Physical Influences
Geology
7.4.1 The geology of the area consists of Lias Clay
in the north west of the area and alternating layers of Oolitic
Limestone and clay.
Landform and Drainage Pattern
7.4.2 This area is part of the lower Cotswold
escarpment slopes that face south towards the River Avon. The land
rises by about 50 metres. It has gentle slopes in the south of the
area, which becomes more level higher up. The steeper slopes at
Lock’s Brook dissect the valley side towards the east of the
area.
7.4.3 The Lock’s Brook (formerly Lox Brook), is
sourced by springs that issue from the Lansdown slope and
Henstridge Hill in Kelston. The brook featured as a boundary in the
Saxon land charter for Weston.
Land Use and Buildings
Land Use
7.4.4
The land is mostly in residential use. However, the Royal United
Hospital (RUH) occupies a sixth of the area. Locksbrook Cemetery is
also a large site and its mature trees are a significant feature of
the area. There are three churches and a chapel in the area
and a number of schools. At the western end there are steep wooded
slopes near Newbridge.
Building Form and Heights
7.4.5
The area has a wide mix of terraces, semi-detached and a few
detached houses. The lines of terraces generally follow the
line of the A4. Semi-detached houses are the commonest
building type and are distributed throughout the area. The
RUH has a distinctive building form comprising many large-scale
blocks of varying designs, united by a fairly disciplined grid
layout.
Building Age
7.4.6
The older buildings, the terraces and semi-detached houses of the
late C19 or early C20 are found along the A4, A431 and the local
roads to Upper Weston. The semi-detached houses in other parts were
built between the late C19 and mid C20. The majority of the RUH
buildings have all been built since mid C20.
Architectural Detail and Materials
7.4.7
Along the main roads of the area Bath stone is the most frequent
building material. There are small pockets where pennant stone is
used with Bath stone, and even less frequently brick is used among
the older properties. Later development, particularly the
estates, is constructed in reconstituted Bath stone. Render
is infrequent except at the RUH. Here a broad mix of materials has
been used. Clay, slate and concrete tiles are all used on
residential properties but flat roofs dominate at the RUH.
Streets and Civic Spaces
Street Pattern
7.4.8
The old street pattern was determined by the landform of the River
Avon and Lock’s Brook valleys and they generally run along the
contours or rise directly up the slope. The Upper Bristol Road
(A4), Newbridge Road (A431), Old Newbridge Hill, Park Lane, Weston
Lane, Audley Park Road and what is now known as Penn Hill Road are
historic routes within the area. The pattern of C20 roads tends to
be more random and lies within the older road framework.
Density and Degree of Enclosure
7.4.9
Building density appears to be quite high when viewed from the
roads. However, the large rear gardens of many properties reduce
the density overall. The RUH site is very intensely used with many
large buildings. The density here is only reduced by the large car
parks that serve the hospital.
7.4.10
There are frequent views along the roads, despite the houses being
closely spaced, to the rural hillsides and across the city to the
developed southern slopes. Mature vegetation in the front
gardens of many houses contributes to the general sense of
enclosure, but the Lansdown Ridge can be seen rising steeply to the
north of this area allowing fine rural views.
Materials and Boundary Treatment
7.4.11
Most of the properties have front gardens, and many older
properties have Bath stone walls and gate piers. The walls vary in
height depending on the relationship of the property to adjacent
levels. The route of the A4 cuts through a sloping landform. Here
properties on the north side are on a level higher than the road
retained by high stone rubble walls, whereas on the south side
(just outside the area) retaining walls are used to allow a
basement level. Reconstituted Bath stone walls bound most C20
semi-detached properties. Some side or back gardens abut
public footpaths and some gardens are enclosed by poor quality
fencing which detract from the area. Occasionally metal railings
are used on top of the walls. This is a particular feature in Combe
Park.
7.4.12
A particularly fine wall in the area is the pennant stone wall to
Locksbrook Cemetery on one of the main approaches to the city from
the west.
Vitality and Tranquillity
7.4.13
The A4, A431 and the road to Upper Weston are dominated by busy
traffic and its noise. Minor residential roads are quieter although
in some the distant hum of traffic can be heard and parked cars
dominate the street scene. Cars have less impact on the area
where front gardens are long enough, or plot size large enough, to
accommodate surface parking or a garage on site.
7.4.14
Chelsea Road is the local shopping area. It has a wide range
of shops, including restaurants and a supermarket.
Influence of Vegetation and Open Space
7.4.15
There is abundant vegetation through much of the area and open
space that pleasantly complements and contrasts with the buildings.
This is not always apparent within the area as much of the open
space and its vegetation lies within back gardens.
7.4.16
Locksbrook Cemetery is the most important open space of the area.
The mature trees are a prominent landmark when viewed from outside
the area. The openness of the cricket ground at Combe Park
contrasts with the regular pairs of large semi-detached houses.
7.4.17
Vegetation in its various forms has a major positive influence on
the character of the area. Most properties in the area have
front gardens and the shrubs and trees there contribute
significantly by softening the building lines, hard garden walls
and rows of parked cars. Even the smallest front gardens
usually contain a shrub or two which, when seen with adjoining
shrubs, add to this effect. In the north east of the area there are
more detached houses with larger gardens able to support a greater
number of large trees.
7.4.18
The larger shrubs and trees, which often overhang property
boundaries, help the enclosure of roads in the area and
attractively frame views to the surrounding rural hillsides or
other parts of the city. Generally the trees making the
greatest contribution to landscape character are on larger plots of
land such as Locksbrook Cemetery, the RUH and adjacent
almshouses. However, trees on smaller plots make more local
contributions. Good examples include those overhanging Edward
Street from St. Michael’s Cemetery and the tree belt that
accentuates the line of the Lock’s Brook at Gainsborough
Gardens.
7.4.19
At the western edge of the area, the steep wooded slopes of
Newbridge mark the transition between urban and rural. The native
trees of the woodland contrast with the more exotic species found
within the built up area.
Features, Landmarks and Views
7.4.20
The densely treed Locksbrook Cemetery is a key feature, an
important landmark and contributes to sense of place. In some
views the Locksbrook Cemetery chapel spire punctures the tree
canopy and is seen against the sky.
7.4.21
The sheer scale of the RUH makes this a dominant landmark. The size
of its building contrasts strongly with those around it and this
alone makes it easily seen from surrounding hillsides.
7.4.22
The sloping character of the area provides panoramic views to the
developed slopes across the valley with Twerton Round Hill on the
skyline, to the rolling countryside and River Avon valley to the
south and west, or more immediately to the dominating Lansdown
ridge.
Cultural Influences
Historic Uses
7.4.23
Prior to being developed for residential purposes the land was in
agricultural use. This included orchards, quarries and
limekilns. The County Court and Police Station were located
on the site of the current petrol station facing Windsor
Bridge.
