10. PROPOSED BOUNDARY AMENDMENT 10.1 Peak Park Joint Planning Board, now Peak District National Park Authority, designated Alport Conservation Area on 5 February 1982. The Conservation Area boundary was drawn loosely around the hamlet. With the exception of Greenacres and Lathkill View at the south- eastern edge of the hamlet, all properties are within the Conservation Area. Since the Conservation Area was designated there has been no review of its boundary. 10.2 From time to time, it is the duty of Planning Authorities to review and determine if P.10.2. The northern edge of the Conservation Conservation Area boundaries reflect the special Area character of the area they relate to. This may involve newly designating Conservation Areas or 10.5 At the time this appraisal was drafted, amending existing boundaries. The Conservation the Authority proposed two extensions to Alport Area boundary was reviewed as part of the Conservation Area. These comprised an drafting of this Appraisal. extension to the north-east to include the remains of the former Alport Lead Smelt Mill and 10.3 Land beyond the south-western edge of to the south-east to take in 1 to 3 Broadmeadow the Conservation Area was assessed to Cottages and Old Forge Farm along Lawns establish whether Rheinstor Rock (see P.10.1.) Lane. or any other features in this locality should be included. A date of 1753 is incised into the reef 10.6 Nos. 1 to 3 Broadmeadow Cottages and knoll but no-one knows what this relates to or Old Forge Farm are situated on Harthill Moor to whether it is authentic. Although the rock is of the south-east of Alport. This small cluster of geological significance it does not have sufficient buildings comprises a former barn that has been historic merit to warrant inclusion within the in residential use since the 1970s and a short Conservation Area. terrace of three dwellings. The terrace has early nineteenth century origins, if not earlier, and is listed Grade II because of its architectural and historic merit. 10.7 Broadmeadow is shown on the Harthill Barmaster map 1717 (see Fig.7) as two enclosed parcels of land, with no buildings. A number of lead rakes are illustrated on this map, passing and radiating from beneath these enclosed fields. During the mid-nineteenth century the cottages were the office to the Alport Mining Company and a shaft lies directly beneath the properties (Barnatt & Penny 2004). There is also a deep shaft nearby that leads to an engine chamber. An hydraulic engine, made at Coalbrookdale, was introduced into this shaft in 1819. This was replaced in 1836 by another hydraulic engine, this one made by William Fairburns & Co. from Manchester. P.10.1. Rheinstor Rock 10.4 The northern edge of the Conservation Area was assessed to ascertain if this required rationalizing (see P.10.2.). The present boundary was considered satisfactory as it includes Tufa Rock and all buildings in this part of the village. This section of the Conservation Area also contains woodland that forms an important edge to the hamlet and contributes to the strong enclosed character of Alport. 69 P.10.6. Early 20th century postcard showing the former Alport Lead Smelt Mill © Gordon Coupe P.10.3. Nos. 1-3 Broadmeadow Cottages, Lawns Lane. 10.12 When in operation, the lead smelting mill was one of the largest and most important in 10.8 When standing at Broadmeadow the Peak District. The site is now designated a Cottages, there is no visual link between this site Schedule Monument (List Entry No.1009704), and Alport village. However, the architectural and primarily because of its condensing system, historic significance of the site and its association considered to be the most complex example with the hamlet, particularly its industrial past, surviving in England. The slag heap, located warrant its inclusion within the Conservation between the former mill and the river, is also of Area. metallurgical interest and considered to be a well-preserved example of its type (HER 10.9 The Authority also proposed to include No.6743). the field immediately west of Broadmeadow Cottages within the Conservation Area (see 10.13 The archaeological, architectural and P.10.4.). This is because there is evidence of historic significance of the lead smelt works, extensive mining activity in this field and it sits along with the effect it had on the hamlet in the between the existing Conservation Area and the nineteenth century, for instance, its contribution aforementioned buildings. to local industry and employment, justifies its inclusion within the Conservation Area. During 10.10 The proposed extension to the south- the latter half of the nineteenth century, the lead eastern edge of the Conservation Area covers smelt mill also formed an important industrial 0.025 sq km (2.507 ha). All of this area is private complex in Alport. This included the corn mill land and property. sited upstream, a limestone quarry and lime-kilns immediately east and to the south-east of the corn mill, as well as the lead mining activity that was being carried out in the wider setting of the hamlet. 10.14 The proposed extension to the north- east of Alport Conservation Area was designated by the Authority’s Planning Committee on 10 August 2012. The extension proposed to the south-east of the Conservation Area was presented at the Authority’s Planning Committee on 17 May 2013. This extension was not designated. Figure 22 shows the current boundary of Alport Conservation Area. P.10.4. Field immediately west of Broadmeadow Cottages 10.11 The other proposed extension is to the north-east corner of the Conservation Area to include the remains of the former Alport Lead Smelt Mill. This site was located on the southern riverbank of the Lathkill, up on the side of a steep wooded valley, to the north-east of the corn mill. The proposed extension covers 0.387 sq km (3.875 ha), all private land. 70 11. POTENTIAL FOR IMPROVEMENT 11.7 Until approximately ten years ago local residents used the Reading Room as a 11.1 The purpose of this section is to identify community facility. There is currently no village opportunities for improvement within the hall or community building within the village. Conservation Area. 11.8 A number of tourists visit Alport and the 11.2 The Authority drafted proposals for surrounding countryside. A lack of parking improvements to Alport Conservation Area in spaces in the hamlet is a problem for both 1983. These comprised: the tidying up of land to residents and visitors, particularly at weekends the west of Lathkill Farm; the removal of (see P.11.1. and P.11.2.). A small part of the overhead wires; repairs to historic buildings; highway to the north-west of Cockpit Hill House repairs to boundary walls to the south-eastern became a private parking area in 2007. The part of the Conservation Area; the removal of the informal lay-by, west of Lathkill Farm, is regularly lamp standard on the triangular grass island and full resulting in parked cars along the village fixing a new street-light to the gable of a building; roads. carrying out a condition survey of trees in the south-eastern part of the Conservation Area, including the felling of dead elms and replacement planting. 11.3 Over the past two decades, the majority of the properties in the Conservation Area have benefited from the Authority’s Historic Buildings grant scheme. These works included repairs to P.11.1. Cars parked in lay-bys and along the roofs, windows and doors. road, near Lathkill Farm 11.4 Derbyshire Drystone Wallers Association, in conjunction with Haddon Estate, carried out consolidation works to the large lime-kiln, east of the corn mill, in 2008. This project was undertaken as part of a number of events celebrating the Association’s 25th anniversary. College of the Peak, which provides practical training in traditional building skills, also assisted with the consolidation works by re-pointing part of the structure. Members of the Peak District Mines Historical Society voluntarily excavated the top of the kiln’s pot. 11.5 There is currently no Village Plan for P.11.2. Cars parked along the lower lane, Alport Alport. The preparation of a Village Plan is one mechanism by which the local community can The Rivers identify its aspirations and priorities. 11.9 The rivers Bradford and Lathkill are a key attribute to the Conservation Area and the 11.6 The Conservation Area is in confluence is one of the principal drivers for the comparatively good condition and there may be development of a settlement in this area. If the little scope for further enhancement. However, rivers were therefore to stop flowing through the there are some improvements that could be settlement it would have a detrimental impact on made if the opportunity were to arise. The Peak the appearance and character of the settlement. District National Park Authority could address some of the issues mentioned below. Other 11.10 For a long time there has been a issues would need to be addressed by others seasonal issue of the River Lathkill drying up. such as Haddon Estate, Derbyshire County Over the last decade Natural England has Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council, the commissioned a number of studies to investigate utility providers and/or private individuals. In this problem. This has resulted in various some cases enhancements may not be interventions to the river to resolve the situation achievable. It should be noted that the character but with limited success.