pp1-18 - Bathford Parish Council

BATHFORD
Village Design Statement
December 2005
© Bathford Parish Council
www.bathford.net
Symbols
Key view into the area
Key view out of the area
These symbols are used throughout
Key View In
Key View out
Key View In
Key View out
Key View out
Key View In
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Grubbins Wood
Lower Shockerwick Farm
Shockerwick House
Shockerwick Farm
Mumford’s Vineyard
Morris Lane
Bathford Bridge
Crown Field
Crown Inn
Bathford Hill
Ostlings Lane
Paper Mill
Whitehaven
Folly Field Recreation Ground
Titan Barrow
Church Street
Pump Lane
Court Lane
St Swithun's Church
Manor Drive
Post Office
Ashley Road
High Street
Dovers Lane
Dovers Park
Mountain Wood
New Road
Garstons
Chapel Row
Prospect Place
Warleigh Lodge
Warleigh Lodge Farm
Warleigh Manor
Manor Farm
Sheephouse Farm
Warleigh Weir
Conkwell
Brownes Folly
Allotments
Pleasant Place
Sketch Map
of
Bathford Parish
©
Bathford Parish Council
2
ww.bathford.net
Contents
Page No.
Map of Bathford Parish
Facing page
What is a Village Design Statement?
4
History and Community
5
Economy
6
Landscape, Open Space and Wildlife
7 to 8
Settlement and Boundaries
9 to 10
Buildings and Materials
11 to 12
Highways, Footpaths and Street Furniture
13
Summary of Analysis
14
Map of the Bathford Conservation Area
15
Architectural detail examples
16 to 17
Acknowledgements
18
Volunteer Survey Reports:
Ostlings Lane
19 to 21
Bathford Hill and the Green above the Post Office
22 to 24
Church Street and Pump Lane
25 to 29
Dovers Park and Mountain Wood
30 to 33
High Street, Chapel Row, Prospect Place and Pleasant Place
34 to 37
Ashley Road, Titan Barrow and New Road
38 to 41
Garstons
42 to 43
Meadow Park, Morris Lane and Box Road
44 to 47
By Brook valley area
48 to 51
Manor Drive area
52 to 54
Shockerwick
55 to 57
Warleigh
58 to 60
Bathford Woods and Brownes Folly Reserve
61 to 63
This statement was adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance by Bath and North
East Somerset Council in December 2005. As such, it is a material consideration in
planning decisions. The statement will supplement the Development Plan, principally
the following policies:
Joint Replacement Structure Plan (September 2002): Policies 1,2 & 19.
Wansdyke Local Plan deposit draft 1995 as amended September 2000:
Policies LNC6, IMP1
The Bath & North East Somerset local Plan Revised Deposit Draft 2003:
Policies D1,2,4, ET4, SR3, HG4,7,9,10, NE 4,12, BH5,15, T3,4,5,15.
This statement has been produced following extensive community consultation.
A paper detailing public consultation has been compiled and is available from the
Parish Clerk or from Bath and North East Somerset Council Planning Services.
©
Bathford Parish Council
3
ww.bathford.net
BATHFORD VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT
What is a Village Design Statement?
We all agree that Bathford is unique, but what makes it special? Some features can be easily identified
as being part of the parish, but also a huge variety of details contribute to its unique quality.
All villages grow and evolve and what we see now in the Parish is probably very different from the shape
and form of the original settlement.
To appreciate how Bathford may evolve in the future it is important to consider how it has changed over
the years. Most changes are probably recent and many people feel that ‘change is always bad’ but this is
not always the case if it is carefully managed. In many ways Bathford must be able to change if it is to
stay ‘alive’.
Of course some aspects of the village are precious and must be preserved as a matter of course. Listed
Building Protection, Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Area Status give statutory protection to
certain structures and landscape deemed worthy of special conservation.
The most important thing is that any future change needs to be managed to protect our local
distinctiveness from erosion.
This Village Design Statement describes the qualities and characteristics of Bathford that are appreciated
and valued by the residents and the purpose of the Village Design Statement is to help manage change
whether it be major development or small scale alterations.
The aim of this Village Design Statement is to raise awareness of what is special about Bathford so that
future changes can be carried out in harmony with the village setting both contributing to and, where
possible, enhancing the local environment.
Who is the Village Design Statement for?
The Village Design Statement is aimed at and should be of interest to:
Statutory Bodies and Public Authorities
Planners, Developers, Architects, Builders
Local residents
Local businesses and community groups
How does Bathford Village Design Statement work?
The Village Design Statement cannot be used to stop new development but it can be used to influence
developers and the Local Planning Authority, and to ensure that new building work respects and reflects
local character.
It is hoped that this document will help in understanding the historical background of Bathford and instil
a greater appreciation of the beauty of the landscape and architecture of the village.
It is important that this Statement takes into account the views of the residents of Bathford. It has been
compiled with the help of local volunteers and based on the views of residents so that local knowledge,
views and ideas can contribute to the enhancement of the village.
This document covers the whole of the Parish, and has been based on a comprehensive survey and
character assessment carried out last year by local volunteers who aimed to record the qualities and
features that contribute to the special character of Bathford.
The Village Design Statement can be linked directly to the formal planning process and, if adopted by
Band north East Somerset Council as SPG, can be used to influence the planning process and make a
positive contribution to design in Bathford.
Copies of this document will be held by the Parish Council, Bath and North East Somerset Council.
Further copies will be available for local viewing. A shorter version ‘Guide to the Bathford Village Design
Statement’ was distributed to all residents with the second questionnaire of the Parish Plan project.
©
Bathford Parish Council
4
www.bathford.net
BATHFORD HISTORY and COMMUNITY
Bathford lies in the north east corner of the Bath & North East Somerset district about three miles to the
east of Bath. Bathford parish extends for about four miles from north to south and one mile from east to
west in the familiar form of the ‘Bathford pixie’ and consists of three rural divisions, Bathford,
Shockerwick and Warleigh. The village of Bathford is at the centre of the parish.
Bathford seemingly owes its origin and continued existence through the ages to its position at an
important Roman road junction and the ford over the river Avon. The settlement was formerly known as
Forde, but appears on a map of Somerset dated 1575 as Bathford.
Bathford is the third largest of the Parishes surrounding the city of Bath. Its estimated population in 1086
was 100; in 1971 the population was 1,839. The present population stands at 1753 (2001 Census). The
recent expansion of the Parish has brought social and economic benefits. It also benefits from a wide
range of residents of all ages, which bodes well for the future of the community. However, as housing
prices rise, there is a perceived need for more low cost housing to allow younger people to remain
resident within the Parish. This is important to maintain the continuity and vitality of the community.
Bathford is surrounded by delightful countryside, enjoys a splendid river valley and fine views of
Hampton Down, Little Solsbury Hill and distant Lansdown. According to Collinson in ‘The History and
Antiquities of the County of Somerset’ written in 1791, ‘This situation of the village of Bathford is
exceedingly pleasant, being on an eminence at the western declivity of the point of a bold hill called
Farley Down, which rises behind it to a height of nearly seven hundred feet, and is so diversified with
rocks, stone quarries, and irregular patches of wood as to form an enchanting landscape.’ Today, two
hundred years later, the landscape is even more enchanting, and the village retains a distinctive
character.
The special rural character of Bathford has generally been retained despite recent housing expansion,
mainly to the south and east of the village centre and across the By Brook and A4 river at Meadow Park.
This is probably due to the panoramic views to open countryside beyond which are still enjoyed.
However, future pressure for development may begin to threaten the rural nature of the settlement and
should be carefully managed.
The village community is large and varied enough to support many thriving local community groups and
ventures, and a range of social and leisure opportunities. The Parish Hall in Church Street is a main
focus for community activity, although there appears to be a demand for more community facilities.
The parish church of Bathford is dedicated to St Swithun. The church was almost completely rebuilt in
1870 although there is evidence of the existence of a church at Bathford before the Norman Conquest.
COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
Planners, developers and Local Authorities should take relevant local advice concerning facilities to be
provided.
It is important that existing village community facilities are retained and improved.
Local opinion appears to show support for more
health, sports and community facilities.
The infrastructure of the village should keep pace
with any expansion.
New developments should help to enhance the
social mix.
A range of housing types and sizes is desirable, with
emphasis on affordable housing in order to
encourage young residents to remain and maintain
the continuity and vitality of the community.
New developments should be encouraged to include
community facilities.
Pen drawing of Brunel’s railway bridge at Bathford
©
Bathford Parish Council
5
www.bathford.net
ECONOMY SUMMARY
From the earliest times Bathford has been a farming community, the other industries being the mill and
the quarries. In 1791 there were eleven farmhouses. The tithe map of 1839 shows two thirds of the land
as arable, in addition to smallholders and market gardeners.
Since then there has been gradual erosion of the large holdings. Some farmhouses have been converted
to private residences and farming is now mainly confined to Shockerwick and Warleigh.
Industry in the Parish is mainly found at Bathford Mill, owned and operated by Portals (Bathford) Ltd
since 1973. The company produces high quality watermarked paper and is a major local employer.
There has been a mill of some kind on the By Brook for more than 900 years.
Bathford Nursery on Box Road has been in existence as
a market garden, then a plant nursery, for many
years.
Bathford Post Office has moved premises several
times and currently, in conjunction with the village
shop, is considered a strong social and economic
necessity in the heart of the village. Despite this
there is a danger that this will close, which would be
a loss to the community.
Watercolour of the mill in the evening
Few other retail outlets remain, mainly centred on
the High Street, and are absorbed amongst the
residential buildings.
Other retail businesses within the village have been lost during recent years. The proximity of the major
retail centres of Bath, Chippenham and Trowbridge obviously encourage residents to shop away from the
village, however the local economy is perceived as important to the village social health as well as for
those less mobile residents.
Although at one time there were several inns in the Parish, only the Crown at the lower end of Bathford
Hill remains. This has been known to exist since 1757.
Other businesses remain although a large majority of the working population is now employed away from
the village, especially in the major centre of Bath. However, with the rise of information technology and
employment trends moving towards home based working, small businesses in Bathford could increase.
The continued prosperity and social vitality of the Parish depends on encouraging the process of
economic growth and development, rather than its decline.
ECONOMY GUIDELINES
The existing retail businesses are perceived as important to the vitality and social health of Bathford.
It is important to retain and develop these.
Small-scale employment use should be
encouraged.
Commercial developments or
conversions should be designed to
harmonise with existing village setting,
particularly within the residential areas.
Planning policy should encourage sympathetic
business uses for existing buildings.
Business use (new or conversion
development) should be designed to high
architectural standards.
Pen & ink drawing of the New Inn (now the Post Office)
©
Bathford Parish Council
6
www.bathford.net
LANDSCAPE SETTING, OPEN SPACE AND WILDLIFE SUMMARY
The built up area of Bathford is set partly around the river valley and extends on to the higher ground to
the north and south of the A4 road. This allows long views to the river valley and to the surrounding hills
from many parts of the Parish and helps to give Bathford its rural quality. Some quality near the lower
part of the village is compromised due to the very obvious presence of electricity pylons. Future pressures may also come as a result of communication masts, wind turbines, etc.
The north-facing slope of Bathford Hill gives the Parish its familiar wooded backdrop and the view from
across the valley of the village houses spread on the hillside around the church tower is particularly
appealing.
The Parish is fortunate in having many substantial tree groups, hedges and single mature trees both
within Bathford and as viewed from it. Many of these can be seen in the pictures in the report Sections.
The village centre also has several green public open spaces. Each of these has its own character; the
large open space of the Folly Field behind Titan Barrow, the low lying, large but contained Crown Field
with its dreadful pylon, the neat village green on the corner of Dovers Lane, and the meadow-like Manor
Field with its lovely mature trees. The main perceived difficulty with these spaces is the problem of dog
fouling.
Brownes Folly nature reserve, owned by the Avon Wildlife Trust and extending to almost one hundred
acres of woodland and open space on the hill behind the village, is seen as an important asset to the
Parish both as a recreational amenity and a wildlife habitat. It was purchased by public subscription,
with the help of the residents of Bathford, in 1972. The main access is at the car park at Farleigh Rise,
which unfortunately suffers from fly tipping and would benefit from a better surface. Travellers have
also been parking large vehicles here.
There have been concerns expressed by local residents over the present upkeep of the reserve, in
particular the subdivision by fencing of some areas.
Brownes Folly itself, known locally as the ‘Pepperpot’, is actually just outside the Parish boundary but is
a familiar and prominent landmark associated with Bathford.
The river Avon, running to the west, forms a natural boundary to the Parish. The historic ferry that once
crossed it at Warleigh was discontinued some years ago. Now the river can be crossed on foot via the
railway bridge. The water meadows around the river form a lush base for the village topography and are
rich in flowers and bank-side trees.
The By Brook is less obvious but has a discreet charm and an abundance of wild flora. There is a
perceived desire for more and easier access to this tranquil part of the Parish. The new footbridge over
the brook on the A363 will be a valuable asset.
The allotments are seen as being a vital part of the Parish both in terms of the attractive open character
of the area and the social role they play in village life.
Across the main A4 road, Shockerwick has great landscape value with its swathe of rising fields and
hedges and ancient track-ways.
Local landscaping also forms an important part of the close up village scene. Gardens, open spaces and
trees within the village are as important to the overall character of the village as the wider landscape,
often more immediate and sometimes under greater threat.
LANDSCAPE OPEN SPACE AND WILDLIFE GUIDELINES
Existing landscape character should be preserved.
Review tree protection orders on a regular basis and take residents views into account when
considering these.
The view into the village from the surroundings should be considered as important as the views to
the wider landscape.
©
Bathford Parish Council
7
www.bathford.net
Brownes Folly reserve is an important element of the village setting. Views of residents should be taken
into account when interventions are under consideration. (There is a contact in the Parish).
Access and parking facilities for Brownes Folly reserve are considered in need of improvement.
If significant development or change is proposed, landscape design schemes should be prepared for
consultation.
By Brook is considered an important landscape feature. This could be reflected by improved management
of this area and possibly more public access.
The allotments at Ashley Road are seen to be a vital part of the Parish. (See plan on page 40)
Encourage tree, hedge and bulb planting schemes by the community to preserve and enhance landscape
character.
Encourage the preservation and creation of wildlife habitats within the Parish.
Plan for the ultimate relocation of overhead cables in areas of important landscape quality.
Encourage setting up of environmental groups to identify campaigns for survey and protection schemes, etc.
Encourage owners to maintain landscape by removal of overgrown foliage and debris, repair of walls etc.
Encourage consideration of siting of telecommunication masts, wind turbines, etc. and discourage siting in
key character areas.
Consult Bath and North East Somerset Council Field Boundary Project on rural planning applications.
The Bishop of Bath and Wells (Bishop Peter) and the
Rev Tim Ling at the open air service on the village
green on Sept 11th 2005
Bathford CC play on the recreation ground
©
Bathford Parish Council
8
www.bathford.net
STREETS AND PLOTS SUMMARY
The historic settlement of Bathford is built on the lower slopes of a limestone hillside close by the bend
in the river Avon as it passes from the Limpley Stoke valley.
The settlement pattern takes two main directions; a line up Bathford Hill following the general direction
of the Roman road up the hill and along Dovers Lane towards Marlborough. The later Ashley Road and
the High Street follow the same basic pattern.
The other part of the pattern takes the route to the river crossing and to the south, via Church Street,
Pump Lane, Warleigh Lane and Ostlings Lane, and later the Bradford Road.
These historic roads are obvious and practical connecting routes or have their origins in local winding
track ways such as would be made by animals. This sets a very strong pattern that has remained largely
undisturbed because the routes are still mainly in use.
Most of the older buildings are set along these routes and the edge of the historic heart of Bathford is
clearly defined as these routes leave the village at Court Lane and Prospect Place.
The close-knit nature of the settlement may also have a social effect; most residents agree that Bathford
is a very friendly, close community and it may well be that this is helped by the settlement pattern.
The major expansions of the settlement have taken place in the crooks of land formed by these routes.
These are the areas of New Road and Garstons between Ashley Road and High Street, Mountain Wood and
Dovers Park between Dovers Lane and Pump Lane and Meadow Park between Morris Lane and the Box
Road. Minor expansions have taken place between Ostlings Lane and the Bradford Road, at Titan Barrow
and along Ashley Road.
The result of this contained expansion within the village is that the settlement pattern has remained
informal but quite tightly knit. An overview of the Conservation Area shows this phenomenon quite
clearly. (ref. page 15)
These more recent settlement areas have few references to the original settlement pattern. Culs-de-sac
in particular are not a village feature unless access to a historic building, as is the case at Manor Drive.
The developments at Garstons and to a lesser degree, Mountain Wood, look out of place with the historic
pattern because they are culs-de-sac rather than along a route. This can result in the lack of integration
with the other parts of the village as only local residents tend to experience the area.
Much of the older parts exhibit a wide variety of building sizes from small terraces of cottages to
substantial detached dwellings set within large gardens.
This variety of pattern lends a great deal of character to
the core of the village. The terraces are often built
very close to the road edge which gives a fine sense of
enclosed space to streets such as Church Street. The
character of each area is more fully
identified in later sections.
This sense of enclosure is also given by stone walls of
which there are many excellent examples within the
village and in the wider Parish.
The larger plots allow garden greenery to impinge on
the space. Large plots and spaces between the
buildings allow important glimpse views out of the village. The area around the Church is especially
interesting. The large churchyard and the open land around Church Farm remain undeveloped
and crossed by only a footpath. This rural pocket is an attractive part of the village.
Some plots span the width of land between roads and are liable to infill development, which is already
starting to take place. The settlement boundary of the village is generally well defined by hedges, walls,
etc. Any future expansion should take account of this and avoid erosion of the existing boundaries.
©
Bathford Parish Council
9
www.bathford.net
9
SETTLEMENT AND BOUNDARY GUIDELINES
Street patterns are important to the character of the village and should be recognised and respected.
The street pattern is characteristically route driven, not random. Culs-de-sac and closes are a modern intervention and not inherent in the settlement pattern.
Buildings should be set at front of plots when close to streets and further back in more open areas.
Building forms are varied, giving an interesting and appealing character to the form of the settlement and a
contrast of formal and informal.
New development should be integrated within the existing boundaries if possible to form part of the
existing pattern.
Infill development in small pockets may be more appropriate than large-scale edge development.
Small-scale edge development may be appropriate in some locations.
New development should respect the existing variety of building forms and avoid repetitive and monotonous
layouts.
Views into and out of the village should be protected.
Rural areas of the Parish such as Warleigh and Shockerwick should have appropriately tight restrictions on
new development.
Bathford Church from the railway bridge.
Cottage in Church Street.
St Swithuns’ Church tower
viewed from Bathford Bridge
©
Bathford Parish Council
High walls in Church Street.
10
www.bathford.net
BUILDINGS AND MATERIALS DETAILS
The village centre of Bathford can easily be recognised from afar by its location on the hillside with the
dark mass of hill behind. The square church tower is a landmark but the overall sense is of a stone
coloured settlement amongst the trees.
On entering the village this view is reinforced as most of the buildings and walls which line the main
routes are made of local limestone.
There are many Listed buildings in the Conservation Area, all of which contribute to the character of the
village, whether grand manor houses or modest cottage terraces.
Most of the historically and architecturally valuable buildings are the legacy of the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries. These traditionally styled buildings make up the foundation of the built character
of the village. Almost exclusively built of Bath stone with stone, slate or clay tiled roofs, they exhibit a
variety of detail which adds to the attractiveness and distinctiveness of Bathford.
The buildings exhibit a variety of heights and frontage widths with no formal building pattern obvious
within the historic elements, adding greatly to the overall character of the street scene.
Away from the historic areas there are a similar number of modern dwellings. The modern developments
have introduced different and reconstructed Bath stone materials as well as different settlement
patterns.
Despite the inherent difficulties with integration of new development within an historic setting, welldesigned modern buildings can contribute successfully to the character of the village and quality
contemporary architecture is an asset which can contribute to the variety, vitality and economy of the
area. Future pressures will be from the modern technological inventions of satellite dishes, solar panels,
etc. More detailed descriptions can be found in the individual character assessment areas.
Each generation has contributed to the growth of the settlement. It remains to be seen whether the
present generation will add buildings worthy of future protection.
BUILDINGS AND MATERIALS GUIDELINES
Historic buildings should be maintained using appropriate materials, details and techniques. Styles and
materials for replacement windows and doors should be sympathetic to the original materials
and proportions. Historic stonework should be repaired using appropriate mortars.
Owners should be encouraged to maintain dilapidated property for the benefit of all.
Lobby Local Authority to grant aid repairs to the historic fabric, in particular stone walling.
The existing scale of the village buildings should be respected.
(Details in character area reports).
Existing walls should be retained where possible and repaired in
appropriate materials.
Traditional stonewalling should be encouraged as a boundary
treatment for new development. Existing walls should be
retained and maintained in appropriate materials.
Existing building patterns should not be altered without
consideration of the resulting spatial effect.
A cottage in Ashley Road
Details such as dormer windows require careful consideration if
they are to integrate into the street scene. Local traditional details should be retained.
The remaining stone roof tiling must be protected. New developments should acknowledge the context of
the village and respect the variety of building forms in the village, avoiding ‘rubber stamp’ designs that
could be anywhere.
New developments should reflect local building materials and colour palette.
©
Bathford Parish Council
11
www.bathford.net
New developments should respond to the proportions of the buildings, which make the character of
Bathford. They should also take account of locally distinctive details and avoid false historical references.
New development designs should include variations to avoid monotonous repetition of house types.
New developments should respond to small-scale spaces and avoid large areas of hard standing for car
parking etc.
Encouragement should be given to well designed new buildings in appropriate locations.
Skilful and appropriate infill development may be acceptable, however it is especially important that any
infill development is of very high quality if it is to be successfully assimilated.
Consideration should be given to the sensitive siting of modern interventions such as satellite dishes and
solar panels. Siting on main elevations should be avoided.
Tuesday Sept. 20th 2005. A momentous day for the Parish! After many, many years of waiting and
battling the new footbridge across the By Brook is swung into position by a heavy lift crane.
Shirley Beazer (P.C. Chair) and Philip Harris (Former
Chair) are present to witness the installation.
©
Bathford Parish Council
A view of the newly installed footbridge
from the road bridge.
12
ww.bathford.net
HIGHWAYS FOOTPATHS AND STREET FURNITURE SUMMARY
Bathford village is fortunate in that most of the streets within it are not major roads and do not cut the
village into segments.
Of course, the obvious exceptions to this are the A4 road, which completely separates the village from
the northern part of the Parish at Meadow Park and Shockerwick, and the Bradford Road, which isolates
Warleigh.
The footbridge over the By Brook may be successful in strengthening the link to the northern Parish.
Within the village centre traffic is quieter although it is a modern inevitability that traffic flow will
increase especially along the High Street and Bathford Hill.
The traffic-calming scheme at the top of Bathford Hill has received a mixed reaction. Many residents feel
that ‘nothing has been achieved’ whilst others feel that ‘crossing the road’ had been made easier for
pedestrians’. (Parish Plan questionnaires).
Pedestrian access - especially access for the less mobile - has been raised as an issue, especially on the
inclines and older pavements in bad weather.
The historic routes have some attractive limestone pavements, an increasingly rare feature which should
be preserved.
Bathford is well served by footpaths although some are in a poor state of upkeep and can be difficult to
pass. It is important for the character of the village to keep the historic routes open and usable.
Overhead wires detract from the quality of the streetscape. The responsible statutory bodies need to be
encouraged to conceal installations in future. Individual householders can help by siting satellite dishes
sensitively.
Street furniture is an important part of the character of the village. Seating, lighting, finger-post signs,
rubbish bins and bus shelters, if well designed and consistent, can ‘pull together’ a street scene.
HIGHWAYS FOOTPATHS AND STREET FURNITURE GUIDELINES
Public transport should be improved and promoted.
Safe and pleasant cycle ways would be appreciated
by residents.
New developments need to respect the semi rural
character of the street detailing and reduce estate
type road detailing.
Street furniture should be appropriate for the village
context and if possible reflect local craftsmanship or
historic detailing.
Appropriate measures should be put in place for the
street safety of less mobile pedestrians.
Public footpaths should be restored if necessary and
maintained.
Illumination should be designed to respect the rural
character of the village.
There is a perceived need for more public seating,
which should be good quality and appropriate.
Maintain and protect the historic limestone pavements
and finger-post road signs.
A swan with her cygnets on the By Brook
at Bathford Bridge.
Lobby for improved traffic safety measures at Bathford Hill /Bradford Road junction.
©
Bathford Parish Council
13
www.bathford.net
SUMMARY OF ANALYSIS
The modern phenomenon of a mobile population affects the stability of a small community in a way
that was not a problem in the past. This is found to a large extent in the newer developments within
the parish, where the inhabitants are generally younger and occupation is more transient. The
changing nature of a community can dilute concerns regarding the preservation of the character of
the village.
The analysis of Bathford through the Village Design Statement must conclude that anything beyond
very minor development within the historic village core and the rural areas of Warleigh and
Shockerwick should be avoided if the essential character is to be preserved.
An Article 4 Directive withdrawing permitted development rights from unlisted buildings within the
Conservation Area would assist in preservation of remaining character and protect details such as
traditional windows and doors.
Potential development in other areas should be the subject of careful consideration with regard to
siting, parking arrangements, design and materials particularly if relating closely to the central
village area.
The essential elements of character in Bathford
may be summed up:
Historic street pattern.
Widespread use of natural local stone
as a building material.
Landscape character within and around
the settlement.
Rural character of accesses.
FOLLOWING UP THE VILLAGE
DESIGN STATEMENT
Since the group responsible for drawing up the
VDS will be disbanded after this document is
published, following up will have to be done by
the Parish Council and local residents.
Whitehaven from the north side
The following actions are recommended:
Assignment of interested residents to take
responsibility for following up recommendations
of the Village Design Statement.
Press authorities for effective action on traffic
problems.
Identify trees that make a notable contribution
to the setting and propose sites where
additional tree planting would add to the
amenity and replace older trees as they die off.
Identify unlisted buildings of historic or
architectural interest.
Identify ongoing enhancement to support the
essential village character.
Consider future extensions to Conservation Area.
Manage future updating and new editions of
Village Design Statement.
The Post Box in the High St.
©
Bathford Parish Council
.
14
www.bathford.net
©
Bathford Parish Council
15
www.bathford.net
Typical Bathford architectural detail
New stone-built dwelling on Dovers Lane.
Well proportioned and good use of natural
materials (including dry stone walling).
Simple, well proportioned dwellings
on High St.
Slate roof with stone chimney,
parapet and simple dormer
High rubble stone wall at
entrance to Dovers Park
Flush mortared or stone parapet verges.
Steep pitched roofs, mostly clay tile or slate. Rooflines and eaves do not always line through.
Some stone tiling survives—retain existing and encourage further.
Gable and central chimney stacks in brick or stone.
Small dormers with flat or pitched roofs.
Stone boundary walls are vitally important to village character. Ensure retention of existing and
encourage further.
Use of feature detailing to encourage identity.
Ornate stone door head on
Bathford Hill
©
Bathford Parish Council
Rare oolitic stone pavement
in Church St.
16
16
Iron overthrow and lamp at
Sycamore House
www.bathford.net
Typical Bathford architectural detail
Massive stone blocks and gatepost at Manor Drive entrance
Attractive traditional door and
window at corner of Church St.
Ashlar wall with curved coping
stone on Church St.
Familiar stone bus shelter on
Dovers Park
Stone walls in ashlar or rubble stone
Some render to external walls
Windows—timber casement or sash windows. Discourage modern uPVC replacements and note
proportion of window openings.
Stone window surrounds, stone-drips or more ornate details.
Stone door heads often emphasize openings
Stone gabled dormers give character to elevations.
Traditional timber front doors—avoid over-glazed modern styles.
Simple timber casement with
timber lintel and stone jambs
©
Bathford Parish Council
Attractive stone gabled
dormer with casement
window on Church St.
17
17
Arched stone opening and gate
in boundary wall in Church St..
www.bathford.net
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND THANKS
Bathford Village Design Statement has been produced by Bathford Parish Council with
assistance from The Countryside Agency and Bath & North East Somerset Council
Thanks are due to Planning Liaison Officer Tony Crouch of Bath & North East Somerset Council
This Village Design Statement has been prepared alongside the Bathford Parish Plan.
The views and comments of the community as a whole were gathered through
consultation by:
Public meeting and consultation meetings with various groups.
All responses received from Bathford Parish Plan questionnaires .
Distribution of ‘Guide to VDS’ to all households in the Parish with the second
Parish Plan, questionnaire which also invited comment.
Publishing of draft VDS on Parish website inviting general views and comment.
The document has been prepared by the following local volunteers and includes input from all
the residents that the volunteers spoke to whilst undertaking their surveys:
Hugh Baker
Stan Cherry
Bill Gething
Pat Little
Pat Smith
David Howells
Lee Newman
Ian Plain
Fae Hall
Diana Smith
Jan Tatem
Ceri Williams
Sally Broadway
Andy Ginn
Joyce Helps
Mike Smith
Ken Tatem
Jean Cherry
Emmanuelle Ginn
Jan Hooker
Jenny Spooner-Lillington
Brian Tilley
The Village Design Statement has been overseen by Vivienne Summerill and drawn
together by the Bathford Parish Plan Steering Committee:
Lennie Almond
Jill Gigg
Bob Palmer
Ceri Williams
Hugh Baker
Robin Harragin
Diana Smith
Hendrik Bebber
Jeanette Kremer
Vivienne Summerill
Stan Cherry
Peter McCowen
Arnie Whitfield
Readers should note that the following pages are the views of the volunteers who walked
their area and wrote their reports according to what they saw and photographed.
The reports are not a local history statement but a snapshot view of the Parish
on the days when the walks were made.
A more detailed account of the history of Bathford may be found in ‘Bathford Past
& Present’ written by Godfrey Laurence and published by The Bathford Society.
THE EXISTING VISUAL CHARACTER OF THE PARISH:
The following sections (pages 19 to 63) are a visual survey of the parish as an aid to assessing
the special character of Bathford. In order to carry out the survey, the whole Parish has been
divided into thirteen ‘Identity Areas’ and surveys have been carried out by volunteer residents.
Each Identity Area is described and the particular character assessed. Relevant history,
significant features - including topography, settlement patterns, current activities, details of
buildings, access and the way the area is changing — are detailed for each area.
Guidance recommendations and potential actions for preservation and enhancement of each
are then outlined.
Printed by: Corsham Print Ltd - Units 4/5, The Pickwick Workshops, Park Lane, Corsham, Wilts. SN13 0HN
© Bathford Parish Council
18
www.bathford.net