INTRODUCTION HOW WILL UPAVON'S DESIGN STATEMENT WHAT IS A VILLAGE WORK? DESIGN STATEMENT? If a village design statement A Village Design Statement is (VDS) is adopted by a local a description of a village authority, it becomes a (which is not necessarily the "Supplementary Planning same area as a parish) at a Document" (SPD). Under point in time, highlighting the the Planning and qualities its residents value, Compulsory Purchase Act and setting out the residents' 2004 the local development wishes for the design of framework will be development in the village. It is comprised of local intended to help to manage the development documents, process of change, whether which include development that change stems from large plan documents, that are developments or small-scale part of the statutory additions and alterations. It is development plan and not to be used to determine supplementary planning whether development should documents which expand Figure 1 Upavon Village Centre take place; that is the purpose policies set out in a of the Local Development development plan document Framework (LDF) produced by or provide additional detail. the District Council. It sets out Therefore, although not a guidelines as to how planned statutory document, the development should be carried VDS if adopted will form out and is designed to be part of the LDF and as such complementary to the Local carry considerable weight Development Documents. [1].

WHO IS IT FOR? ANCIENT AND MODERN The Statement is for everyone UPAVON concerned with the physical form within which the daily The village is situated in the activity of the village takes Vale of Pewsey which forms place. In particular: a broad, low-lying ƒ for residents, it provides landscape unit separating guidance for keeping any the two main chalk upland Figure 2 Conservation Area alterations and extensions blocks of the Marlborough in sympathy with the Downs and Salisbury Plain character of the village; to the north and south. It is ƒ for developers, their dominated by intensive architects and designers, it agriculture and explains what the village characterised by a mixed community would like to pattern of farmland, see in new and altered woodland and hedgerows. buildings, and in changes The Vale has for hundreds to the village's landscape of years been the economic setting; heart of the Kennet District ƒ for local authorities, it sets area, and encompasses the out material considerations great majority of the to be taken into account in settlements in the District. arriving at judgements on These have developed in planning. the rich and sheltered

agricultural land present.[2] Figure 3 Avon Square and Upavon lies in the valley of Watson Close the Christchurch River Avon which rises in the Vale of Pewsey and flows south to the Swindon. In early times, as GUIDELINES FOR sea, passing through Salisbury the lower ground nearer the THE FUTURE in Wiltshire. The river has river used to be frequently carved the easily eroded chalk waterlogged, the area 1 All proposals for of Salisbury Plain. The fertile around Upavon used to be development should take alluvial soils, mixed with the crossed by upland roads, into account the official chalk, create a fertile flood notably the Ridgeway which Kennet Landscape plain good for grazing and passed through Casterley Conservation Strategy. [4]. arable crops. In the words of Camp and an 2 The significant trees Avebury/Ludgershall road. the Kennet Landscape outlined in the conservation area statement must be assessment: “The whole area These ancient ways across preserved and pollarded. [Pewsey Vale] has an the land have been used in Tree-planting and essentially rural, agricultural or near their present preservation in other areas character within which only positions for many of the village should be smallscale, sensitively- thousands of years. encouraged in line with designed development, active nature conservation associated with existing built The parish has a values. form, could be successfully boomerang type shape with 3 The existing access to the accommodated without down land, pasture and River Avon which is central adverse impacts”[3] arable land on either end to the village should be with the river flowing across maintained and improved. the middle, alongside which 4 New developments should there used to be water retain hedgerows on site, meadows. and boundaries should be On the West side are Old marked with broadleaf Nursery Ditch and Water hedges rather than fences. Dean bottom with 5 Where planning Widdington Farm and conditions require plantings, Casterley Camp. use of native species To the East are Chisman’s appropriate to the (formerly Rich) Cleeve and landscape character and Rowden’s (formerly ecology of the location Tenantry) Cleeve. Size is should be encouraged. 3,352 acres. 6. The open character of This site was ideal for the The Village Centre should be retained at all costs [6]. early Priory and the Figure 4 River Avon development of the village. 7. St Mary’s Church Two of the “principal threats” It is still a lovely place for a including the churchyard and other landmarks need and issues important to community, small enough to to be retained and landscape quality in (the retain several "village" conserved. Pewsey Vale) character area values, but with easy 8. Subdivision of existing are: agricultural intensification, access to rail as well as particularly drainage and sites and gardens should be road communications. Later avoided particularly in the cultivation of vale floor pasture, development on the outer and the widespread loss of ‘green centre’ of the village. edges towards Andover was hedgerows and trees….and Within the conservation determined by the building the localised intrusion of roads area there are many mature of Trenchard Lines (formerly and overhead power lines and trees that have been the influence of built RAF Upavon) in the early previously recorded as development on other days of the RAF. important within the settlements within the Vale [5]. Whilst the roads into and Conservation Area The village is sited where the out of Upavon still ensure Statement. [13] The general river could be forded, allowing links to larger settlements, principle for development access from Winchester and they are also temptation to should be that "every new' Andover in the East towards modern vehicles to speed. general market house Devizes and Bath and Bristol Long, straight and should be matched with an in the West. The valley is the downward stretches are affordable home" [8]. main north/south route from inviting! A 21st Century Salisbury to Marlborough and problem. GUIDELINES FOR The most positive effects of occupied from about 50 BC THE FUTURE the surrounding geography through Roman times to about 9. No extension of the limits are the wonderful views and 450 AD. of development should be walks. Upavon is seen to permitted nestle into its valley as it The Abbey of St Wandrille de in the Local Plan period to always has done, still Fontenelle was granted to 2011. hugging the swift, clean Upavon Church between 1078 10. Suburban "pattern-book" river full of lively trout and and 1086 by William the layout should be avoided. surrounded by fields and Conqueror. New developments should meadows. The geography be diverse with varieties of of the place, having shaped It is likely that in 1086 the style, house types and siting, it in the past, is still a strong principal estate in Upavon was using materials appropriate defining factor into its future. held by the King because it to a rural environment and was not mentioned in the avoiding an excess of UPAVON: THE NAME Domesday Book but in the roadway. New development AND THE PLACE Geld Rolls. should respect the local distinctiveness of the rural The early Middle Ages saw a Name and urban character of the period of expansion and District [9]. Variously Upavon, prosperity making Church and 11. Developers should Uphaven, Uphavene, Manor rich. protect existing views within Uphavon, Oppravene, the village and into the Huphaven The 1100s saw the countryside, and should development of a very create vistas for newly substantial church and a developed areas. Any new Norman Abbey established a development or large Development of the parish Priory between the church and building extension proposed of Upavon the Avon. for a significant gap or Pre-historic space between buildings Towards the end of that should be resisted. There is evidence of century, Upavon was granted 12. “The needs of people ploughing on the to the de Tancarville family. should be put before ease of traffic movement in downs above Upavon 1200 - 1300 designing the layout of in pre-historic times. residential developments” 900 - 1200 In 1204 the Manor passed to [10]. New development one of King John’s Barons, should help to create places King Edmund granted Peter de Mauley, to whom a that connect with each other Upavon to Alfswith between Tuesday market was granted sustainably. Providing the 939 and 946. in 1220. right conditions to encourage walking, cycling Legend has it that a The Manor then passed from and the use of public gold chair was buried Peter de Mauley to Gilbert transport. People should in the ramparts of Basset in 1234. come before traffic [11]. Casterley Camp. 13. Direction signs within By 1261, the Manor had the village should be Another says that passed to Gilbert’s brother, replaced as necessary with Upavon village was Philip. In 1262 Philip was signs more in keeping with originally sited at granted a Monday market and the rural environment. Casterley Camp. a fair for three days at the 14. In future developments Exaltation of the Cross. (14 boundaries should be walls There have been Neolithic September). of brick, or brick and flint, or and bronze age cob, or broadleaf hedges. archaeological discoveries From 1235 it appears 15. All proposals for on the downs above that misdemeanours development in the Upavon. There is a Bronze were punished by courts Conservation Area should Age pit near Jenner's Firs. held by the Lord of be designed to fit sensitively An Iron Age fortified Upavon Manor. into the context[12]. enclosure Casterley Camp

is on the downs close by,

In 1298, the Manor passed to GUIDELINES FOR Hugh le Despenser. The Antelope Inn is THE FUTURE first mentioned in 1609 16. High-quality, 1300 - 1600 and was subsequently contemporary architecture, rebuilt in the early harmonising in proportion, The Church of St Mary was 1700s. materials and detail with the dedicated in 1308. village environment, should be permitted. The existing Two annual fairs were granted There was a schoolmaster varieties of building on 29 June 1324, by Edward II in Upavon in 1662. materials in the village should to Hugh le Despenser, Earl of be protected, and varieties Winchester. It is presumed this For non-conformists, a should be encouraged in new buildings. led to the development of the house in Upavon was 17. Walking in the village market place. licensed for worship by should be facilitated by the dissenters in 1710. provision of safe crossing In 1352 there were records of points and the provision of various traders at the fairs By 1729 the market square a safe pathway from including brewers, tapsters, had buildings all around. Riverside Park. taverners, tailors, fishermen, 18. Unmade tracks, byways peltmongers, and merchants. Pre 1760, roads ran through th th and paths are important In the 14 and 15 centuries or near the village although parts of the village there are references to not originally through the character and should be stallage, street gavel, shops in market square. In the 1760s retained and remain the market and shambles. the Devizes/Andover turnpike was constructed unsurfaced. Upavon was a convenient which ran through the 19. Developments on the location for holding Royal southern part of the market village edge should give inquests in the Middle square where a tollgate was high priority to landscape Ages, and was visited by set in order to cross the design to protect and King John and Edward 1. river. improve the external view of the village. 20. Developments, including The 1772 Index of the poll of the freeholders of changes in boundary According to tax records, early Wiltshire listed the following: hedges, fences and gates to Name Electoral Parish Residential fields and dwellings, should 1300s taxation assessments Parish were high. In 1377 there were Alexander William Uphaven Uphaven be designed to allow views Alexander William Uphaven Uphaven of the river, the Plain and 127 poll tax payers and in Baily Em Marston Uphaven Blake Edward Wootton Bassett Uphaven water meadows. 1397, 75 farms and cottages Coles William Fonthill Gifford Uphaven and a few freeholds were Dyke Thomas Uphaven 21. Provision of recreational Uphaven facilities for younger recorded on the manor. From Giffard Francis Charlton Uphaven children in both the centre then the population started to Holloway William Uphaven Uphaven decline. Jarvis Mau Uphaven and in the other main Uphaven residential area of the Jarvis Simon Uphaven Uphaven village must be retained at 1600 - 1800 Newman Samuel Uphaven Uphaven There are records of the Rivers Thomas Uphaven Uphaven all costs. Stevens Timothy Uphaven Cirencester 22. The long-standing Alexander family in Upavon Workman John Manningford Abbots Uphaven from 1622-1929. The most famous son of practice of voluntary Upavon is possibly Henry planting of bulbs in public The markets and fairs fostered (Orator) Hunt, the son of areas throughout the Village many trades particularly Thomas Hunt, a gentleman should be maintained. brewing. In 1648 the vicar farmer, who was born in 23. The principal housing complained about the three Upavon, Wiltshire in 1773. need is for affordable licensed houses and some 20- He was to speak at a homes. It is important to 30 alehouses brewing and meeting on parliamentary help create "mixed and selling ale. reform in Manchester on inclusive communities, 16th August 1819, an which offer a choice of occasion that was to housing and lifestyle" [7]. become known as the

GUIDELINES FOR THE Peterloo Massacre. Hunt century and developed into FUTURE died of a stroke at his home the road system which we 24. Features to be resisted: in Whitchurch, Hampshire have today. wide-frame double-glazing on 15th February 1835. A new school was built by (except in modern the north churchyard gate buildings); flat glass-panel The surnames of Oram in 1854 attended by 40-50 doors, concrete pantiles and Jarvis occur in children. Boys left at nine (traditional clay are and girls at 12. The other acceptable); modern 'rustic registers from the two schools continued style' buildings with 1700s and early 1800s. until 1894 when the new complex, fussy roofs; 1800 - 1900 school was enlarged. pebble dash; raised or coloured pointing, stone In the 1801 census the cladding. population was 430 and in The Fair was abolished in 25. Frontages, including 1802 there were 25 1874. upper storeys, should be farmhouses and 60 smaller A primitive Methodist chapel kept in sympathy with houses and cottages. was erected in Jarvis Street neighbouring facades. between 1890 and 1899. Rooflines should be Upavon was inclosed under maintained, and slight Act of Parliament in 1804. The Alexander family who variation permitted. Dormer owned the Manor and lands windows should have The market seems to have (2500 acres) in Upavon from pitched roofs. Roof discontinued by the early 1830 – 1898 sold Widdington materials, pitches, dormers, 1800s. Farm (600 acres) to the War gable ends, porches, Department in 1898. In total, chimneys and brick colours There were two day schools some 800 acres south of should be designed to blend in 1808 but a single day Casterley Camp were with existing buildings. school for about 30 children acquired by the army for a 26. Owners of listed thatch in 1818. In 1833 there are firing range. roofed houses should records of two schools for a ensure that their re-roofing total of 37 children. 1900 - 2000 complies with the requirements of Planning A strict Baptist congregation In 1911 the population of Policy Guidance Note 15 [14], was established by 1829 Upavon was recorded as 430. the English Heritage booklet and a new chapel, the Cave "Thatch and Thatching" [15], of Adullam, was built for the In 1912 the War Department and Kennet District Council's congregation in 1838. bought 425 acres of Upavon Down for an airfield and the leaflet "Re-thatching" [16]. 27. Utility services to all new Upavon became part of the rest of the Manor lands in developments should be Pewsey poor-law union in 1919. The Central Flying provided underground when 1835. In 1841 the School (CFS) was founded to possible. Existing population had risen to 512, train professional war pilots. overground wires and but had dropped back again In 1918 the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air cables should be replaced as to 430 by 1911. opportunities arise. Service were amalgamated to 28. Whenever possible, form the Royal Air Force and developments which provide CFS became the Flying street lighting should do so Instructors School. In 1926 on buildings or on well- CFS moved from Upavon to chosen poles. The lighting Wittering. CFS is the longest serving flying school in the should have a low light- th pollution level. Figure 5 19 Century world. Upavon The impact of a base in the The name of Townsend for parish of Upavon has been the upper part of Jarvis considerable, including Street was in use by 1838. leading to an increase in By 1840, Upavon was the population as can been seen: point of intersection of two

turnpike roads. The roads

and byways began to change during the 18th Date Population another 12 on the Andover The village contains a number 1911 430 Road by 1939, with another of listed buildings and 12 after 1945, and 75 monuments. 1921 767 houses were built in Watson 1931 742 Close after 1945. The Anglican Parish 941 916 Church has a grade I 1961 1521 Upavon County Primary listing, and the Baptist School was opened in 1957 1971 1455 Chapel in Chapel Lane a built alongside the then RAF Grade II listing. married quarters in Avon Square/Watson Close and There are some 22 other took in the RAF children buildings in Upavon who had attended Rushall. village with a grade II listing including the Ship Ten private houses were and the Antelope Inn. built in Devizes Road in the 1950s, 42 bungalows on There are also Grade II* Fairfield in the 1960s. listed buildings at Trenchard Lines on In 1966 a new Methodist Upavon Down, formerly church was erected in Avon RAF Upavon. Square, now no longer used. There are in addition By 1972, the Ministry of several listed milestones Figure 6 War memorial Defence (MoD) owned and listed monuments in much of the parish. the Churchyard.

The base continued to be used for various activities Further housing until in 1946 it became no 38 developments in the 1990s Upavon remains an attractive RAF Group Transport have taken place in and well located village with a Command. In 1992, the base Alexander Field and good variety of housing types. on Upavon Down, then Farrier’s Field. In recent years ‘commuter known as RAF Upavon, was sprawl’ has caused house transferred from the RAF to the Army and became The old Market Square is prices to soar, so that the Trenchard Lines. still well defined. Buildings village is short of “low cost that were standing in the general market housing” Compare this with school square in the 1700s have (defined as being priced at or attendance records. been removed, but replaced below the lowest quartile of Attendance in 1906 was 67, in by a garage at the south prevailing market values) [21], 1914 it was 55, in 1922 it was end. There are various and lacks sufficient subsidised 70 and in 1925 it fell to 38 1600s cottages and houses housing to meet a small local when children over 11 were in the square. There are demand. transferred to Rushall. The also two Inns, the Antelope numbers increased to 70 in and the Ship. BUILDING MATERIALS AND 1956 (excluding RAF children DETAILS who attended Rushall.) In Various building materials 1973 the figure was 193 traditional in the village have children. been produced, excavated or quarried from the ground in the locality. WALLS Cob is a combination of pebbles and fragments from the upper and middle strata of chalks with straw, dung and Figure 7 Little Flyers Pre- hair bound together in a lime school slurry. It is laid in compacted The Council houses were built th layers, sometimes in Avon Square for service Figure 8 19 Century and personnel around 1920, present day Village Centre GUIDELINES FOR contained within a out as corner stones in a THE FUTURE shuttering for low walls as in greensand stone plinth wall. 29. Private security lights agricultural buildings and should be shielded and boundary walls. It is very carefully sited to illuminate vulnerable to softening and the required area without weakening through damp creating a traffic hazard. and frost action. It must be 30. Utility meters and service well founded on an units should be sited on side impervious layer or base elevations where possible or wall clear above the ground coloured to blend in on front and sheltered by a roof with Figure 9 Gisburne House elevations. th wide eaves. Once common They have in the 19 century 31. During the maintenance around the village few been dressed into cubes and of roads and pavements, used as paving. A large area consideration should be examples now remain. Of is laid as a forecourt surface given to raising the kerb those one encloses the height or reducing the cemetery and another part to College Farmhouse. accumulation of tarmac to of the Manor grounds. Most Limestone is an easily restore levels for efficient have been rebuilt in brick or worked freestone, usually run-off of storm water and to concrete block, cement Bath stone for plain walling, ensure that the width, level rendered and painted white. ashlar, and for dressings and and surfaces are adequate Malm stone is a soft grey- mouldings. It is used for for the safety of all green rock from the lowest prestigious facades; for pedestrians. This would help stratum of chalk above the example at the church to discourage the parking of Upper Greensand layer. It is combined with knapped flint. vehicles on the pavements. a poor building stone, Also used built into brickwork Natural stone kerbs should fissured and porous it is for particular architectural be retained where possible. used only for the sheltered details such as those at the 32. Extensions to existing parts of walls and in Antelope Inn. buildings should generally cottages and farm buildings. be subordinate in scale and Much of wh at remains is appearance to the existing likely to be internal and building, and existing covered by render or features of period buildings, brickwork to exclude including outhouses, utility penetrating damp. buildings and walls, should Greensand stone is a hard stone of low porosity and is not be destroyed. Garages Figure 10 Antelope Inn attached to new found in boulders of both Used for staddlestones, the developments should be the upper and lower bases for timber posts in recessive, not dominant. Greensand strata. It is used traditional cowbyres and 33. Any new dwelling on the for the plinth walls for cob, implement sheds. main ‘A’ roads should be timber framed and brick Flint is found in chalk and designed with two off-street buildings. Several examples sometimes in clay. It is very parking spaces on the site. survive but most have been hard and non-porous. On street parking is a traffic painted. Traditionally used as a base hazard on these roads. Sarsen stone is a hard wall under cob and in wall 34. A matching colour of sandstone quartz in panels in combination with a brick for extensions is vital. boulders, often stained Modernisation of windows squared stone or brick for brown by ferrous oxides, and doors should be done quoins and dressings. usually found on the chalk sensitively. Use of plastic Architecturally it is used north of the vale. should be resisted and knapped at the Church in a Traditionally laid dry without should be in proportion with chequer with limestone so that mortar it is non-porous and original building. Where the flat broken surfaces are difficult to bond with mortar possible, existing chimneys built up to face outwards to into a high wall unless should be retained, or form a smooth wall of quality. previously dressed into chimneys should be It can also be found in the cubes. Examples are to be incorporated in new building chequered walls with brick found in Gisburne House work. and limestone at the Manor. where sarsen stones are set

since the 1950s. Some houses are roofed in cedar shingles while others are covered in concrete tiles but these are not recommended. DESIGN FEATURES

Figure 11 Upavon Manor Figure 13 Thatching straw DOS AND DON’TS Brick is a universal building grown locally material manufactured in the Roofs could be regularly re- The purpose of a Village vale from the 17th century. thatched at low cost. Any Design Statement is to draw Initially used sparingly for alternatives would have to up design principles chimney stacks and be brought in by cart. based on the distinctive local impervious base walls for Historically all the farm character and to help guide timber frame, malmstone and houses, farm buildings and small-scale changes to individual properties. The cob walls. It became more cottages were thatched in 2003 Conservation area readily available in the late ‘long straw’ together with statement said “A 17th century for dressings in the copings for the cob characteristic of Upavon is the combination with local walls about the village. predominance of thatched traditional materials and then The disadvantage of straw th roofs that are a strong link in the 18 century for complete is that it is inflammable. with the village’s agricultural walls. Early handmade Many roofs have burned th past [4]. All remaining wheat examples from the 18 and and entire rows of cottages straw thatched roofs should th early 19 century have have failed to survive. In the be preserved and not mellowed with lichens growing High Street a fire consumed recovered or coated in any on the surface. In parts of the two of a terrace of four. Few other material. …..The use of village, Chapel Lane in examples remain in the local greensand, malm stone particular there are several traditional ‘long straw’ as or cob in buildings is also small houses with symmetrical most are now of ‘combed becoming rarer through facades that exemplify the wheat reed’. gradual replacement with brick architectural use of mass Welsh Slates were brought or block rendered. …..These produced red brick for small into the Vale by canal barge materials should be village houses in the early 19th via Bristol and coastal maintained to preserve local century. These have shipping from North Wales. character[12]. The symmetrical facades, low Exported in vast quantities recommendations outlined pitched hipped slate roofs and from the end of the 18th below will enhance the sash windows. century, slate, at a character of the building. ROOFS reasonable cost, offered an Examples of the local characteristics are shown in Thatch was the roof covering alternative to thatch. It is a the many illustrations for nearly every building in the durable roof material th throughout the VDS. village until the 19 century. requiring low maintenance,

easy to lay, light in weight THATCHED ROOFS and incombustible. A characteristic of Upavon is Numerous examples of the predominance of thatched buildings in the village with roofs that are a strong link roofs of slate include: The with the village’s agricultural Old Vicarage, the Baptist past. All remaining wheat Chapel and the White straw thatched roofs should Figure 12 Thatching Gisburne House. be preserved and not House recovered or coated in any Wheat was and continues to Plain clay tiles. Use of other material. Where covered be grown over large areas of plain clay tiles in the village in ‘long straw’ this technique the parish and produced vast is comparatively recent and should be adopted in any quantities of straw. contemporary with wide use th rethatch. of bricks in the 18 century. DORMER WINDOWS Examples in the village Low eyebrow dormer windows include The Antelope Inn are a feature of the village and and several houses built these should be maintained to keep the character of the village.

Figure 14 Eyebrow Dormer window

Figure 17 Typical Casement Figure 20 Artificial Chimney – window in Conservation Not Recommended Area FRONT DOORS Plain paneled, with glass only in upper panels, simple hood

Figure 15 Window cut into with styled brackets. Thatch Dormer windows with pitched WALLS roofs to light roof spaces, Light red brick matched to the rather than inserted roof-lights. traditional brick in the village. Pointing in accordance with SASH and CASEMENT traditional brickwork in the WINDOWS village. Painting or rendering should be in keeping with the local character. The use of traditional sash or casement windows should be The use of local greensand, used where appropriate and malm stone or cob in buildings increasing window size by is also becoming rarer through extending frame size by cutting Figure 18 Windows out of gradual replacement with brick original structural timbers as keeping with local character or block rendered. These has happened in the past CHIMNEYS materials should be should be resisted at all cost. New buildings should have maintained to preserve local chimneys with brick courses character. The outline of walls RAINWATER FITTINGS and plain pots. Downpipes on side or end especially at corners is softer walls, or single pipe on front and less angular in cob than a wall, preferably cast iron. rebuild in brick and render.

SERVICES To be underground. Meter boxes on side or end walls and not visible from the street. Satellite dishes should be sited to the rear of the property and where possible Figure 16 Good Example of out of line of sight from the Rainwater Fittings street where practical.

ROOFS

Figure 19 Brick Chimney – Straight pitches with red flat Good Example clay tiles, 45° pitch or slate 30° pitch, eaves with only a small overhang. SPECIFIC AREAS SUITABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT A high standard of design will be expected in new developments, extensions or alterations to existing buildings, changes of use and in proposals affecting the landscape and Figure 24 Upavon Limits of Figure 21 New Roof Blends well environment, to ensure that Development (Yellow Line) with the Old Roof the character, appearance Particular concern is that the and environmental quality of area known as the Old Forge EXTERIOR PAINTWORK the Kennet area is in Jarvis St was a location that Within the Conservation Area, maintained or enhanced, employed a significant number exterior paintwork and to promote safety and of the village. The preference predominantly white. Avoid compatibility between would be for this to be varnished natural wood finish. adjoining land uses. retained and developed as a Coloured front doors with Considerations light industrial site and change discretion. In order to achieve high of status should not be *Photographs in this section have standards of design, all granted for this. been taken within 15 miles of Upavon. development proposals Within the limits of EXTENSIONS TO should adequately address development it is clear that PROPERTIES the factors listed below, there is significant building where they are relevant to Extensions should be in currently. Further infill should the development under keeping with the local be discouraged. This is consideration:- character and should be especially true for Jarvis 1) Sustainable design matched to the existing Street and Chapel lane. The principles; building. The photograph Upavon Conservation Area 2) Scale, height, massing below is an ideal example of statement states that infilling and density of development; how to match the old with the should be avoided at all costs 3) Relationship to new. Specifically, brickwork, to maintain the rural feel of the townscape and landscape windows, chimneys, roof village [6]. This open area context and related ecology; shape and style. whilst bounded by houses is 4) Layout, servicing and important to preserve the access arrangements, and existing character and road safety; tranquillity of the village. 5) How the development However it is important that contributes to the creation new housing for future of a well used, attractive generations is considered. To and safe public realm; this end thought should be 6) Landscape proposals; given to the possible Figure 22 Well Designed 7) Relationship to historic development of the existing Extension features; buildings of the chicken farm The photograph below shows 8) Elevational treatment; located in the North West a well designed house but 9) Building materials, colour corner of the village. This is unmatched to the local and detailing; and outside of the limits of character 10) The impact on development at this time. residential amenity, Development here should including that caused show empathy with by reason of noise and neighbouring developments. disturbance. [17] There are several views in Upavon (numbered on the Figure 24 below shows the above map) which must be limits of development.[18] protected to maintain the Figure 23 House out of character of the village. Character with Local Design 1. The market place is relatively open and whilst the garage design and materials may not be in keeping at least it is low mounted at just above first and open. floor level. 2. The meadows both Thereafter road directions sides of the river and from Upavon to Andover, especially the downs Salisbury, Devizes, Pewsey behind. and Marlborough, etc. are 3. The views from the all clearly indicated on Devizes Road across to the appropriately placed and Church Tower and the Ship. illuminated Highways 4. The ancient feel of Agency signs [though one Jarvis Street and the spur opposite the bus shelter in to the right at the top has the village centre may be particular charm and felt surplus to requirement]. character. 5. The view up towards Within the village, street, Rushall Drove from the road, lane and, in the main, Pewsey Road or from the house names are also well Figure 26 Listed Phone Box cemetery marked. While paths to both

6. The view towards Church and the Cave of FUTURE IDEAS Widdington across Down Adullam are clearly pointed

View. out by finger posts [some To better ‘introduce’ the Upavon is amazing because hand carved and/or painted]. village a virtual chicane at you do not see it until you are each of the four points of entry on it; the best way to prove this There is the austere, brick and to be formed by brick or is to come down from bus shelter on the remnants wood ‘gate posts’ bearing the Widdington – the whole village of the village green beside village name [and possibly disappears for a short period the Sarsen Millennium speed limit] on each side of as you drive down the road. Stone. the road. This may have the Because of this aspect we added benefit of calming have to protect the village from speeding traffic. getting too large or too high as To remove, wherever possible, it would be damaging to the street furniture and built rural feel of the village. structures that serve no

further purpose. To free the UPAVON’S STREET village’s heart and its FURNITURE Conservation area of ‘clutter’ Figure 25 Sarsen Stone Typically, for a village grown in order that its true character may be better seen and over so many centuries, The two historic Gilbert Upavon’s street furniture and appreciated. Scott telephone boxes one UPAVON PRIMARY signage is the eccentric next to the bus shelter in the product of many an village centre and one SCHOOL intervention rather than of any adjacent to Down View are The original school building one coherent plan. Thus the still used today. can still be seen next to the bust of George Carter over the church, however today's village shop he founded a pupils are in a purpose built century or more ago is today school at the top end of the topped by the plastic logo for village. Set within large Londis stores. playgrounds and playing fields it has beautiful views over the For the visitor arriving or surrounding countryside. The passing through from any of Little Flyers pre-school meets four main directions, the village on the same site and has its entrance is marked by name own play area for children of 3 boards and by bands of contrasting colour across the years+, and the school itself highway tarmac. Should the has 3 classes with children visitor approach at night, they from 4 - 11 years in spacious would find street lighting classrooms. TRAFFIC SURVEY Children have sports A high proportion used it Performed at the corner of coaching and are well to buy papers, also High Street and Andover provided for with after cards and magazines Road for one hour. school clubs.

60% used it for daily Cars 175 There is a computer suite, an provisions - milk, bread art/music room, library area, Lorries 23 etc. large hall and children's Buses 10 kitchen. Children have sports Other vehicles 9 50% used it for general coaching and are well provided Bicycles 2 groceries for with after school clubs. Over one third come from Worrying fact… if this 50% used it sometimes forces families living at was repeated for only for fresh produce Trenchard Lines and others come from Upavon itself as 12 hours a day for a 75% used it at least well as Everleigh and other year this would mean twice a week local villages. almost 1 million vehicles would pass There were a few "one through Upavon!! off" visitors passing THE VILLAGE HALL through the village.

There was a very positive response to the shop. Figure 27 Upavon Primary School A group of children performed ST MARY’S CHURCH a survey from 10.00 - ….is included in the benefice 11.00a.m. on a Thursday Figure 28 Plaque on Village of Upavon, Rushall and morning outside the Londis Hall Charlton St. Peter. shop and the Garage in June The Village Hall committee It is within the Deanery of 2005. A traffic survey was have the responsibility for Pewsey which comes under done at the same time organising Parish events in the Salisbury Diocese. revealing the following: the Hall, lettings for functions and events. They GENERAL are also responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of Post Box Users 8 the Hall. Londis Shop Users 36 There are a wide variety of Public Toilet Users 10 activities, for example short mat bowls takes place every Figure 30 St Mary’s Church Petrol Purchase 4 Thursday evening. The History Diesel Purchase 2 Parish Council meet in the The original Saxon church Village Hall on the third was replaced by a Norman POST OFFICE Wednesday of every month. church built by the Abbot of LONDIS SHOP the Abbey of St. Wandrille, Most users were over 50 (the Abbey still exists in Users had no France). In theory St. Mary’s is still a priory church. It has particular day of been rebuilt twice since, in the usage 15th century when the internal Main use was postage arches and aisles replaced the then savings Norman chancel, and the 19th century when the pews and Figure 29 Londis Shop most of the medieval windows were replaced. The exterior stone and knapped flint banding is Victorian.

delivered free to every there are between 250 -300 a house in the benefice. year. P.C.C. Twelve council members with responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the church, meet six times a WILDLIFE AND THE year. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Figure 31 Inside St Mary’s Village Fetes Church Summer Fete in the Birds The burial ground in the Churchyard, Christmas Fair churchyard was declared full at in the Village Hall, both in Wildlife found in Upavon and the turn of the 19th century, aid of church funds. surrounding countryside is but was not officially closed both abundant and varied, until the 1950s. St. Mary’s Mothers’ Union containing species of birds, churchyard extension, ‘The Actively involved in plants and mammals that are Cemetery’, was donated by a supporting church and becoming rare in other areas. parishioner in 1913. village functions. This is a dynamic church Prayer Group Our gardens and outbuildings whose congregation Is held once a month – the are home to summer visitors membership is growing and group meets at a such as house martins, reducing in age. parishioner’s home. swallows and swifts. We have Women’s Fellowship Group swifts nesting in the Church Services: Is held during school time. and under the eaves of Bible Study Group Gisburne House in Jarvis 8.00am Eucharist, once a Meets monthly, and is for 12 Street. Many villagers month – 15 year olds. welcome the returning birds to 9.45am Family Service, first their houses and outbuildings, Sunday in the month Lent lunches excited to see them back after 9.45am Eucharist, all other Five lunches during Lent, the staggering distances the Sundays hosted by parishioners in birds have flown in order to aid of charity. nest in Wiltshire.

500 Club Garden birds are plentiful, and The 500 club donates about include the song thrush, mistle £1000 a year to good thrush, plus Britain's smallest causes throughout the bird, the gold crest, that lives village. in the conifers around the URC Link churchyard, as well as This is a voluntary woodpeckers and jackdaws. charitable organisation run Jackdaws are linked with from the church and Upavon as legend has it that communities of Upavon, villagers born within sight of Rushall and Charlton St the church tower are known Peter to offer practical help as ‘Upavon Jacks’. Anyone to those in need. This living in Upavon for many includes providing transport Figure 315 Entrance to years can claim the title Tree to hospitals, doctors’, or Jack. Above the historical Cemetery dentists’ surgeries, stepped Roman farming area opticians, chiropodists, the known as strip lynchets, Activities and Support Post Office or local shops. Functions: buzzards soar above the trees The service is available to and pastureland. Together those who cannot drive or Monthly parish/community where public transport is not Along the river, the Avon magazine, which carries items available or suitable. of news and community supports a good breeding URC Link maintain a population of kingfisher as events. The satisfactory dedicated phone line and amount of advertising pays for well as the more common answerphone on which coot, moorhen, mute swan the printing and administrative residents can book costs, allowing it to be and mallard duck. Fringing appointments, of which vegetation is used by reed GUIDELINES FOR bunting, yellow wagtail, comprises land lying THE FUTURE sedge and reed warblers. immediately outside the 35. Designers, including Herons are a frequent sight villages of Upavon and those modifying existing on the river banks, waiting Rushall, is farmed organically, buildings, should avoid: silently for passing fish. with minimum 6 metre ƒ large areas of hard wildflower margins around surfacing There have been barn every field. Beetle banks ƒ monotonous repetition of owls breeding in have been provided and one house type -though Vicarage Lane and areas of grassland left uniformity of design in other sites in and untended to encourage small developments can around the village for butterflies, insects and small be acceptable, such as in many years, and they mammals to live and breed, terraced housing can frequently be seen which in their turn provide ƒ mixing styles or historical making passes along food for birds. No chemicals references in the same the river meadows in the are sprayed on this land which building early evening and, in the provides a healthy ƒ use of rendering or summer months, early environment for all masonry paint as an mornings. Nesting sites inhabitants, including the alternative to replacement are also provided by villagers. of worn bricks, particularly Defence Estates on on terrace properties Salisbury Plain, which The River Avon ƒ introducing flat roofs has 2% of the country’s Rising in the Pewsey Vale as 36. Traffic-calming measures, population of barn owls. a network of clay streams fed compatible with the by chalk springs, the River character of the area should Avon provides a central focus be introduced at all The surrounding area of to the village in the beautiful entrances to the village, and Salisbury Plain is a vast water meadows. Not only are at strategic points within the area of chalk grassland these water meadows organic, village (for example, by the which provides ideal sites but grazing restrictions mean primary school). for ground nesting birds that horses are not allowed to 37. To keep a diverse such as the stone curlew, graze there and sheep are population, any future lapwing and skylark. strictly limited in number. This developments in the Salisbury Plain is a Site of agriculturally unimproved flood village should consist of a Special Scientific Interest pasture is dominated by three mixture of open-market (SSSI), a Special Protection rare grassland types: meadow housing suitable for all Area (SPA) and a Special foxtail, crested dog’s tail and income levels, and some Area for Conservation marsh marigold. The subsidised housing, with (SAC). The summer visiting Christchurch Avon proper parking facilities for whinchat and stonechat can headwaters rise at all, and shared recreational also be seen, and several Woodborough. areas [14]. species of warblers. Quail 38. New developments can also be heard, though should be designed to rarely seen. Numbers of include premises successfully breeding stone attractive to people looking curlews have increased in for opportunities to work the last few years as from home, and/or to young farmers have provided sites people wishing to start small especially husbanded to Figure 33 The River Avon businesses. Provision provide for their every need. of low-cost, basic premises Since 1996, the river itself has The lack of intensive become a Site of Special for small B1(a) or (b) farming on Salisbury Plain enterprises, adjacent to new Scientific Interest (SSSI) has maintained healthy under the Wildlife and residential developments, populations of all these should be encouraged. Countryside Act of 1981[20]. birds, plus corn buntings, Our part of the Avon, also a yellowhammers and linnets, S.A.C., is significant for the which have suffered a presence of the internationally serious decline on most rare floating vegetation other farmland. ranunculus, plus sea and The agricultural land of brook lamprey, and the rare Rushall Farms, which Demoulin’s whorl snail. The river system has an extremely ecology of the area. The GUIDELINES FOR diverse fish fauna with more common pyramid orchid can THE FUTURE species of fish recorded in the be seen growing along the 39. Re-use of redundant Avon than in any other British Cleeve together with banks agricultural buildings within river. Sea trout and brown of cowslips in the spring. the village and the outlying trout are commonly caught by settlements should be anglers, and a wide range of considered favourably, coarse fish such as minnow, provided the changed use is stickleback, dace, pike, compatible with the grayling and eel can be found. amenity of surrounding Several varieties of damsel properties. and dragonfly live along the 40.The continued voluntary river and find their way into Figure 34 Upavon Cleeve care of the Old Chapel nearby gardens. Water voles, Associated with these should be encouraged. though once a common sight, flowers is a marvellous 41. Extensions to new or are not often seen but are array of insects: bees in existing buildings proposed present. With the numbers of abundance (89 species for roofing in thatch mink now declining, it is hoped were recorded on the Plain throughout Upavon should that voles will become in 2002), flies, beetles, and respect the principals increasingly common. a spectacular selection of outlined in the Upavon butterflies. The most Conservation Area Statement There are two county abundant butterflies in the 42. When considering wildlife sites within the summer are Small Skipper, conversions and extensions parish. These are Meadow Brown, Dark to their properties, owners designated by the Wildlife Fritillary, Common Blue, should be conscious of Trust and are noted in the Chalkhill Blue and Marbled possibly disturbing instance of any planning White. Marsh Fritillaries protected species, applications relating to need their own special food especially bats, which are these areas. in the form of devil’s bit scabious, the pretty pale common in Upavon.

blue daisy-like flower seen They should seek advice The first of these is Upavon from English Nature, and Swamp (Ordnance Survey grid all around the village. Kennet District Council, reference SU1522 – on the taking note of the Council's western side of the river along House and Garden supplementary planning the Salisbury Road) which are guidance "Protected former water meadows All bats and their roosts are protected by law, and species: a guidance leaflet overgrown with scrub. This for developers and area is designated because of several houses in Upavon have pipistrelle bats in their planners: [18] its tall herb and fen plant 43. Whenever possible communities in the wetter attics or outbuildings. They are also to be found satellite dishes should not areas and along the ditches. It be mounted on street also has old pollarded willows. roosting in the church tower and under the bridge. frontages. The second site is Upavon 44. Proposals for Golf Course Extension The Great Bustard Project development in the (SU1526) which is designated countryside around because of its chalk grassland. The Great Bustard, the symbol of Wiltshire featured Upavon should be scrutinized carefully to Chalk Grassland on the County’s coat of arms, is being reintroduced ensure that it would not harm the tranquility of the Our flower rich grasslands are to the Salisbury Plain after country lanes, be contrary relics of traditional grazing an absence of 170 years. to AONB policy, or lead systems once common The heaviest flying bird in gradually to coalescence of throughout Wiltshire’s river the world was condemned valleys. Their swards are to extinction in this country settlements. more productive without by changes in agriculture fertilizers. With a complete and by hunting, but a lack of grazing, the coarser project is now in place to grasses would soon become reintroduce batches of dominant and so cattle and birds. sheep are a vital part of the to attempt to create a resident France Farm currently shed and added a further population. employs three people full- three 11,000 sq. foot sheds, in In 2004 the first group of time and one part-time. 1957, 1959 and 1963 chicks was imported, hatched respectively. This was mainly from eggs abandoned by Widdington Farm due to the plummeting cost of Bustard females in Russia. In Widdington Farm comprises chicken meat as it became a 2005 a further 40 chicks approximately 2,000 acres common staple of the diet. arrived and after quarantine of MOD land on the west This is still the footprint of the will be reared to a suitable age side of the River Avon. The chicken business as it is today farm is a mix of arable and run by the grandsons Graham and then released in early grassland which is used for and Barry Andrews. Although autumn. The project’s location grazing cattle. when the sheds were erected is secret but is close to Upavon was very different, the Upavon and it is hoped that up The farm has also only building in what is now to 10 batches of young Great diversified, allowing game Fairfield was the surgery. Bustards will eventually mean shooting in the winter. Graham Andrews remembers that this magnificent bird will Between the months of when they used to use the soon become a familiar March and September church clock to know what the resident again. Widdington Farm runs a time was and the only other gun club for English houses were Overbrow and LOCAL BUSINESS Sporting Clays. The Club the original ones on Devizes has over 100 members but Road. Rushall Farm is open to non-members The Rushall Farm tenancy was also. taken on in 1928 by Charles Wookey, the Great Upavon Chicken Farm Grandfather of Nigel Wookey, The origins of the chicken who currently runs what is now farm in Upavon date back to a mixed farm totalling 5,000 WWII, the original owner acres, 2,000 acres of which is Hubert Edgar Andrews was Figure 35 The Chicken Farm MOD land. The Farm is a mix a landowner in the village Currently the chicken farm of arable and livestock and is owning some of the provides meat only and has now totally organic. The bulk cottages and at one point around 100 acres of arable of the farm became organic in Landlord of both the Ship land which is used mainly for the early 1970s, and over the and the Antelope (for about wheat, in a truly ‘organic’ way last few years the remainder six months). At the time of the chicken muck is spread on has also been turned over to running the Antelope, 1920, the field, the wheat is grown this method. he also bought Triangle and fed to the chickens, the

House which at that time straw is used for bedding and The farm extends to had an allotment garden the cycle begins again. At this Manningford Drove in the north and orchard on the site of time the farm, which in the 60s and to Enford in the south, with the current chicken farm. and 70s supported five Upavon in the middle, and Before and after WWII families, now provides for the covers land on both sides of Hubert ran a successful two brothers Graham and the River Avon. rabbit trapping business on Barry whose families have

the plain which was grown up and are working in The arable side of the farm curtailed in the early 1950s other professions. It would grows wheat, barley, oats and by the onset of seem that in all likelihood the beans (for animal fodder) and myxymatosis. farm will probably be sold for occasionally specialist crops It was at this point his sons development, closing another such as borage, the oil of Charlie and Jim Andrews chapter in the story of Upavon. which is used in health set up the chicken farm with products. around 2,000 chickens first UPAVON GOLF CLUB

providing eggs and then There are currently around 350 broiler meat. At this time Upavon Golf Club lies 1 ½ sows on the farm producing chicken meat was a luxury miles outside Upavon up on two litters a year, each litter selling at 2s6d/lb (12.5p) a the downs, adjacent to producing about 10-12 piglets. new car only cost £250! In Trenchard Lines. It is an 18

1957 the farm expanded hole course with far-reaching from its first 5000sq. foot views over the Pewsey Vale and Salisbury Plain. The needed space in both POLICING course was founded by the clinical and administrative Wiltshire Constabulary has RAF just after the First World areas. The site will almost three divisions and the village War. It is not known how double in size and will then of Upavon is policed from the many holes there were then, provide four consulting section station of Pewsey but the course expanded from rooms and a new treatment which is part of “A” (Salisbury) 9 to 18 holes in 1997 when the room, as well as an division. Upavon forms part of club was able to rent adjoining extended Office and a much the rural beat AP13. This is an grassland that had never been needed staff /meeting room. area made up of the Parishes ploughed. It is a members’ The new areas opened in of Upavon, North Newnton, course; there are about 600 March 2006. Manningford and Rushall and members of all categories, of since December 2002 PC which 45 have addresses in The Practice offers a wide Gary Sears 784 has been Upavon. The club has 11 staff range of services to its responsible for it. Pewsey has of whom three presently live in population and its an authorised strength of Upavon. dispensing facility is an seven Police Constables and important part of these. It one Police Sergeant but AVON VALLEY PRACTICE does save patients a actual strength varies with In 1957 Dr Wallis who lived in considerable journey to other force commitments. Fairfield House held his either Amesbury or Pewsey. Besides dealing with surgery in Jarvis St. He then immediate emergencies the had a purpose built surgery in Dr. Jenkins has undergone beat officers try and maintain the High St now a private training to provide a close link with their beat, bungalow. After he moved to acupuncture as a service, liaising with Parish Councils, Salisbury Dr Davis took over and many patients, even the schools, Public Houses, shops, the practice and ran it from sceptical, have found this businesses and the Fairfield House. In 1975 on his very beneficial. He also community in general. There retirement Dr Jenkins who held undertakes work with South is a good Neighbourhood surgeries in Pinckney’s Wiltshire Primary Care Trust Watch infrastructure present Farmhouse, in the converted (PCT) working on the throughout the whole of the stables, in the end of Old development of services Pewsey section and this is Brewery Cottage and in Mrs. and clinical staff in South encouraged and nurtured with Morris’ front room at Upavon Wiltshire and this does a monthly bulletin and regular (The Bushes)! He mean that his time contact with Pewsey officers. amalgamated the practice commitment on the Practice Assisting with Policing in more within the bungalow which the is sometimes less than specific areas are traffic current surgery has evolved patients would wish! Dr. officers and CID (from from. Thirty years on, the Ross Russell works for one Devizes). Pewsey also has Practice has grown onto three morning a week in the the benefit of a healthy full time sites with a significant Neurology department at contingent of Special Police extension to Upavon surgery. Salisbury District Hospital Officers who regularly perform

and has a particular interest duty assisting the regular Dr Jenkins is the Senior in this and also in strength and boosting patrols. Partner and has been with the paediatrics. Dr. Green surgery for over 30 years. Dr. works entirely in the TRENCHARD LINES Ross Russell came to the Practice. The Trenchard Lines is the Practice as a trainee in 1984 headquarters of the Army’s and liked it so much that she Over the years the Practice Chief Personnel Officer known decided to stay, and joined as Nurse team has developed as the Adjutant General. The a Partner in 1987. Dr. Green and grown to the point Camp was formerly known as joined in 1999 and Dr. Smith where there are now three RAF Upavon until 1995 is an joined the team in 2005. nurses working 49 hours a important military installation Numerous trainees or week. As well as a Nursing both for its strategic location registrars have been through Assistant, who helps the on the North of Salisbury Plain the doors in the 30 years since Nurses with phlebotomy and for its historical 1975 and many keep in touch (taking bloods), Smoke Stop importance with its association with the GPs. The training of advice, blood pressure with the formation of the Royal future GPs is an important part checks and many more Flying Corps. The Trenchard of practice life. essential tasks. Museum, in memory of Lord In 2005, the site at Upavon will Trenchard, (‘Father’ of the be developed to add much Royal Air Force), can be In addition the Camp hosts visited by prior appointment an annual bonfire and with the Commandant having fireworks display to which been contacted through the every villager is invited and Guard Room. The Chaplain the Hope and Homes General of the British Army is Charity Ball was held in the based at Upavon although Mess last year raising spiritual, moral and pastoral substantial funds for local support is provided by a retired charities. Enford FC is Army Chaplain, Padre Colin currently leasing the Fox, who lives in Figheldean. Football Pitch and have a He is now the local vicar in number of Upavon residents charge of the Avon Valley playing in their teams. A Benefice. At this time there are number of local around 25 villagers working at organisations use the gym the Camp and, with around facilities at the camp and 300 households, this means there is scope for this to be that one in 12 houses in the increased to provide youth village has a direct relationship facilities for the village. with the Camp. The ratio is likely to be greater if one considers the number of local retired people who have worked there. The Army still operate the airfield which is home to both the Army and Wyvern Gliding Schools which are a feature of Upavon especially during the Summer months. Although the Airfield has no tarmac runways the surface is so good that it is capable of withstanding multiple landings from Hercules transport aircraft operating from nearby RAF Lyneham. There is some possibility that the De Havilland Moth Club will be moving to Upavon for their annual Rally which would be spectacular. The village and the Camp are tied together in many ways; the original RAF married quarters were situated in Watson Close. Upavon Golf Club is let by the Army and has its own Upavon Golf Society with 90 military members. There are 161 married quarters in Trenchard Lines with a small Spar shop which means that the village outlets are supported by those living in the Camp, which is probably one reason why we still have two shops and two Public Houses and a Post Office. APPENDIX 1 laid so that the butt ends caused by rodents (mainly Notes about Thatch Coats point downwards, and only squirrels and rats). on Houses and Cottages1 those butt ends are visible However, in the words of as the sloping sides of the English Heritage: "Each Thatching materials roof. method or style of thatching There are three main thatching There is much debate about has its qualities and may be materials in common use and the life expectancy of roofs regarded as a tradition to be available in England: in the three materials. Water cherished. Broad ƒ Long Straw; Reed is generally expected generalisations on longevity ƒ Combed Wheat Reed to have the longest life, are unhelpful or even wrong (sometimes called perhaps as much as 75 and should not obscure this Devon Reed), which is years in the drier eastern objective. In any case, actually wheat straw; parts of the country. conservation policy suggests ƒ Water Reed (grown However, only 11 of the 889 that thatch should be mainly in the Norfolk thatched listed buildings in considered more often for Broads and hence Kennet are thatched with repair than for replacement: traditionally called Water Reed, and at least this was the normal practice in Norfolk Reed in two of those have failed in the past"4. England). less than 20 years. English Heritage distinguishes Life expectancy for Long Ridges Long Straw from the other Straw and Combed Wheat All thatched “coats" have a materials in these terms: "Long Reed is variously quoted as separate ridge-covering along Straw is a more pliable between 15 and 40 years. the apex of the roof, covering material than either water reed In its 1998 leaflet, Re- "ridge rolls" –tightly tied or combed wheat reed, and its thatching 3, Kennet District bundles of thatching material, tendency to swell slightly Council states that its laid along the ridge, to give an above its fixings gives it a experience over 25 years edge to the final course of somewhat more rounded and has been that, in the Kennet thatch and to provide a base 'poured on' appearance than district, there has usually for the ridge covering. The combed wheat reed"2. One of been little to choose ridge itself can be one of English Heritage's aims is to between the merits of many types, all being sustain the use of all three well laid, good quality Long variations of the following two materials in thatching in Straw or Combed Wheat forms: England, specifically targeted Reed. Master thatchers are ƒ wrap-over ridge at retaining local traditions and cautious in their claims: for whether flush or techniques. It urges local example, in notes on their block-cut) authorities to limit the loss of website, the Rutland and ƒ butts-up ridge thatch and to conserve the Leicestershire Master A wrap-over ridge is formed local thatch characteristics in Thatchers Association by taking the ridge material their area. There is great emphasises that "many over the ridge and fixing it on regional diversity in numbers variables can affect the life". each side. A butts-up ridge is and styles of thatched Significant variables are the formed by butting up the premises in the counties of quality of the straw harvest, thatch material from each of England. The Kennet District the ability of the thatcher, the completed slopes of the has more than 1500 thatched the aspect and location of roof. A flush ridge is formed properties, of which almost the roof, the pitch of the roof flush with the surface of the 900 are listed. and over-all roof geometry, main thatch; a block ridge is All three materials are laid so acid rain, the amount of rain, formed with an additional that bundles of plant stems the quality of ancillary course of material -the 'block'. slope downwards. In Long materials, and the rigour Straw thatching, the straw in with which the roof is As with the thatched coat itself, the bundles may be laid with maintained and patched. the detail of the ridge should the tops (ears) or bottoms (butt Length of life also depends relate to the traditional form in ends) of the stalks pointing on the general climate of the locality and to the style both up and down the roof, the area and the micro- and quality of the building. and long lengths of the climate around the thatched Life expectancy of a ridge material are visible. In Combed dwelling, including proximity again depends on the quality Wheat Reed thatching and of trees and shrubs, and of work and materials, and on Water-Reed thatching, the whether any damage is the micro-climate of its thatching material is usually location, including proximity of trees and shrubs, and whether and Combed Wheat Reed incorrect positioning relative to any damage is caused by birds rarely see the light of day other parts of the roof, such as or rodents. The usual life of a after being built, and valleys, will adversely affect wrap-over ridge is between 10 therefore may carry a the wearing qualities of the and 15 years, but some last greater risk of undetected thatch. longer. Renewal of fixing-spars deterioration. It is can often be required between sometimes possible to see References total renewals of ridges, but something of the raftered 1 Ramsbury Design such work does not usually framework in upstairs rooms Statement 2002, p 27. extend the life of the ridge. or in a small roof-space, but 2 English Heritage, Thatch often no timber components and Re-thatching procedure are easily accessible. Thatching, English Heritage, Normally, re-thatching in Long However, when re-thatching 2000, p 9. Straw and Combed Wheat in Water Reed, it is normal 2 Kennet District Council, Reed involves stripping the (but not invariable) practice Re-thatching, Kennet District spar-coat (top-layer) of thatch for the entire coat to be Council, 1998, p 3. until a suitable base is found in stripped to expose the 3 English Heritage, Thatch the under-coat on which to whole of the raftered and Thatching, English build up the spar-coat. framework, which may Heritage, 2000, p 2. It would be unusual to find that cause the loss of historically the existing thatch must be important material. It does stripped to bare rafters mean, however, that it may because the under-coat has be possible to inspect the been decayed by water- timber components of a penetration, rodents, or other Water Reed roof every 50- cause, but where poor 70 years for on-going maintenance has compounded serviceability, and repair, if the normal effects of appropriate. Water Reed is weathering, it is sometimes now widely imported from necessary to strip more of the Eastern Europe, but it is still under-coat to get a good fixing. grown in Norfolk and other In early cottages, the base areas. It should be stated coat of thatch can be several that in Upavon long-straw hundred years old, and is an is traditional to the area and important historic component the introduction of water of the building. Retention is reed should be resisted as therefore a major conservation alien. Flush wrapover ridges objective. are also characteristic and should be maintained and where possible reintroduced if lost. A thatched coat about 12 inches (300mm) thick usually provides good protection against the elements, and good insulation against heat-loss.

Alterations The design of alterations affecting thatched properties requires a careful analysis of the characteristics of the original roof. The position and size of dormer windows Figure 36 Thatching in Upavon can have an adverse effect Retention of the under-coat on thatch geometry. The usually means that the timber introduction of a lower pitch components of the raftered over a new dormer, or the framework under Long Straw APPENDIX II Upavon’s most famous son is What sets Upavon apart? Upavon not only marks the possibly Henry (Orator) Hunt, Seven questions were posed juncture of the Salisbury born at Widdington Farm, to a number of residents of Plain and the Pewsey Vale, Upavon, Wiltshire in 1773 to Upavon. This section is a each quite different from the Thomas Hunt, a gentleman composite representation of other, it is also at the head farmer. He became a their personal views. of the Avon valley. Upavon Member of Parliament and is located near the source of was to speak at a meeting on Introduction the Christchurch Avon, and parliamentary reform in Upavon is a charming and an early version of its name, Manchester on the 16th of attractive village set in the Oppravene, probably August 1819, an occasion that beautiful Wiltshire countryside means settlement on the was to become known as the on the side of the River Avon. upper reaches of the river Peterloo Massacre. The village boasts a variety of (Avon = river in Old English). In 1912, Upavon became the old and attractive buildings, Upavon was first recorded home of the first Central including the Church, a chapel, in the 10th Century, and its Flying School set up by the the Manor and several other rise as an important local Army to train professional war substantial dwellings and a commercial centre can pilots. (This was before the number of cottages, many of possibly be traced back to establishment of the Royal Air which are thatched. Set in an the time in 1233 when the Force). area rich in history, within the ownership of the Manor was Over the succeeding years the parish is the Iron Age in dispute. A full scale revolt presence of a military base in settlement of Casterley Camp. by barons against Henry the parish has lead to Near the village centre can be III’s government was opportunities for local found the remains of a priory, eventually settled in favour employment both within the and on a hillside, to be seen of the Bassett family. They base and for local traders from the village, strip lynchets. successfully petitioned for a along with an increase in These are little steps that form fair to be established after population and housing. between fields. They are most which in the 13th and 14th likely due to strips of the centuries, Upavon became Points of interest around medieval common field system a thriving and relatively Upavon include: developed on steep slopes. As wealthy community a result they can be seen as supporting many traders, ƒ Beautiful views of the Wiltshire parts of the open fields markets, shambles, fairs downland countryside including strip lynchetts surrounding many medieval and ale houses in and settlements. The strip lynchets around the market place. ƒ The River Avon with its many in Upavon are believed to date After that it gradually gave graceful swans back to Roman settlement. way in prominence to ƒ Remains of the Iron Age Whether these lynchets were Pewsey. Casterley Camp constructed deliberately or The Church of St Mary was came about as a result of dedicated in 1308, and was ƒ Remains, near the river, of the old ploughing is still not certain. possibly established as a Priory

minster church taking in ƒ St Mary’s Church with its striking While many villages in the several surrounding tower, triple chancel arches and surrounding area have been parishes. The structure unusual Norman font losing communal facilities, dates mostly from Norman ƒ The Baptist Chapel under Upavon still hosts two inns, a and Early English periods. restoration garage, a shop, a school, a Of note is the larger than village hall, two playgrounds, a normal tower and the ƒ The variety of old and interesting football pitch, a bus service, Norman font that has fine houses and cottages, many thatched and a number of businesses sculptures depicting the which operate from the village. annunciation, a lion and a ƒ The Millennium Stone An underlying reason may be leopard. A chapel, the Cave that whereas many of Adullam, was built for the ƒ The face of George Carter, grocer, over the door of the corner shop surrounding villages have their Strict and Particular Baptist that he ran a century ago high streets set to the sides of Congregation in 1838. After what are now the main roads, falling on hard times in ƒ The Cemetery which has the Upavon is positioned on a recent years the chapel is graves of servicemen killed in early flying accidents and a natural, and in times past, undergoing restoration. memorial to the contribution of important cross roads. servicewomen. 1. What buildings/building tranquillity, even when the towards Pewsey. Up on the design and/or materials are lorries are thundering past, hills, there is the emptiness, liked if only for a moment. It is big views, lack of buildings, The brick and flint cottages also a place of meeting, for roads and noise, lack of and thatched houses are children and illegal anything in fact except nature. particularly pretty and the fact poachers, mothers with And seeing Upavon nestling in that they differ in design and children and dog walkers. the valley as one comes down age makes the whole village The two Public Houses from the strip Lynchets is a visually interesting; there is allow a resonance and fantastic view that should something to see around every sounding board for the never be lost. Buzzards circle corner. It is always good to village, it is where the young above, hares sit up nearby, come home to Upavon. The and the old, the different whilst below us the village centre of the village has great ‘factions’ e.g. the calmly awaits our return. We character with some thatched ‘Fairfieldites’ meet up with can pick out our house, our buildings and the Ship really the ‘Down Viewites’ to share friends’ houses, hear the standing out as an idyllic a story, have a moan, or church clock strike, and see country pub. just to pass the time. The the open farmland beyond. church is a focal point The market place is relatively especially the clock that open with old houses on all chimes the hours, the sides. The views across it are halves and the occasional special, not least that from the peal [actual and not Devizes Road across to the recorded] of bells! It is Church Tower and the Ship. important to emphasise how The design and materials

Figure 37 The Ship Inn important the church and used for the garage might not There is a balanced chaos churchyard are to the village. be in keeping with the historic about the centre with many Historically important, it is character of the village but at different types of building and always a beautiful, peaceful least it's low and open. .The nothing appearing to be laid and pleasant place to walk ancient feel of Jarvis Street out by planners or parabolic through and should remain and the spur to the right at the architects ….pure charm. that way. top has particular charm and “Personally it was the cottage character. The view up and garden, of course, that The village – a working one, towards Rushall Drove from first drew us…Fifteenth thank God and a place with the Pewsey Road, just after Century, in the heart of the a purpose. With the daily the telephone exchange, is a village; lofty beamed rooms, rumble of tractors and lovely one. oozing character…We had genuine community pubs. been looking for over three With Stonehenge, Upavon is amazing because years.” When one goes into Woodhenge and Avebury you do not see it until you are the new developments even on our doorstep, Upavon on it; the best way to prove the largest one at Fairfield, the has something for everyone. this is to come down from bungalows all have a different Widdington – the whole village design and different sized 3. What views are disappears for a short period gardens and there are different important as you drive down the road. trees and shrubs. It does not Because of this aspect we feel faceless or a group of The main reason why any have to protect the village people hutches for families move away from Upavon from getting too large or too with 2.4 children. would be a hard decision is high as it would damage the the countryside view from whole aspect of living in the 2. What sites in the village the bridge upriver towards country. When the village are particularly valued Pewsey. The view along starts to sprawl we should The river is important although the meadows both sides of start looking to call it a town. the village may not make the river and especially the enough of it as a focal point. downs behind, must be 4. What facilities are However many people stop protected, not just for those important and spend a moment on the of us who live here but for We live in the centre and can bridge, looking at the fish, the many visitors who stop walk to the lovely corner shop feeding the ducks and swans, their cars and rest their and the pubs, saying hello to watching a heron drift up into elbows on the bridge neighbours all the way. It is the trees. It is a place of looking along the river comforting to know that there is somewhere that can provide all it is important to live in a ƒ The High Street food, shelter and small community where so ƒ The fields all around entertainment at practically many people know each ƒ The river every hour of the waking day, other. ƒ The views from the to all members of the family. cemetery Seeing the church when the ƒ Jarvis Street The doctor’s surgery is setting sun hits the tower is efficient and clean and really uplifting. The stained 7. What walks or areas of provides an essential service glass windows are lit up and the village are uplifting. to the village, particularly the stones look warm and “We can walk our dogs either because of its dispensary. The wonderfully aged. directly from the house across shops, the garage, the pubs, farmland and on footpaths, or the Village Hall, the Church, The ability to be able to take them by car for walks on the Gun Club, the Camp are all switch off from the stress the plain. Both walks give us a important because they allow and ‘rush’ of business life wonderful sense of relaxation, the village to thrive and and to know that you have and we have learnt to prosper ensuring that we the option of shutting appreciate every aspect of the continue to have facilities. yourself away in a peaceful, landscape; the wildflowers, crime free environment or beautiful sweeps of grassland, The playground in the centre being able to go out to the rare birds singing away, of the village and the play local and know you will butterflies, hares, deer. Even facilities at the top of the always know somebody. seeing Rushall Farm tractors village are important to ensure There is a busying away on the fields is that the village offers a place straightforwardness here exciting, or spending a for youngsters and young that is deeply attractive – moment in conversation with a families in order to regenerate the rhythm of the sheep! Watching the gliders and in essence recycle. agricultural cycle – just adds to the feeling of reminding me of my own freedom from everyday work.” Easily accessible rail, air and childhood. Long may it road links allow residents to remain so. The welcoming “Walking down Fairfield is live in idyllic circumstances but attitudes of the people; the superb being able to look the opportunity to work and wonderful surrounding along Avon Valley and up to travel freely both in and out of countryside; the super the Airfield and fields beyond the country. walks for both us and the just gives a ‘joie de vivre’ – dog; the easy access to perhaps I am a simple soul!! larger towns such as Then there is for me Devizes, Salisbury and personally a sort of serendipity 5. What makes living in the Marlborough; the wealth of in settling here. For well over countryside so valuable history to be found; the easy fifteen years I have been Living in the countryside access to London, above all tendering for video means having a garden and the peaceful ambience. commissions at Trenchard being able to grow vegetables Lines, pausing for a quick and flowers. Neat fields can Suffice it to say that we see beer and a debrief in The be seen all around, well cared all our needs met here. First Antelope before returning for and, fortunately, organic. class shopping of all kinds, home to either London or cinema and theatre is Newbury. Never thinking available in almost any Upavon itself might one day direction within ten miles or be that home – thanks largely less. It is salutary to think to a singular house and that it can take less time to garden – and The Antelope get from Upavon to Central our local. “It’s a funny old London than driving from world”.

Figure 38 Upavon Countryside North London to the West Sheep can be heard along the End! river, owls flying at dusk and bats in the garden at night. The traffic has increased over 6. What one feels is the years, but that is a problem especially attractive not confined to Upavon. At ƒ The church and least it is quiet at night. Above churchyard

Figure 39 The River Avon “The land around is glorious for walking and ‘nature study’ [aided immeasurably by the presence of the Army]; the community welcoming in the extreme. And something I still find refreshing [being increasingly rare] – people who have lived here all their lives and their parents before them. It feels a fundamentally stable community which makes us doubly happy for our toddlers, both under three, whom we firmly intend shall grow up here!”

REFERENCES guidance on the interpretation information for inclusion in the 1 Planning Policy Statement 12: Local and implementation of policies statement. In July and August Development Frameworks. and proposals contained in a a flight over the village and a Paragraphs 3.15-3.18 Local Development Document walking tour was made 2 Kennet Landscape Assessment, (LDD). The adopted Kennet Kennet District Council, May 2006, photographing and making Local Plan 2011 has been p.83 granted the status of a “saved notes on the features and 3 Kennet Landscape Assessment, characteristics of Upavon. Kennet District Council, May 2006, local plan” under the new p88 planning arrangements From the assembled material 4 Kennet Landscape Conservation introduced by the 2004 Act. As (19 written submissions, and Strategy, Kennet District Council, May such it is considered to be a many oral comments), the 2006, p.14-15; Kennet Landscape LDD and this village design Committee produced a rough Character Assessment ch 9 [Vale of statement provides detail on structure, which was turned Pewsey] p.87-88 the interpretation of Policies 5. Kennet Landscape Assessment, into a first draft. HC6, HC22 and NR6. In Kennet District Council, May 2006, The draft was made available addition, the guidance will be Ch9.p87. for scrutiny and comment by 6 Upavon Conservation Area relevant to the application of Statement, Kennet District Council, Policies PD1, HC32, HC33, all villagers for six weeks in 2003 ED10, ED12, ED13, ED28, April-May 2006. Many 7Planning Policy Guidance Note 3, HH5, HH6 and HH12 of the changes suggested during Housing, [ODPM], paragraph 10 saved local plan. that period were incorporated 8 Kennet Local Plan, Kennet District Council, adopted April 2004, p.38, in the draft, and amended paragraph 2.56 A Supplementary Planning copies were sent for 9 Kennet Local Plan, Kennet District Document needs to be preliminary review to Kennet produced with adequate public Council, adopted April 2004, p.7, District Council, Wiltshire paragraph 1.20 and PD1A & B consultation and should be 10 Planning Policy Guidance Note 3, subject to a Sustainability County Council, the Housing, paragraph 2 Appraisal (SA). The Council is Environment Agency, English 11 Planning Policy Guidance Note 13, satisfied that the level of Nature, English Heritage, and Transport, March 2001, [ODPM], consultation has been Thames Water, The draft was paragraph 28 12 Wiltshire Structure Plan 2016, appropriate. The Council is amended further in the light of Wiltshire CC, April 2006, p.l00, para. preparing the processes for comments from those 7.26 undertaking SA and intends to organisations, and the final 13 Upavon Conservation Area appraise a number of emerging draft presented to Kennet Statement, Kennet District Council, SPDs during 2007. Therefore, District Council 2003 until that part of the procedure 14 Planning Policy Guidance Note 15, has been completed, this on ??th ?????? 2006. Planning and the Historic Environment, document has been adopted by DTLR Project Committee 15 Thatch and Thatching, English the Council for the purpose of Heritage, 2000 development control as Alison Crockett, Alistair 16 Re-thatching, Kennet District emerging SPD. Gammie, Ann Stubbs, Council, 1998 Charles Leigh Bennett, 17 Kennet District Local Plan, Kennet Charlie Shea Simonds, District Council, adopted April 2004, Graham Newlands, Jo p.7 policy PD1. How our VDS was 18 Kennet District Local Plan, Kennet German, Julie Hanks, Lesley District Council, adopted April 2004, produced Walford, Martyn Crockett, , inset map 37 Upavon. At a public meeting and Noel Maskell, Sue Greatorex, 19 Affordable Housing Policy Guide, exhibition on 15th Verina Horsnell, Draft Supplementary Planning March 2005, more than 40 Guidance, Kennet District Council, August 2000, p.2, paragraph 2.3 villagers agreed that a Acknowledgements 20 Sites of Special Scientific Interest village design statement The Statement designed by (SSSIs); England's special wildlife and should be prepared for Orton Design. geological sites, English Nature, 2002 Upavon. From the people 21 Protected species: a guidance Aerial photographs by Charlie leaflet for developers and planners, who volunteered to help Shea Simonds, Parafotos, Kennet District Council, 1998 with preparation, a Upavon Project Committee of 13

was formed, with STATUS OF THE permission to co-opt others STATEMENT when special This Village Design Statement was adopted by Kennet District expertise was needed. In Council as an emerging September, a questionnaire Supplementary Planning was delivered to every Document on xxxxxxxxx 2006. household and business in Supplementary Planning the village, inviting everyone Documents (SPD) provide to contribute ideas and