Update: Due to yet further BathNES Council incompetence, the application was registered under the wrong heading and has had to be re-registered. The links to the application and the comment form have been changed, and the new links are shown at the end of this post.
View The Guildhall Market in a larger map
The interior of the market is available on Google Streetview via the image above, or a larger version is available via the link just below the image.
This is a view of our market stall in Bath's Historic Guildhall Market. The Council have refused to grant Listed Building consent because they say the stall adversely affects the historic and architectural character of the market building. They say the stall is "too enclosed", and insufficiently like a market stall.
In the
1700s, the market before the current one was part outdoor, part
covered and was far larger than the current one, with hundreds of
stalls. These photos were taken shortly before it was demolished to
make way for the new market. Some of the stalls even in this older
market were enclosed.Historically, the new market was designed to have small shop-like units as this picture from opening day in 1863 shows.
The windows shown in the illustration are still visible in some of the stalls today.
Here is a drawing made around 1900, showing an early Marks and Spencers stall that used to be in the market. Again, you can see that there is a glazed upper part over an open counter below, very much like our stall.
A fresh application for Listed Building Consent has been submitted to the Council, and we need the help of all our friends, customers and supporters to make sure that it is passed this time.
If you don't know the market, please explore it via the Streetview link above. Compare our stall with all the other stalls. Notice that our stall is the only one "open" enough for the Google Team to be able to take pictures inside.
If you think our stall is attractive, and a welcome addition to the market, if you think it is just as "open" as the majority of other stalls, if you think it fits well both historically and architecturally, if you think the Council is behaving unreasonably in refusing to grant Listed Building consent, then please take a few minutes to support the application via the Council's website.
The full application can be found at goo.gl/FSNfEM.
Direct Link to the comments form is goo.gl/Qn89Uw.
Every comment counts. You might choose to make some of the following points in your comments.
- You have read the application. The architect says and his drawings show that the way the stall is built makes it a temporary structure that does not alter the building. You do not see why Listed Building consent is required.
- The application says that the Council have no Conservation Area appraisals, or Listed Building management plans, and that the case officer “did not wish to have any form of pre-application discussions with regards to the application”. You fail to see how the Council can make any reasonable decisions under these circumstances.
- According to the architect, the stall has more open space than the previous stall on the same location (UNItee T-shirts) , and no objection was ever made to that stall. You fail to understand why the Council have objected to this stall.
- By your own observation it is more open than the majority of stalls on the market, and you cannot understand what the problem is.
- Looking at the market on Google Streetview, it is the only stall that was open enough for the Google Streetview cameras to take photographs from inside as well as the outside.
- The previous market on the site, dating from the 1700s, and this market have always had enclosed stalls. Stall 36 is very similar in presentation to the stalls shown in the central area in the 1863 engraving from the Cheltenham Gazette, and also to the early Marks and Spencers Penny Bazaar that operated at the other end of the market from 1895 to 1911. To say that enclosed stalls are not part of the historical character is absurd.
- The sash window units are similar in style and function to the original window units that can still be seen on each side of the entrance to original stalls such as those now occupied by Gillards Tea and Coffee or Parkers Veg and Bakery.
- Architecturally, the stall is a warm and welcoming sight as you come in through the Grand parade entrance. It's style and colouring are entirely appropriate for the Victorian architecture and complement it very well.
- The stall is very well constructed, using traditional materials and craftsmanship.
- Market stalls have traditionally been designed and constructed to meet the individual requirements of the goods they sell. The design of stall 36, reminiscent of a traditional apothecary, is entirely suitable for the natural health and skin care products sold.
Thank you for your support.
Robert
