding natural beauty. “

It was finally concluded that the benefits of the scheme, whilst considered to be “considerable and meaningful”, would not outweigh the significant harm identified to the local area.

You can access the appeal decision in full here.

You can read BPT’s original objection here.