Physical Influences
Geology
7.1.1 The lowest part of the area (valley bottom) is
White Lias Limestone, the hillsides are initially clay and then
foundered layers of clay and
limestone.
Landform and Drainage Pattern
7.1.2 The area is set within a valley running south
east. The historic core of Weston lies on the valley bottom.
Postwar development extends up the north side of the valley with
views south.
7.1.3 Many springs emerge from where the clay layer
meets the limestone above on the hillsides. These drain into the
Lock’s Brook, which has been culverted from Weston Lodge
onwards.
Land Use and Buildings
Land Use
7.1.4 The High Street forms the historic village
core with a mix of commercial, community and residential uses. The
rest of the area is residential with three schools.
Building Form and Heights
7.1.5 The historic village core is largely terraces
of two and three storeys and is an almost continuous frontage. The
residential areas are nearly all semi -detached and always two
storeys high.
7.1.6 Weston Lodge stands alone and was once a
single dwelling. It has now been converted to flats and is
surrounded by later residential development.
Building Age
7.1.7 The majority of the buildings in Weston's
historic core date from C18. There are clear examples of Georgian
three storey houses indicating how the village was influenced by
urban developments in Bath.
7.1.8 Prospect Place is a small group of 1900s
terraces separate from the main area of Weston village that has
been swallowed up by postwar residential expansion.
7.1.9 Large-scale residential development started to
occur during the mid C20 at Broadmoor Lane and Broadmoor Park. The
remaining housing areas have been built in the postwar period.
Architectural Details
7.1.10
Much of the village core is in a simple vernacular style. There are
examples of more imposing C18 development, as would have been the
fashion in Bath at the time.
7.1.11
The additional shops on the western end of the High Street were
constructed in the 1960s in a simple modernist style to serve the
growing population.
7.1.12
The mid C20 developments are typical of the period. Postwar
development occurs in a variety of styles including Cornish type
prefabricated houses and standard house types that pay no regard to
their context.
Materials
7.1.13
The vernacular buildings in the historic core are predominantly of
coursed Bath stone. The urban styles influenced by Bath are
constructed of ashlar. The isolated historic group of dwellings at
Prospect Place are constructed of coursed White Lias Limestone.
7.1.14
Materials for the mid to late C20 housing include render,
pre-fabricated panels and reconstituted stone. Many of the
prefabricated houses along Eastfield Avenue have now been rendered
in a variety of pastel shades. This adds a ‘splash’ of colour that
is an interesting change from the uniformity of much of Bath.
Streets and Civic Spaces
Street Pattern
7.1.15 The historic street pattern is based upon a main route
from Bath running along the lowest part of the valley to Lansdown
Road via Lansdown Lane. There are connections to Kelston Road via
Penn Hill Road. Lansdown Lane climbs steeply up the slope. Branches
off these larger roads provided connections to farms on the edge
and outside the area, all of which still exist.
7.1.16 The large-scale residential development in the postwar
period saw the areas between the historic routes infilled. This
residential development was contained within historic field
boundaries. The street pattern of these areas is curving responding
to the contours and reflecting the trends of the time.
7.1.17 Residential development to the south of the area
(Chandler Close) backing onto the hospital is laid out to Radburn
principles where pedestrians are separated from cars.
Density and Degree of Enclosure
7.1.18
The continuous frontage of two and three storey development that
abuts the back of the pavements tightly encloses the historic core.
Retaining walls add to this sense of enclosure.
7.1.19
The residential expansion areas are of a medium density with
semi-detached dwellings on generous plots and significant open
spaces in some areas. More recent residential development to the
south of the area backing onto the hospital is terraced development
of small units resulting in a higher density.
Vitality and Tranquillity
7.1.20
The village core is vibrant and busy providing facilities and
services for the local community. The area has a great deal of
pedestrian traffic, but the High Street is dominated by one-way
traffic.
7.1.21
The residential areas are peaceful with no particular negative
background noise.
Materials and Boundary Treatment
7.1.22
The older houses generally have stone boundary walls or railings.
Residential estates are usually open plan with either low walls or
no boundaries at all.
7.1.23
Retaining walls are a significant feature in this area. The
structure along the north side of the High Street uses traditional
materials creating a raised pavement. The tall modern retaining
wall along the south side of Crown Road was created in the 1960s
when the road was constructed to relieve the High Street.
Influence of Vegetation and Open Space
Trees and Shrubs
7.1.24
The churchyard trees are a major landscape feature due to their
elevated location.
7.1.25
Planting in private gardens and within the open plan estates makes
a considerable, but uncoordinated contribution to the character of
the area.
7.1.26
Hedge planting along the top of the Crown Road is a large-scale
feature that emphasises the massiveness of the retaining wall from
key views such as the churchyard.
7.1.27
Open spaces within the estates are rather lacking in tree planting
of a scale to soften the large expanses of housing.
Open Space
7.1.28
Within the housing estates there are significant open spaces that
add to the overall open character of the area.
Features, Landmarks and Views
7.1.29
The church tower is a prominent landmark and is clearly seen
throughout the area. The Crown Road retaining wall is a negative
feature.
7.1.30
There are many fine views to undeveloped hillsides and in
particular Kelston Round Hill just outside the area. The view to
the Lansdown ridge to the north helps to draw the area together
nestling as it does beneath it.
Cultural Influences
Historic Uses
7.1.31
The area was traditionally agricultural as the many remaining farm
houses show. The historic village core served this population. The
extent of the historic core and the old roads are still visible.
Although the residential expansion has been contained within
historic field boundaries, very few historic hedges remain.
7.1.32
The separation of old and new shopping areas does highlight the
split character of Weston – old and new.
