Owners of one of the buildings in Bath’s Royal Crescent are applying to build an extension on the Grade I listed landmark.
The Royal Crescent in Bath
No. 14 sits near the centre of the iconic crescent and is divided into flats. Now its owners want to extend the basement flat into the garden and have applied to Bath and North East Somerset Council for planning permission.
An existing small extension to a utility room would be replaced with a glass corridor at the side of the garden, leading to a new en-suite bedroom outbuilding, which architects Watson, Bertram & Fell said in a planning statement would “visually enhance the external appearance of the garden.”
The bedroom extension would be built in a timber frame, framed by wrought iron columns outside. The glass corridor would have slimline glazing and double doors out into the garden.
The architects’ planning statement said: “The proposals recognise the significance of the property as a grade I Listed Building within the Conservation Area and the significant and inherent values of this highly visible site.
“Therefore, the main aim of these sensitive proposals is to preserve and enhance the historical and architectural character of 13-14 Royal Crescent as a traditional and elegant terrace house.”
They added: “The proposal will retain the existing architectural features and internal building layout whilst protecting and enhancing the character and quality of the existing building. All works are reversible without affecting the structural integrity of the property.”
The Royal Crescent was designed by architect John Wood the Younger, whose father had designed the Circus, and it was completed in 1775, although various alterations have been made to the backs of the buildings over the centuries.
The council had previously granted planning permission for the extension behind No. 14 in 2020, but the planning permission was not used within the three-year limit and expired.
You can view and comment on the proposals here.
The council will aim to make a decision on whether to grant planning permission by 5th July.
John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter
