GRINSHILL
PARISH
DESIGN
STATEMENT
Consultation Document
contents
1 introduction
2 village content
3 building and spaces
4 highways and roads
5 landscape character
6 guidelines and way forward
7 maps
8 listed buildings and features
Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 Page 4
1 introduction
Introduction (Draft)
This Village Design Statement is intended to help ensure that new development in Grinshill is in keeping with local character and fits with its surroundings.
It has been prepared [Draft = for] after consultation with local residents providing guidance to encourage development that respects and enhances the quality, appearance and attractiveness of the local built environment and makes a positive contribution to it.
It complements the existing planning and development control system [the Local Development Framework for Shropshire] and has been [Draft = is to be] formally approved by the Parish Council [on date…][minute ref]. It is a material consideration to be given weight and taken into consideration by the Local
Planning Authority when determining planning applications for new development in the Village and Parish.
In the following pages the Guide sets out the Village Context, Character and
Landscape Setting, Settlement Pattern, Buildings and Spaces, Highways and Traffic and sets broad principles regarding acceptable development and design.
The Community of Grinshill welcomes and commends this Guide for study by all involved with development proposals in the Parish, as a constructive tool to encourage good appropriate design in the Village and its surroundings.
Page 5 Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 2 village context
Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 Page 6 village context
Location and area covered
Grinshill lies in North Shropshire west of A49 in between the towns of
Shrewsbury and Whitchurch. The village is surrounded by agricultural land, backed to the north by the hill of Grinshill, a wooded sandstone escarpment with the cliff rising to some 630 feet above sea level. Flat land to south east and west. The majority of the oldest buildings are assembled in the centre of the village with more recent development taking place east along the road towards the A49. Further groups of houses are located south west of the parish around Merry Lane and Sansaw Road. A smaller number of houses are to the north east above the village to the back of the hill.
Step House
Page 7 Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 village context
History (info taken from archives in Shrewsbury Library entitled
“Documents concerning the parishes of Grinshill, Clive and Broughton”)
Land ownership fell broadly into 3 areas: The 1781 Enclosure Act divided the parish as to 1) Sansaw Heath to Robert Embery and Mr Kilvert 2) Hardwick Heath to Sir Richard Hill and John Wood and Robert Kilvert & 3) The Hill and Sherwood to Andrew Corbet, Mr Kilvert, John Wood and the Lord of the Manor Viscount Rowland Hill. The pattern was set for the distinctive areas we see today of “The Hill” being
estate workers and quarry men’s cottages and small holdings of the Corbet Estate,
the village being developed by prosperous individuals and Merry Lane built for workers of the Sansaw Estate.
Historically e m p l o y m e n t c e n t r e d o n a g r i c u l t u r e and quarrying. The
quarries were numerous in number and ownership providing the stone which is so much a feature of the houses and walls of the parish today.
The stone quarried in this area is known as Free Stone which is of fine close quality,
excellent for carving.
Stone Grange
Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 Page 8 village context
Its colour ranging from red through to cream made it attractive and desirable. It is still valued for building and restoration.
There is a variety of building materials seen in the parish.
Stone construction s of note include Stone Grange, (built as a refuge from plague for the pupils and masters, the land having been bought by
Shrewsbury School in 1616 with construction a few The Manor House years later) and The Manor House dating from early and mid C17 with later alterations. While blocks of red sandston e created what were farm buildings in the centre of the village but have since been converted to homes. Properties on “the back of the Hill” are al l of local stone.
There are a number of timber framed properties, some show ing their frame on the outside or as with Bronhaul the brick exterior hiding a C15 timber “cruck” construction within.
Attractive brick constructions feature in the Bronhaul village in the form of C18 Grinshill Hall and Higher House , The Inn at Grinshill and the adjoining Well House.
Page 9 Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 village context Many stone boundary walls add to the character of the village particular note being one to the south of the Manor House inscribed “IK 1694” (I.Kilvert) with
fine wrought iron gate and piers. The church dedicated to All Saints’ was built of Grinshill stone 1839-40 on an earlier foundation. It
is neo Norman in style with an Italianate tower. Not far away is the village hall built as a school in 1862 but by 1872 the pupils moved to Clive school.
To the southwest of the village Merry Lane formed the boundary between 4 parishes of Broughton, Grinshill, Myddle and Shrewsbury St All Saints Church Mary (Hadnall), and its houses were primarily
built by J J Bibby of Hardwick Grange, quite different in character to others in the parish but just as distinctive and attractive.
There are more recent C 20 properties as at Sansaw Road and Cronk Hill and individual properties throughout the Merry Lane village. junction
Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 Page 10 village context
View of High Street
Present day (per 2011 census)
There are 108 households. A mix of rented, tied and owner occupied. The population of 243 range in age from 0-17yrs = 37, 18-64yrs = 165, 65+yrs = 41. The majority of the population are of working age.
The populatio n is diverse in both age and employment giving the village a mixed community with a social fabric centred on the village hall, cricket club, pub and church. There is no longer a bus service through the village but there are good road links, the nearest train station is at Yorton. A shop, pri mar y school and doctors surgery are in the adjacent village of Clive.
Visitors enjoy the surrounding countryside with its many footpaths through the wood and up to the hill. Residents value the intimate feel of the different areas of the parish.
Page 11 Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 3 building and spaces
General
The buildings in the Parish of Grinshill show an evolving village consisting of small clusters
and individual buildings reflecting the changes in design over the centuries. Most of the buildings are good examples of what was considered best or fashionable at the time of construction,
using a variety of materials; slate, clay &
concrete tiled roofs; brick, timber & stone facades; boundary hedges and stone walls Cronk Hill enclosing each plot.
Groupings
Despite there being considerable diversity in the size, style and materials used to construct the buildings visual integrity is maintained by the small grouping of buildings, commonality of
scale and setting. The largest number of identical buildings are on Cronkhill where there are four pairs of semi-detached houses.
Spacing
The Cottage The majority of the buildings are set back from the road with gardens or grounds surrounding them. Historically, the nucleus of the village was centred on the Church and Village Hall.
Styles of buildings
Grinshill has a wide variety of building styles. Detached houses, semi-detached houses,
Entrance to The Vineyard
Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 Page 12 building and spaces bungalows and converted agricultural buildings. There is a good mixture of sizes ranging from large “Country Houses” of significant architectural merit to small single storey buildings.
Scale
The buildings within the Parish are generally of modest proportion and set within hedged and walled gardens of compatible size and proportion. The village sits comfortably within the landscape dominated by the Hill, woodlands and fields.
Building Materials
The buildings are constructed with a variety of materials. Stone, brick, half-timber and render are to be found with tiled roofs of clay or slate.
Boundaries
The use of stone walls to mark the boundaries of the properties gives a unified look to the village. Some walls are topped or backed with mixed or single species hedging. The fields between the buildings are bordered with mixed native hedging.
The Vineyard
Page 13 Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 building and spaces
Area of the village from A49 to Brieryfields
The significant majority of buildings are backed by open fields or the wooded hillside. Open fields separate clusters of buildings.
The “spine” of Grinshill is the main lane (High Street) running from the A49 through the village and out Sandy Lane looking towards Clive. Buildings, either in small groups or towards The Hall and individually placed, feature on the side of the road. Side roads off have small groups of buildings. There Manor House are several significant features in the layout of the
village. Area to the south of the village (Sansaw Heath, Sansaw Road, Merry Lane, Sandy Lane
and Crossroads Viewed from the south (A49, lane and Shropshire Way), the main village buildings grouped at the
foot of the hill are clearly visible, and the pallet of
local building materials (red & grey sandstone, mellow red bricks, natural welsh slates and clay roof tiles) are evident. Merry Lane cottages Sansaw Heath is defined by the late C19 early C20 estate cottages. Quaint features are incorporated into these Art and Craft movement influenced cottages; door canopies, brick & stone hood moulds and ornate rainwater hoppers. There is a mixture of stone, brick and painted render in the
external walling, with either slate or plain clay
tiled roofs. The stone cottages have coursed and dressed front walls with quoins and dress stone window mullions and surrounds. The frontages Sansaw Road and wall of incorporate stone gate pillars and boundary walls. On Merry Lane there is a pair of mid C20 Sansaw Park bungalows and a brick/metal clad workshop.
Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 Page 14 building and spaces
The approach to Grinshill along Sansaw Road is dominated by the view of the Hill, with the prominent tower and spire of Clive Church visible. The white cottages at the foot of the hill are prominent in this view. Approaching the village from the south-west, the mellow red brick Brieryfields house, with its hipped slate roo f and modest classical features, and the roof space of the Minor Farm barn conversions define the western edge of the village.
These properties, together with Grinshill Hall and the Manor House, provide a dramatic (with the Hill as a backcloth) aspect to the village when approached by Sandy Lane.
This lane and Crossroads are relatively narrow with stone and brick cottages and some mid C20 planned housing fronting them. Where the Shropshire Way crosses Crossroads, the view of the Hill is framed by the mature field trees and the l arger buildings (Grinshill Hall and Manor House).
Brieryfields
Page 15 Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 building and spaces
Area to the north of the village centre (Corbet Wood, Beechwood, Birch Coppice, Hill Farm and Sherwood Bank). Buildings in the area south of Sherwood Bank and north of Corbet Wood are predominantly stone cottages with either Welsh slate or plain clay-tiled roofs. Some have brick chimneys. Most have had some form of extension and some have incorporated modern features into their roofs. i.e. dormer windows, patterned tiles, solar panels, rooflights/lanterns. Space between these properties is mainly private gardens with some garden sheds/outbuildings. Buildings at the stone quarry are modern steel clad functional sheds, but there is a small disused stone cottage at the entrance to the public car park, the chimneys on this building are mellow red brick but the original roof has been temporarily replaced with modern steel sheets. There is a new dwelling near the northern boundary of the quarry, constructed in stone/timber cladding and tiled roof.
Buildings in the area south of Sherwood Bank Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 Page 16 4 highways and roads
General The only classified road in the Parish is the
A49 (Shrewsbury to Whitchurch) which forms the eastern boundary of the Parish, and the settlements are approached by narrow metalled roads with both grass verges, ditches and hedgerows or in many cases old Grinshill stone walls through agricultural farmland.
Roads
The Sansaw Straight has a wide grass verge and ditch on its eastern side and the stone boundary wall of Sansaw Park on its western side. There are no pavements in the village reflecting the rural nature of the parish. The entrance to Grinshill from the A49 has an “Unsuitable for Heavy Goods Vehicle” sign restricting HGV from passing through Phone box on High Street village except for access. However damage to the verges are being caused by large farm vehicles and HGV’s. Although great care was taken to minimize the visual impact of the 30 mph speed limit signs in the village the ones on Sandy Lane and on entering the villages from the west do degrade the view of Grinshill Hill and The Cliff.
There are many un-adopted lanes or restricted byways leading off High Street Gooseberry Lane which are a feature of the village. Several of these are un-surfaced serving the properties off these lanes.
Page 17 Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 highways and roads
Parking
Parking in Grinshill is possible on the wider sections of High Street otherwise it is very limited. Parking is provided adjacent to the Village Hall for residents and other users of the hall.
There is a car park at the Corbet Wood Local Nature Reserve for walkers and picnickers.
Footpaths, Bridleways and Cycle Way Grinshill High Street The ‘Shropshire Way’ long distance footpath passes through the parish. There are also numerous smaller footpaths together with permitted access paths which are an important part of the social
fabric and leisure activities within the parish.
Several paths on Grinshill Hill were used to transport stone from the quarries in the C 1 9 century and form an important part of the enjoyment of the hill with its impressive views.
Leisure walks in the Parish are shown on the Shropshire Council and other web sites (see appendix for map).
Quarryman’s track Street Lighting
There are no street lights in the parish which is in keeping with its rural nature. External flood lighting of houses and property needs to be used with care.
Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 Page 18 highways and roads
Public Transport
There is no public transport passing through the village. The Arriva 511 bus service passes through Clive and along the A49 to Shrewsbury. The Boulton Bus goes along the Sansaw Straight to Shrewsbury.
Utilities The electric power supply and telephone is mostly provided by overhead cables. These detract from the visual impact in the conservation area the village. Millennium Stone There are no wind turbines, solar panel farms or mobile phone masts in the parish.
Street Furniture & Signage
There are two post boxes and a phone box in the parish plus three parish notice boards. To mark the millennium two engraved Millennium Rocks in Grinshill Stone were placed at the entrances to the village. Three iron seats were erected in the village to Commemorate HM King George V Jubilee in
1935 and HM Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation in
1953. There is a mixture of road, car park, and restricted byway and footpath signs in the parish. Jubilee Memorial seat
Footpath Stile
Page 19 Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 5 landscape character
Grinshill Parish falls within two Landscape Description Units (LDU) in the Shropshire
Assessment: Clive and Grinshill LDU SP/05 and
Sansaw/Acton Reynald LDU SP/04. This complex character is generated by geology, topography, soils, land use and vegetation.
Topography, Geology and Soils The landscape is primarily driven by the underlying geology; the sandstone escarpment
emerging from the surrounding low level of the
Shropshire Plain. To the North is the shallow dip slope with its small field pattern and to the South the steep rocky escarpment with below it
Rock house remains the low lying agricultural land of the plain. This landform is a result of the strata of sandstone
and flagstone whose inclination dips towards the
Cheshire Basin. The topography and stone has been further altered by fault lines and dykes of igneous rock. The soils are predominantly sandy with some isolated areas of vestigial heath.
Land Use Human activity through history continuing to the
present day has been of great influence on the
landscape. The principal activities have been agriculture, quarrying and amenity and leisure.
Agriculture
Much of the low lying area of the parish has been farmed as portions of the local estates, Sansaw to the West and Acton Reynald to the
East. This has given rise to a typical field pattern of moderate size. Field boundaries are generally native species hedges and sandstone walls. View from The Hill Isolated farms, s m a l l patches of woodland,
Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 Page 20 landscape character individua l mature trees and dew ponds punctuate the field layout. Little if any traditional meadow remains with cattle rearing (some sheep rearing) and arabl e farming the most common activities. Quarrying
The hill at Grinshill has provided sandstone, extracted from various locations for 1,000 years. The stone has been used for significant buildings and bridges both locally and then as transport methods improved, further afield. The stone is Triassic sandstone described in Pevsner
Architectural Guides as the pre-eminent building stone of Shropshire. It has been used in buildings as varied as Haughmond Abbey, Shrewsbury railway stati on and the Welsh Bridge. The stone is valued for its colour, durability, strength and A quarry rock face consisten cy. Fossil remains found within the strata have resulted in the area’s designation as a
Site of Special Scientific Interest. Leisure and amenity
This vari ed landscape has been valued and managed for amenity for centuries. The estates have planted covers for game, and avenues of ornamental planting. The a r e a c o n t i n u e s t o b e enjoyed for w a l k i n g , r o c k c l i m b i n g and cycling. The spectacular views from the sandstone bluffs over the Shropshire plain tow ard Wales and the South Shropshire Hills make this a popular destination. The Industrial archaeology resulting from the quarrying industry has added another layer to this area and Corbet Wood is now a
Countryside Heritage Site managed by A Walkway in Bridge Shropshire Council. Quarry
Page 21 Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 landscape character
Vegetation The parish is dominated in area by farmed
agricultural land. A field pattern of moderate
scale has field boundaries of native species hedgerows in some instances eroded and replaced with fencing. Road verges provide a refuge for wild native flower species. The field pattern is enhanced with single mature trees of native species planted for shade and shelter.
Planting to the Sandstone escarpment is more Pine Plantation complex, some isolated areas of heath remain to the hill summit (for the most part this is in the
adjacent Clive parish). To the South of the
Stone Quarry the hill has been planted with pine – now mature.
These provide a prominent feature. The lower
slopes are generally covered with mixed broadleaved native trees and understorey shrubs. Some open birch woodland has established to View from the escarpment the West. The abandoned quarries have been colonized by self-seeded sycamores; these are managed by Shropshire Council to allow views
in towards the rock faces.
Key Features
Sandstone Bluffs - these rocky outcrops are visually important and provide a distinctive backdrop to the village setting.
Trackways – the historic track ways worn down through the soft red sandstone substrate are important features much appreciated by both locals and visitors. They provide a physical link to the past quarrying activity. Sansaw Park boundary wall Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 Page 22 landscape character
Stone Seats – during the nineteenth century, the quarry men hewed three seats in the rock face to rest on. Now excellen t resting points for walkers.
View Points - these are controlled by the tree cover, the most prominent are from the pine Plantation, and the area south of Bridge Q uarry, accessed through the rock ‘gateways ’. Lower views are provided from the undercliff e. Quarries and ruined cottages – these The Ladies Walk provide distinctive features; the nineteent h century Bridge Quarry and the earlier small scale workings and dwelling remains, partially obscured by vegetation.
Stone Boundary Walls – boundary walls of the local stone to fields, buildings and gardens are prominent local features.
Significant trees – native broadleaved Ash and Oak t re e s still dominate. Throughout the area parkland additions have added Hill Farm to this structure. Mostly coniferous they include the hilltop pines and the Cedar and Wellingtoni a of the Ladies Walk.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF SETTLEMENT TO THE LANDSCAPE
This relationshi p needs to be conserved/ enhance d by any development. The Parish demonstrates typical rural features and densities.
Settlements – these are small in scale and vary in size from single cottages, small Field Pattern
Page 23 Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 landscape character
terraces, groups of property and the principal
village. They are predominantly set within the agricultural field pattern in linear form along access lanes.
Farms – isolated farms are represented by Hill Farm and Woodstile. Located within their surrounding field patterns and set back from access roads.
Stone Quarry – the existing working quarry is
visually discrete; screened by both the topography
(lying behind the exposed escarpment face) and banks of tree planting.
Snow on the fields Roads – country lanes are generally characterised by native species hedge boundaries, individual A winter scene in Birch mature tree planting, and naturalised grass verges.
Coppice
Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 Page 24 6 guidelines & way forward
General Comments
• Grinshill Parish is dominated by the complex, rich and multi-layered landscape which has been
subject to many influences both geological and
human.
• There are no major areas of n e w development;
the setting is primarily agrarian.
• Most buildings are set in their own space behind
walls or hedges and set within gardens.
• Due to recent agricultural management changes,
dairy herds have increased and grazing is now a significant feature.
• Much of the Hill is covered with trees, generally unmanaged, but parts have benefited from thoughtful planting in giving the area a quite distincti ve character.
• When viewed from the A49, the main focus is of the hill and the linear development along its base;
from within, this village has no defined centre.
• Housin g settlement is located in three areas:
i. A linear development along the base of Grinshill hill.
ii. Property on the Hill is set beside the Quarry and forms a small group of dwellings around an area of open fields.
iii. Sansaw Heath is small scale and set
beside the Road.
Page 25 Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 guidelines & way forward
• Use of materials is not confined to any local reference. Local stone is perhaps the most common, with brick, render and occasional use of timber framed walling.
• Judging any planning application, must take full accoun t of the unspoilt rural nature of
the landscape and 360 degree views from Grinshill Hill and the Cliff.
• External floodlighting of houses and property needs to be used with care.
Highways and Traffic Guidelines
• The rural nature of the roads and lanes is to be preserved.
• Road widening, road signs, street lighting, pavements and kerbs etc. to be resisted.
• Street furniture, utility enclosures, information road signs, road markings etc. to be minimised to reflect the rural nature of the parish.
• Trees, hedges and boundary walls on the road and lane verges should be retained.
• New cables should be underground and existing overhead ones re-sited underground when the opportunity arises.
• New properties should have adequate off road parking with entrances sympathetic to the rural nature of the parish.
Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 Page 26
guidelines & way forward
• Satellite dishes and aerials to be sympathetically sited and hidden where possible. Those in the Conservation Area must abide by Conservation Area guidelines.
• Parish footpaths and restricted byways should be sympathetically maintained in line with the rural nature of the parish and cycling restricted to the designated routes.
• Wind turbines, mobile phone masts etc. should be resisted in this rural parish.
Summary of ways forward
• Any development should be small scale.
• Major clusters of new houses, as found in other Shropshire villages, would upset the rural context and grain of the area and should be avoided.
• In keeping with the majority of Grinshill property, any development should be of high quality whether traditional or contemporary in design.
• Roads and lanes should remain rural with no street lighting and discrete signage.
• Infill development should be restricted to within the existing building boundary.
• The complex, rich and multi-layered landscape requires careful maintenance and conservation in order to avoid erosion. . Page 27 Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 7 maps
Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 Page 28 maps
ation Area Boundaries Grinshill Development and Conserv
Page 29 Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 8 Listed buildings & features
Barleycorn Cottage and Attached Farmbuildings. Grade ll. High Street, Grinshill, Shropshire.
Bronhaul. Grade ll. High Street, Grinshill, Shropshire.
Church of All Saints. Grade ll. Grinshill, Shropshire.
Churchyard Wall and Gateway Approx. 25m to East of Church of All Saints. Grade ll. Grinshill, Shropshire.
Embrey Memorial. Approx.7m to South of Church of All Saints Grade ll. Grinshill, Shropshire.
Former Font Apprx. 10m to South of Church of All Saints. Grade ll. Grinshill, Shropshire.
Garden Wall Adjoining the Well House and the Elephant and Castle Hotel to the South East. Grade ll. High Street, Grinshill, Shropshire.
Garden Wall, Gate and Gate Piers Approx.5m to South East of the Manor House. Grade ll. High Street, Grinshill, Shropshire.
Gate and Gate Piers Approx. 75m to South of Higher House. Grade ll. High Street, Grinshill, Shropshire.
Gazebo and Adjoining Garden Wall Approx. 60m to North West of Grinshill Hall. Grade ll. High Street, Grinshill, Shropshire.
Grinshill Hall. Grade ll. High Street, Grinshill, Shropshire.
Higher House. Grade ll. Gooseberry Lane, Grinshill, Shropshire.
Key Memorial Approx. 1.5m to South of Church of All Saints. Grade ll. High Street, Grinshill, Shropshire.
Mount Pleasant The Hill. Grade ll. Grinshill, Shropshire.
Step House. Grade ll. Gooseberry Lane, Grinshill, Shropshire.
Stone Grange. Grade ll*. Grinshill, Shropshire.
Sundial Approx. 9m to South of Church of All Saints. Grade ll. High Street, Grinshill, Shropshire.
The Cottage. Grade ll. Gooseberry Lane, Grinshill, Shropshire.
The Manor House. Grade ll. High Street, Grinshill, Shropshire.
The Well House and the Elephant and Castle Hotel. Grade ll. High Street, Grinshill, Shropshire.
Woodstile Farm. Grade ll. A49 Grinshill, Shropshire.
Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014 Page 30 Listed buildings & features
Page 31 Grinshill Parish Design Statement 2014
This document was compiled by; Alan & Janet Allsop Cllr Adrian Burr John Clayton Peter Davies James Handley (Chairman) Jane Harris Andrea Heath Michael Lillistone Jane Whittaker