Bohemia Roman Bath
A letter from Hastings Planners shown below regarding the retrospective listed building application HS/LB/20/00805 that has dominated details about the Bohemia Roman Bath for much of 2021 announced that the application had been withdrawn. This now gives an opportunity for Historic England to be consulted and the potential for a conservation management plan to be devised that could enable HBC to commence restoration and properly address any safety implications that they perceive. When more information is available it will be provided. In March 2022 the ugly metal panels and fences remain and enforcement action is not occurring.
See more details about the folly of HBC
See more details about the folly of HBC
Hastings Borough Council install railing grills and a bridge without listed consent.
For over twenty years Hastings Borough Council who are the owners of the Grade ll listed Roman Bath at Summerfields Wood have failed to develop a management plan for the structure in their care. Without knowledge of any maintenance that is required they erected metal fences on the structure without listed building consent in 2016 and most recently installed metal grids above the water and a metal fence within the arch and within the curtilage of the site a large wooden bridge.
After many months a department of Hastings Borough Council has finally produced a retrospective application in order to formalise what they have already done. HS/LB/20/00805. Now withdrawn by HBC in March 2022.
Funding from heritage organisations to develop a management plan and to arrest the deterioration of the structure have already been offered, but HBC has chosen to ignore any offers of assistance. They seek to get the planning board of HBC to rubber stamp their actions and will wonder why developers elsewhere choose to develop buildings without permission.
Hastings is an authority that has the responsibility to care for the structures in its care.
After many months a department of Hastings Borough Council has finally produced a retrospective application in order to formalise what they have already done. HS/LB/20/00805. Now withdrawn by HBC in March 2022.
Funding from heritage organisations to develop a management plan and to arrest the deterioration of the structure have already been offered, but HBC has chosen to ignore any offers of assistance. They seek to get the planning board of HBC to rubber stamp their actions and will wonder why developers elsewhere choose to develop buildings without permission.
Hastings is an authority that has the responsibility to care for the structures in its care.
A Conservation Management Plan for the Roman Bath at Bohemia
At the Full Council meeting on 16th February 2000 a member of the public asked a written question to be answered by the portfolio holder for Economic & Physical Regeneration.:
"Will Hastings Borough Council as custodians of two of the three historic buildings at Summerfields Bohemia Road ,facilitate the production of a conservation plan for the buildings ( Ice House, Roman Bath and Walled Garden) in order to ensure that interested parties become aware of likely conservation restoration requirements and costs as an aim to seeking funds for their long term survival?"
Councillor Birch portfolio holder for Economic & Physical Regeneration answered the question regarding the Roman Bath saying " The so called Roman Bath has recently been listed and not considered at risk" The answer continued : "The Council accepts that production of a conservation plan would be desirable but recognises that it would require
specialist advice regarding preservation/restoration to form an opinion as to the extent and appropriate methods of repair. Council officers will report to a future cabinet meeting and from there to the Council on the likely cost of drawing up such a plan and the priority that should be given to it regarding timescale in the light of all the current conservation projects"
Since 2000 the Ice House has been restored with support from HBC, HAARG and the Cricket Ground Trustees. The Walled Garden at Bohemia has received funding sought by the BWGA for improvements including the rebuilding of the fallen wall that was completed in 2018.
After Seventeen years of inaction has allowed the Roman Bath to deteriorate. A member of the public will receive an answer to another written question to be answered at the Council Meeting to be held on 13th December 2017.
HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL
COUNCIL MEETING
13 DECEMBER 2017ENDA ITEM 5(a)
QUESTION FROM MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC UNDER RULE 11
Question
Mr Bob Hart to ask the Leader of the Council: -
“Officers of Hastings Borough Council may recall a written question answered on 16th February 2000, almost 18 years ago when the portfolio holder for Economic & Physical Regeneration gave an answer to a question regarding the heritage structures that formed part of the Brisco estate / Summerfields Wood now a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). I note over the last 17 years HBC has not created a conservation management plan that would help them understand the care required for the Grade II listed Roman Bath that has deteriorated over time.
Has Hastings Borough Council considered that the status of the Roman Bath is now significantly reinforced by the recent inclusion of the Bohemia estate land in which it stands on Hastings Borough Council’s formal list of Local Heritage Assets and taking into account the comments made in 2000 "
The council accepts that production of a conservation plan would be desirable but recognises that it would require specialist advice regarding preservation/restoration to form an opinion as to the extent and appropriate methods of repair " Will the officers who have an interest in heritage matters investigate the changed availability of external funding for the required conservation plan taking into account the enhanced status and further deterioration of the listed structure over time? If Hastings Borough Council took an interest there is the real possibility that improvements could occur.”
Answer
Councillor Chowney, the Leader of the Council to reply:
“The Roman Bath is an interesting and quirky structure. While not actually Roman, it does represent something that's of interest to visitors, especially in combination with other structures that were originally in the grounds of the old Bohemia House. The ice house was recently restored by HBC, and the walled garden now has a grant, with additional funding from the council, to rebuild the missing part of the wall. Together, these three structures form an interesting group of attractions in what is now Summerfields Woods.
To achieve that would however require funding to repair and restore the Roman Bath and initially to produce a conservation management plan. We will however consider what funding sources could be available, either through external grant applications, or as part of proposed housing developments in the area."
"Will Hastings Borough Council as custodians of two of the three historic buildings at Summerfields Bohemia Road ,facilitate the production of a conservation plan for the buildings ( Ice House, Roman Bath and Walled Garden) in order to ensure that interested parties become aware of likely conservation restoration requirements and costs as an aim to seeking funds for their long term survival?"
Councillor Birch portfolio holder for Economic & Physical Regeneration answered the question regarding the Roman Bath saying " The so called Roman Bath has recently been listed and not considered at risk" The answer continued : "The Council accepts that production of a conservation plan would be desirable but recognises that it would require
specialist advice regarding preservation/restoration to form an opinion as to the extent and appropriate methods of repair. Council officers will report to a future cabinet meeting and from there to the Council on the likely cost of drawing up such a plan and the priority that should be given to it regarding timescale in the light of all the current conservation projects"
Since 2000 the Ice House has been restored with support from HBC, HAARG and the Cricket Ground Trustees. The Walled Garden at Bohemia has received funding sought by the BWGA for improvements including the rebuilding of the fallen wall that was completed in 2018.
After Seventeen years of inaction has allowed the Roman Bath to deteriorate. A member of the public will receive an answer to another written question to be answered at the Council Meeting to be held on 13th December 2017.
HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL
COUNCIL MEETING
13 DECEMBER 2017ENDA ITEM 5(a)
QUESTION FROM MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC UNDER RULE 11
Question
Mr Bob Hart to ask the Leader of the Council: -
“Officers of Hastings Borough Council may recall a written question answered on 16th February 2000, almost 18 years ago when the portfolio holder for Economic & Physical Regeneration gave an answer to a question regarding the heritage structures that formed part of the Brisco estate / Summerfields Wood now a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). I note over the last 17 years HBC has not created a conservation management plan that would help them understand the care required for the Grade II listed Roman Bath that has deteriorated over time.
Has Hastings Borough Council considered that the status of the Roman Bath is now significantly reinforced by the recent inclusion of the Bohemia estate land in which it stands on Hastings Borough Council’s formal list of Local Heritage Assets and taking into account the comments made in 2000 "
The council accepts that production of a conservation plan would be desirable but recognises that it would require specialist advice regarding preservation/restoration to form an opinion as to the extent and appropriate methods of repair " Will the officers who have an interest in heritage matters investigate the changed availability of external funding for the required conservation plan taking into account the enhanced status and further deterioration of the listed structure over time? If Hastings Borough Council took an interest there is the real possibility that improvements could occur.”
Answer
Councillor Chowney, the Leader of the Council to reply:
“The Roman Bath is an interesting and quirky structure. While not actually Roman, it does represent something that's of interest to visitors, especially in combination with other structures that were originally in the grounds of the old Bohemia House. The ice house was recently restored by HBC, and the walled garden now has a grant, with additional funding from the council, to rebuild the missing part of the wall. Together, these three structures form an interesting group of attractions in what is now Summerfields Woods.
To achieve that would however require funding to repair and restore the Roman Bath and initially to produce a conservation management plan. We will however consider what funding sources could be available, either through external grant applications, or as part of proposed housing developments in the area."
Latest attention to the Roman Bath by Hastings Council
Over the years that HBC has chosen to ignore requests to develop a strategy that will ensure care of the listed structure they have managed to become aware of health and safety issues relating to the Roman Bath. Some years ago (2016) fencing was erected to control entry to the area above the grotto.
This year (2020) saw more activity where metal fence and grids have been erected to restrict access to the grotto area and the water area is now completely covered.
Currently there does not appear to be any listed building consent information available on the HBC public access website and must assume that currently an application for this development does not exist. If a planning application or should I say retrospective planning application does emerge there will be a link at the bottom of this page.
When a listed building consent application becomes available it will be interesting to read the comment of the HBC conservation officer.
It is now over 1 year since the Hastings Borough Council erected the metal fence and grids and the period of inactivity caused by the Covid pandemic is no longer providing any reason for the Hastings planners to delay enforcement action to force another department of HBC to submit a retrospective planning application or remove the metal grids that were erected without permission.
June 2021
After 15 months HBC has finally submitted an application HS/LB/20/00805 that was validated on 27th May 2021 that proposes barriers to the archway, sidesteps and lower bath area."
April 2022
In April 2022 after many comments were submitted on the HBC portal The applicant withdrew the LB application, and suggested that advice from heritage organisations would be sought.
A Hastings Borough Council warden has made this comment.
"A new bridge has appeared next to the Roman Baths, this was installed as the original bridge was way too narrow. The only solution was to install a bridge over the original one. The park manager reports, "still trying to work on the Roman Baths but this is a very high cost project so will take some time to move forward"
Fortunately the maintenance of listed structures is not in the hands of the HBC wardens and following the May 2022 elections the same sort of question made in year 2000 and 2017 on whether HBC will take responsibility for a maintenance strategy or Conservation Management Plan will be asked at the full council meeting to be held on 13th July 2022.
AGENDA ITEM 5(a) QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Question Bob Hart asks: Councillor Hilton, Climate Change and Natural Environment Portfolio Holder: Will the member responsible tell me if a Conservation Management plan will be implemented for the Roman Bath at Bohemia Estate Summerfields that will address the admitted deterioration that has occurred and also ensure any safety measures that might be considered necessary will enhance the listed structure.
Answer Councillor Hilton: Currently there are no immediate plans to implement a Conservation Management Plan. HBC have limited resources at present but are willing to discuss with Bob Hart and any active groups on how we could secure the site from further deterioration and also seek external funding to support the writing and implementation of a Conservation Management Plan. HBC are responsible for the Health & Safety of the site and have a Duty of care to protect the public, vulnerable people and children from harm. We are again willing to discuss with Bob Hart and any active groups on how we may further improve the safety of the site
By early April 2020 the metal fence has been removed and thrown into the ravine and additional graffiti added to parts of the sandstone walls. Some of the fences restricting access to the upper area have been painted in colour blue,green and red. Inside the grotto a large chunk of sandstone has collapsed from the upper part above the spring.
The photographs shown below were taken in August 2021 and reveal the deterioration of the bath area and surrounding area.
The metal fence panels shown below were erected April 2016 by Hastings Borough Council, who own the structure, to reduce the risk of falls over the low wall on the upper area. The photos below show the fences to be clearly visible. Although within the curtilage of the roman bath an application for listed building consent at this grade ll listed structure has not been submitted.
June 2021 - The public access planning database records an application HS/LB/20/00805 that was received by the planning office on 30th October 2020 and was validated by the HBC planning office on 27th May 2021.
June 2021 - The public access planning database records an application HS/LB/20/00805 that was received by the planning office on 30th October 2020 and was validated by the HBC planning office on 27th May 2021.
Roman Bath
Roman Bath Summerfields Wood. Note the Tower on the right and the arched entrance to the left
The Roman Bath Folly was built at around the same period as the Walled Garden and has been listed by the DCM&S.
For more listing information visit the English Heritage Images of England Site.
or Historic England
Hastings Borough Council who own the former Brisco estate and the Roman Bath state that they are in the process of developing a management plan to determine what maintenance is necessary and whether any improvements can be made.
The old photograph on the left shows the lions head at the top of the arch, recent photos reveal that it is now missing probably stolen.
Below is a flyer when the RESH Royal East Sussex Hospital used the Roman Bath as a part of a fund raising day.
The Roman Bath at Bohemia was not built by the Romans but another interesting hidden Roman Bath near to the closed Aldwych Underground station is worth a visit ,and that was not Roman.
There are the remains of a Roman Bath (Welwyn Herts ) located in a steel vault underneath the A1 (M) motorway at Welwyn Hertfordshire.
As with other structures on the Bohemia estate built on the instructions of Wastel Brisco it is likely that local bricklayer John Jinks Built the Roman Bath.
Probably the most important Roman Bath is only a few miles away from Hastings at Beauport Park. Here Gerald Brodribb discovered the third largest ironworks in the Roman empire. Located in a golf course BBC news commented on a proposal to sell the site. Beauport Roman Bath for sale £300,000
On 18th November 2012 a Summerfields Wood work day devoted 3 hours of work on the Roman Bath where there was a decade of dirt, detritus, leaves, beer bottles to clear away. Inside the bath the water is about 1 metre deep there was much discarded rubbish rotted wood and silt that has now been cleared. The photos below are from November 2012 before the clearance.
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August 2012 News: Progress for a Condition Survey and Management Plan to be in place for the Roman Bath at Summerfields is making progress and currently conservation staff at Hastings Council are looking for suitable consultants to progress this work.
In 2015 - any chance of a management plan for the listed Roman Bath has not materialised and any essential maintenance is not occurring and Hastings Borough Council does not have any plans in place for its ongoing maintenance. The new leader of HBC in May 2015 does not seem to regard the care of any structures in the woods as a high or even medium priority. I will seek to provide an update on whether officers involved in conservation issues can offer a comment for these pages.
January 2016 the main concern of HBC is to ensure the safety of people who visit this site but not necessarily any conservation measures that will help preserve this listed structure.
Photos of the Roman Bath cleanup
Bohemia Village Voice Photos Summerfields
In 2015 - any chance of a management plan for the listed Roman Bath has not materialised and any essential maintenance is not occurring and Hastings Borough Council does not have any plans in place for its ongoing maintenance. The new leader of HBC in May 2015 does not seem to regard the care of any structures in the woods as a high or even medium priority. I will seek to provide an update on whether officers involved in conservation issues can offer a comment for these pages.
January 2016 the main concern of HBC is to ensure the safety of people who visit this site but not necessarily any conservation measures that will help preserve this listed structure.
Photos of the Roman Bath cleanup
Bohemia Village Voice Photos Summerfields
Hastings & St Leonard's Observer Friday 13th August 2021
Hastings & St Leonard's Observer 13th August 2021 by Richard Gladstone
The structure is a neo-classical building from the Victorian period.
Council planners have now applied for retrospective planning permission for the installation of galvanised protection barriers to the archway, side steps and lower bath area.
The Roman Bath structure in Summerfields Wood The authority said it placed the barriers there to ‘address safety concerns’.
Objectors have voiced their anger on the borough council’s planning portal in response to the application.
Heather Grief, who set up a petition in protest, said: “This application is very retrospective, as the first set of railings appeared ‘out of the blue’ before June 2016, over five years ago, and the second set at the start of lockdown.
“Any work to a Grade II listed building should be preceded by an application for Listed Buildings Consent, and then by a planning application, and a higher standard is expected for any such work. So far as I know, there has not been an application for Listed Buildings Consent, and therefore this application is not valid.
The Roman Bath structure in Summerfields Wood “I particularly object to the more recent additional ‘barriers’, which again appeared without any application in advance, as they cannot possibly be excused on grounds of emergency health and safety, or they would have been installed in 2016.
“These new barriers ruin the look of the structure, and make it completely unphotogenic, and turn an attraction into an eyesore, trapping litter and natural debris underneath and behind them.”
Bob Hart said: “The Roman Bath at the Bohemia Estate Summerfields Wood has been owned by Hastings Borough Council (HBC) for around 50 years and it was given Grade ll listing status in 1999. It has received little maintenance after minor repairs in the early 1990s and shows signs of neglect and deterioration.
“In 2016 HBC erected three metal fences at the top of the steps above the structure without seeking advice or applying for permission. In March 2020 another metal fence was erected in the arch and a grid was installed above the water because of safety concerns for the public who visit the Bohemia Estate at Summerfields Wood.
“It’s surprising that the applicant HBC in the Heritage Statement they prepared for the application that they finally submitted has chosen not to seek any advice from heritage organisations.
“The current proposal installed in the name of public safety is particularly ugly and destroys the appearance of a listed structure. The policy of HBC failing to maintain their asset over long periods has not helped to preserve the Bohemia Roman Bath and the current retrospective application does not enhance the appearance or setting in any way. I object to the proposal and would expect that consultation with organisations involved with heritage should be sought so that it is not just HBC deciding on its own activities.”
In a letter to the council, Sussex Gardens Trust (SGT) said: “SGT finds the utilitarian, brightly coloured galvanised gates and grid entirely unsympathetic to the sandstone ‘Roman’ bath-house and its setting. It is hard to imagine an uglier solution. For this reason, SGT objects to the application being approved.”
A council spokesman said: “Hastings Borough Council conducted works to a listed building to address safety concerns at the Roman Bath in Summerfields Wood.
“An application for listed building consent to regularise those works has been submitted and, the council’s conservation officer is now assessing the case, and liaising with other service areas and external agencies to find a solution that will meet safety requirements and ensure the heritage asset is preserved.
“The council has received 21 letters and one petition objecting to the works carried out. The case can be viewed on the planning pages using the planning search tool at www.hastings.gov.uk.
“Once discussions are completed a recommendation will be made to the planning committee.”
Article published Hastings & St Leonard's Observer 13th August 2021
The structure is a neo-classical building from the Victorian period.
Council planners have now applied for retrospective planning permission for the installation of galvanised protection barriers to the archway, side steps and lower bath area.
The Roman Bath structure in Summerfields Wood The authority said it placed the barriers there to ‘address safety concerns’.
Objectors have voiced their anger on the borough council’s planning portal in response to the application.
Heather Grief, who set up a petition in protest, said: “This application is very retrospective, as the first set of railings appeared ‘out of the blue’ before June 2016, over five years ago, and the second set at the start of lockdown.
“Any work to a Grade II listed building should be preceded by an application for Listed Buildings Consent, and then by a planning application, and a higher standard is expected for any such work. So far as I know, there has not been an application for Listed Buildings Consent, and therefore this application is not valid.
The Roman Bath structure in Summerfields Wood “I particularly object to the more recent additional ‘barriers’, which again appeared without any application in advance, as they cannot possibly be excused on grounds of emergency health and safety, or they would have been installed in 2016.
“These new barriers ruin the look of the structure, and make it completely unphotogenic, and turn an attraction into an eyesore, trapping litter and natural debris underneath and behind them.”
Bob Hart said: “The Roman Bath at the Bohemia Estate Summerfields Wood has been owned by Hastings Borough Council (HBC) for around 50 years and it was given Grade ll listing status in 1999. It has received little maintenance after minor repairs in the early 1990s and shows signs of neglect and deterioration.
“In 2016 HBC erected three metal fences at the top of the steps above the structure without seeking advice or applying for permission. In March 2020 another metal fence was erected in the arch and a grid was installed above the water because of safety concerns for the public who visit the Bohemia Estate at Summerfields Wood.
“It’s surprising that the applicant HBC in the Heritage Statement they prepared for the application that they finally submitted has chosen not to seek any advice from heritage organisations.
“The current proposal installed in the name of public safety is particularly ugly and destroys the appearance of a listed structure. The policy of HBC failing to maintain their asset over long periods has not helped to preserve the Bohemia Roman Bath and the current retrospective application does not enhance the appearance or setting in any way. I object to the proposal and would expect that consultation with organisations involved with heritage should be sought so that it is not just HBC deciding on its own activities.”
In a letter to the council, Sussex Gardens Trust (SGT) said: “SGT finds the utilitarian, brightly coloured galvanised gates and grid entirely unsympathetic to the sandstone ‘Roman’ bath-house and its setting. It is hard to imagine an uglier solution. For this reason, SGT objects to the application being approved.”
A council spokesman said: “Hastings Borough Council conducted works to a listed building to address safety concerns at the Roman Bath in Summerfields Wood.
“An application for listed building consent to regularise those works has been submitted and, the council’s conservation officer is now assessing the case, and liaising with other service areas and external agencies to find a solution that will meet safety requirements and ensure the heritage asset is preserved.
“The council has received 21 letters and one petition objecting to the works carried out. The case can be viewed on the planning pages using the planning search tool at www.hastings.gov.uk.
“Once discussions are completed a recommendation will be made to the planning committee.”
Article published Hastings & St Leonard's Observer 13th August 2021
Listed Building application withdrawn by HBC
18th March 2022 HBC Planning have now been advised that the application HS/LB/20/00805 has been withdrawn by the HBC department that made the application. Presumably they will now seek advice from Heritage England on what they should have done and seek a way forward in order to protect the heritage structure from further deterioration caused by neglect. March 2022