Contents

List of Figures...... 2

List of Maps...... 2

1. Introduction ...... 3 1.1 Background ...... 3 1.2 Planning Policy Framework ...... 3 1.3 Development Within a Conservation Area ...... 3 1.4 Preparation and Survey Limitations ...... 3 1.5 Community Involvement ...... 4

2. Summary of Special Interest ...... 6 2.1 Special Historic Interest ...... 6 2.2 Special Architectural Interest ...... 6

3. Site, Situation and Zoning ...... 7 3.1 Location and Setting ...... 7 3.2 Economic and Social Profile ...... 7 3.3 Study Zones...... 7

4. Historic Morphology and Archaeology...... 9 4.1 Historic Morphology ...... 9 4.2 Archaeology...... 11

5. Spatial Analysis and Built Form...... 12 5.1 Urban Structure ...... 12 5.2 Open Space...... 12 5.3 Views ...... 12 5.4 Plan-Form, Height and Massing ...... 12 5.5 Building Density...... 13 5.6 Edges and Enclosure...... 13

6. Architecture ...... 14 6.1 Architectural Style...... 14 6.2 Listed Buildings and Important Unlisted Buildings ...... 14 6.3 Facades...... 14 6.4 Roofs ...... 15 6.5 Windows ...... 15 6.6 Other Features of Interest...... 16

7. Street Scene ...... 17 7.1 Walls, Railings and Gates...... 17 7.2 Trees, Hedges and Green Space ...... 17 7.3 Public Realm...... 18

8. Damage & Deterioration...... 19

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8.1 Principal Negative Features...... 19 8.2 General Condition...... 20 8.3 Buildings at Risk ...... 20 8.4 Threats and Pressures ...... 20

9. Recommendations ...... 21 9.1 Boundary Changes ...... 21 9.2 Management & Enhancement ...... 22

Appendix A – Further Information and Advice ...... 24 Appendix B – Conservation Areas: General Guidance...... 25 Appendix C – Scheduled Ancient Monuments (if applicable) ...... 27 Appendix D – Listed Buildings ...... 28 Appendix E – Important Unlisted Buildings...... 30

List of Figures

FIG. 1: Medieval . FIG. 2: Grobham’s almshouses, High Street. FIG. 3: Gore Square. FIG. 4: Housing formats. FIG. 5: Arts and crafts. FIG. 6: Historic vernacular. FIG. 7: Items of interest. FIG. 8: Gates set within walls. FIG. 9: Poor quality repointing. FIG. 10: St. Mary’s churchyard.

List of Maps

Map 1: Boundaries Map 2: Zones Map 3: Townscape Appraisal

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1. Introduction

1.1 Background This Appraisal has been prepared for Bishop’s Lydeard Conservation Area which was designated by Taunton Deane Borough Council in 1975 and last reviewed in 1993.

Conservation Areas are defined as:

“areas of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”.

They are designated to cover the streets and places in our towns and villages that are considered ‘special’ and to thereby warrant greater protection. While bringing some added controls the object of designation is not to prohibit change but rather to manage its quality. The purpose of this appraisal is to provide an in depth analysis of character in order to assist the planning process.

1.2 Planning Policy Framework Conservation Areas are designated by local authorities in fulfilment of section 69 of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Planning Policy Guidance 15 Planning and the Historic Environment provides the statutory guidance for their administration, while specific Local Authority policies also apply (see Taunton Deane Local Development Framework). Further guidance regarding the legal implications of designation can be found in Appendix B.

1.3 Development Within a Conservation Area If you are considering undertaking works to a property, or developing land that lies within a conservation area you are advised to contact a Conservation Officer and the responsible Development Control Officer at Taunton Deane Borough Council for assistance. This appraisal will assist in the formulation of appropriate design strategies for new development, which should be fully articulated within a Design and Access Statement accompanying any planning application. CABE has produced useful guidance (see Appendix A). Please note that it is an offence to carry out unauthorised works.

1.4 Preparation and Survey Limitations This Appraisal was researched and written by Benjamin Webb, Conservation Officer at Taunton Deane Borough Council, during May 2007. It was revised following public consultation during August 2007 and formally adopted by the Borough Council in September 2007.

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When reading or using an Appraisal it is important to note the document can never be fully comprehensive. For instance, some aspects of the survey information are limited to those areas which can be reasonably recorded from the public highway and other accessible land.

Failure to mention a particular element or detail must not be taken to imply that it is of no importance to an appreciation of the character or appearance of the Area and thus of no relevance in the consideration of planning applications.

1.5 Community Involvement Consultation materials were made available at the Parish church and at the Deane House. A drop in session was held at the Village Hall in order to enable local residents and other interested parties to make representations and to ask questions. All consultation materials were available online. The consultation was advertised through local media and Council channels. Views were invited from local amenity groups. Consultation responses have been taken into account in preparation of the final version of this document.

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2. Summary of Special Interest

2.1 Special Historic Interest Bishops Lydeard provides an interesting study of a small village whose growth has been the product of a series of processes; agricultural, industrial, and from the eighteenth century onwards colonisation by a succession of wealthy outsiders. Each has their mark, and in the case of the last, continues to do so, creating a mixed architectural character.

2.2 Special Architectural Interest Bishops Lydeard Conservation Area contains an unusual mix of buildings across a very broad class range. While many appear fairly ‘commonplace’, interspersed within these are numerous individual buildings of particular interest, importance and quality. Several are of late medieval origin, preserving a local vernacular which contrasts sharply with later treatments, and several more are architect designed set pieces. Of particular note the fives tower (see cover) represents both an unusual and iconic structure.

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3. Site, Situation and Zoning

3.1 Location and Setting Bishops Lydeard is located a short distance to the north west of Taunton in an attractive position above low lying meadows. Parts of these meadows, known as The Lawns, remain largely undeveloped and play a very important role in the immediate setting of the east side of the village. The setting of the Conservation Area has otherwise been compromised by the development of modern housing. Traffic on the Minehead Road which now completely bypasses the village generates constant background noise.

3.2 Economic and Social Profile Historically the village and its environs accommodated a range of people from the very wealthy to the working. Presently the general area is desirable due to its attractive and convenient location.

3.3 Study Zones Following revision the Conservation Area falls in two separate parts to which reference will be made in the text.

Zone 1: Comprising the village core with focus on the junction of High Street, West Street, and Church Street, and including a large part of Mount Street and various minor side accesses. Strongly characterised by rubble stone terraced housing interspersed with some larger detached properties.

Zone 2: Comprising Gore Square, which forms a secondary focus within the village, and parts of Taunton Road, Minehead Road and Mount Street. Contrasts with Zone 1 in terms of the more frequent occurrence of large detached houses in space and greater use of brick, renders and thatch in building.

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4. Historic Morphology and Archaeology

4.1 Historic Morphology

Medieval Development: Until the mid sixteenth century the manor was in the possession of the Bishops of Bath and Wells (acknowledged in the place name), one of several centred upon the principal holding at . In common with most other settlements at this time wool was of principal economic importance, a guildhall recorded next to the church. The market place stood opposite, close to the entrance of Old Vicarage Lane, and was the original position of the market cross remains of which are now located in the churchyard. Several buildings within the village may find origin in the medieval period including 24 Mount Street which may have evolved from an open hall house layout (see FIG. 1 below).

FIG. 1: Medieval Bishops Lydeard. 24 Mount Street is one of the oldest houses in the village and may have evolved from a late medieval open hall layout.

17th - early 19th Century Development: The early part of the period saw construction of alms houses at two locations, one set of these surviving in the High Street (see FIG. 2) the other a terraced range of seven cottages formerly located on the site now occupied by Mount Street Garage and the adjacent pair of cottages – these cottages built following burning of the almshouses in 1908. During the eighteenth century ownership of much of the village and surrounding land passed from ecclesiastical hands. On acquisition by the Periams in 1730 Hill House and Sandhill Park were constructed as the manorial centre. These passed to the Lethbridge family in 1755 who sponsored further building in the village, properties such as Greenway House dating to this period.

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Between the eighteenth century and early nineteenth century the broader area appears to have found favour as a location for the establishment of small country estates. Lydeard House was built around 1740 followed by Lynchfield House to the south-west (outside the Conservation Area), both commissioned by wealthy lawyers. Watts House, now Cedar Falls (also just outside the boundary to the north west) was built in 1831 by the Winters of . The table tombs in St. Mary’s churchyard mark the crypts of some of these families.

FIG. 2: Grobham’s almshouses, High Street. Originally constructed 1616, later ‘restored’.

The village itself grew in two parts which became linked through incremental development between. The original and primary focus centred on the church and market place while a secondary focus, probably given identity following turnpiking of the Minehead Road, developed at Gore Square. Eighteenth century maps show development along Mount Street retained a more rural character than that adjacent to the church, buildings well spaced amongst gardens, orchards and fields and in consequence having more irregular orientation.

Mid 19th – early 20th Century Development: The period appears to have been one of infilling, a number of larger houses and terraced cottages built, these sometimes carrying a fairly urban or suburban style (see for example typical suburban villa designs and pattern book terracing in Taunton Road). A waggon works was established off High Street (later utilised as a shirt and collar fiishing works) on the current site of The Bartons.

Later 20th Century Development: A period in which infill gave way to significant expansion, with a number of large housing developments appended to what was until then a fairly lightweight linear

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settlement structure. Upgrading of the Minehead Road saw bypass of Gore Square.

4.2 Archaeology With the exception of Lydeard House and some minor fringe elements much of the Conservation Area lies within a defined Area of High Archaeological Potential. Within this applications for development will be scrutinised for impact following which there may be recommendation for pre-development investigation or monitoring during works.

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5. Spatial Analysis and Built Form

5.1 Urban Structure The historic form of Bishops Lydeard is strongly linear, development strung around and between two focal points: Gore Square (see FIG. 3 below) and the junction of West Street, High Street and Church Street. While short side accesses open off from this route, the historic settlement pattern is not characterised by the presence of developed side streets. Where the latter occur they are typically the product of modern housing development.

FIG. 3: Gore Square. An interesting space created by the angular positioning of buildings with front gardens and forecourts around the road junction. This contrasts with the much tighter definition by buildings of the West Street, Church Street, High Street junction.

5.2 Open Space Street spaces are generally constrained with only marginal increases in area seen at the two main road junctions. Within the developed townscape the churchyard forms the principal, and substantial public open space, a character which is accentuated by the existence of undeveloped fields to the west.

5.3 Views The most attractive views within the Conservation Area are those directed from West Street and the churchyard south and south west across the meadows.

5.4 Plan-Form, Height and Massing Development almost exclusively falls at one and a half to two-stories, though some two storey properties have additional accommodation in the attic space. Heights vary, many of the more simple cottages having fairly squat proportion, while a more stretched and vertical emphasis is typical of pattern book models. Linear terracing with regular rectangular plan form and very modest massing is frequent. A more irregular and generally more bulky pattern is seen amongst the detached

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houses though most are of a similar linear format. While terraced housing is usually orientated facing onto the street, detached properties sometimes find independent orientation within their own plots.

5.5 Building Density Development between the focal points upon which Zones 1 and 2 are centred has a fragmented character being characterised by the irregularity of form, spacing and the positioning of buildings within their plots. Density is therefore inconsistent, locally greatest around the two main road junctions and where terraced housing occurs.

FIG. 4: Housing formats. Terracing (seen left in Church Street) is frequent throughout the Conservation Area, though detached houses such as 13 Minehead, right, vary the trend. The pattern book format of this and much of the nineteenth and early twentieth century housing gives some parts of the village an ‘urban’ or ‘suburban’ feel.

5.6 Edges and Enclosure Terraced development is most frequently built with direct frontage onto the pavement thereby providing its own enclosure and the street edge with strong definition. Where houses have forecourt gardens or are set within more spacious grounds these are usually enclosed by walls. Some erosion of this characteristic has occurred through removal of boundary markers outside the three public houses and the shops on Taunton Road, while open plan modern development between the two Zones on Mount Street breaks the pattern entirely.

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6. Architecture

6.1 Architectural Style The historic vernacular is represented by a handful of thatched properties (excluding Warre House) which are characterised by a typically irregular format (see FIG. 6). Very simple terraced cottages following a basic symmetrical format and constructed using local materials make up the bulk of buildings within the Conservation Area (see FIG. 4). A ‘pattern book’ style is viewed in some of these cottages and also the more ‘urban’ style type housing constructed using brick. Interspersed amongst the above are architect designed buildings which appear in a range of styles, these including picturesque (the shell of Warre House), gothic (the Alms Houses), arts and crafts (the House – FIG. 5 below) and classical (Lydeard House).

FIG. 5: Arts and Crafts. The Old Police House, High Street.

6.2 Listed Buildings and Important Unlisted Buildings Schedules of listed buildings and important unlisted buildings are set out in Appendices C and D, and identified on Map 3.

6.3 Facades The historic vernacular is likely to have been rendered cob or rubble (see FIG. 6). The oldest properties in the Area preserve something of this appearance, though more traditional non-hydraulic lime roughcast has typically been replaced with less appropriate cement based or smooth renders. In its exposed state sandstone rubble - often badly repointed - is particularly characteristic of Zone 1. In a couple of instances a higher quality of construction intended for display is evident, in which squared off blocks have been used in building (e.g. 4 High Street). Use of

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brick as the primary material for construction is intermittent, though is most frequent in Zone 2. Brick can otherwise be seen used in detailing of window openings on rubble-built properties. Facades are sometimes rendered using either wet or dry dash, or lined-out stucco; treatments most noticeable around Gore Square.

It is important to note that an Article 4 Direction prohibiting the painting of previously unpainted facades under normal ‘permitted’ development was made in March 1977. This is applicable to the Conservation Area as then constituted.

FIG. 6: Historic vernacular. Westaways, Gore Square. Thatch and roughcast.

6.4 Roofs The historic vernacular appears to have been thatch, of which several examples survive, mostly in Zone 2 (see FIG. 6 above). Solid roofing is now predominant with clay tiles or their interlocking synthetic substitutes in mixed plain or Roman styles perhaps in the majority. Slate is also frequent. Chimney stacks are usually brick. Many houses appear to have lost their pots, though where present these are typically plain cylindrical red or pale yellow clay types.

6.5 Windows Casements are the most frequent window type across the Conservation Area and may have displaced sashes in a few instances. Sash windows are usually found as a design element on those houses with more vertically stretched pattern book proportions though there are notable exceptions (e.g. The Lethbridge Arms). Replacement of windows with inferior top hung or tilting plastic or aluminium has

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primarily affected those properties which originally had timber sash windows. Flat brick arches are common in rubble built properties, while simple stone lintels and sills are otherwise frequent.

6.6 Other Features of Interest • The Fives Wall (see picture front cover) is a particularly unusual and rare structure. The game is no longer common outside public schools and has some similarities to squash. • The large iron post at the junction between West Street, High Street and Church Street carries the cipher of the Taunton Tramways Company. This evidently found former use carrying tramway cables in Taunton. One of ten known to the author, the remaining nine are to be found along Greenway Crescent Taunton. (See FIG. 7 below). • Some unusual cast iron drain and man hole covers exist in the Conservation Area. (See FIG. 7 below).

FIG. 7: Items of interest. Left: Taunton Tramways post at the junction of West Street with High Street and Church Street. Right: unusual County cover, Gore Square.

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7. Street Scene

7.1 Walls, Railings and Gates Boundary walls in sandstone rubble are common in Zone 2 and parts of Zone 1 enclosing large gardens or narrow forecourt strips. A recurrent feature of interest is the setting of gates within the taller of these walls, the most ornate standing at the entrances to Stony Lane, and Warre House (see FIG. 8 below). The very high boundary wall present along Piffen Lane is unusual. Railings may always have been relatively uncommon here even before their general removal. A fragment of the former church railing survives adjacent to 5 Church Street along with the wrought iron gates, while lengths of railing are also present at Nos. 13 and 32 Mount Street.

FIG. 8: Gates set within walls. The two best examples (both listed) Left: at Warre House. Right: at the West Street entrance to the churchyard, likely built to serve the owners of Lydeard House.

7.2 Trees, Hedges and Green Space Hedges are used in place of walls as boundary markers in a number of instances. Green spaces, usually containing trees, play an important role in breaking up the continuity of development, the irregular nature of which is an important aspect of the character of the village below Church Street. Open garden space on entering Zone 2 along Mount Street is particularly notable.

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7.3 Public Realm

a) Groundscape Street and pavement surfaces are for the most part patchy asphalt. Two notable exceptions are the elevated flagstone pavement outside the Almshouses (which is individually listed) and the pebble pavement which apparently gives Stony Lane its name.

b) Lighting Three historic lamp posts survive, two in the church yard and one in Gore Square the former rusted and without fittings, the latter carrying an early electric light fitting. Modern street lighting is provided by fairly low key electric lamps mounted on telegraph poles.

c) Street Furniture The Conservation Area contains little in the way of street furniture. An unlisted red telephone kiosk stands adjacent to the turning into Quantock View together with a black and gold heritage catalogue Taunton Deane litter bin. Such off the peg street furniture is always best avoided. An SCC finger post stands somewhat incongruously in the garden of the old Police House.

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8. Damage & Deterioration

8.1 Principal Negative Features Aspects which have a negative impact upon the character and appearance of the Area include:

a) Pointing: The repointing of buildings and boundary walls in Bishops Lydeard has often been poorly executed causing both significant visual disfigurement, and physical harm to the structures affected (see FIG. 9 below). Traditional stone walling used lime putty based mortar to bed individual stones, the mortar in consequence lying flush between the adjacent faces of building stones (as opposed to across them). Prior to the nineteenth century rubble stone properties were then commonly rendered. Traditional mortars are softer than the stones from which walls are constructed providing a ‘sacrificial’ function (i.e. the mortar rather the building stone is preferentially eroded by general weathering – a process reversed where harder cement based mortars are employed). Where repointing has become necessary this should consist of raking loose old material out to a depth of 1-1.5 times the width of the joint, followed by the pushing of new mortar mixed with a colour matched and well graded sharp sand between the gaps.

FIG. 9: Poor quality repointing. Left: mortar has been spread over the face of the stones. Centre: a similar crudely lined out treatment. Cement based mortars dry quickly and are therefore liable to poor adhesion through shrinkage. Right: mortar is uneven and smeared due to use of a large trowel. The colour and texture of each example shown suggests use of red builders sand. This is high in soluble salts which accelerate stone decay. The smooth texture is also visually unlike that found in historic mortars which typically contain a range of particle sizes.

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b) Modern Housing Development: Modern housing development encroaches upon the Conservation Area at certain points, most particularly in Zone 2 where the historic landscape setting of Gore Square has been lost. As a highly linear settlement the addition of blobs of estate housing has been somewhat at odds with the established pattern, while it is the main reason for the Area falling in two parts.

c) Parking and Traffic: On-street parking detracts in some part from the character of the Area while causing difficulty for through traffic. Parts of the Area are not very pedestrian friendly.

8.2 General Condition Buildings within the Conservation Area appear in generally good condition though several are in need of some general maintenance. The church tower is currently cordoned off awaiting repair work and a tarpaulin covers part of the roof of 24 Church Street.

8.3 Buildings at Risk Listed buildings and important unlisted buildings, whose special interest may be considered ‘at risk’ from factors of neglect, vacancy or deferred maintenance etc include the two cross pedestals within the churchyard - deterioration of which may be partly the product of a failure of past repair work; the redundant fives tower, which shows vegetation growth; table tombs and the West Street gateway into the churchyard all of which have ivy growth.

8.4 Threats and Pressures

Further Housing Development: The large scale development of modern housing around the fringes of the village has had a detrimental impact upon its character. It is likely that there will be further pressure for development in the future. Avoidance of development on remaining open spaces forming the setting of the Conservation Area is important.

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9. Recommendations

9.1 Boundary Changes The Following are Included:

• Nos. 1-5 Taunton Road: A group of properties which visually form a part of the group centred on Gore Square. Inclusion tidies and gives spatial integrity to the boundary at this point as properties on the opposite side of the road are currently included.

• Old Vicarage Lane: the Old Vicarage is currently included within the Conservation Area though is effectively detached from it as its access is not included. Old Vicarage Lane is an important space at the heart of the Conservation Area albeit currently blighted by the building located here.

The Following are Removed:

• Meadowland (known as the ‘Lawns’) and properties to the east of Lydeard Mead: the properties listed are modern and of no historic or architectural interest. The Lawns were added in 1993 in conjunction with now defunct Local Plan policies covering views. PPG15 (published 1994) indicates that the designation of agricultural land or landscape lacking in built features, within a Conservation Area is not normally appropriate (see PPG15 4.6). This is because Conservation Areas are a townscape designation and not designed to protect or prevent the development of open land where this does not form an integral element of such townscape. In this respect the Lawns are most appropriately viewed in terms of the important contribution they make to the setting of the village, and in this context the impact of development proposals upon both setting and the quality of views out of a Conservation Area are material considerations in decision making (see PPG15 4.14). Furthermore as the Lawns provide an important setting for both Grade II* listed Lydeard House and the Grade I listed Parish Church any proposal to develop here would be considered in terms of the impact these would have upon the character of this setting. The Lawns currently fall outside the settlement boundary (see Local Plan Policy S7) and are a designated Water Source Protection Zone (Local Plan Policy EN 27), providing addition ‘protection’.

• Wooded area adjacent to Lydeard House: peripheral in terms of the built townscape of the Conservation Area. All the trees here are protected by TPO and noted in the Local Plan. Again this area is important in terms of the setting of Lydeard House and the village but its inclusion within the Conservation Area is unnecessary.

• Mill Lane and the Homefield development: This area has been developed for housing since inclusion within the Conservation Area. While Mill House

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has protection from listing, modern properties here have no historic or architectural interest.

• Nos 2-4 Quantock View and Nos 9 and 9a The Brendons: Modern development of no historic or architectural interest.

9.2 Management & Enhancement Through positive proactive management and focused and appropriate enhancement works, the character and appearance of the Conservation Area may be both preserved and enhanced for the future. Analysis contained within this appraisal should assist in both the formulation and evaluation of development proposals thus helping to ensure that objectives are partially achieved through everyday planning. More broadly the following potentials may be identified and suggestions made. Implementation will depend entirely upon opportunity, priorities and funding, and may involve or be achieved by either the public or private sectors.

• On its Church Street side the churchyard has an exposed and desolate feel due to absence of trees and monuments. Landscaping works and restoration of the railings would be particularly beneficial, though repairs to the church itself should of course take priority.

FIG. 10: St.Mary’s Church. Left: the churchyard could perhaps benefit from tree planting. Right: a fragment of the churchyard railings.

• Encouragement of good practice in repointing of buildings would be beneficial. Guidance is readily available from the Local Authority for householders in both listed and unlisted buildings who wish to embark upon this potentially damaging course of action.

• The erection of explanatory plaques on or adjacent to structures of interest within the village could be beneficial, most particularly in the case of the fives wall.

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• The lack of enclosure of spaces between the two parts of the Conservation Area accentuates the visual sense of a break in continuity of townscape character. It would be beneficial to address this issue as far as possible by introducing boundary features where currently absent.

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Appendix A – Further Information and Advice

Legislation, Guidance and Policy: • Town and Country Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. (www.opsi.gov.uk). • Taunton Deane Borough Council Local Plan 2004. • Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment. 1994. (www.communities.gov.uk). • DETR Circular 01/2001. 2001. (www.communities.gov.uk). • Guidance on the Management of Conservation Areas. English Heritage 2005. (www.english-heritage.org.uk) • Guidance on Conservation Area Appraisals. English Heritage 2005.

Design • Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development. ODPM 2005. (www.communities.gov.uk). • Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing. DCLG 2006. (www.communities.gov.uk). • Design and Access Statements: How to write, read and use them. CABE 2006. (www.cabe.org.uk). • By Design. Urban Design in the Planning System. Towards Better Practice. CABE/DETR 2000. (www.cabe.org.uk).

Historical Development and Archaeology: • Historic Environment Record. • Maps: Local Studies Library and Somerset County Records Office, Taunton. • Hinton, D: 2004: Bishops Lydeard Revisited.

Architecture: • Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. • Somerset Historic Environment Record • Listed buildings in the local area • Pevsner, N. 2002: The Buildings of : South and .

Further Enquires Enquiries regarding this Appraisal and for advice should be addressed to: Conservation Officer Taunton Deane Borough Council Belvedere Road Taunton Tel: 01823 356356

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Appendix B – Conservation Areas: General Guidance

What is a Conservation Area? A Conservation Area is defined as: 'an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance'. - Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Taunton Deane has 41 Conservation Areas which have been designated to cover the most historically and architecturally important and interesting parts of the Borough's towns and villages.

Various factors contribute to the special character of a Conservation Area. These include: the quality of buildings, the historic layout of roads, paths and boundaries, boundary treatments and patterns of enclosure, characteristic building and paving materials, uses and associations, the quality of the public realm and contribution made by trees and green spaces. A strong 'sense of place' is often associated with Conservation Areas. It is the function of Conservation Area Appraisals to assess and evaluate 'character' as a means of assisting the planning process.

Owning and Developing Land and Property within a Conservation Area PPG15 Planning and the Historic Environment, provides a principal point of general guidance on the conservation areas. In order to assist in the preservation and enhancement of conservation areas various additional planning controls exist within them:

The substantial demolition of unlisted buildings and structures requires Conservation Area Consent. Proposals will not normally be looked upon favourably where affected buildings or structures are deemed to make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area. An approved scheme for redevelopment will normally be required before consent to demolish will be granted. Exceptions to the rule include: • Small buildings of less than 115 cubic metres. • Walls, fences and railings less than one metre high abutting to highway (including footpaths and bridleways) or less than two metres elsewhere. • Agricultural and forestry buildings erected since 1914. • Certain buildings used for industry. Where demolition is being considered early consultation with local Planning and Conservation Officers should be sought. It is a criminal offence to carry out unauthorised works.

Within a Conservation Area permitted development rights are subject to some restriction. Planning Permission will be required for: • Insertion of a dormer window or other alteration to the roof. • Positioning of a satellite dish or antennae in certain locations. • Application of external stone, artificial stone, plastic or timber cladding. • Erection of an extension exceeding 50 cubic metres volume or 10% of the existing volume (whichever is greater).

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• Erection of a building exceeding 10 cubic metres volume within the curtilage of a property.

Further restrictions may be applied by the Local Authority or Secretary of State through use of ‘Article 4’ designations where a good case can be made (e.g. covering aspects such as change of windows).

High standards of design are expected for new development within Conservation Areas. Sensitive proposals which pay special regard to prevailing patterns of height, massing, articulation, use of materials and enclosure will be encouraged and have been given renewed emphasis in new statutory guidance notes PPS1 and PPS3. Early consultation should be sought with local Development Control and Conservation Officers.

Various types of advertisement including those which are illuminated will require Advertisement Consent. Advertisements must be sympathetic to the character and appearance of the area.

All trees and shrubs with trunks 75mm or more in diameter at 1.2 metres above ground level are protected from felling, lopping and pruning. Six weeks' written notice must be provided to the Borough Council's Tree Officer in each instance during which time a Tree Preservation Order may be served.

Implications for the Local Authority The 1990 Act makes it a duty for Local Authorities to: • In exercising their planning powers, pay special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of a conservation area. • Formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of the Conservation Area. • Review designations from time to time. The Government’s Best Value initiative (Indicators BV219a-c) also requires the production of Appraisals and Management Strategies, and places an onus upon Local Authorities to consult the public during their production.

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Appendix C – Scheduled Ancient Monuments (if applicable)

A Scheduled Ancient Monument is defined in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and the National Heritage Act 1983 as a protected archaeological site or historic building of national importance. The scheduling of a monument means that permission is required for works affecting that monument. The Secretary of State, in consultation with English Heritage, assesses each case individually to ensure that damage to protected sites is kept to a minimum.

SM32177 Two crosses in churchyard.

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Appendix D – Listed Buildings

Below is a table of the listed Buildings within the Conservation Area. For further information on these buildings see the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, the TDBC website or Somerset Historic Environment Record.

Please note: The table does not include ancillary structures or those within the curtilage of named buildings. These are also covered by the listing. Names of properties given below are those recorded at the time of listing and thus under which they are officially listed. It is possible that some names may have changed. This does not affect the listing itself.

English Heritage Somerset HER Address Grade Reference No. Reference No. 21 and 22 High Street II 270243 40373 Almshouses, raised footway II 270242 40372 and retaining wall, High Street Footbridge and railings over stream 20m east of Lydeard II 270261 40386 House, West Street Wall enclosing raised garden north and east of Lydeard II 270262 40387 House, West Street Lydeard House and stables and walls abutting the latter, II* 270259 40384 West Street Gateway and gate at north west entrance to churchyard, II 270258 40383 West Street Market Cross (remains) in St II 270229 40360 Mary’s churchyard Cross in St Mary’s churchyard II* 270228 40359 Coles family chest tomb 6 metres south-west of tower, St II 270235 40362 Mary’s churchyard Altar tomb 2 metres south-west II 270238 40366 of tower, St Mary’s churchyard Galhampton Winter chest tomb, 4 metres west of porch, St II 270232 40364 Mary’s churchyard John Winter chest tomb, 5 metres south-west of tower, St II 270233 40365 Mary’s churchyard Nicholas Grobham tomb, 3 metres south-west of porch, St II 270231 40363 Mary’s churchyard Chest tomb, 2 metres south- 270230 40367

Taunton Deane Borough Council Page 28 of 31 September 2007 west of porch, St Marys churchyard St Mary’s Church, Church I 270227 40358 Street 25, Church Street II 461852 17461 24, Mount Street and adjoining II 270248 40377 wall Summerhouse 8 metres north- II 270251 40380 west of Warre House Summerhouse 5 metres north- II 270250 40379 west of Warre house Warre House, covered entranceway and wall, Mount II 270249 40378 Street 44, Mount Street II 270252 40381 9, Gore Square II 270239 40370 Fives tower, Lethbridge Arms II 270240 40371 West View, Minehead Road II 270245 40374 Gatepiers and wall fronting II 270246 40375 West View, Minehead Road

Taunton Deane Borough Council Page 29 of 31 September 2007

Appendix E – Important Unlisted Buildings

Below is a table of notable unlisted buildings within the Conservation Area (it does not include all those which may be considered to make a ‘positive’ contribution to character and appearance). These are buildings or structures which, whilst perhaps not of special interest in the national context, are nevertheless of local interest by nature of their date, design, materials, historical association, etc. This is not a statutory designation and confers no protection, but does highlight the importance of a building for general planning purposes. It is quite possible that some of these buildings may be of listable quality though they have previously been overlooked.

Address Notes Lethbridge Arms, Gore An important building at the junction retaining historic Square windows. Old Police House, High An attractive and typical arts and crafts design at a Street prominent location. Taunton Tramways post, A curiosity in this location and rare survival of the Taunton West Street tramway system. Red telephone kiosk, Part of the traditional village scene. Mount Street 2-4 Gore Square An attractive group retaining original windows.

Taunton Deane Borough Council Page 30 of 31 September 2007

Taunton Deane Borough Council Page 31 of 31 September 2007