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J Report No: c3R'8 b 3

NEWLYN CONSERVATION AREA STATEMENT

Nulyn 1279,1390,

Lulyn 1290,1302, 1304,1305, 1321, 1326, 1327,1329, 1334,1368

Lullyn 1302

Luelyn 1305

Nywelyn 1337

Niwelin 1339

Newlyn 1346, 1584, 1710 - Neulin 1370 Newelyn 1371

Lewelyn 1388

Neulyn 1431

K. Giddens, SA (Hons), Dip T.P., MRTPI, F.I.Mgt. Newlyne 1580 Director of Planning and Economic Development District Council St Clare Newlin 1584 TR 18 3QW Newlen c1680 NEWLYN - A Brief History

NAMED as early as the 13th century, Newlyn was originally a close scatter of small hamlets. Talcarn ("brow-rock"), now , stood to the north of the Newlyn River; Street an Nowan ("the oxen street" or, more likely, "the river street") lay to the south, between the river and the present Champion's Slip; with Newlyn Town betwen the present North Comer and The Bowjey ("cowshed"). Of these, Newlyn Town was the largest. Its name deriving from lulyn ("fleet pool"), it was centred on the medieval Old Quay which still survives. It is not known when the quay was built but, in 1437,the Bishop of Exeter granted an Indulgence to contributors to its repair and maintenance.

Newlyn remained a smaller and less important settlement than its neighbours and Penzance for some centuries but suffered the same fate of being burned to the ground by the infamous Spanish raid of 1595, commanded by Captain Carlos de Amezola. It was subsequently rebuilt but its size and status remained inferior to those of its neighbours until the 18th century when the fishing industry gained a new importance. Becoming a centre of the seine fishery, Newlyn grew as its prosperity increased; the catching, curing and marketing of pilchards being the cornerstone of the town's future.

By the mid 19th century, Newlyn held more drift boats than any other Cornish port and the Newlyn or Mount's Bay lugger was a distinctive design distinguishable from those of St Ives or Falmouth. The Old Quay was by now enclosing far too small a haven and was itself enclosed by a huge new one; the South Pier being completed in 1885. The North Pier was built in the following year and extended in 1892. The Newlyn Fisheries Exhibitions held at the end of the 19th century have, from 1991, been revived in the form of the annual Newlyn Fish Festival. The harbour's South Pier now has national importance as it carries the 's Datum point from which all heights in the are measured.

In 1832, the port and its inhabitants received a tragic blow in the form of a cholera epidemic which, between August and September of that year, killed over a hundred people.

As the 19th century progressed, East Coast fishing fleets became a common sight in Newlyn harbour. Termed "Yorkies" by the locals, their indifference to observance of the Sabbath led to trouble. The strictly Methodist Newlyn men would not fish on a Sunday. The pickings and monopolisation of the Monday market were seized upon by the less pious Lowestoft fishermen. In May 1896, this volatile situation exploded into two days of rioting and violence, the Newlyn Riots, which were quelled only by the combined forces of the police, the army and the Royal N'avy.

In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Newlyn played a strong part in the resurgence of the dying . Inspired by Mousehole scholar and linguist John Keigwin (b. 1641), Newlyn barrister William and three members of the opulent Boson family added a great deal to Cornish literature. 's Jooan Chei a Horr ("John of Chyannor"), a lengthy moralistic folk tale, is still an important item of study among present day scholars of the language. A reliable source states that Newlyn fishermen often conversed in Cornish aboard their boats as late as 1875, a century after the life of the so-called "last speaker of Cornish" Dolly , and as recently as 1935, it was still the custom at Newlyn fish market to count fish in Cornish.

Late 19th century photographs show that a great many of Newlyn's cottages were thatched and that its principal streets were distinctively cobbled. Today, none of Newlyn's buildings have thatched roofs and cobbled surfaces only survive in the little cul-de-sacs of Fradgan Place, Chapel Street and Orchard Place, the former being extensively restored in 1995.

Large areas of traditional cottages were scheduled for wholesale demolition and redevelopment in the 1930s. In spite of massive local opposition, picturesque cottages in the Bowjey area, St Peter's Hill and Duke Street were initially swept away. In 1937, the Newlyn boat Rosebud sailed to Westminster to lobby Parliament against the destruction, attracting national publicity. That action and the impending cloud of World War II saved much of old Newlyn from demolition. traditionally known as Street an Nowan and Newlyn Town were only interconnected by an inland route, except at low water. The new harbour road cut off the former Gwavas Quay and a small landing beach, now a grassy plot still called Keel Alley. Built-up areas behind these still bear names relating to their former use, for example, Farmer's Meadow and The Orchard.

A second string to Newlyn's bow of international fame began in 1882 with the arrival of Birmingham artist Walter Langley RBSA, closely followed by others who found endless inspiration for their work in local activities and scenery, enhanced by the unique quality of light in a peninsula three parts surrounded by the sea. Beconling known as the of Art, the names and works of , , Alexander Chevallier Taylor, Norman Garstin, Blandford Fletcher, Frank Wright Bordillion and others placed Newlyn firmly on the map of the art world.

In 1890, J.D. Mackenzie began a class of artistic metalwork and, joined two years later by John Pearson, a member of the Guild of Handicraft, Mackenzie opened Newlyn Art Industries in a large granite warehouse on Champion's Slip (named after a headmaster of the former Wesleyan school at the top of the slip). From this developed the famous Newlyn Copper which, although sinlilar to mainstream copper work, developed local themes and a distinct identity of its own.

The rise of the Newlyn School was so rapid that, in 1895, the Cornish philanthropist John Passmore Edwards built and gave the to the town's artists. A memorial to the 18th century Cornish artist , "The Cornish Wonder", its design incorporates four copper repousse panels representing the classical elements of air, earth, fire and water, the work of Philip Hodder from designs by J.D. Mackenzie.

Art and fishing remain the lifeblood of Newlyn,with the Art Gallery being one of the principal venues for contemporary art in the South West. The port's fish market handles £20 nlillion worth of fish each year and the harbour shelters up to two hundred boats: Beam and Side Trawlers, Gill Netters, Long Liners, Crabbers and Hand Liners.

Methods and practices have changed. Newlyn fisherman no longer leave a tithe of the catch on the shore to propitiate the Bucca, and no longer spread their nets to dry on the grassy expanse of Newlyn Green or over the high wall of The Cliff. The quarrying at Penlee, which once employed two hundred people and transported stone from the harbour's South Pier, has shut down. Nevertheless, with a new quay within the harbour (the Mary Williams Pier, 1980) and a greatly extended fish market building (1988), Newlyn remains one of Britain's principal fishing ports despite the worrying problems of restrictive fishing policies, and one which has never forgotten its past. THE NEWLYN ORION ART GALLERY - A GRADE II LISTED BUILDING

A PIECE OF NEWLYN'S HISTORY - THE FORMER TOLCARNE MILL TOLCARNE AND THE COOMBE THE seaward side of the Tolcarne area consists largely of Victorian terraces of granite cottages and houses although the Tolcarne Inn (Grade II) dates from 1717. At its northern end, the Newlyn Art Gallery and the softening effect of its surrounding trees at the edge of the open expanse of Newlyn Green significantly contribute to an attractive approach to Newlyn from Penzance and sets the scene for the traditional form, massing, detailing and design characterising the Conservation Area.

The north side of The Coombe is predominantly occupied by large granite industrial buildings which include The Old Pilchard Works, now a working museum and the last cellar to cure and pack pilchards in the traditional way; and the former Tolcarne Mill whose southern wall still bears the clear marks of its wheel. Other important buildings in the group include the Newlyn Meadery, originally the Gaiety Cinema built in 1927,and the Victorian St Peter's Church, both reached by footbridges over the Newlyn River and sited under the vertical crag of Tolcarne itself, the "Devil's Rock" where the Old One's nets lie petrified and once, according to , the home of a prophetic supernatural being.

The southern side of The Coombe is dominated by late 19th century granite fish stores which still remain in that use. The western end of The Coombe, in particular, enjoys a pleasant backdrop of trees which contribute strongly to the setting of this area.

STREET AN NOWAN THE northern part of the Street an Nowan area consists of an interesting mix of 17th to 19th century cottages largely screened by larger Victorian and Edwardian commercial buildings close to the harbour. These include the imposing Bridge House (1896) and the Seamen's Mission. This is the busiest area of Newlyn with activities centring on the harbour and fish market.

Between the commercial harbourfront buildings and Chywoone Hill is a maze of narrow streets and cul-de-sacs of small scale traditional cottages, some of the streets still being cobbled. Although an area of 20th century demolition at the foot of Jack Lane (originally Jaghford), now a car park, leaves only one side of Duke Street surviving but the whole area of little streets and alleys between there and Gwavas Quay is of great historic value.

Inland from Chywoone Hill, imposing terraces of late 19th and early 20th century houses rise up the steep hillside.

The southernmost part of Street an Nowan, from Gwavas Quay to Champion's Slip, is occupied by large scale commercial works and warehouses.

NEWLYN TOWN THIS southern part of Newlyn,which originally had as its focus the medieval Old Quay (Grade 11*),is chiefly an area of small scale cottages fronting onto narrow, once cobbled streets, cul-de-sacs and courtyards. The principal streets, Trewarveneth Street, Boase Street and Church Street, climb directly up the steep hill from Fore Street which skirts the harbour. Many of these cottages date from the 18th century but a few, such as the larger Old Manor in Trewarveneth Street (Grade II), have 17th century origins.

St Peter's Hill, at an elevated posItIon, contains more formal houses while the car park at its foot represents another area of 1930sdemolition.

Fore Street, running directly above the harbour, contains house and taverns which are generally of a larger scale than those which lie behind them. These are, in places, backed by characterful little yards such as Coopers' Court, named after the barrelmaking which was once carried out there. Lower and Higher Green Street contain smaller 19th century cottages but the modern development of flats on the inland side of Higher Green Street (technically outside the Consetvation Area) illustrates thoughtlessness of design, scale and regularity which directly contrast with its surroundings.

The Meadow area is one of larger, more scattered dwellings,with large open garden areas containing the often timber-built studios used by early artists of the Newlyn School. This and other higher parts of Newlyn Town contain groups of trees which significantly contribute to Newlyn's character, especially when seen from Penzance.

VIEWED as a whole, Newlyn rises from its harbour in a fascinating jumble of small, grey-slated roofs presenting interesting shapes and angles and shielded from the waterfront by larger, more substantial buildings of both commercial and domestic nature, these occupying distinct areas. The scale and massing of these buildings and roofscapes are of a noticeably intimate nature, this representing a major ingredient of the town's essential character.

Although a significant number of modem fibre-cement roofs exist, the main roofing material continues to be natural grey slate. The variety of chimney heights and styles is also important to the roofscape; most of Newlyn's chimneys are of brick although a few important granite stacks still sutvive.

Windows tend to be Victorian box-framed vertically sliding sashes of painted timber but some earlier small-paned casements can also be found. A few rare and old horizontal sliding sashes also survive in some buildings.

Most buildings are of exposed granite; a few are of painted granite. The town's character is further diversified by buildings which are rendered or part-rendered, or partially clad with slate-hanging or horizontal timber weatherboarding.

Times and activities may have altered but the essential character of Newlyn as a traditional, intimate maritime settlement of strongly Cornish nature remains strong. This largely derives from the fact that Newlyn is a working fishing port of particular importance. This aspect should be supported and protected by the planning process even where there may be some conflict in terms of development appearance; for example, the recently erected ice plant which, although unattractive, plays a vital role in maintaining Newlyn's position in this regard. ITEMS OF HISTORIC INTEREST - A SLATE SUNDIAL AND DATE PLAQUE ON A WALL AT GWAVAS QUAY

VINE COTTAGE, TREWARVENETH STREET - A LATE 18TH CENTURY GRADE II LISTED BUILDING THE CONSERVATION AREA

THE architectural and historic character of Newlyn was formaIly recognised in January 1970 when a large part of the town and harbour received the designation of Conservation Area. This was extended in October 1989 to safeguard the old artists' studios in The Meadow area, and again in June 1991 to include the Newlyn Art GaIlery.

Under this status, the demolition of most buildings and waIls which are over one metre high are subject to planning control (Conservation Area Consent); and the felling, lopping or topping of trees require six weeks notice in writing to be submitted to the Local Planning Authority.

The original (1970) extent of the Newlyn Conservation Area was further protected by the imposition of an Article 4 Direction in February 1977. This has the effect of removing rights of permitted development from alterations and extensions to dwellinghouses so that the foIlowing works require planning permission:-

* Extensions, including porches, dormer windows and separate domestic garages or stables within the curtilage of the dweIlinghouse.

* Building or extending anciIlary domestic buildings, such as greenhouses and sheds that are over 2 metres in height or 8 cubic metres in volume. BUILDINGS of Special Architectural or HistOlic Interest ("Listed Buildings") are protected under national legislation and cannot be altered or extended in any way without the granting of Listed Building Consent. To breach this control is a serious offence carrying potentially severe penalties which, in extreme cases, may even include imprisonment.

Within the Newlyn Conservation Area, the Secretary of State has Listed the following buildings (all Grade II, unless otherwise stated):-

FORE STREET: No 1 (former Art Gallery); No 18 (Cliffside and The Copper Samovar); The Red Lion; The Manor House; No 36 ( Stores); Nos 54 and 54A; No 68; Quay Cottage; No 35; Old Quay Restaurant and house

FRADGAN PLACE: Nos 7 and 8; No 9; Nos 10 and 11; No 12 (Pendower House); workshop adjoining No 12 "THEY LOOK EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE OLD ONES." TWO EXAMPLES OF THE DAMAGING EFFECT OF INAPPROPRIATE PVC-U REPLACEMENT WINDOWS WINDOW AND DOOR REPLACEMENT

THERE can be little doubt that the single most destructive element in the erosion of the traditional character of Conservation Areas has been modern indiscriminate and thoughtless replacements of traditional windows and doors with designs and materials which are alien to that tradition and character.

The Penwith Local Plan contains a specific policy (Policy GD-B) regarding PVC-u and other non-traditional replacement windows and external doors within Article 4 Conservation Areas of which Newlyn is one. It must be noted that such replacement proposals REQUIRE PLANNING PERMISSION and the Local Planning Authority will seek to strictly observe this policy.

On unlisted buildings, permission is only likely to be granted where the building is of modern or untraditional design or if the replacement faithfully replicates the existing or original installation, whichever is best suited to the local tradition. If, for example, timber sliding sashes are to be replaced in PVC-u, the replacements must also be sliding sashes with white framing gaskets and, where relevant, externally applied glazing bars. Mock glazing bars applied as internal inserts will not be acceptable; neither will top-hung or tilt-and-turn windows which merely echo the sash pattern.

IN THE CASE OF LISTED BUILDINGS, PVC-U AND OTHER NON-TRADITIONAL WINDOWS AND EXTERNAL DOORS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

The Council's Planning and Economic Development Department has free leaflets which give guidance on window and door design. PLANNING POLICIES

DETAILS of planning policies relating to the Newlyn ConselVation Area can be found in detail in the Penwith Local Plan and the Penwith Local Plan. Those regarding Listed Buildings and replacement doors and windows have already been mentioned in this Statement. Others can be summarised as follows:

DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS for development which will adversely affect the character, appearance and architectural, historical or archaeological importance of the Conservation Area will not be acceptable. Particular regard will be paid to the cumulative effect of proposals for change of use, especially where they may erode the predominant character of an area or cause problems such as car parking and the introduction of advertisements. (Policy GD-l1 Penwith Local Plan; Policy CT-4 Penzance Local Plan)

The character, appearance or setting of historic buildings or settlements should not be adversely affected to a significant degree by development, in particular:

1) Priority should be given to the preselVation of the fabric and setting of Listed Buildings. 2) Development within or affecting a Conservation Area should pay special attention to the preselVation or enhancement of its character and appearance. 3) Proposals for new uses of buildings of historical or architectural merit should be compatible with the character of the building and its setting. (Policy ENV-3 Cornwall Structure Plan)

DEMOLITIONS PROPOSALS for demolition within the ConselVation Area will not be acceptable unless: 1) The building is wholly beyond repair 2) It is incapable of reasonable beneficial use 3) It is of inappropriate structure or design, or 4) Its removal or replacement would benefit the character or appearance of the area Demolition will only be permitted where there are detailed and approved plans for redevelopment. (Policy GD-12 Penwith Local Plan)

INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT proposals which directly relate to the fishing industry will be acceptable in areas which are established in that industry provided the relevant requirements of the general development guidance policies can be met. However, the change of use of industrial sites in the harbour area for development unrelated to the fishing industry will not be acceptable. (Policies E-7 and E-8 Penwith Local Plan; Policy E-7 Penzance Local Plan)

SHOPFRONTS IT is important to the character of the ConselVation Area that traditional shopfronts be retained. Replacement shopfronts, fascias and signs must be similar to the original in scale, design and materials. Replacements for modem shopfronts will be required to be of designs and materials which harmonise with traditional styles. Standard shopfronts and fascias and large expanses of plate glass alien to the area should be avoided. Instead, traditional proportions of window sub-division should be utilised. Features of architectural or historic interest, including windows - particularly at first floor level - should not be obscured, removed, defaced or altered. Fascias of a common depth running across two or more buildings with separate architectural identities should also be avoided. As a general rule, a visual "stop" is required where the shopfront meets the upper paJi of the building and any alteration to a shopfront or fascia should remain confined to that area of the building where they can be incorporated without detriment to the building as a whole. (Policy GD-6 Penwith Local Plan; Policy CT-5 Penzance Local Plan) COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENTS & SIGNS THESE should be restricted to describing the business itself rather than to products sold or services offered. Hand-painted signs of high standard will be preferred to standardised plastic signs and letters. Acceptable alternatives include well designed signs painted directly onto the window glass or individual letters attached to a fascia or wall. Projecting signs of traditional design and materials may be acceptable at fascia level.

Above the ground floor, lettering applied to the window glass is perferred. Projecting and banner signs will not be acceptable. Spot-lit signs, or individually illuminated letters on a fascia or wall may be acceptable on premises which are open to the public at night.

Harsh colours should be used only with restraint and large advertisement hoardings will be discouraged. Advertisements and signs should also be located where they do not interfere with public and road safety, whilst illuminated signs must not cause confusion with road signalling or harbour navigational aids. (Policy GD-8 Penwith Local Plan; Policy CT-6 Penzance Local Plan)

SHOP SECURITY WHERE this is essential, preference will be given to internal screens in conjunction with security glazing. Where, exceptionally, external screens are considered, perforated or translucent types with concealed housings and guide channels will be preferred. (Policy GD-6 Penwith Local Plan) CHAPEL STREET - ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING COBBLED STREET SURFACES

THE OLD PILCHARD WORKS, NEWLYN COOMBE - WELL RESTORED INDUSTR1AL BUILDINGS PROPOSALS FOR PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT

THE constraints which, under the Article 4 Diurection applicable to the Newlyn ConselVation Area, bring material alterations and extensions to dwelling houses under planning control are of considerable aid to the conselVation of Newlyn's traditional character and appearance. It should be noted that flats and commercial properties do not enjoy rights of permitted development and, therefore, such alterations and extensions are, in their case, automatically subject to planning control.

In general the ConselVation Area's character remains relatively unharmed by new construction developments and, indeed, there are few available sites.

The number of shops within the Newlyn ConselVation Area is small but these are subject to the policies outlined earler which seek to ensure that alterations and redevelopment proposals are of a high standard respecting the overall character of the building and its surroundings.

Changes within the ConselVation Area have largely resulted from unauthorised alterations, particularly the installation of untraditional replacement windows and external doors. These are most often of PYC-u, aluminium or inappropriately designed timber, all of which can result in a selious loss of character affecting not only the property in question but surrounding properties as well. The Council will seek to firmly resist any such inappropriately designed replacements.

Other changes have been introduced by external agencies, particularly overhead power and telephone lines which, in places, create an unsightly aerial web. The Council will seek to persuade the relevant authorities to reduce the number of overhead wires or to re-lay them in underground ducts. The past decision of the Highways authorities to replace or cover many of the old street cobbles with tarmac is seen as particularly regrettable and it is considered that restoration of these cobbled areas would be a desirable, if long-term, enhancement proposal, particularly in TrewalVeneth Street, Boase Street and Church Street.

Reroofing should always be carried out in natural grey slate, ideally from a Cornish source. Fibre-cement tiles ("asbestos slates") are always an inferior substitute. On Listed Buildings, natural slate will almost always be required and this may need to be wet-laid on particular buildings.

Existing garden and boundary walls, especially those facing a street or public thoroughfare, are important features and should be retained and kept in good repair. The creation of new vehicular accesses onto highways will require planning permission which will not be granted if the proposal results in the loss of traditional features or adversely affects the site's surroundings.

In general, and in view of the close-knit nature of Newlyn, extensions to buildings are likely to be modest in size. These should be designed to be in keeping with the character of the building and the ConselVation Area, using sympathetic proportions and materials and including pitched or lean-to roofs. Flat roofs will be resisted by the Local Planning Authority. The traditional form, massing, detailing, solid-to-void relationships and design will be required to be respected on new developments.

Trees enjoy a measure of protection under ConselVation Area status and, in parts of Newlyn, they make important contributions to the setting and character of the town. Every effort will be made to conselVe these wherever possible.

Car parking is a particular problem in Newlyn. The provision of further car parking areas is difficult due to the close-knit nature of the town and a lack of suitable sites close to the centre. The small car park at Duke Street, presently selVing the shopping area, will be retained along with enhancement measures to improve its appearance.

Open green spaces, in particular Keel Alley, are small in size but provide pleasant interludes as well as contJibuting to the preselVation of historical features. Such open areas will be retained and safeguarded f/rom development.