SDO12519 - Replacement Ladders, West Bay Harbour, Bridport, West Dorset. Impact Assessment.

An impact assessment on the replacement of timber access ladders in West Bay Harbour, Bridport was undertaken by Terrain Archaeology following issues that had been highlighted in a Health and Safety Inspection Report carried out by West Dorset District Council in March 2010. Following this Health and Safety Reported the timber ladders were replaced with galvanised steel ladders. The harbour is a Grade II listed structure. The replacement of the ladders was undertaken prior to obtaining Listed Building Consent. Consequently, West Dorset District Council commissioned Terrain Archaeology to undertake the assessment of the impact of the replacement ladders on the heritage assets of West Bay, as part of a retrospective application for Listed Building Consent. The replacement of the existing wooden ladders with new galvanised metal ladders was considered to have a negligible effect on the heritage assets of West Bay harbour and upon its historic character. The former wooden ladders were of relatively recent date and have only been a feature of the harbour for the last 45 or so years of its life. The positioning of many of the ladders between the surviving uprights of the earlier wooden ladders has mitigated any visual intrusion of the new metal ladders.