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BLOCKHOUSE COTTAGES, TRESCO
HERITAGE, SETTING & VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Contents
1. Introduction p 2
2. Site and Context p 2
3. Assessment of Significance p 4
4. The Proposed Scheme and Impact Assessment p 5
5. Justification of the Proposals p 9
6. Conclusion p 9
Appendix 1 - Listing Description
Appendix 2 - Sources and Bibliography
Appendix 3 - Planning Policy and Guidance
Gabriella Herrick RIBA CA AABC
Blockhouse Cottages (Google Maps 2021) significance. on impact of terms in further analysed be will assets heritage landscape.Identified wider and setting immediate on impact the appraises assessment.assessment impact visual The this in included and identified been havevisibility,proposals or the proximitythroughby Bay.Grimsby impacted,be to potential either havingthe regardedas assets heritage Only monument, and the broader area, conservation and in the setting of the settlement of Old within the setting of the Old Block House, a grade-II listed structure and scheduled ancient are but unlisted are significance. cottages or of as interestrow existing special The identified of being been have that assets any contain not does site Cottages Blockhouse The be assessedinaccordance totherelevant localandnationalpolicy. proposals, the of will assessment which impact heritage and significance of assessment an out setting.and carry character to island basis the the on establishes impact This the and site the of context heritage the of overview an provide to written been has report This separate gatehousebuilding. The applicant isthe Tresco EstatePartnership. and space studio facilities,separate space,spa a dining and room,drawingkitchen large a single a with Cottages Blockhouse bedrooms,5/6 self-cateredwith unit bathroom,a with existing each sharedand spaces, the a including replace to application an of support in This Heritage Impact Assessment has been prepared by Llewellyn Harker Lowe Architects 1. Introduction the firstproprietor of Tresco. Gardens and Tresco Abbey, which was the home of Augustus island,the of Smith end southern the at settlement monastic in the of nowformwhich part the mid-19th Abbey century, Grimsby,two.the betweendevelopment running with Tresco969,in formed was a Priory on settlements The NewTresco and Grimsby Old baysof havegrownthe around largely rallying pointsfor theRoyalists. last the of one was Parliament.Grenville’sstandard to succumbed eventually islands the Restoration, Charles, Prince for fortifications, them built holding of intention but the with the about bringing in instrumental and Scilly of Isles the John of governor Sir was Grenville,who 1649 In associates. his they and 1645 Charles Prince in to war,protection when temporary civil a the afforded during importance considerable of were islands The 1377), for hissonandheir, PrinceEdward. (1327- III Edwardby 1337 in established was it since Cornwall Duchyof the of part been or hermits. The islands had of been the part Crown since the Norman Conquest and have monks,the to of belonged had which Tavistockland of churchesthe the and of ‘Suliye’ all on the Island of St Nicholas (now Tresco). I (1100-1135) King granted Henry to the Abbot the Edward of reign Confessor the (1042-1066), during some of the or islands had beforebeen given to that monks or hermits, appears It who (925-939).lived Athelstan King by excavated but the islands are first recorded in the tenth century, when they were subdued been have sites Roman and Ironc.8000BC. of Age to on Trescoback activity evidence dating human Scilly,with of Isles the across inhabitation prehistoric of evidence is There of Brief History Tresco views,the settingthatcontributetoimportant whichincludetheBlockhouseCottages.` of characteristics assets, the heritage and designated identified of description and history site’sthe context,of overviewprovideshistoric an brief section following a The including andare builtstraight,century alongthecontour, usuallybelow theskyline.’ as archipelagos the across building of type this of form traditional and common the describes appraisal area render. conservation The dash pebble modern covered have in elevations been the and stacks chimney five regular are service projecting with which ends, punctuated is end.roofline each cottages, gable slate at The lean-to storey two single a century and with extensions form mid-19th linear unlisted, traditional their of by row characterised a are Cottages Blockhouse Cottages are locatedapproximately 80mtothesouthwest oftheOldBlockHouse. Bay.Grimsby Old of end southern island, the the at Blockhouse of The coast east the on coversareaof site an application The 2. SiteandContext approximately a quarter of a hectare and is hectareand a of approximately quarter a late-19th ‘isolated terraces of houses...usually
located
Page 2 Beach Front Infill Sketch Study their two storey, granitehouses, and theircloseproximity totheshoreline. Town, situated on the ridge between Old and New Grimsby. The bays are communities characterised developedby between the two settlements forming the area known as Dolphin either on harbour island, natural the haveboth byof harbours developed.used side aroundwhich services Central a Grimsby, creates New and Grimsby Old of bays two The the BlockhouseCottages(Figure 4). area immediately around the Old Block House but this does now include the area around the on Areas Constraint includes Tresco, Archaeological identifies which Plan Local The Abbeythe complex tothesouth in Grimsby,and New and Grimsby Old betweenIsland, the of centre the in defined as a Heritage Coast. The majority of the listed buildings on TrescoSince are1976 the Islands concentrated have been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Scilly,1975.of in Isles designated the of Council the of jurisdiction the islands,under the of all includes that area conservation single unusual,areone Scilly is thereof as Isles The Setting ofOldGrimsby Bay andtheOld BlockHouse shown inthe1980sOrdnance Survey Map BayGrimsbytowards Old Dolphin and of north the Town,remainunchanged,largely is as the west but the series of outbuildings to the south have been removed. The settlement to towards the end of the 19th century antiquity recordingof and interest in rise north,a the demonstrating to Carn Carn Middle and Mellin Porth the are labelled,as clearly area House Block Old the of remains the are labelled and are shown as having a series of outbuildings to the south. By the 1906 Map, labelled,quarry.a as used was time this at land adjacent the and Cottages Blockhouse The Dolphin Town,buildings.of cluster formingto a road the of areHouse Block not remainsOld The the end of the quay,at central sits the which of north the to located mainly are since little very changed has and 1888 by established was Bay Grimsby Old around settlement the that demonstrate Maps Survey Ordnance base toattacktheremaining islands. a as successively used was and ease takenrelative with attacked and be to island first the the islandsagainst attackby Parliamentarians, ledby thefamous Admiral Blake. Tresco was use until the English Civil War in the 17th century, when a Royalist garrison was defending Isles of Scilly during the reigns of Edward VI and I.Mary However,the on built forts the fort of was numbernot Grimsby.in a activeOld of of one harbour is adjacent structure The The Old Block House was built between 1548 and 1554 as a defensive to fort protect the oftheOldBlockHouseandGrimsby BayBrief History residents, with anumber ofthefamilieshaving lived ontheislandfor generations. the by managed and Trescopermanent 150 aroundEstate. of community a has island The Cottages,owned areBlockhouse the properties,visitors.including the for of facilities All Today, Trescoand accommodation providingself-catering island quality run high family a is [Figure 4] . [Figure 2] [Figure 3]. . The Blockhouse Cottages are labelled to [Figure 1]
. baythe in buildings The (National Library of Scotland) Figure 1 - 1888 Ordnance Survey Map (National Library of Scotland) Figure 3 - 1980 Ordnance Survey Map (National Library of Scotland) Figure 2 - 1906 Ordnance Survey Map
Page 3 Old and House Block Old the from Grimsby Bay.and to views key of number a within sit cottages the and Cottages Blockhouse of site the at together come fields.’ areas character These pasture is ‘open Cottages Blockhouse of south the beach.’to shingle land and The ‘sand a as characterised is and east north the site,roundto Fromthis Bay Grimsbycurves Old character area of ‘headland and hilltop heathland,’ a and in located is is House,which Block a Old the dominant of featuresite the to in increasesleveleast, ground the the landscape. Area heath.’of areaand character Conservation dunes a lying ‘lowin located being as the Appraisal To north in the described is Cottages Blockhouse the surrounding area The back from theshoreline. bay is sparse, including the Blockhouse Cottages and two modern agricultural buildings sit the of south the to buildings Bay,of Grimsby distribution Old the of reached north and west the arounddevelopment the to House.comparison Block In Old the of west south The Blockhouse Cottages are located at the south east reaches of Old Grimsby Bay, to the directions, all acrossTresco in and making theOldBlockHouseakey sea feature inthelandscape. the towards views key of series a as translates between archipelago TrescoScilly and the Tean. to points Today,positioning strategic this to the north-west, across the harbour of Old Grimsby Bay and across one of several entry natural ideal an position forprovided a defensive structureBay to be located.Grimsby Old The strategic site commands a of field of fire end southern the at outcrop raised The Figure 4 - Designated Heritage Assets Bay andtheOldBlockHouse. modern exterior pebble dash elevations arguably detract from the setting of Old Grimsby form.exterior their Their through to House Block contribution Old the and Bay modest Grimsby of a setting the make Cottages Blockhouse that considered is it Therefore, the originalpurposeofbuilding. asthroughthe setting, toits relationship linked of building, the sea and the surrounding landscape, isintrinsically it is possible to House understand Old Block the of significance 1750.until This use in been have to recorded is Civil and WarEnglish the during action in used first was French.However,fortification the the from threats to response in 52, Bay. building, the of use the in betweenfound is 1548- built initially Significance was which with adjoining living quarters and its strategic positioning at the south east of Old Grimsby The significance of the Old Block House is found in its built form as a raised gun platform, which includesviews toandfrom theOldBlockHouseandBlockhouseCottages. Mellin Carn to the north. This significance can be perceived from the surroundingthe old landscape,Blockhouse to the south east, past the central quay to the rocky outcrop and Porth Bay,Grimsby Old of setting bay,the the in presentof is form throughthe fromextending demonstrates how the settlement has developed around this natural resource. Significance houses, set back from the shoreline,The Scilly. and the projecting quay of in the centre of the bay, history which the throughout two traditional the storey of materials and the form in is found significance largely granite administration political the association with the quays of these because is of existence its that suggests and Scilly for unusual is which The significance of Old Grimsby Bay is found in its form as an off-island quayside settlement, canbe and manifests, islands understood, the through thelandscape andbuildings. of significance the that development continuous this adapted havesettlements.availabledefend resourcesthe createand from to utilise is to islands It changed and the on inhabitants how and shape, and position islands each from The Isles of Scilly Conservation Area has a unique character and distinctive identity, derived 3. Assessment of Significance
Page 4 include theBlockhouseCottages. section,followingkeyfourthat viewsthe on in focuses assessed which and described are GrimsbyBayOld House proposalsof Block the setting Old of the the impact on and The high qualitymaterials. development,of pattern with this continue in investment Trescosignificant making Estate granite, of palette a timber boarding and glass to provide using continuity of character. Style,Tresco a created The proposed has building would that development of pattern and the island the on vernacular traditional the from palette material its takes building The and materials finishes would be reinstated. indigenous Natural existing. the than performance environmental higher considerably a have to building proposed the allow would which of installed,both be to of flooding and allow an insulated ground floor, and raising the roof level to allow insulation benefits that the small increase in height would bring; raising the floor level to mitigate risk cottages.However, the by mitigated be arguablywould setting the perceivedanyon harm existing the than higher 1m than less be wouldproposed building the of height ridge The straight, alongthecontour, usuallybelow theskyline.’ conservation area appraisal; The character of this development therefore maintains the characteristics described in the the single storey addition that includes the drawing room and the kitchen and dining room. of length in increase small the mitigate reduced,would be which would cottages existing the of element storey 2 the row.of the length to The perpendicular project would that pitched slate roof, five regular chimney stacks and low level single storeybuilding,a linear maintained;with servicelong be extensions woulda cottages existing the of characteristics externally,the as minimal be would cottages existing the replacing of impact visual The to thesettingofOldBlockHouse, Grimsby Bay andthesurrounding landscape. it would replace, in recognition of the modest contribution that the existing cottages make directlylifted proposedrowis fromthe that existing building formof cottages the The of are includedintheDesign, views Access andPlanningStatement. key the to the and retain setting towards the Old areaBlock but House. A full description of the proposals conservation and design development buildings the existing to the contribute that replace characteristics to developed been have proposals The Setting Description oftheproposals andImpactonthe Heritage Assets and Landscape 4. Proposed Scheme and Impact Assessment ‘isolated terraces of houses...usually late-19th century and are built late-19th century ‘isolated terraces of houses...usually Figure 5 - Key Views 1 3 2
Page 5 would helpthenew annexe further toblendunobtrusively withthelandscape setting. landscape.the materials,in position its profiledgreen sheeting and dark roof a of use The traditional,the and byminimal,form mitigated be wouldslung lowbe arguablywould and Bay.Grimsby Old and this However,House of Block impact Old visual the the of setting the to row.building the a behind add woodlandwould annexe established proposed The and headland the by obscured is silhouette building skyline,the the as on impact minimal a have would recreated.proposals chimneys The of rhythm regular the linear,with and House Block Old abovedescribed would maintained,be the lowlevelas cottages the wouldof as character the and cottages the between Bay. relationship Grimsby The Old in Figure 6.2 landscape. Between theOldBlockHouseandcottagesisuninterrupted openspace. the in rhythm regular a creating chimneyslinear, the and levelwith low as characterised east,the trees.to fromthe rises south the screeningareto with cottages the viewthis In are located where the sandy beach and dunes turns to headland, as the landscape gradually cottages,which the above sits House House.Block Block Old Old The the and cottages existing the of relationship the east.is the view to this headland of keyraised aspect The projects away from the land in Old Grimsby Bay, which includes the Old Blockhouse on the Figure 6.1 1 Key View shows the existing view of the Blockhouse Cottages from the central pier that shows the proposed view of the Blockhouse Cottages from the central pier central the from Cottages Blockhouse the of view proposed the shows 1 Figure 6.2 - Proposed view of Blockhouse Cottages Figure 6.1 - Existing view of Blockhouse Cottages
Page 6 eoa o acud adn aahrai ad oen tutrs soitd ih the with associated structures existing row modern and their gardens and would also make paraphernalia a significance garden improvement to this accrued outlook. of Removal separate studio building to the south of the cottages would not be visible from this aspect. building.separate a as elevation,proposednot The north and the on elements projecting mitigated by the gig shed reading as a perpendicular element to the cottages, be setting.likearguably wouldparticular the impact this Anyextant to appropriate be to designed been from the Old Block House, but the visual impact is minimal and its character and form has buildings would be maintained. The annexe, in the form of a Scilly’s gig shed,centre of the island.would be visible The relationship of the cottages, the surrounding landscape and sparse Figure 7.2 western boundary. Bay.Grimsby Old of the on planting existing byview areshelteredfrom this cottages The above the dunes, forming of part a sparse pattern of development at the southern reaches island,fields.the open of centreas the characterised level low at sit cottages existing The towardswest the to rises gently and east the to curves bay the awayon,dropsas which east. foregroundThe open,viewthe the is of sits House Block Old the that plateau raised centre of the island, with the stretch of sandy beach and dunes of Old Grimsby Bay to the Figure 7.1 2 Key View shows the proposed view from the Old Block House, looking west towards the shows the existing view from the Old Block House, looking west towards the 2 Figure 7.2 - Proposed view of Blockhouse Cottages Figure 7.1 - Existing view of Blockhouse Cottages
Page 7 not bevisiblefrom this aspect. of the chimneys. The proposed separate studio building to the south of the cottages would and rock outcrops beyond would be maintained, as would the linear character and rhythm of Men-a-vaur and Golden Ball beyond. The relationship of the cottages to the trees and south,sea looking back towards the northern end of Old Grimsby Bay and the rocky outcrops Figure 8.2 against thesearatherthansihloyetted againsttheskyline. the rocky outcrops beyond. Because the land rises to the south, the cottage row is viewed and sea the of backdrop the rhythmagainst regular a creatingform,chimneys in the with east. treeswith north the to appearcottages breakThe a in trees,the in lowas linear and borderedbeyond. is fields,Ball which open Golden is foregroundand The Men-a-vaur of south, looking back towards the northern end of Old Grimsby Bay and the rocky outcrops Figure 8.1 3 Key View shows the proposed view from the raised headland above the cottages to the shows the existing view from the raised headland above the cottages to the to cottages the above headland raised the from view existing the shows 3 Figure 8.2 - Proposed view of Blockhouse Cottages Figure 8.1 - Existing view of Blockhouse Cottages
Page 8 and localpolicy. As such, theproposals are considered tobeacceptableinheritageterms. for which the developmentNPPF establishes a strong presumption sustainable and it would align with relevantof national type the be to considered therefore are proposals The • • • • area.conservation Inaddition, theschemewould provide thefollowing benefits: and building listed the of setting the and House Block Old the of significance the to harm anyPolicyFramework, cause Planning proposednot wouldworkthe that considered is it National the of terminology the with accordance scheme.In proposed the by enhanced modestly arguably and preserved be area, setting would conservation the and and building House,listed the Block of Old the 1990, of interest Act Areas) historic Conservation and architectural and special Buildings the (Listed Planning the with accordance In National Policy the significanceofsettingof, orviews toandfrom, theOldBlockHouse area setting. conservation the of character proposedThe fromwoulddetract building not proposed row the and and quality the to contribution positive a granite,dash making traditional render in finished be would pebble amodern in finished as the are cottages enhanced, existing significantly be would contribution this addition, In cottages. existing the of of character contribution and form vernacularthe the of recreationto building, the throughexisting equal the be would setting area conservation the to building contribution the building.The of the of character vernacular the preserving replace, would it that buildings the to directly respond building the of character and massing form,scale, views, important and PolicyaccordanceDevelopmentwith in OE7 AffectingHeritage. The in buildings terms (The of Old important Block House), landscape character of the setting The design of the building has taken into account the characteristics and context of the area, Local Policy 5. Justification of the Proposals Reduced floodrisks. diversifying theavaliable touristoffering. Provision ofanassetthatwillcontribute totheislandeconomy by improving and generatingbuilding. energy The replacement ofabarely habitablerow efficientand ofunitswithanenergy render elevations beingreplaced withtraditionalgraniteelevations. The settingwould arguably besignificantly enhanced by theexistingpebbledash conservation area,conservation broader the andare therefore consideredand tobeacceptableinheritageterms. House Block Old the of setting the to make contribution cottages existing the the that upon improve arguably and contribution, modest the maintain would proposalssignificance,their on policy. national and accordance local in with proposals The proposals. The assessment has considered their significance and the potential impact of the This document has identified and described the heritage assets that could be affected by the thatthe ensuring island, themodest changeswould beappropriate tothelocalcharacterandsetting.across present style vernacular and traditional the reflect identified. materials proposed views key The the and setting the of appraisal an through setting.analysedimmediate been the has in This building the of character replace,preserving vernacular the would it that buildings the of facsimile a is building proposed the of area. conservation the and setting the of character form,The scale, character and massing landscape House;the Block Old the to site the of area,relationship including;the the of context historic and characteristics the account takeninto has building the of design The 6. Conclusion
Page 9 Isles ofScilly LocalPlan(2015-2030) (2010) Media andSport The Principles of Selection for Listing Buildings document produced by the Department for Culture, England: Principles and Conservation Assessment (2008) Historic 2015) (March Planning in Practice Advice Good Environment England:Historic Historic The NationalPlanningPolicy Framework (updated2019) Planning (ListedBuildingsandConservation Areas) Act 1990 Appendix 3–PlanningPolicy andGuidance Council oftheIslesScilly, andCulturalThe Heritage Strategy for theIslesofScilly(2004) English Heritage, Environment IslesofScillyHistoric Framework Research (2012) ofScotland-HistoricMaps National Library Appendix 2-Sources andBibliography Listing NGR: SV8973015462 St.J.O’Neil: Isles ofScilly: London(HMSO): 1950-: 20). Scilly:Redruth:1980-:6;B.H. of Laws:Buildings Monument.(P The Ancient an as 1552.Scheduled and 1548 between Castle,Pendennis Kiligrew,of John captain later Fleming,and Francison Sir Tresco under built blockhouses the of one Harbour,probably Grimsby platform.is Old of and Covers corner south-east lean-to in south-east original corner,to east.with plain granitestairs open fireplace; to Winder remains of later room constructed in Stairs embrasures. with parapet a by surmounted originally walls, by enclosed is platformplan. the Rectangular rubble.Topof granite coursed 1548-52.Roughly Probably Blockhouse. II SV81NE 1358-0/1/119 The Blockhouse TRESCO BLOCKHOUSE Address: THE Statutory listed:Date first 14-Dec-1992 Number:List Entry 1219196 Grade: II Category:Heritage ListedBuilding APPENDIX 1-LISTINGDESCRIPTION Historic EnvironmentHistoric Topic Paper
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