City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting
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City of Bath 1 World Heritage Site Setting Supplementary Planning Document August 2013 Foreword A Supplementary Planning The surroundings of Bath are The reality of being a vibrant Document to aid effective integral to the city, giving working city is often held in protection and management opportunities for beautiful tension with its history and of Bath’s setting views, for wonderful walks and beauty. This Supplementary As cabinet member for homes cycle rides and for exploring the Planning Document forms an and planning and a long landscape, history and nature. important part of the standing resident of the city, These opportunities need to be management framework for I am pleased to commend this celebrated and the landscape Bath and North East Somerset document which is already to be cared for so that under which the needs of our proving invaluable in informing maximum benefit can be vibrant modern communities decisions affecting Bath and its obtained for the community, can be balanced with the surroundings. residents and visitors. This protection of an internationally document shows the critical renowned heritage destination. Bath is valued because of its relationship of the city to its This will help to ensure that beauty and rich history which surroundings and the Bath remains a hugely valued is recognised by its inscription importance of the setting to the place to live, work and visit. as a World Heritage Site. The World Heritage Site so that it Lastly I thank all of you who designation is an honour for can be effectively managed for have contributed to the the city. As a complete city the benefit of present and development of this document, with such a harmonious future generations. relationship of buildings and and I believe this document open landscape this status is stands us in great stead to justly merited. continue to provide effective stewardship of this famous city for many years to come. Councillor Tim Ball This Supplementary Planning Document has been developed in partnership with: Contents 1 Introduction 5 9 Historical Views and Places of Interest 140 in the Georgian Period (Appendix 4) 2 Definitions, Policy and Guidance on Setting 13 10 Roman Historical Sites and Features (Appendix 5) 143 3 Importance of Setting to Bath and the Surrounding Communities 19 11 Georgian Historical Sites and Features (Appendix 5) 150 4 The Extent of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting 23 12 Georgian Bath in 1852 (Appendix 5) 151 5 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting 27 13 Principal Historic Roads Into and Out of Bath (Appendix 6) 162 6 Management of the Setting 61 14 Location of Road Viewpoints (Appendix 7) 180 7 Assessing Impacts Affecting the World Heritage Site Setting 63 15 Location of River Viewpoints (Appendix 8) 185 Map 1a Planning Designations: Cotswolds 9 Appendices Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 1 Statement of Outstanding Universal Value 72 1b Planning Designations: Green Belt 10 2 Extract from Cherishing Outdoor Places 75 1c Planning Designations: Conservation Areas 11 3 Information Sheets and Computer Generated View-shed Maps 77 1d Planning Designations: Scheduled Ancient Monuments 12 for a Selection of Views and Historic Parks and Gardens (Maps 1a to 1d in Chapter 1) 4 Historical Views and Places of Interest in the Georgian Period 124 2 Indicative City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting (Chapter 4) 26 5 Significant Heritage Assets 141 3 Landform Features Associated with the 34 6 Principal Historic Roads into and out of Bath 152 Character of the World Heritage Site (Chapter 5) 7 Road View Descriptions 164 4 Contour Map (Chapter 5) 35 8 River Corridor View Descriptions 181 5 Green Hillsides Forming Prominent 36 Features of the Landscape Setting (Chapter 5) 9 Grading Categories for Assessing Impacts on the World Heritage Site 186 6 Character Areas (Chapter 5) 38 10 Definitions 192 7 View Locations (Appendix 3) 76 11 Historical Illustration References 193 8(a–z) Computer Generated View-shed Maps from 78 (onwards) Key Viewpoints and to Key Landmarks (Appendix 3) 12 References 195 Chapter 1 55 Introduction The key purpose of This document: • Describes and shows this document is to where the setting is • Defines what is important about the setting and provide information • Outlines the process for assessing impacts affecting the setting and tools needed for It also provides an overview of the international and national context for the management and protection the effective protection of the setting of heritage assets The document was adopted as a and appropriate Supplementary Planning Document in August 2013 in support of policies for the protection of the World Heritage Site and management of its setting in the Local Plan and Core Strategy once it is adopted the setting. It is intended for the use of developers and agents, development management planners, landowners and managers of land, and residents and visitors. Chapter 1 6 Introduction Bathwick and hills beyond showing the city in its landscape setting 1.01 The protection of the setting of any World Heritage Site (WHS) This is fully linked to the protection of the document: Site itself. This is particularly true in the case of Bath where the landscape • Describes and shows of the city and its surroundings has where the setting is been instrumental in the location, • Describes what is important form and special character of the WHS. The setting is protected through about the setting planning policy but there is limited • Outlines the process literature on what is important relating for assessing impacts to the setting, how far it extends or on the setting how impacts should be assessed. This document seeks to provide this information and the tools needed for the protection and management of the setting including both the developed and undeveloped landscape. To facilitate this the document: The distinct landscape around Weston • Describes and shows where the setting is • Describes what is important about the setting • Outlines the process for assessing impacts on the setting 7 1.02 By understanding the 1.04 The project to prepare this 1.05 This SPD will give greater clarity 1.07 It will also be used by policy implications of any proposed document has been managed by and certainty in decision making and development management changes it will help inform decisions the Council’s Landscape Architect affecting the WHS setting and is a key planners when considering or to ensure that the characteristics that with support and input from English document to guide the management assessing development proposals. are significant to the setting are Heritage, The Bath Preservation Trust, and enhancement of the WHS and its It provides background information maintained and where appropriate the Council’s World Heritage Manager, setting. It recognises that there will be for Local Authorities who are required enhanced through managing the WHS Steering Group and the proposals for development coming to ‘identify and assess the particular appropriate development and through Councils’ Archaeologist. A study forward in areas close to the city. It is significance of any heritage asset encouragement of enhancement was produced in 2009 initially to not intended to prevent appropriate that may be affected by a proposal projects. It also has wider application inform the Core Strategy process. development within the setting but (including by development affecting to inform management decisions This study has formed the basis through outlining the significance of the setting of a heritage asset)’ as in support of the City of Bath WHS for this Supplementary Planning the setting aims to inform decisions. required by paragraph 129 of the Management Plan, in particular Document including identifying National Planning Policy Framework. 1.06 It is designed to be used by Issue 26 which states: ‘There aspects of significance as defined developers, statutory undertakers and 1.08 It is also intended to be useful is a need to ensure that the Site’s in the Statement of Outstanding their advisers in giving understanding for landowners and managers of land extensive and vulnerable landscape Universal Value and providing a of the setting and its significance so to influence decisions on the use and setting is recognised, interpreted, framework for assessing impacts that the issues can be fully taken into management of land particularly when protected and managed to prevent on the WHS. It has been prepared account when considering the siting considering proposals for change incremental damage’ and Action in line with international and national and design of new development. within the setting. It is hoped that 12a to adopt a WHS setting policy and guidance including the It provides background information it will also be of interest to residents, Supplementary Planning Document. National Planning Policy Framework, in support of the requirement in visitors and others with an interest Circular 07/2009 on the Protection of 1.03 It has been consulted on and paragraph 128 of the National Planning in the city and its surroundings. World Heritage Sites, The Operational adopted as a Supplementary Planning Policy Framework to ‘describe the Guidelines for the Implementation of Document in support of policies BH.1 significance of any heritage assets the World Heritage Convention and in the Bath and North East Somerset affected, including any contribution English Heritage guidance ‘The Setting Council Local Plan and B4 in the Core made by their setting’. Reference to of Heritage