Middleham Conservation Areas Appraisal And

MIDDLEHAM CONSERVATION AREAS APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN Adopted as supplementary planning guidance 20.09.07 Contents APPRAISAL Introduction Location and Setting Historic Development and Archaeology Architecture and Building Materials Character Functions/uses The approaches Landscape, William’s Hill and the Castle The cobbled areas, Market Place, Swine Market and West End The frontages around Market Place, Kirkgate, Swine Market and West End The back lanes, and yards Conclusions MANAGEMENT PLAN Preservation and Enhancement Design guidance Listed Buildings The protection of other buildings Opportunities Overhead wires Neglected buildings, land and sites The approaches Parking Development Sustainability Action Points Community Involvement Useful Information, Appendices and Contact Details APPRAISAL Introduction A Conservation Area is an “area of special architectural or historic interest the character and appearance or which it is desirable to preserve and enhance” (Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990). Middleham was designated as a Conservation Area in 1973. Local Planning Authorities are required to “formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of any parts of their area, which are conservation areas” (Section 71 of the Act). This character appraisal and management plan fulfils that duty. In making a decision on an application for development in a Conservation Area, “special attention shall be paid to the desirability of preserving and enhancing the character or appearance of that area” (Section 72 of the Act). While this should ensure that harmful change is not allowed, some changes, not normally requiring planning permission (known as permitted development) could still damage the special qualities of the area. Local Authorities have special powers to issue directions removing certain permitted development rights from properties if it can be shown that it is necessary. A Direction to this effect has been introduced in Middleham Conservation Area. This appraisal and management plan should be read in conjunction with the following documents Richmondshire Local Plan The emerging Local Development Framework North Yorkshire County Structure Plan The emerging Regional Spatial Strategy for Yorkshire and the Humber National Planning Policy Guidance especially Planning Policy Guidance 15 (PPG15) – Planning and the Historic Environment. National Planning Policy Statements Location and Setting Middleham is located on a ridge of rising ground between the river Ure to the north and river Cover to the south. It occupies an excellent defensive position overlooking Wensleydale and guarding the entrance to Coverdale. The town is quite compact with the bulk of the buildings being arranged around two irregular squares. The prominent Castle is a reminder of the strategic importance of the site and the town’s long history. The countryside surrounding the town is generally pasture to the north, west and south and arable to the east. The closest settlements are East Witton and Spennithorne, less than 2 miles away. The town of Leyburn is about 2 miles to the north. Historic Development and Archaeology Prehistoric evidence is sparse at this location but there is certainly evidence of a Roman presence to the east of Middleham. Middleham is recorded in the Domesday book 1066 as “waste” and at about the same time the first castle is thought to have been built, as a “motte and bailey”. Known as William’s Hill, today the site is an earth work to the south of the present castle. Towards the end of the twelfth century the keep which is the nucleus of the present castle was commenced. Approximately 300 years of alterations and additions followed. It seems likely that the castle occupied a larger area than the current structure, but over the years the town has gradually encroached upon the original plan. For 200 years Middleham had a settled and prosperous period under the Neville family and their descendants until 1471 when Middleham was forfeit to the crown and for a time was the centre from which northern England was governed. Edward IV granted the manor and castle to his brother who became Richard III. Richard’s son Edward was born in the castle and following Edward’s death the castle passed to Henry VII and remained with the crown until the 17th Century when, along with the manor, it passed into private hands. Towards the end of this period the castle was uninhabited except by keepers who neglected it and records describe “olde castle highly decayed”. In the 17th Century the area around Middleham is believed to have been extensively forested with many references to the Parks and still today an area to the north east is known as the Parks. The town itself is presumed to have grown during the medieval period reflecting the increased importance of the castle. Evidence from this period is very slight. The swine and market cross, typical of medieval towns are believed to be from around the 15th century. The latter commemorating the market and yearly fair granted in 1389. The Parish Church contains some fragments of Norman work but the prevailing style and plan can be traced to the 13th Century. It also has 14th century additions and was “thoroughly restored” in 1878. In 1478 the church was made a collegiate church and whilst a college proper probably never existed, the church continued to claim collegiate title and privileges until these were finally abolished in 1856. Kingsley House is known to incorporate a medieval structure and it is likely that other buildings may have similar features. The layout of the settlement itself particularly around the two market places may well have medieval origins and certainly by the 16th Century many of the existing building such as the Golden Lion (dated1682) had been built. In the 18th Century the knitting industry was well established in the Dales with Middleham being one of the places in which it was concentrated. The town is rumoured to have been famous for brown bread that was transported by packhorse to surrounding communities. The racing industry was to become the biggest influence over the development of the town. The precise start of Middleham’s association with horse racing is unclear but Middleham first appears in the racing calendar in 1729. The moors were used for both racing and training purposes and the buildings known as “the rubbing houses” remain as testament to their racing past. The industry flourished during the 18th Century with regular meetings and explains the very large amount of Georgian/early Victorian buildings in the town replacing most of the older buildings of Middleham. The buildings of this period largely make up what is regarded at traditional Middleham. Jasmine House, the Manor House, the Priory and Hill House are good typical examples of the larger houses. Well proportioned two and three storey stone built residences. They are visible evidence of the status and prosperity of Middleham at this time. Of slightly later date, and possibly more imposing, are Middleham House, Middleham Grange , Milton House and Neville Hall. Many of the more modest buildings particularly around the Market Place date from this period. One of the more interesting non- residential buildings is Manor House Stables, a fine 17th or early 18th Century building associated with horse training. There are a number of non-conformist chapels such as the Methodist Chapel now converted to residential use and the Wesleyan Chapel dating from the Georgian period. The wealth enabled the establishment of charitable works such as almshouses and the first great public work in the mid 19th century was the replacement of the ford (route to Leyburn) and ferry by the first bridge. Initial funding from a trust ran out and the crossing became a toll bridge with associated toll inn. The current bridge was built in 1864 and the bridge ceased to be a toll bridge when it was taken over by the County Highways in 1880. This link was vital for the connection to Leyburn which was developing as the major market centre for the district with the railway station. Little changed in terms of the overall pattern or extent of the town in the second half of the 19th Century. Within it, however, the “most ancient houses” were noted to have been pulled down and typical with the period new public buildings were erected, the Town Hall, School and Jubilee Fountain. There were many alterations to existing buildings, new bay windows were popular - for example Kirkgate House and Clarendon House, but there are many other examples. The Church was “thoroughly restored” at this time and unusual for a small community is the cast iron framed canopy to the shop. In the 20th Century the changes have not only related to the rapid growth of areas of the town at Park Lane and the Springs but also to changes in life styles, social structures and customs. In the 1950’s the town enjoyed a large and varied range of services including a cinema and gas works. The decline of the town as a self supporting community can probably be traced to the building of a bridge in 1830 replacing the ferry and ford and to the loss of the London to Richmond stage coach service which ran through Middleham. Middleham’s importance as a major centre for racehorse training goes from strength to strength, however. The industry has a huge impact on the character of the Conservation Area, from the visual contributions of the buildings to the sounds of the horses on the streets. Middleham has progressed from “waste”; to the seat of power for north England; to a unique town with a wealth of historical and architectural character. Architecture and Building Materials The extensive history of settlement in Middleham has left the town with a wealth of architectural styles reflecting the fashions of the time and skills of the crafts men of the various periods.

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