OARE CONSERVATION AREA STATEMENT

COMMITTEE DRAFT

December 2004

OARE CONSERVATION AREA

The purpose of this Statement of the Oare Conservation Area is to identify and record those special qualities of the village that make up its architectural and historic character. This is important for providing a sound basis for local plan policies and development control decisions as well as for the formulation of proposals for the preservation or enhancement of the character or appearance of the area.

The Statement contains an assessment of the Oare Conservation Area and is intended for all with an interest in the village, or those undertaking work on its buildings, landscape, streets or public spaces. It is also essential reading for anyone contemplating development within the area. By drawing attention to the distinctive features of Oare it is intended that its character will be protected and enhanced for the benefit The entrance to Oare from the north showing of this and future generations. how the combination of historic buildings, trees and landscape has a major influence on village character. The road alignment is also Oare Conservation Area was designated on 8 November 1974 to include significant in presenting a changing vista the majority of buildings within the settlement. The core of the through the village. Conservation Area is the historic development along the main road through the village and includes lanes and buildings on either side. On the western side the Conservation Area boundary is extended to include the historic park and garden and some of the surrounding landscape to Oare House.

The main characteristics of Oare are:

§ The linear form of the historic development on either side of the Marlborough to road § The landscape setting on the southern scarp of the Marlborough Downs § A selection of historic buildings dating from the 16 th to the early 20 th centuries and in particular the important 18 th century Oare House and its gardens § Extensive tree cover within the village, both formal and informal § Lanes and tracks bordered by hedge banks with road surfaces below natural ground level

Oare is within the Parish of , which also includes the settlements of East Stowell and Huish. There is a Conservation Area at Wilcot for which there is a separate Conservation Area Statement.

Geology and topography

Oare is located on the Marlborough to Pewsey road, the A345, approximately 2 miles north of Pewsey and 4 miles south of Marlborough. The village is on the northern edge of the at a height of approximately 150 metres above sea level.

Above Oare the land to the north rises steeply to form the southern scarp slope of the Marlborough Downs with a high point of 250 metres visible to the east at Giants Grave. The village itself is located on a gentle slope of upper greensand, which forms most of the floor of the Vale of Pewsey. Yew Cottage is at the western edge of the Conservation Area with a view to Giants The landscape surrounding the village is predominantly permanent or Grave to the north-east. Simple traditional semi-permanent pasture, interspersed with areas of semi-natural churchyard railings add interest to the street scene. woodland. 1 To the west the pastures form an area of parkland for Oare House. On the slopes rising up to the scarp much of the land is used for arable cultivation, the lands around the village having been used mainly for sheep grazing and arable production since enclosure in1803.

North

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Oare Conservation Area with the listed buildings marked in red. This shows the cluster of development on both sides of the main road with lanes off to the east and west.

Origins and development of the village

The history of habitation in the locality can be traced back to the Iron Age with a midden at Rainscombe and hillforts on the summits of Huish Hill and Giants Grave. The settlement at the foot of the hill was known as Oare by the year 934, the date commemorated on the sign identifying the Oxpath from Maizley to Hazelwell. The name Oare is derived from the Old English word "ora", which means border or edge of a hill.

All developments in the landscape reflect man's influence through time as governed by the nature and distribution of geology, terrain, water sources and soils. The pattern of settlements can often be traced back to Roman or Saxon times, or sometimes even further. Place names and documents provide evidence of Saxon activity across the Vale of Pewsey and there are direct links between Saxon settlements and The Oxpath from Maizley to Hazelwell boundaries and subsequent patterns of development. looking north. Here the quiet and secluded "green lane" is in marked contrast to the busy parallel main road. This represents a view of Oare is not mentioned in Domesday but its land may have included the scale of communication links from past some described as part of Draycot. Much of the area was probably times. woodland since Oare, like Draycot, was part of Savernake Forest until 1330. In 1227 land east of the Marlborough to Upavon road on the relatively level land north of Oare and Huish Hills was allocated to the men of Oare. The Hill grounds were probably cleared of woodland and used as sheep pasture. Rent from land in Oare was granted to Priory in the late 12 th century.

2 The Priory retained the land until the dissolution of the Monasteries and thereafter the lordship descended with Wilcot Manor.

Being in the same parish Oare had strong links with Wilcot but an ancient long distance north-south route also had a marked influence on the pattern of the settlement. Before techniques were invented to stabilise and maintain road surfaces the most durable routes were those following the watersheds between natural drainage systems. The most obvious routes were therefore on the chalk ridgeways as can be seen running east-west at Tan Hill Way north of the village.

Links north-south across the Vale were however also part of the long distance network although in the low-lying areas travel conditions were

The 16 th century Latenbury and the Old Post less favourable. The A345 is almost certainly in part based on a Saxon Office with later brick facings. Buildings route from Marlborough to Upavon. This runs down from the chalk at here at the north end of the village form the Oare then at a point south of the village west of the present day road to most densely built-up part of Oare. It is also the only part of the village with pavements. follow the line of Hare Street (near Wilcot). The route crosses the river at Manningford to rejoin high ground, again by climbing onto Bruce Down and heading towards Upavon. Minor roads to the east and west link with surrounding hamlets.

The form of building in the village is closely related to this historic route, many of the farmhouses and cottages lie on either side of the main road and others near at hand on side roads. The oldest surviving buildings in Oare are the 16 th century Old Oxyard, Latenbury and The Old Post Office, all of which are close to the main road in the north-east corner of the Conservation Area.

The village economy was for many centuries based on agriculture, although its importance has diminished in recent years. In 1638 there were believed to be nine farms in Oare, only one of which was larger than 100 acres. Land at Oare was nearly all held in common in 1600 but the village had been enclosed by 1803 and by then the number of

th farms had been reduced to five. The overall pattern of farming appears Box Cottage, originally 17 century with a th th to have remained largely unchanged until the end of the 19 century 19 century extension, is one of the 16 listed buildings in Oare. Just to the left is the although the mixed agricultural based economy evolved from 7 metre high beech hedge that is a particular subsistence to market based. feature of this part of the main road. Oare was a relatively small settlement in the 16 th century and 17 th century development was also limited. Buildings from the 17 th century include Home Farmhouse, with an adjacent barn, and Box Cottage. Bennetts is also believed to have 17 th century origins although the house as now seen dates from 1830-40.

Substantial wealth is evident in developments of the 18 th century when Oare House and the outlying Rainscombe House were built. Both properties are sizeable, of high quality and have extensive parklands, although Rainscombe House is just north of the village and outside the Conservation Area. A medieval deer park with a large central block of woodland is believed to have existed between Oare, Stowell, Draycott and Huish before 1740 which is the date of construction of Oare House. The Andrews and Dury's map of 1773 shows an avenue of trees running east of the house to the road and formal gardens to the west. Also shown was a road link from Oare to Huish passing south of the house.

Oare House built in 1740 is a building of The Enclosure Award of 1803 allowed the assembly of a coherent estate high quality representing a time of around the house, including the closure of the road, and thus the considerable investment in the locality. opportunity for the development of an ornamental landscape.

3 In 1807 the was opened about a mile to the south of the village and in 1862 Pewsey Railway Station was built, both facilities offering direct links with London and the west of . At the time the effect of these links on the village appears to have been limited although nowadays the fast train service to London and the south-east results in some commuter traffic being generated from Oare.

As the village was historically part of the parish of Wilcot there was no separate church in Oare until construction of the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Pound Lane in 1841. Oare had become the centre of dissent in the parish in the early 19 th century when several houses were registered as dissenters' meeting places. In the mid-19 th century a school, church and group of cottages were built at the southern end of the village. Holy Trinity Church was built in 1857/8 in a Romanesque style to the design of S.S. Teulon as an Anglican chapel of ease and in 1892 Oare became a separate ecclesiastical parish

The church site also contained the original village school, built in 1859, th Holy Trinity Church was built in the mid-19 but subsequently demolished. Other development in the 19 th century century as a chapel of ease and before then included buildings in the area of Cold Corner on Huish Road and infill parishioners were required to walk to Wilcot. th The combination of decorative brickwork and housing along the main road. The Parsonage house is late 18 /early th stone with a Welsh slate roof makes this a 19 century and a Reading Room in Rudge Lane is shown on a 1:2500 distinctive building. scale Ordnance Survey map of 1900.

The former Staff House and stables to Cold This map of Oare in 1901 shows that the basic form of the village is largely Blow were built in 1932 also to the designs unchanged. The Conservation Area covers the historic core of the settlement of Clough Williams-Ellis. Although within with the exception of the cottages at Cold Corner. the Oare Conservation Area the buildings are in the parish of Huish. At one time the village benefited from basic services including a bakery and post office and the 1901 Ordnance Survey map shows a smithy at either end of the settlement. The White Hart Public House at the north end of the village remains in use. The school moved from its former site near the church to its present location on Huish Road in 1913.

4 In 1921 the well-known architect Clough Williams-Ellis, (designer of Portmerion) was employed by the then owner of Oare House, Sir Geoffrey Fry, to alter and extend the house and to design features for the gardens. Sir Geoffrey was for a time private secretary to Stanley Baldwin and Bonar Law and between 1940 and 1945 Oare House was used for secret meetings of the War Cabinet. Clough Williams-Ellis also designed Cold Blow on Huish Lane (built 1922) and Martinsell Cottages at the southern end of the village currently outside the Conservation Area

Later in the 20 th century former farmhouses became private dwellings and the Post Office and the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel building were also converted to residential use. The present Village Hall was constructed in the early 1980s on the site of the former village Reading Room. New houses were also built at Portway just north of Huish Lane with infill along the northern section of Rudge Lane. At the beginning of the 21 st century Oare is primarily a residential village with a primary school, church, village hall and public house but serving a mobile community, many who work elsewhere.

The landscape setting of Oare is clearly evident in this view of the northern end of the village taken from the lower slopes below Giant's Grave. The extensive tree cover obscures many of the buildings.

Archaeological significance

The village of Oare has Saxon origins being first recorded as Motenesora in 934 AD although a number of earlier finds and features have been noted to the east of the village. A Mesolithic flint tool has been discovered on the lower slopes of Martinsell Hill, east of the Conservation Area, and a Neolithic polished axe was recovered from North Copse to the west.

Positioned on the hill east of the village is Giant's Grave, an Iron Age promontory fort, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Although partially disturbed by quarrying and other activities, two ramparts to the east survive. There are also several field systems noted to the east of the village which are likely to be Medieval in date. Also worthy of note are the 20 th century gardens at Oare House that are included in the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens. 5 Oare Conservation Area - west

North

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There is an important vista from Oare House through North Copse to the west

The base map used in this report is the latest available – recent changes within the village may not be shown.  Crown copyright. All rights reserved Kennet District Council LA078328 2002

The dotted line is the English Heritage Registered Historic Park and Garden of Oare House

Note: All of the banks and grass verges within the Conservation Area are important as are individual boundary hedges but cannot be shown on a map of this scale.

Small and medium size trees are the mature trees of the future and should be assessed accordingly

6 Oare Conservation Area - east

North ↑

Note: All of the banks and grass verges within the Conservation Area are important as are individual boundary hedges but cannot be shown on a map of this scale. Key Conservation Area Boundary

Listed buildings and walls

Significant unlisted buildings and walls

Significant trees

Significant banks and hedges

Details of listed buildings are correct at the date of publication but can change For up-to-date information it is advisable to check with the District Council.

7 Architectural and historic character

The character of Oare is strongly influenced by its landscape setting and this is particularly evident from all the approach roads leading to the village. From the north the main road runs down from the scarp with the village nestling at the base of the slope. From the west it is the parkland to Oare House that provides the setting to the Conservation Area and the built-up area of the village.

The view from Giants Grave looking westward to the village from the high point of 250 metres shows Oare nestling in the landscape. This view also shows the extensive tree cover over much of the village. The avenue leading west from Oare House and the surrounding parkland can

From the top of the hill the village is almost also be seen. completely hidden amongst the trees. Formal planting east of Oare House shows the The significance of trees and hedges is especially noticeable looking influence of a man-made landscape. along the main road as there are only a few places where buildings are prominent. The exception to this is at the north end of the village with the White Hart PH on the west and Latenbury and the Old Post Office to the east. The predominant development pattern elsewhere in the settlement is of individual buildings set within fairly spacious plots. Throughout there is a general alignment of buildings with the main road although set-back distances vary and some of the buildings are hidden or partly obscured by walls, hedges and trees.

Buildings of architectural interest in Oare date from the 16 th to the 20 th centuries and there is a wide range of architectural styles. Moving south along the main road Box Cottage has 17 th century origins and is timber frame with an early 19 th century brick wing. On the opposite side of the road Downs View and Ivy Bank are early 20 th century houses, Ivy Bank being part timber frame in an Elizabethan revival style.

The high status of Oare House becomes evident at The Lodge where the It should not be assumed that unlisted imposing gates provide access along a lime avenue to the main house. buildings are unimportant. The Limes, The Lodge, although not listed, is a building of architectural and historic although unlisted, is a prominent building in interest and is important because of its prominent siting. Just beyond is a distinctive Tudor revival style. The setting th of the building is enhanced by iron railings. the early 19 century Old Bakery where the use of patterned brickwork and the simple style and proportion are especially attractive.

The last building in the Conservation Area on the west side of the main road is Holy Trinity Church. Built in patterned brick (from 1857-8) to the designs of S.S. Teulon, the church is Victorian Romanesque in style. The churchyard now provides a setting to the church although originally the building would have been partly hidden behind the former school. Across from the churchyard is the thatched 19 th century Yew Cottage, once a group of cottages, and in the distance Giant's Grave.

Travelling on the main road through the village does not give a full impression of the quality of buildings within the Conservation Area and it is necessary to follow the lanes and tracks to appreciate the range of architectural dates and styles than can be found in Oare.

Greensand, being a relatively soft material, can be easily worn away by the effects of weather and human activity. In extreme cases where The Lodge and the gates and gatepiers just beyond indicate the presence of Oare House. activity and exposure are high, this results in the road surface being The Lodge is another of the unlisted worn down well below original ground level forming a holloway. In buildings in the village but one that is clearly Oare the visual effect of this is more pronounced by the construction of of architectural and historic interest. hedge-banks as can be seen in a number of locations in the village.

8 One such is Rudge Lane; here most of the dwellings are considerably higher than the road either because of the natural gradient or by road erosion. The introduction of tarmacadam in the early 20 th century stabilised the surfaces from further erosion but the distinctive character remains evident. Development along Rudge Lane is concentrated close to the junction with the main road and becomes sparser as the lane turns south towards Oare House.

Although Oare House is just visible from the road along the avenue, its quality and that of the surrounding features can only be really appreciated as seen from Rudge Lane. The centre section of Oare House is mid 18 th century and was built for Henry Deacon, a wine merchant from London. The building is of brick including overburnt

Looking north along Rudge Lane, the blue brick used to form patterns, a detail also found elsewhere in the prominent part of Oare House from here is village. Oare House was extended in the 19 th century but more the south wing built in the early 20 th century. significantly in the period 1921-5 when the well known architect The house was extensively remodelled and Clough Williams-Ellis remodelled and extended the building. It now extended at that time. sits close to the lane with an imposing setting formed by iron gates and railings. The grounds of Oare House run up to Rudge Lane from where it is possible to enjoy extensive views westward across the landscape.

The footpath from Rudge Lane south of the church provides another opportunity to appreciate the landscape views, in this case providing a long distance view of Martinsell Cottages. This group of six estate cottages, originally for Oare House, is located outside the Conservation Area. The avenue of trees planted south of the church is part of the formal setting to Oare House.

The earliest buildings in the village are located in its north-eastern corner and include the 16 th century Old Oxyard, Latenbury and the Old Post Office. Home Farmhouse, with its adjacent barn, is also in this locality and dates from the 17 th century. Access to the Old Oxyard is from Pound Lane and then along the line of the Old Ox Drove. The The public footpath that runs from Rudge Lane past the church to the main road quiet and secluded quality of this "green lane" is in marked contrast to provides a long distance view to Martinsell the busy main road. The buildings here follow the general pattern of Cottages. This also shows the importance of being set within the landscape on spacious plots with views out across open space as the setting to the Conservation the open Vale. Area. Coming from the west along Huish Lane the road level, as with other roads on the western side of the A345, is significantly lower than the surrounding land. Here the sense of enclosure is enhanced by the canopies of overhanging beech trees in the vicinity of Cold Blow that extend across the road. The village school, extended 2003, is located at the brow and the lane then descends with a series of bends to the main road. Buildings in this locality, including those at Portway, are mostly mid to late 20 th century

Building materials and details

The building materials of the settlement have been influenced by the geology and climate of the area, the function and status of the buildings and the ease of availability or transport of specific items. The poor performance of the local Upper Greensand limited the use of this The road level at Huish Lane sits below the natural ground level indicating early use. material to agricultural buildings and boundary walls, such as the rubble The main front to Cold Blow (1922) faces stone walling of the cartshed at the Old Oxyard, and the roadside south across the open fields. The borders near to it. Chalk from the Downs is a constituent in the cob Conservation Area boundary is the hedgeline walls evident in Oare and in the wattle and daub of the surviving timber to the right. framed houses.

9 The predominant building material now seen in Oare is brick which can be found in buildings from the 16 th to the 20 th centuries. The brickwork, often including overburnt blue bricks, appears in a variety of patterns and brick bonds.

Timber framing was the main form of construction of residential buildings in the area prior to the more widespread practice of brick- making, as can be seen at the Old Oxyard and Box Cottage. These early buildings are now outnumbered by those built or overclad in the characteristic orange/red brick of the village. The use of brick spans the social scale being found in Oare House, the Old Bakery and the former Wesleyan Chapel.

Much of the brickwork in Oare is of high Patterning in brickwork with vitrified blue bricks is evident, exemplified quality, as can be seen at the Old Post Office. by the front walls of The Old Post Office and The Old Bakery and seen The pattern in the brickwork is formed by the also in the polychromatic appearance of the church. At Holy Trinity the use of overburnt blue bricks together with the distinctive orange/red found throughout the effects are achieved by the use of a variety of colours of brick, together village. with stone dressings. Colourwashed brick is found at Latenbury and the White Hart.

The earliest cottages were undoubtedly thatched with long straw, now mostly replaced with combed wheat reed. Roof coverings to 18 th and 19 th century buildings are plain clay tile or slate, the slate probably being transported from Wales and along the canal to Pewsey Wharf.

Windows generally are painted timber, the earlier buildings have 19 th century style timber casements, possibly replacing leaded light iron framed windows. Double-hung small-pane sash windows can be found in the 18 th and 19 th century buildings. 16 th and 17 th century doors are timber, often simple ledged, braced and battened, with four and six panel doors used in the later buildings.

Mention has previously been made of the high quality ironwork used at Oare House enhanced by the use of Sarsen setts in a decorative pattern th Brickwork to the 19 century extension to on the lane side of the wall. Iron railings can also be found at the Box Cottage is Flemish bond and this together with the simple painted front door is church and in front of Ivy Bank. typical of the period. On the corner of Rudge Lane is the 1935 memorial in the form of a carved stone crown commemorating the Silver Jubilee of King George V.

Landscape setting and the contribution made by green spaces and trees

Views from Oare are dominated by a scarp slope of the Marlborough Downs rising steeply to the north with the promontory of the Giants Grave located immediately to the north-east of the village. Views to the south are limited by tree cover but to the west important vistas from Oare House along the base of the scarp have been developed during the creation of the formal gardens and parkland. The churchyard is part of this setting.

On entering the village from whichever direction the dominance of lime trees is immediately noticed. Most significantly they form avenues The northern edge of the Vale of Pewsey is from the main road to the eastern frontage of Oare House, along Rudge marked by the southern slopes of the Marlborough Downs giving a distinctive Lane, and to the south of the church, with a considerable number profile to the hillsides. planted elsewhere throughout the village.

10 On the western side of the Conservation Area the influence of Oare House has produced some particularly unusual planting and landscape features for this part of . The grounds of Oare House comprise just over 3 hectares of formal gardens close to the house with some 40 hectares of planned park and woodland beyond. This incorporates two notable avenues of trees: the remnants of an oak-lined vista leading southward to a pond in the far southern corner of the parkland and a lime ride in North Copse leading westwards and contemporary with the 20 th century alterations to the house. A mixture of coniferous and broadleaf trees, of native and exotic species is planted along the hedgelines and as individual specimens throughout the estate and of particular note are the fern-leafed beech trees growing on the man-made former hedge bank on the southern boundary of the parkland.

The sunken character of Rudge Lane is emphasised by the use of hedge banks and The formal garden at Oare House is registered grade II on the English this is a feature that can be seen elsewhere in Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in the village. England. The boundaries of the registered park were amended in 1996.

To the east of the main road is a more traditional village landscape. This is dominated by mixed broadleaf hedging with ash, oak and elm trees but several important groups of lime trees are evident notably to the north of Martinsell Cottages and adjacent to The Limes in the centre of the village. A mixed row of broadleaf trees follows a ditch line to the rear of properties fronting the eastern side of the A345.

Beech hedges form the most common boundary to both agricultural land and private gardens throughout the village, the most spectacular being the hedges that run from the main road to Oare House. This hedge at a height in excess of 7 metres forms a major visual feature of the village.

Roads in general are set in shallow cuttings or enclosed by the formation of hedge banks. Paddocks and field boundaries are similarly treated although sometimes planted with non-native trees such as the row of horse chestnut along the boundary to the west of Martinsell From the top corner of Rudge Lane the view Cottages. The main road through the village is also set in a well defined south-west is across the parkland of Oare House. Individual specimen trees are cutting with road frontages comprising hedges, fences, walls and road evidence of a planted landscape. edge buildings which are only occasionally set back behind pavements or laybys. Oare lies within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which is a recognition of the quality of the landscape.

Problems and eyesores

As with many other towns and villages, the major problem in the locality is the intrusion of vehicles. The A345 from Marlborough to Pewsey carries a considerable amount of traffic and this is especially intimidating for pedestrians.

Hedges are the traditional form of property division in the village and the character of the area can be affected by replacement with timber fencing, particularly post and rail. At the north end of the village at the junction with Huish Lane is a section of steel railing related to earlier road junction improvements, which is somewhat incongruous in this rural setting.

Development close to the eastern end of Huish Lane is mostly 20 th century. Poles and The amount of tree cover in Oare largely hides poles and overhead overhead wires are obtrusive in a number of wires although these become more apparent in the winter months. locations in the village. Overhead supplies tend to be more obtrusive away from the main road.

11 Boundary walls are vulnerable where located alongside the busy main road where weathering is aggravated by the effects of vehicular traffic, especially in wet weather. This is also noticeable on the front wall of the White Hart where there is localised brickwork damage.

Preservation and enhancement

Preservation and enhancement of the character of the Conservation Area depends on all who have an interest in the village either as owners, occupiers, the District and Parish Councils and other service providers. Owners and occupiers of land and buildings have the ability to enhance the area through their direct activities, some of which may require planning permission or listed building or conservation area consent.

Modern windows do not sit comfortably in historic buildings and it is always preferable The District Council is responsible for planning control, and to copy the original design. The lower level preservation of the character of the Conservation Area is a statutory brickwork at the White Hart is showing signs duty. Work undertaken by those providing electricity and telephone of erosion and careful repair using lime mortar is required. supplies can affect the quality of the environment, as can works carried out within the highway.

Preservation of existing character

It is the aim of the District Council that the character and appearance of the Oare Conservation Area should be preserved and there are various ways in which this can be achieved. The following list is not exhaustive but is intended as a guide to the type of work that would contribute to maintaining the quality of the village.

Action by the District Council: § Applications for planning permission and conservation area consent to be assessed with reference to this character appraisal.

§ Advice to be made available to owners of historic buildings, listed The quality of historic buildings is most and unlisted, to encourage good standards of maintenance and repair apparent when seen close to. The Old and the retention of original materials and details. Bakery has the pleasing style and proportions th of the 19 century. § Contact to be maintained with the County Council as Highway Authority concerning works within the Conservation Area. § Proposals for indigenous tree and hedge planting to be encouraged.

Action by owners: § Look carefully at desired changes to buildings and surroundings and always view the proposal in its context. Where construction work is involved take particular care in the choice of materials. § Repair rather than replace original features. Where considering alterations to doors and windows on traditional buildings copy original styles and details. § If proposing extending a building consider this as complementary to the existing and design in keeping. The closer view shows careful use of brickwork to provide window heads and § Consider the long-term maintenance of trees, shrubs and hedges and surrounds together with the use of blue brick where appropriate identify sites for replacement tree planting. headers within the Flemish bond façade. Small pane painted timber double-hung sash § Avoid the introduction evergreen hedges, trees or modern fencing in windows are a 19 th century tradition copied prominent positions. from the 18 th century.

12 Enhancement

Apart form the problems of passing traffic there is little in Oare that is out of keeping with the character of the village and the scope for enhancement is limited. § There are several locations in the village where timber fences are visible from road frontages: hedge planting using indigenous species should be considered. § The pedestrian railing at the north end of the village, junction with Huish Lane, is an incongruous and unattractive feature that should be removed or replaced with a more sympathetic form of protection. § Careful repair of the front brickwork to the White Hart together with selective replacement of non-original windows would improve the appearance of this prominent building.

It is obviously essential to have a safe § Poles and overhead wires are sometimes obtrusive: resiting in more pedestrian route to the school but the railings secluded positions or placing wires underground would be an here at the Huish Lane junction appear improvement. incongruous. This engineering solution has not been designed to reflect the rural situation. Areas of potential change

The general arrangement of dwellings and current planning policies indicate that the scope for significant change or new development within the village is limited. Any notable physical alterations to the built fabric are likely to be restricted to those affecting existing buildings.

Increasing prosperity and social pressures may encourage alteration and extension to existing properties and any such proposals will need to be assessed with care to ensure that the character of the Conservation Area is not adversely affected.

The planning context

The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 places a duty on local planning authorities to determine which parts of their area are "Areas of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance" and to designate them as Conservation Areas.

The Act, and Government advice given in Planning Policy Guidance Note 15, Planning and the Historic Environment, states that the local planning authority should formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of all Conservation Areas and this assessment, published as the Oare Conservation Area Statement, is part of the process.

Changes in the village can often be This Conservation Area Statement was adopted by the Council as accommodated without adversely affecting Supplementary Planning Guidance on ………. 2004. SPG provides character provided they are sensitively done. Here the former Wesleyan Methodist Chapel additional information on the interpretation and implementation of is now a private house. policies and proposals contained in a Local Plan .

Consultation procedures, consistent with the advice contained at paragraph 4.7 of PPG15 – Planning and the Historic Environment , have been undertaken during the preparation of this Statement. Paragraph 3.16 of PPG12 – Development Plans, also states that adequate consultation is a requirement for adoption of SPG. The Council considers that the consultation undertaken meets the obligations for consultations set out in PPG12. 13 The Kennet Local Plan 2001-2011 has been adopted by the Council and became operative on 30 th April 2004. This Statement provides detailed background information for the interpretation of the Local Plan, particularly Policies HH5 and HH6. In addition, the guidance will be relevant to the application of Policies PD1, HC24, HC33, ED10, ED12 and ED13.

This study of Oare is intended to highlight the significant features that make up the character of the village. Omission of items from the text or from the illustrations should not be regarded as an indication that they are unimportant in conservation or planning terms.

Summary and Conclusions

Summary

There have been relatively few changes in Oare since the Conservation Area was designated, although the village has seen investment in the repair, alteration and extension of houses and cottages. The work to existing buildings has taken place within the well-defined physical and landscape structure of the village and has therefore had limited visual effect on Conservation Area character.

The dominance of the landscape setting of Oare, together with the extensive tree cover, means that the overall character of the village has been for the most part retained, the most obvious intrusive factor now being traffic on the A345. Looking south along the main road it is not evident that you are in the centre of the For obvious reasons the illustrations in this Statement are taken in good village. Many of the houses are completely daylight conditions and do suggest a particular visual character. It is hidden by walls, hedges and trees, especially in the summer time. however important to remember that visual character changes across the seasons and from day to night. 14 Conclusions

Oare has retained much of its architectural and historic interest although it is now a village with few facilities. It does retain a village school, church and village hall together with the White Hart PH and these activities are important to village character. Careful maintenance of historic buildings, both listed and unlisted, will be necessary in order to protect the character of the Conservation Area. The potential risk to village character is from the introduction of elements that are unnecessarily obtrusive, or urban or sub-urban. Modern boundary walls and fences, paved surfaces including formal driveways, and street or high intensity security lighting would fall into this category. It is important to work with the form and grain of the village taking into account historic boundaries and overall density.

Sustainability and the protection of rural areas are key considerations in the Kennet Local Plan. Oare is defined as an area where further development will be restricted and consequently there is little potential for major change within the village. The landscape setting of the village

Recent efforts have been made to minimise is especially important and this needs to be taken into account in any the impact of traffic in recognition of the works outside the Conservation Area that might affect this. quality of the lanes in the Vale of Pewsey. Changing attitudes is more appropriate than Trees, verges and other landscape features are very important but can be seeking alterations to roads and verges. vulnerable to damage or may be affected by the passage of time.

All of the elements that make up the special character of the village need to be identified and protected to ensure that future changes are not harmful. Preservation of the character of Oare is for the benefit of existing and future residents, businesses and visitors. The information in this Statement is intended to assist this process and provide guidance for the future.

Bibliography: The Victoria County History R S Barron - The Geology of Wiltshire 1976 John Chandler - Marlborough and Eastern Wiltshire 2001 Kennet District Council - Landscape Assessment and Landscape Conservation Strategy 2001 Oare House Wiltshire - Article from Country Life March 1928 Oare House - a desk study of the historic landscape Debois Landscape Survey Group 1995

The assistance of the Archaeology Section Wiltshire County Council is gratefully acknowledged .

December 2004

This leaflet is one in a series of Conservation Area Statements and Guidance Notes produced by Kennet District Council. For an up to date list, or if you require further information or advice, please contact:

The Conservation Section, Planning Services Kennet District Council, Browfort, Bath Road, Devizes SN10 2AT ℡ 01380 724911 www.kennet.gov.uk

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