Cold Overton Conservation Area Designated: March 1974 Designating Authority: County Council Area: 14.92 hectares Introduction

Conservation Areas are 'areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance'. Designation of a conservation area recognises the character of an area worthy of preservation and enhancement and ensures the safeguarding of the best of our local heritage as represented by both buildings and the ambient environment, ie: the spaces between and around buildings when viewed as a whole. Local Planning Authorities have a general duty to pay special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character and appearance of conservation areas, consequently there are more stringent planning controls and obligations in respect of new development, demolitions, alterations, highway works and advertisements.

Conservation Area status is not just about the attractive areas of settlements. In some instances, areas, which either contribute little, or are even detrimental to the character of the Conservation Area, are included within the boundary because of their potential for enhancement. Conservation Area status does not mean that new development may not take place but must reflect the local architectural vernacular in scale, siting, massing, details and materials. Special attention should be paid to not only building form but also fenestration and materials.

A Character Appraisal is seen as the best method of defining the key elements that contribute to that special historic and architectural character of an area. It is important that all interested parties are aware of those elements that must be preserved or enhanced. It is intended that the character appraisals will guide the local planning authority in making planning decisions and, where opportunities arise, preparing enhancement schemes. It will be a material consideration when considering applications for development within the conservation area.

Location and Context

Cold Overton is a small linear village located to the south east of Melton Mowbray and four miles north west of . It is set on a ridge some 213 metres above sea level in the area known as High Leicestershire. The surrounding gently rolling open landscape has a significant concentration of woodland and the village has an extensive area of attractive woodland to the west, much of which is protected by a Tree Preservation Order, which forms a backdrop.

The Manor Estate of Cold Overton is mentioned in the Domesday Survey and was first recorded as Overtone, the prefix Cold comes from the villages’ exposed position. The development of the village is intrinsically linked to Cold Overton Hall and the associated activities of the Manor Estate. In 1871 there were fifteen dwellings in the village. In 1946, however, the Estate was divided, as a result various owners of the Estate added to it by building cottages and continuing to improve and expand the village. Little development has taken place in recent years; since 1981 only five new dwellings have been created.

The Conservation Area Boundary

The Conservation Area boundary is widely drawn and extends well beyond the built form of the village to embrace part of the extensive woodland to the west and some open fields to the east. The Garden Centre and Manor Farm to the south and Stone House Farm to the north are also included.

Spatial Character and Townscape Quality

The main entrance to the village is from the south via a single track road. Whilst most of the dwellings and buildings are centred around Main Street, the southern edge of the village is defined by the 2 metre high red brick wall, built in a variation of English garden wall bond, which fronts the Garden Centre and is some 140 metres in length. There is also a listed ironstone wall fronting the Hall on Main Street, alongside a substantial belt of trees which overhand the highway. This provides a sense of enclosure to this part of the Conservation Area.

The churchyard, viewed in the distance, is set on raised land which projects forward, forming a visual stop thus creating a sense of interest in regard to the rest of the street.

1 Whilst parts of Main Street are enclosed by boundary walls and buildings, other areas of the street are more open textured. The distinct linear pattern of development features a wide variety of building styles. Whilst some of those buildings abut the highway serving to enclose the street scene, others are set back in their own grounds. There are also some open areas adjacent the highway which provides an open texture in part, notably at the junction opposite the Garden Centre, and on both bends at the north end of Main Street.

Variation in the floorscape also contributes to the character of the Conservation Area. The variation in levels, highlighted by the elevated churchyard and sloping grass verges fronting properties, together with changes in hard landscaping materials including gravelled driveways and courtyards, granite kerbs and cobble stones all add visual interest.

As a whole, Main Street is defined by a series of stone walls and buildings which front the highway, interspersed by trees, grass verges, and open spaces, which soften the view. The mature trees in the grounds of the Court House on the bend in street, and the large turkey oak in the front garden of No 19 are also significant features. Further interest is created by visual stops which fragment the linear pattern, most notably the yew tree in the church yard combined with the gable end of No 18 immediately opposite, where the ‘pinch-point’ in the road narrows it to a single track.

Quality and Character of Buildings

There are eight listed buildings within the village. Those within the village core, whilst of differing age and varying architectural styles from the grand design of the Hall to the simpler West Cottage, are unified by their construction materials, namely local ironstone with Collyweston or Swithland slate roofs.

The grade I listed Cold Overton Hall dating from the 17th century is set within its own extensive wooded grounds and enclosed by a separately listed ironstone wall. The adjacent grade I listed Church built during the 13th century and set within an elevated churchyard is also enclosed by a stone wall forming the focal point of the Conservation Area. To the north of the churchyard, there are simple stone stable buildings fronting the highway which enclose the courtyard of Court Farm. As a taller and more substantially built structure the hexagonal stone pigeoncote forms the focal point of the courtyard and is partially visible above the roofline of the stables and from other points within the village. Its patterned slate roof adding interest to the skyline. When viewed as a whole these buildings and associated spaces contribute to the setting of the Church.

There are several unlisted buildings within the village which contribute to the character of the Conservation Area. Those on the east side of Main Street, particularly No. 18, represent a fine example of the village vernacular. Built of local stone the property consolidates the core of the Conservation Area and complements the simple and regular stone elevations of the former stables and barn, adding variety and a sense of enclosure to the street scene.

The predominant building material is local ironstone, generally with limestone dressings which used together, create a pleasing contrast and effect. The local brickyard on Langham Road, which closed in the 1920's, once produced the bricks used in the village and surrounding area, however the use of brick in the centre of the village is limited, the principal examples being The Old Post Office and an outbuilding at Church Farm. The Old Post Office creates a striking picture within Main Street reinforced by the clever use of patterned brickwork. Roofing materials include Collyweston stone slates, Swithland slate, Welsh slate; and clay pantiles. The colour variation in materials, in particular the contrast in roofing materials, together with the mixture of building style and architectural detailing add further to the visual interest.

Natural Elements

There are many significant open spaces within the village, including land adjacent to Church Farmhouse and the Old Post Office. The most significant public open spaces are the elevated churchyard and the amenity area adjacent to The Firs. Many of these spaces display a mature landscape and an abundance of trees. The contrast of these spaces in relation to the built form help to create and define the visual characteristics of Cold Overton.

2 Negative Factors

The use of inappropriate materials, such as upvc double glazed window units, plastic rainwater goods and modern brickwork has had a negative effect on the character of the conservation area. The use of granite kerbs along the Main Street has been corrupted by the insertion of concrete. The panoramic views of the surrounding open spaces and picturesque views within the village setting are marred by the large number of telegraph poles and overhead cables. Modern farm buildings, which are only partially screened, combined with a small number of modern buildings which are completely incongruous with the street scene, leads to a detrimental effect on the visual amenity of the village.

For further help and advice please contact:

The Physical Environment Section Melton Borough Council Council Offices Road Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE13 0UL Telephone; 01664 502502

The Council has also prepared a leaflet entitled ‘A Guide to Conservation Areas’ which gives general advice. Copies are available from the Physical Environment Section as detailed above

The above is an appraisal of the Cold Overton Conservation Area which highlights the most significant factors which make it worthy of conservation status. The omission of any particular building, feature or space should not be taken to apply that it is of no interest.

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