Heritage Assessment at National Nautical School (Fedden Village), Nore Road, Portishead, North Somerset

Avon Archaeology Limited were commissioned by Fedden Village Management Ltd, to undertake a Heritage Impact Statement relating to a planning application for the establishment of a solar array on the roof of the historic building now known as Fedden Village, but which was constructed in the early 20th century as the National Nautical School. It is a Grade II Listed Building. This report is in two parts. The first is a Preliminary Assessment concerned with the overall heritage potential of the site; and the second part deals with an assessment of possible impacts on the building itself. The report has found that the overall level of impact of the proposed works to the building is likely to be less than significant on both the main parameters of (a) physical impact on the fabric of the historic building itself, and (b) visual impact on views towards the building. It is considered that the overall gain in terms of the installation of both a renewable energy supply to the building, and general energy efficiency, would offset any low-level harm to the visual affinities of the building. The system of physically attaching the panels to the historic roof also involves no damage or intervention whatsoever to the fabric of the roof itself, using as it does a system of clips which are inserted under the tiles from the outside. This system also passes the test of full reversibility. Overall the benefits of the development, in terms of renewable energy provision, outweigh the less than significant harm to the designated heritage asset. Proposed installation found to have minimal impact on the property.