Chilterns Flint Technical Note
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Chilterns Buildings Design Guide Supplementary Chilterns Flint Technical Note an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 2 Chilterns lint Acknowledgements All photographs are by Dr. James Moir unless Tim Amsden, Mike Jones, Les Mathias and Lynn otherwise acknowledged. Mathias (Flintworkers) Martin Andrew (Wycombe District Council) The drawings on page 7 are reproduced from This Technical Note has been published by the Dan Bosher (Boshers of Cholsey Ltd.) “Records of Buckinghamshire”, Volume 31, Chilterns Conservation Board which would like to Richard Bossons (Architect) 1989, pages 56 to 59, with kind permission of express its sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr. John Bysouth (The Stone Federation of Great the Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society. Britain) The drawings on page 20 are by Derek Rogers James Moir who has researched and written this Eric Cheeseman (Bovingdon Brickworks) RIBA. The drawings on pages 35 and 36 are by Note. Thanks should also go to the members of the Russ Craig (BEAMS) Nicola Westbury and are reproduced from “Care Brick and Flint Advisory Group who have given George Crutcher (South Bedfordshire District and Repair of Flint Walls”, Technical Pamphlet generous help and advice; to Peter Cave (Johnston Council) 16, with kind permission of the Society for the Nick Doggett (CGMS Consulting) Protection of Ancient Buildings. Cave Associates) for making his research freely Roger Evans (Former Buckinghamshire Historic available; to Eddie Fincken for practical guidance Buildings Officer) The Chilterns Conservation Board also wishes to and demonstration; to the local authority Planning Mike Farley (Former Buckinghamshire County acknowledge the generous grant aid made Officers who have contributed through the drafting Archaeologist) available by the following organisations towards Douglas Kent (SPAB) the cost of producing this Note: and public consultation exercise, and to Colin Gary Marshall (Regional Archaeologist, National White, Chilterns AONB Planning Officer, for his Trust) The Countryside Agency, South East England help in organising the Group and input into Jim Matthews (HG Matthews Brickworks) Development Agency, Chiltern District Council, revisions to the text. Peter Melvin (Architect) South Oxfordshire District Council, Dacorum Nigel Oxley (North Hertfordshire District Council) Borough Council, South Bedfordshire District Richard Oxley (Oxley Conservation) Council, Wycombe District Council, Bovingdon Particular thanks are also due to the following: Ian Pritchett (IJP Building Conservation Ltd.) Brickworks Ltd, Dunton Brothers and H. G. Steve Rodrick (Chilterns AONB Officer) Matthews. Derek Rogers (Architect) Linda Stone (Chiltern District Council) Sir John Johnson Christopher Vane (Symm & Co. Ltd.) Chairman Chilterns Conservation Board Martin Warner (Dunton Brothers Brickworks) Simon Went (South Bucks District Council) Chilterns Buildings Design Guide - Chilterns Flint, and the owners who allowed their buildings to be Supplementary Technical Note c Published May 2003 photographed, particularly the Trustees of Sir No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in Paul Getty for permission to use photographs of any form without the prior permission of the Chilterns the Wormsley Estate. Conservation Board. ISBN 0 -9545242-0-9 Chilterns lint 3 oreword Contents This technical note on the use of flint Sadly this special character is often lost due Chapter 1 augments the Chilterns Buildings Design to the increasing use by builders and Introduction 4 Guide which has been adopted by many devolopers of standard designs and non-local planning authorities in the area. Its aim is to materials. Even when flint is used, poor Chapter 2 inform and help all those involved in the execution and minimal materials often Background 6 development process by providing additional, detract from the appearance of the finished The Material 6 more detailed guidance. building. Historical Use of Flint in the Chilterns 7 The glory of the English countryside lies in its Within the Chilterns there are numerous Chapter 3 Using lint Today diversity. Travel for only a few hours and you examples of how our forebears were able to 14 marvel at the subtle changes in landscape and build in such great harmony with the An Inspirational Inheritance 14 Regional Distinctiveness 16 in building design and materials. In the landscape. That harmony is what this Survey 18 Chilterns the use of flint as a building material supplementary guidance is meant to achieve. Specification and Design 20 is a distinctive ffeature and was for centuries Designing with Flint 23 a basic building material, creating buildings Design and the Choice of Mortar 26 which people like to see. Today it is still Material Combinations 29 valued and can greatlt add appeal to new Designing with Existing Flint 34 buildings. Sir John Johnson Chairman, Glossary 38 Chilterns Conservation Board May 2003 Bibliography 39 Further Advice 39 4 Chapter 1 : Introduction Chapter 1 Introduction It may offer assistance to local authorities with the 1.3 To this end, the Chilterns Buildings Design aim of ensuring their policies and practices are co- Guide was published in 1999 to provide guidance ordinated and consistent with guidance that has on how to achieve high quality design in new 1.1 Flint is associated with the chalk band been adopted. developments. The Guide provides a framework stretching across South-eastern England from for protecting and enhancing the identity East Anglia to Dorset and the South Downs. of the traditional built character of the The Chiltern Hills are formed by an outcrop of this M1 Chilterns, which has been steadily chalk on the north-western side of the London eroded by the use of standardised basin. Hitchin designs and non-local materials. This Dunstable Technical Note is one of a series that 1.2 Much of the Chiltern Hills is designated an Luton are intended to supplement the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The Chilterns Buildings Design Guide by shadow Chilterns Conservation Board is providing additional guidance on the responsible for conserving and enhancing the appropriate use of locally available natural beauty of the AONB, increasing the Tring Aylesbury materials. (see the Chilterns AONB website understanding and enjoyment of its special Wendover for details of other Technical Notes). qualities, and fostering the economic Berkhamsted Hemel and social well-being of local Hempstead Princes St Albans communities within the AONB. Risborough Chesham M40 Amersham River Thames A cluster of flint buildings with distinctive and traditional character (Hambleden) High Wycombe Beaconsfield Wallingford Marlow M25 Henley-on-Thames Goring River Thames Chapter 1 : Introduction 5 applications. Local planning authorities will be 1.4 The Objectives of the guidance are to: invited to adopt it as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the relevant development plans so as l Raise awareness of the quality of the to ensure consistency across the 15 local planning traditional built character of the Chilterns authorities within which the AONB lies. Once AONB by highlighting the importance of adopted the local planning authorities will expect flint, its characteristics, functions and uses all relevant planning applications in the AONB to demonstrate how these guidelines have been l Foster an interest in and create respect for taken into account. Adherence to the guidelines the historical diversity of flint buildings in does not mean that development proposals will the region necessarily be approved because other planning policies in development plans will apply. Specific l Re-establish traditional character in areas of Garden shelter The Pavilion (Wormsley) design and planning guidance is also likely to the AONB where it has been damaged or (Chipperfield) apply to buildings which have been listed or are eroded intended to be used, and also gives guidance on situated in conservation areas. The local planning repair of existing flintwork. It is not a authority should be contacted for details. l Protect the distinctive character of the built comprehensive historical and design statement. environment by encouraging good repair Nor is it meant to imply that all new designs must 1.8 This note was the subject of public practices utilise only flint and slavishly copy buildings from consultation prior to adoption. The views of previous eras. It illustrates a potential for consultees were taken into account and in some l Encourage the sustainable use of a local, excellence, diversity and flexibility in new design cases changes were made. A copy of all natural resource whilst still respecting the distinctive qualities of representations made during the consultation the area. period and the Conservation Board’s response is l Promote the appropriate use of flint in new available from the Chilterns AONB office. developments so as to create respect for the 1.6 This guidance is intended to be used by all traditional built character of the AONB involved in the development process: owners; New Church Hall 1.9 Flint is one of a small group of favoured local (Chipperfield) architects; designers; developers; builders; building materials, but it is still l Encourage flint workmanship of the highest planning authorities; parish councils and any seen as difficult to acquire, standards to inspire high quality design in organisation or individual with an interest in the difficult to convert, and difficult new developments built environment of the Chilterns AONB. and expensive to build with.