An application to put a corporate sign on the front of a spectacular building in Tunbridge Wells has been made. Council chiefs are yet to decide whether or not to give permission to Cotswold Company, which has its store inside the huge former church.
The building is Grade II* and is distinctive in that it has six large “Tuscan pillars” holding up a canopy, with five archways. It sits on Mount Pleasant Road, the main ‘drag’ through the town, and more or less opposite Monson Road, giving an impressive backdrop as you approach.
The Congregational Church was built of Tunbridge Wells Stone by local stonemason Jabez Scholes in 1848, the temple style front was added 18 years later.
Many locals still call the building “Habitat”, as it converted the Congregational Church and the hall into its store. As Habitat, it had at least three floors of shop space, but it closed in February 2007.
The steps in front of the building, running its full length, are used by people to sit down, particularly in the summer, or to shelter from the rain, or as a ‘meet up place’.
The larger picture shows how the Grade II* Listed building in Tunbridge Wells would look with the sign – the smaller image is how it looks now
(Image: 360 Signs Ltd/Cotswold Company)
It later became Ismail Cafe on one side, with its tables and chairs outside, which later moved for a short time to the Food Court in the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre, and a bicycle shop on the other. It was then Cotswold Outdoor.
In the papers for the listed building consent application, lodged with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, 360 Signs Ltd on behalf of Cotswold Company, said the signage would be non-illuminated and built of letters on a frieze above the pillars.
It said: “It is considered that the current proposals will not have an impact on adjacent listed buildings, within the immediacies of the subject site, and or the character and appearance of the area.”
“Assessment of the impact on the heritage assets has been taken into account, and is proportionate to, the significance of the asset and the degree to which proposed changes enhance or detract from that significance and the ability to appreciate it.”
‘Increased understanding and appreciation of the building’
And talking about the impact of the sign, 360 Signs said: “As we will not be mounting the signage to a rail and fixings will be used in the joints between stone bricks, there will be minimal impact on the historic fabric of the external elevations to the building.”
“The development of the design and location of the signage has been informed by the articulation of the architecture of the building to ensure that it is enhanced, which in turn will allow for an increased understanding and appreciation of the Listed Building.”
An old photo of the spectacular building taken from Monson Road in Tunbridge Wells, when it was occupied by Habitat – in the foreground is the dome of the Opera House
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s conservation and urban design team, said it could not support the application. It said although the sign was “relatively discreet”, it was “fairly intrusive into the simple, Doric architecture of the old church and lecture hall. It’s grade II* listed as well, so the harm is proportionate to that”.
“I don’t think it’s justifiable given that, from street level, the banners currently in place catch the eye of passers-by more than the entablature lettering would do,” said the officer.
Where can I see the application?
If you want to have a look at the application for listed building consent, you can visit Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s planning portal, click the green ‘Search Now’, and put this reference in the search bar 24/03188/LBC, then just click on any document you want to read. Visit the link here.