Physical Influences
Geology
7.6.1 Geologically the area can be split into two
parts. The higher areas are Lower and Middle Oolitic Limestones and
Clays. The great terraces on the south side of London Road are
built on the edge of these firmer strata. The lower riverside is
gravel terrace and river valley alluvium occurring in the gardens
directly behind the terraces.
Landform and Drainage Pattern
7.6.2 The area sits on the foot of the south east
facing slope where the Cotswold valley side meets the river flood
plain. The gentle slope within the area has been terraced by
development and roads – the natural landform is not apparent. The
extent of change of level can be appreciated by the grand terraces
where the basement flats open directly to the garden level at the
rear.
7.6.3 The River Avon is a major drainage and
landscape feature. Lam Brook forms a local drainage and landscape
feature and had formerly been the historic city boundary.
Land Use and Buildings
Land Use
7.6.4 The area is predominantly residential with
significant convenience retail uses (supermarket and local shops)
and specialist retail (antique shops on London Road). There is also
open space and several motor services such as a petrol station and
service centres.
Building form
7.6.5 The area is dominated by terraces of varying
scale. Grosvenor Place and Kensington Place are grand terraces in
terms of height and length. Beaufort East and West are shorter
terraces which are given emphasis by the spaces in front. Walcot
Parade at first glimpse appears to be uniform, but closer
inspection reveals that the terrace is made up of buildings of
different widths. The roads running up the contours off the north
side of London Road such as Thomas Street are lined by smaller
scale terraces stepping elegantly up the hill. Cleveland Place has
very distinctive corner buildings that give emphasis to this
important junction. The supermarket is a stand alone pavilion
building.
Heights
7.6.6 The great terraces when viewed from the front
are three tall storeys, plus attic and basement. From the rear
Grosvenor Place and Kensington Place are a massive full four
storeys with attic because the basement floor opens directly onto
the garden areas. They tower over the two storey modern housing in
Ringswell Gardens.
7.6.7 The general height of London Road is a mixture
of two and three storeys and there is often significant difference
between floor to ceiling heights in different buildings –
especially those of differing ages.
7.6.8 Cleveland Place is a full four storeys and the
three storeys of Walcot Parade is emphasised by the highest raised
pavement in Bath.
7.6.9 Snow Hill House is an approximation of the
scale of C18 terraces. However the building is set at a higher
level than the street and lower floor to ceiling heights means that
the feel of the building is completely different.
Building Age
7.6.10
The main terraces of the area are late C18. However this area has
seen significant change with Cleveland Place being constructed in
1830 to celebrate and provide access to Cleveland Bridge which
crossed the river to Bathwick. The Snow Hill regeneration area
dates from the mid C20. Ringswell Gardens also dates from the late
C20 while the London Road supermarket was built in 2000.
Architectural Details
7.6.11
The ‘background’ C18 terraces have very simple detailing. The great
terraces are emphasised by their scale and the sheer length of
their façades. The centre of Grosvenor Place was originally a hotel
which provided access to former pleasure gardens behind. This part
of the terrace is emphasised by its outward bow and decoration,
some of which is unfinished.
7.6.12
Cleveland Place is Greek Revival in style and sits happily
alongside the older C18 buildings. The Snow Hill regeneration area
tries to pick up the basic scale of the area but its proportions
and fenestration give the buildings a horizontal emphasis which is
at odds with the vertical emphasis of the C18 terraces.
Materials
7.6.13
Bath stone is the dominant material used for all buildings
including the Snow Hill regeneration area. There are notable
painted buildings too. The patinated copper roofs of Snow Hill
flats are not visible from London Road therefore within this
character area they do not have an impact. The London Road
supermarket uses modern materials such as pre-formed cladding and
glass which try to fit with the surrounding traditional materials.
Ringswell Gardens uses reconstituted Bath stone blocks and light
shades of render in an attempt to blend in.
Streets and Civic Spaces
Street Pattern
7.6.14
The area is structured around London Road which is a straight
historic route into the city. The area also includes routes to
Larkhall and the main road to Gloucester. The C18 ribbon
development along London Road is a grand gesture entering the
city.
Density and Degree of Enclosure
7.6.15
Grosvenor Place, Kensington Place and Beaufort East and West are
set back from the road. This gives the terraces a setting and
‘breathing space’ from the busy road. Even with the set back, the
grand terraces create a strong sense of enclosure on this major
route into the city. They effectively divide the road from the
river and the contrast between the noise of the road and
tranquillity behind the grand terraces is marked. Many of the
terraces are subdivided into flats which gives a high density of
development.
Vitality and Tranquillity
7.6.16
London Road is dominated by vehicles and their pollution and road
noise. The long terraced frontages effectively screen the area to
the south turning the rear gardens, Kensington Meadows and the
river corridor into tranquil areas.
Materials
7.6.17
Given the dominance of roads in this area, tarmac is a common
material. The footways are either pennant or concrete slabs with
the natural materials generally used adjacent to the great
terraces. Boundary treatments of stone and metal railings are a
particular feature of this area.
Influence of Vegetation and Open Space
Trees and Shrubs
7.6.18
There are large important trees along London Road where the great
terraces are set back. These trees act as a foil to the large scale
urban development. There is also a significant tree belt alongside
the river which encloses Kensington Meadows.
Views to Trees and Open Space
7.6.19
The long terraces on either side of the road restrict views south
to Bathampton Down. Views are limited to breaks in the terraces and
to public areas behind the terraces. The strong enclosure of London
Road creates very directional and focussed views up and down the
road.
Open Space
7.6.20
Kensington Meadows is a major open grassed space which is
apparently underused. The more natural area alongside the river is
managed as a nature reserve. The space to the front of the set back
terraces ensures that London Road does not feel crowded and allows
space for the large trees which are key elements of character on
this main approach to the city.
7.6.21
The Lambridge rugby training ground is an open space allowing views
to Bathampton Down. The London Road supermarket car park allows
views to the wooded skyline of Bathampton Down.
Features, Landmarks and Views
7.6.22
The River Avon forms the southern boundary of this area. Its
character changes from being tightly enclosed by built form and
trees to predominantly tree-lined within an open flood plain.
7.6.23
The great terraces are all key features. Walcot Parade is
especially impressive curving slightly on the outside of the bend,
towering above the junction upon the raised pavement. The curved
corner buildings at Cleveland Place serve to further emphasise the
importance of this junction.
7.6.24
Cleveland Bridge is dominated by vehicles but allows views to the
river.
7.6.25
The tower of St Saviour’s Church, Larkhall is a major landmark just
outside the area.
7.6.26
The wooded top of Bathampton Down is visible from gaps in the
terraces and behind them. The telecommunications mast intrudes on
the rural treed skyline of Bathampton Down.
7.6.27
The Snow Hill regeneration area is a city wide landmark; the colour
and form of the lower buildings and the height of the tower are
incongruent in relation to the surrounding area. Within the
character area, due to the tight enclosure created by tall
buildings on London Road, views of this development are
limited.
Cultural Influences
Historic Uses
7.6.28
This area is an historic route into the city. For many visitors it
was and still is the first impression of C18 Bath. The area between
Grosvenor Place and the river was originally laid out as a pleasure
garden.
7.6.29
The Snow Hill area was a significant comprehensive development area
where a dense network of streets, lined with houses stepping up the
hill, was replaced by slab blocks and a tower block in the mid
C20.
