Physical Influences
Geology
7.3.1 The majority of the area is from the Lower and
Middle Jurassic period and is marked by limestone over clay.
Landform and Drainage Pattern
7.3.2 The landform is generally steeply sloping
facing the south and east. However the sides of the valley are much
folded around the confluence of the main Avon valley and the Lam
Brook valley and locally the aspect can vary from east to south
west. The landform is naturally much flatter near the Lam Brook
itself though it is never completely level.
7.3.3 In the east of the area the Lam Brook joins
the Whitewell Brook at the site of the mill pond of the former
Lambridge Flour Mill. Both watercourses define property boundaries
in Larkhall and drain water from Swainswick and Charlcombe to the
River Avon to the south.
Land Use and Buildings
Land Use
7.3.4. This area is largely residential but there is also
an important local shopping area at Larkhall and a smaller one at
Fairfield Park. There are also several schools as well as sports
fields.
Building Form, Age and Heights
7.3.5 The terrace is by far the commonest building
form in this area with clusters of semi-detached houses. Many
of the terraces date from the late C18 to mid C19 period. The
former is generally three storeys high while the latter tend to be
two storeys. In the western and northern part of the area there are
significant numbers of postwar terraces and these vary in height
from two to four storeys.
Materials and Architectural Details
7.3.6 The principal materials are natural Bath stone
and slate. The stone is most commonly ashlar though in areas
painted stonework and coursed rubble can be found. Red brick is
seen in small amounts at Fairfield Park mainly on rear and side
walls. Many roofs on the older properties have been replaced with
artificial slate and concrete tiles.
7.3.7 Modern developments have added to the
consistency by using some natural stone but more frequently
reconstituted stone. These tend to have concrete tiles or even flat
roofs.
Streets and Civic Spaces
Street Pattern
7.3.8 The street pattern is very organic. There is a
loose hierarchy of roads with Larkhall Road as the principal route
and many smaller roads feeding the residential areas. The roads
follow no strict pattern and most are typical of their time. The
Victorian ones are straighter and either run up slopes or along
gradients, while the few modern ones follow a more organic
alignment. Many of the older roads that predate general development
clearly take as flat a line as possible.
7.3.9 There is a hint of a more planned layout
attempt around St Saviour’s Church, Larkhall. The 1830s Gothic gate
piers give away the plan to organise and unify this part of the
town. The square in Larkhall gives welcome relief to its otherwise
dense pattern.
7.3.10
The
boundary between this area and the countryside to the north is
particularly clear. There are well developed hedges around the
adjoining fields and the development line is almost crisp. There is
little spilling out of development into the countryside at this
point.
Density and Degree of Enclosure
7.3.11
Despite the density of housing much of the area feels relatively
open. This mostly applies to the higher areas where the slopes
allow views out of the area to the surrounding hills. The special
relationship between the city and its surrounding hillsides is
abundantly clear.
7.3.12
Lower down in Larkhall the enclosure is greater as views are more
restricted because the housing is higher and topography less
favourable. Here the views look inward towards more developed
slopes. The exception is the fine view along St Saviour’s
Road to countryside.
Vitality and Tranquillity
7.3.13
Much of this area is relatively quiet and tranquil. The daytime
traffic is low and it is possible to hear birdsong, especially near
to open spaces and the edge of the countryside.
7.3.14
There are isolated patches of vibrancy and bustle. This is seen
most notably in the local centre at Larkhall where the shops,
school and community centre bring in the locals. Here there is much
activity from traffic and pedestrians and the atmosphere is busy
and lively. Near the A46 the noise of traffic is very
noticeable.
Materials and Boundary Treatment
7.3.15
The streetscape materials and the boundary treatment largely follow
the building style and period. Walls are common with the Georgian
and Victorian buildings mainly in stone, many have railings and
metal gates. Gardens of more modern housing are usually open, but
where they are enclosed, timber fencing is common. There are places
where hedging is used to very good effect such as at Lansdown
Heights.
Influence of Vegetation and Open Space
Trees and Shrubs
7.3.16
The valley has abundant trees close to the Lam Brook itself and
this gives a very verdant appearance to the immediate area. In the
more extensive areas of Georgian and Victorian terraces there are
fewer trees and consequently the character is much harder and more
heavily urban.
7.3.17
The higher parts of the area have more trees as many of the larger
houses here have bigger gardens which allow them. In addition the
influence of the adjoining heavily treed Lansdown and the
countryside is much stronger here.
Open Space
7.3.18
Alice Park is a large and well used open space on the edge of this
area, otherwise open spaces are semi public allotments and school
playing fields. Much of the best tree cover is found in these open
areas.
Features, Landmarks and Views
7.3.19
The main landmark within the area is the tower of St Saviour’s
Church.
7.3.20
The Lam Brook is a local feature in this area, especially where it
flows adjacent to St Saviour’s Road.
7.3.21 The
views out to the surrounding hillsides of Little Solsbury Hill and
Bathampton Down are a strong unifying feature of the area, even
down in Larkhall, and they emphasise the fact that one is never far
from the countryside. As a consequence there is a softening of the
character that would otherwise be very hard and urban.
Cultural Influences
Historic Uses
7.3.22
Larkhall was developed as the residential hinterland of the late
C18 eastward thrust of ribbon development along the London Road
outwards from Bath. Larkhall Spa was built following the 1832
sinking of a well which led to the discovery of mineral waters.
