HERITAGE SUPPORTING STATEMENT

In respect of

R/O 28 AMWELL STREET ISLINGTON

On behalf of

TURNHOLD (ISLINGTON) LIMITED

CgMs Ref: JO/DM/11841 Date: August 2010

Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

1.0 INTRODUCTION 4 2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION 6 3.0 HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT 7 4.0 LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE 16 5.0 THE PROPOSALS AND IMPACTS 18 6.0 CONCLUSION 21 SOURCES CONSULTED 23

Appendices

Appendix 1: List descriptions and New River Conservation Area Map

Figures

Figure 1: Site Location Figure 2: Morgan, 1682 Figure 3: John Rocque, 1746 Figure 4: John Rocque, 1747 Figure 5: An actual survey of the New River Head near Islington, 1763 Figure 6: Richard Horward, 1799-1819 Figure 7: Greenwood, 1827 Figure 8: Ordnance Survey, 1874 Figure 9: Ordnance Survey, 1896 Figure 10: Ordnance Survey, 1938 Figure 11: Ordnance Survey, 1953 Figure 12: Ordnance Survey, 1971 Figure 13: Ordnance Survey, 1976

Plates List

Plate 1: South elevation of Engine House and attached Boiler House Plate 2: South elevation of Boiler House Plate 3: South elevation of South Stores Plate 4: Remains of former Windmill

CgMs Ltd © 2 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

Plate 5: Detail of granite setts with inlaid rails Plate 6: View into the site from the east Plate 7: North elevation of the Boiler House Plate 8: West elevation of the North Stores Plate 9: South elevation of the North Stores Plate 10: West elevation of the Engine House and attached Boiler House

CgMs Ltd © 3 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 This report has been prepared by Jody M O’Reilly and Edward Kitchen of CgMs Ltd, to support applications for planning permission and listed building consent relating to a series of former industrial buildings at the rear of 28 Amwell Street, Islington (see Fig. 1).

1.2 The report was commissioned by Turnhold (Islington) Limited which has developed proposals to convert and extend the buildings on the site to create a new mixed-use residential and commercial development, comprising nine residential units of varying sizes and 120 square meters of office space.

1.3 This report is intended to assist all those involved in the determination of the applications to make an informed assessment of the proposals, based on a clear understanding of the listed buildings on the site within the context of the New River Conservation Area (see Appendix 1).

1.4 Listed buildings and conservation areas are now defined as 'designated heritage assets' under Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment (2010), and consent applications relating to such assets are required by virtue of Policy HE6 to include information which identifies and explains any potential impact upon the significance of the assets. This report meets the requirements of Policy HE6 by providing an account of the history and development of the site, including an assessment of the former Engine House and the attached ancillary buildings.

1.5 The principal listed building within the site is the Grade II listed Engine House, with its attached one- and two-storey extensions to the north east (referred to as the South Stores). The other building within the site boundary is the North Store, which is considered to be curtilage structure by virtue of its geographical, historical and functional associations with the listed building.

1.6 All of the buildings on the site fall within the New River Conservation Area. The Engine House has been identified as a local landmark building within the conservation area.

CgMs Ltd © 4 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

1.7 This report should be read in conjunction with the application drawings and other supporting documents, including the Planning Statement prepared by CgMs Ltd and the Design & Access Statement prepared by Tasou Associates.

CgMs Ltd © 5 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION

2.1 The application site extends to an area of approximately 0.17ha and is situated to the north east of Amwell Street, to the south west of Myddleton Passage and to the south of the recently approved development at 7a River Street. There is also a courtyard of garages to the north.

2.2 The site presently comprises two ranges of partially redundant buildings which form part of the wider New River Head site. The ranges include the Engine House (Plate 1) with attached two-storey Boiler House (Plate 2) and single-storey South Stores (Plate 3). The North Stores building runs along the site boundary to the north (Plates 8 and 9).

2.3 Within the applicant's ownership but not forming part of the current applications are the remains of the former windmill (Plate 4), and an open yard which remains in operational use by Thames Water. The windmill is included on the statutory list of buildings of special architectural and historic interest at Grade II (see list description at Appendix 1).

CgMs Ltd © 6 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

3.0 HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

Introduction

3.1 The engine house at New River Head formed part of a complex of buildings built for the New River Company from the mid seventeenth century to supply water to an expanding London.

The establishment of the New River Head

3.2 New River Head is named from the reservoir at the mouth of the New River, which was cut from 1604-13. The site was initially developed to provide water to an expanding London, with the erection of a water house (c. 1612-3), enlarged by the end of the century, being converted to the residence of the New River Company’s engineer during the eighteenth century.

3.3 Further seventeenth-century development extended around the New River Head, but in the 1690s the company faced financial difficulties and increasing competition, a situation not helped by the acquisition of new pumping equipment by the London Bridge Waterworks.

3.4 In 1704 the merits of wind, horse or water power were examined by the Reverend John Lowthorp, a fellow of The Royal Society, who advised a waterwheel rather than a windmill, but in 1707 the water-supply engineer George Scorogold was approached by the Company, who devised an experimental and ultimately expensive scheme.

The windmill

3.5 Scorogold’s scheme was for a windmill and Upper Pond, constructed in 1708 to provide a higher head of water which enabled the New River Company to improve supply to the expanding West End and also potentially to Islington. The windmill was erected in 1707-8 to the north east of the Outer Pond and was designed to pump water from the Round Pond uphill to the Upper Pond.

3.6 It was effectively an engineering experiment, being a tapering round brick tower, a rare form at the time, and was originally powered by six sails (four was the usual number), powering four pumps. An integral horse gin provided power when

CgMs Ltd © 7 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

wind was scarce. However, this proved inefficient, especially as its base, at just under 23ft in diameter was insufficient to support the horse gin. It was therefore supplemented by and then superseded by a horse mill, a low square structure (c.1720) adjoining the windmill to the south east; the windmill was abandoned in the same year when the sails were removed following storm damage. C. 1770 the windmill’s tower was reduced to around two storeys and was castellated, being further reduced to a relative stump in the mid-nineteenth century to function as a work yard store.

The need for a new scheme and engine house

3.7 The increased demand for water as London grew led to problems of pumping water to the Upper Pond, and in 1766 the renowned civil engineer John Smeaton was asked by the New River Company to make proposals for improving the pumping system. He inspected the site in the same year to establish possible methods of improving the way water was pumped to the Upper Pond, comparing the current horse powered engine (powered by four horses) with three alternative power sources, water, wind and steam. If the amount of water pumped could be increased then a water engine would be the most economical, but if the amount of water was not to be increased then a fire engine was to be the solution. On this basis the decision was made to install a fire engine designed by Smeaton.

3.8 A fire engine was an atmospheric engine, a precursor to the steam engine. His design was based upon Thomas Newcomen’s engine of 1705, and included experimental elements, notably an unusually long stroke. It was designed to more than double the pumping power of the horse works and to be cheaper. The new engine was erected by April 1768 to the north east of the former windmill under the supervision of Robert Mylne, who had become joint engineer in 1767 with the existing engineer, Henry Mill.

The Engine House

3.9 The new engine required housing, and a heavily buttressed structure, to reduce vibration, was constructed between 1766-68 to the east of the existing windmill. The cylinder was housed in the larger southern chamber and the pump in the northern chamber, with two round boilers being installed in a lean-to on the south side of the tower. The detailing on the tower, especially the round headed windows reflect Robert Mylne’s 1780s later work on the water house. The east,

CgMs Ltd © 8 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

west and internal walls of the engine house have been incorporated into later additions and the south wall remains visible.

3.10 By 1774 it was clear that the engine was not working as efficiently as expected, and this coupled with the decision by the New River Company and company surveyor Robert Mylne to improve the water supply to the Upper Pond in 1776 led to the construction of an underground overshot waterwheel by 1779, south east of the former windmill and worked by water from the lower pond; this was used until c.1828-50.

3.11 In 1782 The New River Company commissioned the Birmingham manufacturer Matthew Boulton (1728-1809) for a new engine to work alongside the existing one. An engine designed to a patent of Boulton’s partner James Watt (1728- 1809) was provided and installed in 1786, a double-acting parallel motion engine with a 32” cylinder and 8ft stroke. It proved to be three times as efficient as that designed by Smeaton, which became effectively redundant by 1792.

3.12 The new Boulton and Watt engine was housed in a western extension of the engine house (1786), designed by Robert Mylne. Like the original building, the extension was also designed with buttresses which are still visible on the west side of the building. In 1792-3 correspondence with Watt and Boulton detailed requirements and estimates for a second, occasional parallel motion engine, with a 36” cylinder, 8ft stroke and wooden beam, to be annexed to the current building, to be housed in ‘an addition to the present building with a separate well and sewer.’ This extension (1793) was on the eastern side.

3.13 In 1794-5 Robert Mylne reworked and unified the engine house, adding symmetrical curved walls from the north. Smeaton’s central element was refitted with a high level cistern in the north chamber and a staircase in the south chamber, lit by a subsequently blocked south opening. The south wall of the engine house extensions supported two chimneys. Symmetrical curved walls were also added to the lower boiler house to the south, supplemented by a lean-to boiler house added to the east in 1796-7.

3.14 The pumping machinery required upgrading by the second decade of the nineteenth century, and the engines were also replaced by more powerful single acting parallel motion ones, also by Boulton and Watt, the west in 1810-12 and

CgMs Ltd © 9 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

the east in 1816-7. Both were 48” cylinders with 8ft strokes and cast-iron beams. This phase is also characterised by the removal of the north wall erected in 1785- 6 and the staircases of 1785 and 1794-6. The removal of the latter staircase allowed the reuse of Smeaton’s south chamber as a single chimney, 110 ft in height for both engines; the boiler houses were also enlarged, and the two chimneystacks were removed; these works can be attributed to William Chadwell Mylne, who had replaced his father as company surveyor in 1811.

3.15 Further improvements were made to the engine house in the 1840s, when the Boulton and Watt engines were reconfigured to work with new cylindrical boilers installed in 1845-7 and 1848-9, each providing 150hp. Cast iron windows were installed and both boiler houses were enlarged, incorporating earlier brick work to the south. Additions to the building of a north east porch, a staircase tower to the west and a 7-bay coal store wing to the east completed the building phase. A cast iron staircase was supplied by Henry and Martin De La Garde Grissell, Regents Canal Ironworks, leading manufacturers of structural ironwork from c.1841. According to the Survey of London, elements from this phase survive relatively unaltered, including pocketed cast iron girders which carried the ends of floor beams in the west engine house, and I-section girders in the north chamber of the 1768 building which supported cistern or condensation tanks for preventing steam loss, under a tall iron cylinder on an octagonal brick base behind the chimney.

3.16 The engines were replaced again in 1897-8 and 1901-3, with the eastern one being replaced by a triple expansion engine of 65 hp by James Simpson & Co. of London and the western by a 120hp model by Yates and Thom Ltd. of Blackburn. Some of the windows were also renewed at this time with fixed wrought iron frames and the engine house’s outer bays may have been reroofed. By 1903 the engine house comprised an engine, boiler and store rooms, and coal stores.

3.17 The replacement of steam power with electricity in 1950 led to the removal of the engines, and an insertion of a concrete floor c.1957. The chimney was removed in 1954. The east boiler house has since been used as a garage and to house generators, with alterations in 1983-5. Since 2003 the south boiler house has held two Siemens pumps to serve the London Ring Main.

CgMs Ltd © 10 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

3.18 In the later nineteenth century a long low workshop range was built in phases just north of the engine house.

3.19 The development sequence of the engine house is given in plan form in The Survey of London (2008).

The rail tracks (Plate 5)

3.20 The rail tracks adjacent to the Engine House are most likely to have been for transporting coal, to power the engines. Photographs 12 and 13, from the Metropolitan Water Company’s New River Head archive material depict a curious scene featuring what appear to be similar tracks, although the exact location is not stated.

The Engineers

John Smeaton, civil engineer, (1724–1792)

3.21 The eldest child of an attorney, William Smeaton (1684–1749) John Smeaton was pupilled to his father's office in Leeds, moving to London in 1742 to continue his studies. However, his interest lay in mechanical engineering and in 1744 he left the legal profession to teach himself skills for making philosophical instruments. By 1748 he had set up in London, first at Holborn, and then at Furnival's Inn Court where he employed three craftsmen. In 1752 he began investigating the power of water and wind, presenting a paper in 1759 entitled, Experimental Enquiry concerning the Native Powers of Water and Wind to turn Mills and other Machines depending on a circular Motion, which established the relative efficiency of different kinds of waterwheel, for which he was awarded the Royal Society's Copley medal for original research. By this time he had published six papers in the Philosophical Transactions and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in March 1753.

3.22 Between 1755–70 there was a significant increase in civil engineering projects in Britain, leading to a new class of professional men, replacing the previously relatively isolated and few practitioners of the early eighteenth century. Smeaton was a founding member of the Society of Civil Engineers in 1771; since 1830 it has been known as the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers.

CgMs Ltd © 11 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

3.23 Smeaton’s career was broad and distinctive, and he produced numerous reports and works to excellent and often innovative designs and plans, including water and wind mills, steam engines, bridges, harbours, river navigations, canals and fen drainage, in addition to further contributions to engineering science. Engineering works include his first commission, a watermill at Halton in Lancashire (1753) and a mill at Wakefield (1754). In 1763 a water-wheel and pumping engine at Stratford, east London were built to Smeaton's designs, while at Kilnhurst Forge in 1765 six large water-wheels and associated blowing engines and hammers were erected. In 1768 pumping machinery and a 32 ft diameter water-wheel for London Bridge waterworks were built to Smeaton's designs.

3.24 His bridge designs were numerous; plans for a projected bridge over the Thames at Blackfriars were used as the basis for the enabling act of 1756. Other bridge designs included those for a bridge over the Tyne (1756), the seven-arched Perth Bridge (1766-1770), while in February 1763 he was asked for, and provided urgently needed advice for securing the foundations of London Bridge.

3.25 His career as a consulting engineer was also distinctive; 1755 he spent five weeks in the Low Countries studying hydraulic works, subsequently reporting on improvements of the Clyde navigation downstream of Glasgow. In February 1756, on a personal recommendation of the President of the Royal Society, Smeaton was appointed as person in charge of the rebuilding of the Eddystone Lighthouse; this became the prototype of all subsequent masonry lighthouses built in the open sea; it was this project which firmly established his reputation.

3.26 In 1758 he undertook a project for making the upper Calder navigable from Wakefield to Sowerby Bridge which was completed in 1764 and in the following year he gave parliamentary evidence on a scheme for a proposed extension of the River Wear navigation up to Durham. Together with Langley Edwards and John Grundy, a consulting engineer, he submitted a report in 1761 on improvements of the River Witham and drainage of adjacent low grounds, which was undertaken between 1763-7. He also provided plans for major improvements of the River Lea navigation (1767–71) and the River Ure navigation, linked by a short canal to Ripon (1767–72).

3.27 His final work was at Ramsgate, with a successful proposal to reduce wave action within the outer harbour by extending the east pier more than 300 ft into water

CgMs Ltd © 12 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

27 ft deep at high water springs (1788-1792). During his career twenty-two of Smeaton's reports were printed, together with eighteen scientific papers.

3.28 Other notable elements of his career in which he made significant contributions to engineering science include his collaboration in 1762 with James Brindley, making the first accurate calibration of a gauge to measure the flow of water in a stream. Significantly, his experimentation with various forms of steam engine influenced the works of James Watt. He pioneered the use of cast iron in millwork in many projects, including at the Carron Ironworks to the east end of the Forth and Clyde Canal, where he designed a blowing engine for No. 2 furnace and a boring mill, both powered by water-wheels.

3.29 The concept and practice of using horsepower, as the work done by a horse in an eight-hour day (22,000 ft-lb per min.) was introduced by Smeaton in 1765 and was followed up by a 1776 paper detailing experiments to investigate the relationships between power, work done, momentum, and kinetic energy. A further paper published in 1782 described experiments to measure the loss of energy in non-elastic impact and became a classic in its field. These two papers together with his 1759 paper were reprinted at least four times in a book form and twice in French translation. Smeaton also made the first accurate measurements of the flow of water in pipes, before 1780, and explained the relations between head and velocity before those published in 1804 by Riche de Prony. In 1785 he published a paper on the history of precise circular graduation from the time of Tycho Brahe.

Robert Mylne (1733–1811)

3.30 An architect and engineer, Robert Mylne was a descendant of the distinguished family of masons to the Scottish Crown. His career began in 1747 as an apprentice to a carpenter, but in 1754 he decided to join his brother William who had travelled to France for architectural training; they then travelled to Rome, and in 1755 became part of the community of artists associated with young British aristocrats on the grand tour. An important architectural influence in Rome was Piranesi, who encouraged Mylne's interest in ancient water systems, and Mylne also established contact with several future patrons. In 1758 he became the first Briton to win the silver medal at the Concorso Clementino of the Accademia di San Luca, submitting designs for a large public building to house monuments of famous men.

CgMs Ltd © 13 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

3.31 In 1759 Mylne travelled to London, where publicity of his success had preceded him. In the same year he successfully submitted designs for a competition for a new bridge over the Thames at Blackfriars (opened 1769); he was subsequently appointed as surveyor to oversee the construction. This success led to further commissions for both architecture and engineering. In 1760 he provided designs for a concert room at St Cecilia's Hall, Edinburgh and also designed Almack's Club in St James's, London, important alterations to King's Weston, near Bristol, and Cally, in Galloway. He was also consulted on several bridges, and was involved in the design or reconstruction of many others, including those at Newcastle and Glasgow.

3.32 In the later 1760s Mylne was appointed to significant permanent posts, including surveyor to St Paul's Cathedral and assistant surveyor (1767) and surveyor (1771) at the New River Company. Here, he undertook regular inspections and repairs, representing the company's interests in disputes, and oversaw the maintenance and extension of the water supply to London. This appointment led to new opportunities including the building of Wormleybury, Hertfordshire, for Sir Abraham Hume, and new offices for the company in Dorset Street, and he was commissioned by the City of London to design new premises for its lying in hospital. Other work in water engineering included river surveys on the Thames and the Lee, and this was supplemented by a renewed interest in improving waterways towards the end of the 1780s, which led to several engineering commissions.

3.33 In 1767 Mylne was elected a fellow of the Royal Society. He also co-founded the Society of Civil Engineers with John Smeaton and was a founder member of the Architects' Club (1791). He was in regular demand as a representative at Westminster parliamentary committees on specific canal or river navigation proposals, while many of his professional reports on engineering projects were published, the final ten years of Mylne's life were spent mostly as a property and land consultant, including assisting the Duke of Northumberland in disputes over his river in Middlesex, and designing the boathouse by the Thames at Sion. As general surveyor to the Stationers' Company, he oversaw their City properties.

William Chadwell Mylne (1781–1863),

3.34 An engineer and architect, Mylne began his career assisting his father at Eau Brinck Cut, a fens drainage scheme near King's Lynn, and he also worked on the

CgMs Ltd © 14 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

Gloucester and Berkeley Ship Canal. Like his father, he worked for the New River Company as an engineer, being appointed assistant engineer in 1804, succeeding his father as chief engineer in 1811, a position he held until 1861. Works for the company included the conversion of the old wooden mains and service pipes between Charing Cross and Bishopsgate Street into cast iron, and the construction of settling reservoirs at Stoke Newington, designed to improve the water supply for the area north of London. Following the Metropolis Waterworks Act of 1852 Mylne embarked on extensive improvements in the works of the New River Company.

3.35 Mylne undertook other engineering projects concerned with water supply and drainage, especially in the fens, and made improvements in the River Ouse between Littleport and Ely in 1826, in the River Cam in 1829, and in the drainage of the district of Burnt Fen. He designed the Garret Hostel Bridge over the River Cam at Cambridge (1835–7) and in 1827 he unsuccessfully submitted designs for Clifton Bridge, Bristol.

3.36 As an architect and as surveyor to the New River Company, he laid out 50 acres of its property near Islington from 1819 for streets and buildings, including Myddelton Square and other buildings in Clerkenwell, and designed St Mark's Church, Myddelton Square (1826–8). He also designed Harpole rectory, Northamptonshire (1816).

3.37 Mylne was elected fellow of the Astronomical Society in 1821, Fellow of the Royal Society on 16 March 1826, fellow of the Institute of British Architects in 1834, member of the Institution of Civil Engineers on 28 June 1842 (on the council from 1844 to 1848), and was treasurer to the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers for 42 years.

CgMs Ltd © 15 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

4.0 LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE

National Legislative Background

4.1 Legislation protecting buildings and areas of special architectural or historic interest is contained in the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (the Act). Sections 16 and 66 of the Act are of particular relevance. These note that special regard must be given by the decision makers in the planning process to the desirability of preserving a listed building or its setting, or any features of special architectural or historic interest the building possesses.

National Policy and Guidance

4.2 Government guidance on development affecting the historic environment is contained in Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment (2010).

4.3 Policies HE7.5, HE9.5 and HE10 require attention to the extent to which the design of new development contributes positively to the character, distinctiveness and significance of the historic environment. Detailed national guidance on design and the historic environment is available in Building in Context: New Development in Historic Areas (2001).

4.4 PPS 5 is accompanied by the Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide (2010). The Practice Guide confirms that the fabric will always be an important part of the asset's significance. Retention of as much historic fabric as possible is therefore a fundamental part of any good alteration or conversion, together with the use of appropriate materials and methods of repair.

4.5 Paragraph 178 of the Practice Guide states that the main issues to consider in proposals for additions to heritage assets are proportion, height, massing, bulk, materials, use, relationship with adjacent assets, alignment and setting. The Practice Guide also emphasises the importance of the junction between new work and the existing fabric, both for its impact on the significance of the existing asset and the impact on the contribution of its setting. (Para. 180)

4.6 English Heritage's Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment (2008) provides a

CgMs Ltd © 16 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

progressive framework for managing change in the historic environment, referred to as constructive conservation.

Local Policy and Guidance

4.7 The Development Plan for Islington is the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) adopted in 2002. Chapter 12 of the UDP contains a number of policies relating to the design of new development and the Council's approach to works affecting conservation areas and listed buildings.

4.8 The London Borough of Islington is in the process of reviewing the level of supporting information available for conservation areas. At present, the New River Conservation Area has no appraisal or management plan though a set of Design Guidelines are available.

4.9 The Design Guidelines for the New River Conservation Area seek to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the area. Paragraph 2.9 notes that:

"the Engine and Pump House on the New River Head is designated as a local landmark, with important views from Rosebery Avenue, Hardwick Street and Amwell Street. The Council will protect views of this local landmark and new development should not try to compete in terms of height and scale, or block views to it."

4.10 Paragraph 2.10 also outlines the Council's preference for traditional materials for extensions and refurbishment in conservation areas. For new development, the Design Guidelines suggest that materials should be sympathetic to the character of the area, in terms of form, colour and texture.

CgMs Ltd © 17 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

5.0 THE PROPOSALS AND IMPACTS

5.1 The proposals have been developed with an emphasis on retaining the maximum amount of historic fabric for all the buildings, whilst securing the optimum viable use for their future. The scheme works almost exclusively within the existing structures, with the exception of a single storey extension to the South Stores building to create some additional accommodation within the new residential units.

5.2 The works to the Engine House itself, the most significant part of the site, involve only minor alterations to the fabric to provide new office accommodation. Works in this building are limited to the creation of a small opening at first floor level to provide access to WC facilities which would be inserted in the void of the original chimney flue. The provision of WC facilities is considered essential to secure an active economic use for the building, and the location selected is considered the most suitable to preserve the historic plan form of the building. Access to the new office space at first floor would be via the existing cast iron staircase to the west.

5.3 The Boiler House, immediately adjoining the Engine House, would be converted to provide two flats, again working with the fabric of the existing building and using wherever possible the existing openings to provide light, natural ventilation and access into the new residential spaces. The only exception to this would be the creation of two new glazed openings to the south elevation, to provide a means of access to outdoor amenity space. The form of these openings has been led by the position of the existing openings on the south elevation at first floor level and the design of the new extension to the South Stores building.

5.4 New glazed openings in the north elevation of the Boiler House have also been designed around existing openings, and are proposed to be finished in high- quality grey powder-coated metal to create clean contemporary lines that respect the historic industrial use of the site.

5.5 At roof level, the proposals envisage overhauling and refurbishing the existing slate roof, and inserting a small number of conservation rooflights to provide light and ventilation to the first floor flat.

CgMs Ltd © 18 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

5.6 The South Stores building would be retained and extended to the south to provide four residential units. This would involve creating a new basement under part of the existing building, and constructing a single-storey extension to the south in a contemporary architectural form that emphasises the distinction between the historic and new phases of development and alludes to the refurbishment and reuse of the robust industrial buildings to provide modern residential accommodation.

5.7 The new extension would be set away from the historic building by a series of glazed links and open courtyards, which would provide light and ventilation to the basement. The links between old and new would be created through the existing blind arches on the southern elevation, three of which presently contain round headed windows.

5.8 At roof level, the scheme envisages careful removal of the existing slates in order to insulate the roof before reinstating to match existing. Bespoke conservation rooflights would also be created in grey powder-coated metal to provide light and natural ventilation to the mezzanine level.

5.9 The existing lean-to extension at the east end of the South Stores building is in poor condition with evidence of severe cracking, and brickwork which is not tied into the main South Stores. It is proposed to address this by carefully dismantling the building and reconstructing using as much of the original brickwork as possible.

5.10 The North Stores would be converted to provide three new studio apartments, with a small central section of the building remaining in operational use by Thames Water. The level of intervention proposed is again minimal and limited to the works necessary to create viable, habitable dwellings through the insertion of WC and kitchen facilities.

5.11 The scheme also envisages careful refurbishment of the existing slate roof on the North Stores building, and the insertion of a small number of conservation rooflights in grey powder-coated metal to allow light and natural ventilation into the residential units.

CgMs Ltd © 19 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

5.12 In addition to the extensive repair works to the historic buildings, the scheme envisages substantial enhancements to the hard landscaping, including the removal of modern concrete and tarmac finishes. Wherever possible, the historic hard landscaping within the site will be retained and repaired, and where necessary new granite setts will be laid to the original pattern and layout. This work would make a significant positive contribution to the setting of the listed buildings and the New River Conservation Area.

CgMs Ltd © 20 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

6.0 CONCLUSION

6.1 The proposals have been developed to respect the architectural and historic significance of the site, and the New River Head's role in the New River Conservation Area.

6.2 The proposals provide a sustainable new use for the historic buildings and deliver other substantial benefits, including repair works to the historic buildings and the repair and reinstatement of the hard landscaping around the site, which will significantly enhance the setting of the buildings and the wider conservation area.

6.3 We have assessed the proposals against the relevant national and local planning policies concerning design, conservation and development affecting listed buildings and conservation areas and demonstrated that the scheme would secure the optimum use for the historic buildings consistent with the conservation of their fabric and the features of the buildings which contribute to their special architectural and historic interest.

6.4 The new extension to the South Stores is modest in scale and subservient to the historic buildings. At the same time, the extension provides a discreet architectural expression announcing the refurbishment and reuse of the industrial buildings for contemporary residential accommodation. The landmark building, the Engine House, would continue to dominate the site and views through and within the New River Conservation Area.

6.5 We believe the proposals represent a successful scheme - which would achieve an active use to a design that takes advantage of the heritage assets' significance. We believe this approach fully accords with all relevant national and local policy concerning design and development in the historic environment.

CgMs Ltd © 21 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

Report written by: Jody M O’Reilly

Report reviewed by: Edward Kitchen

Date: August 2010

CgMs Ltd © 22 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

SOURCES CONSULTED

Islington Local History Centre

New River Company, 1902, Plans and descriptive statement of works of the New River Company Archive catalogues Printed collection Photographic collection

London Metropolitan Archives (LMA)

The archives of the former New River Company and Metropolitan Water Board, being the predecessors of Thames Water are held at the LMA; archives from the New River Company Collection contain NR, those from the Metropolitan Water Board contain MW. Photographs from the general LMA photograph collection are preceded by SC/PHL.

ACC/2558/MW/C/14 Photographs registry 1938-1971 ACC/2558/MW/C/15 Items abstracted from the archives of the Metropolitan Water Board and its predecessors for exhibition purposes /68/01 engine /68/06 Estimate for a new fire engine /68/05 Recommendation for replacement of fire engine, 1793 ACC/2558/MW/C/29/004 New River Head, Rosebery Avenue: survey, 1958 ACC/2558/MW/C/35 Photographs and prints, Metropolitan Water Board 1726- 1947 ACC/2558/MW/C/36 Photographs and prints, 1835-1972 ACC/2558/MW/C/46/026 New River Head, METROPOLITAN WATER BOARD: CLERK'S DEPARTMENT, Papers of G.C. Berry, 1904-1959 ACC/2558/MW/CE/01/128/001 New River Head 1956-1971 ACC/2558/NR/01 Minutes of weekly meetings and General Courts of governors 1769- 1904 ACC/2558/NR/03 [Selected material from] Correspondence files of the New River Company, including Secretary's letter books; letter books of staff members including engineers, supervisors and surveyors; general letter books and estate letter books 1770-1913

CgMs Ltd © 23 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

ACC/2558/NR/14/068 Drawing of pipe connections to pumping machinery at New River Head, 1902 LMA/4471/D/04/010 Thames Water Board, 199-, The History of New River Head SC/PHL/02/494 Photographs, New River Head, Metropolitan Water Board, 1973

British Library

Crace Map Collection, An actual SURVEY, of the New River head, near Islington, 1753

Internet

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online URL: http://www.oxforddnb.com/ [Accessed 13/05/2010]: B. Porter (rev. Anne Pimlott Baker), ‘William Chadwell Mylne’ W. Skempton, John Smeaton’ R. Woodley, ‘Robert Mylne’

Bibliography

Cherry, B. and Pevsner, 2002, London 4: North London and New Haven: Yale University Press. (It is worth pointing out that this volume was of limited use on this occasion, incorrectly referring to Robert Mylne as Myle and refers to only one enlargement phase, of c.1790.) Cosh, M., 2001, (3rd ed.), An historical walk along The New River London: Islington Archaeological and Historical Society Survey of London, 2008, Northern Clerkenwell and Pentonville Vol. 47 Yale University Press Ward, R., 2003, London’s New River London: Historical Publications

Sources consulted, not used

English Heritage, London Division

The list description for the engine house references an EH historian file, dating to 1990. This has been superseded by subsequent research by Survey of London.

ILSL

Sample material viewed from Metropolitan Water Board Collection:

CgMs Ltd © 24 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

First Annual Report of Metropolitan Water Board for year ending 31 March 1904 Second Annual Report of Metropolitan Water Board for year ending 31 March 1905 Metropolitan Water Board Minutes of Proceedings 1905

LMA

ACC/2558/MW/CE/10/1-49 [Sample viewed] New River District letterbooks, etc, 1734-1918 ACC/2558/MW/CE/10/108 Engineers’ Reports, 1904-1905 ACC/2558/MW/CE/10/128 Engine houses and shafts, service reservoirs and cottages 1889 -1908 ACC/2558/MW/CE/10/131 Index to subject files n.d. ACC/2558/MW/C/13 Signed plans 1869-1972 ACC/2558/MW/C/43/073 Smeaton's Engine of 1767 at New River Head, 1939 not produced when requested- enquiry form submitted to LMA] ACC/2558/MW/C/46/045 Papers of G.C. Berry, Notes on pumping engines at New River Head, 1964-1967 ACC/2558/NR/13/193 Reports, correspondence and papers, 1831-59 ACC/2558/NR/13/196 Reports, plans and papers 1853-1908 ACC/2558/NR/13/197 Reports, correspondence and papers 1861-6 ACC/2558/NR/13/199 Request for a report and report on Works of 1860 ACC/2558/NR/13/202/1-14 Annual reports on repairs to Engines for 1882-1888 and annual reports on repairs to Engines 1883-1902 ACC/2558/NR/13/203 Register of repairs to engines, 1888-1905

The Royal Society Library and Archive

The collection at the Royal Society contains Smeaton’s original plans for the engine house and engine: SMEATON/VOLUME THREE/Folio 10vs and 11, design for the building for the fire engine at New River Head, end and side elevations and plan [1767]. However, the library and archive is undergoing refurbishment and is not expected to reopen to the public until July 2010. No enquiry or research service is provided in the interim.

CgMs Ltd © 25 JO/DM/11841 Draft Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

APPENDICES

CgMs Ltd © 26 JO/DM/11841 Draft ce Licence No: AL 100014723

onery Offi

ler of HM Stati

on of the control

th the sancti

Project title: London

ey maps reproduced wi Site Rear of 28 Amwell Street, London Cheltenham Kettering Not to scale Newark Illustrative only Birmingham Date printed: Drawn by: LW www.cgms.co.uk Aug 03, 2010 Checked by: EK Planning & Development Archaeology & Historic Buildings

© Ordnance Surv Appendix 1: List Descriptions and Conservation Area Map ce Licence No: AL 100014723

onery Offi

ler of HM Stati

on of the control

th the sancti

Project title: London

ey maps reproduced wi Site Rear of 28 Amwell Street, London Cheltenham Kettering Not to scale Newark Illustrative only Birmingham Date printed: Drawn by: LW www.cgms.co.uk Aug 03, 2010 Checked by: EK Planning & Development Archaeology & Historic Buildings

© Ordnance Surv Appendix 1: List Descriptions and Conservation Area Map ce Licence No: AL 100014723

onery Offi

ler of HM Stati

on of the control

th the sancti

Project title: London

ey maps reproduced wi Site Rear of 28 Amwell Street, London Cheltenham Kettering Not to scale Newark Illustrative only Birmingham Date printed: Drawn by: LW www.cgms.co.uk Aug 03, 2010 Checked by: EK Planning & Development Archaeology & Historic Buildings

© Ordnance Surv Appendix 1: List Descriptions and Conservation Area Map Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

FIGURES

CgMs Ltd © JO/DM/11841 G:\Project Graphics\Active Jobs\11000-11999\11841 - Amwell Street\Figures\Historic Buildings Figures\Mapping\Corel

N

Enfield

Barnet

Harrow NORWICH Haringey Waltham BIRMINGHAM Forest Redbridge Havering Hillingdon Camden Islington Brent Hackney Barking & Newham Dagenham Towe r Ealing 3 4 Hamlets

2 Southwark Greenwich

Hounslow Lambeth Bexley OXFORD Richmond Wandsworth upon Lewisham Thames

LONDON Merton Kingston upon Thames Bromley Croydon Sutton

1 Hammersmith & Fulham 2 Kensington & Chelsea 3 City of Westminster Inner London boroughs 4 City of London Outer London boroughs

London Project title: Cheltenham Site Rear of 28 Amwell Street, London Kettering Site Location Newark Not to scale: Birmingham Illustrative only www.cgms.co.uk Date printed: Drawn by: LW Planning & Development Archaeology & Historic Buildings Aug 03, 2010 Checked by: EK

© Ordnance Survey maps reproduced with the sanction of the controller of HM Stationery Office Licence No: AL 100014723 Figure 1: Site Location ˆ1TFPCPEG5WTXG[OCRUTGRTQFWEGFYKVJVJGUCPEVKQPQHVJGEQPVTQNNGTQH*/5VCVKQPGT[1HHKEG.KEGPEG0Q#. G:\Project Graphics\ActiveJobs\11000-11999\11841-AmwellStreet\Figures\HistoricBuildingsFigures\Mapping\CAD\01current\*Fig2-13.dwg(Fig2)** Aug03,2010 Date printed: Project title: Site Rearof28AmwellStreet,London Additional information: Figure 2:1682Morgan Not toScale:IllustrativeOnly Archaeology &HistoricBuildings Planning &Development

N Site Location Drawn by:LW Checked by:EK Birmingham Newark Kettering London Cheltenham www.cgms.co.uk ˆ1TFPCPEG5WTXG[OCRUTGRTQFWEGFYKVJVJGUCPEVKQPQHVJGEQPVTQNNGTQH*/5VCVKQPGT[1HHKEG.KEGPEG0Q#. G:\Project Graphics\ActiveJobs\11000-11999\11841-AmwellStreet\Figures\HistoricBuildingsFigures\Mapping\CAD\01current\*Fig2-13.dwg(Fig3)** Figure 3:1746John Rocque Aug03,2010 Date printed: Project title: Site Rearof28AmwellStreet,London Additional information: Not toScale:IllustrativeOnly Archaeology &HistoricBuildings Planning &Development

Site Location N Drawn by:LW Checked by:EK Birmingham Newark Kettering London Cheltenham www.cgms.co.uk ˆ1TFPCPEG5WTXG[OCRUTGRTQFWEGFYKVJVJGUCPEVKQPQHVJGEQPVTQNNGTQH*/5VCVKQPGT[1HHKEG.KEGPEG0Q#. G:\Project Graphics\ActiveJobs\11000-11999\11841-AmwellStreet\Figures\HistoricBuildingsFigures\Mapping\CAD\01current\*Fig2-13.dwg(Fig4)** Figure 4:1747John Rocque Aug03,2010 Date printed: Project title: Site Rearof28AmwellStreet,London Additional information: Not toScale:IllustrativeOnly Archaeology &HistoricBuildings Planning &Development

Site Location N Drawn by:LW Checked by:EK Birmingham Newark Kettering London Cheltenham www.cgms.co.uk ˆ1TFPCPEG5WTXG[OCRUTGRTQFWEGFYKVJVJGUCPEVKQPQHVJGEQPVTQNNGTQH*/5VCVKQPGT[1HHKEG.KEGPEG0Q#. G:\Project Graphics\ActiveJobs\11000-11999\11841-AmwellStreet\Figures\HistoricBuildingsFigures\Mapping\CAD\01current\*Fig2-13.dwg(Fig5)** Site Location

Figure 5: N An actual survey ofthe New River Head nearIslington Aug03,2010 Date printed: Project title: Site Rearof28AmwellStreet,London Not toScale:IllustrativeOnly Drawn by:LW Checked by:EK Archaeology &HistoricBuildings Planning &Development Birmingham Newark Kettering London Cheltenham www.cgms.co.uk ˆ1TFPCPEG5WTXG[OCRUTGRTQFWEGFYKVJVJGUCPEVKQPQHVJGEQPVTQNNGTQH*/5VCVKQPGT[1HHKEG.KEGPEG0Q#. G:\Project Graphics\ActiveJobs\11000-11999\11841-AmwellStreet\Figures\HistoricBuildingsFigures\Mapping\CAD\01current\*Fig2-13.dwg(Fig6)** Figure 6:1799-1819 RichardHorwood Aug03,2010 Date printed: Project title: Site Rearof28AmwellStreet,London Additional information: Not toScale:IllustrativeOnly Archaeology &HistoricBuildings Planning &Development

Site Boundary N Drawn by:LW Checked by:EK Birmingham Newark Kettering London Cheltenham www.cgms.co.uk ˆ1TFPCPEG5WTXG[OCRUTGRTQFWEGFYKVJVJGUCPEVKQPQHVJGEQPVTQNNGTQH*/5VCVKQPGT[1HHKEG.KEGPEG0Q#. G:\Project Graphics\ActiveJobs\11000-11999\11841-AmwellStreet\Figures\HistoricBuildingsFigures\Mapping\CAD\01current\*Fig2-13.dwg(Fig7)** Figure 7:1827Greenwood Aug03,2010 Date printed: Project title: Site Rearof28AmwellStreet,London Additional information: Not toScale:IllustrativeOnly Archaeology &HistoricBuildings Planning &Development

Site Boundary N Drawn by:LW Checked by:EK Birmingham Newark Kettering London Cheltenham www.cgms.co.uk ˆ1TFPCPEG5WTXG[OCRUTGRTQFWEGFYKVJVJGUCPEVKQPQHVJGEQPVTQNNGTQH*/5VCVKQPGT[1HHKEG.KEGPEG0Q#. G:\Project Graphics\ActiveJobs\11000-11999\11841-AmwellStreet\Figures\HistoricBuildingsFigures\Mapping\CAD\01current\*Fig2-13.dwg(Fig8)** Figure 8:1874Ordnance Survey Aug03,2010 Date printed: Project title: Site Rearof28AmwellStreet,London Additional information: Not toScale:IllustrativeOnly Archaeology &HistoricBuildings Planning &Development

Site Boundary N Drawn by:LW Checked by:EK Birmingham Newark Kettering London Cheltenham www.cgms.co.uk ˆ1TFPCPEG5WTXG[OCRUTGRTQFWEGFYKVJVJGUCPEVKQPQHVJGEQPVTQNNGTQH*/5VCVKQPGT[1HHKEG.KEGPEG0Q#. G:\Project Graphics\ActiveJobs\11000-11999\11841-AmwellStreet\Figures\HistoricBuildingsFigures\Mapping\CAD\01current\*Fig2-13.dwg(Fig9)** Figure 9:1896Ordnance Survey Aug03,2010 Date printed: Project title: Site Rearof28AmwellStreet,London Additional information: Not toScale:IllustrativeOnly Archaeology &HistoricBuildings Planning &Development

Site Boundary N Drawn by:LW Checked by:EK Birmingham Newark Kettering London Cheltenham www.cgms.co.uk ˆ1TFPCPEG5WTXG[OCRUTGRTQFWEGFYKVJVJGUCPEVKQPQHVJGEQPVTQNNGTQH*/5VCVKQPGT[1HHKEG.KEGPEG0Q#. G:\Project Graphics\ActiveJobs\11000-11999\11841-AmwellStreet\Figures\HistoricBuildingsFigures\Mapping\CAD\01current\*Fig2-13.dwg(Fig10)** Figure 10:1938Ordnance Survey Aug03,2010 Date printed: Project title: Site Rearof28AmwellStreet,London Additional information: Not toScale:IllustrativeOnly Archaeology &HistoricBuildings Planning &Development

Site Boundary N Drawn by:LW Checked by:EK Birmingham Newark Kettering London Cheltenham www.cgms.co.uk ˆ1TFPCPEG5WTXG[OCRUTGRTQFWEGFYKVJVJGUCPEVKQPQHVJGEQPVTQNNGTQH*/5VCVKQPGT[1HHKEG.KEGPEG0Q#. G:\Project Graphics\ActiveJobs\11000-11999\11841-AmwellStreet\Figures\HistoricBuildingsFigures\Mapping\CAD\01current\*Fig2-13.dwg(Fig11)** Figure 11:1953Ordnance Survey Aug03,2010 Date printed: Project title: Site Rearof28AmwellStreet,London Additional information: Not toScale:IllustrativeOnly Archaeology &HistoricBuildings Planning &Development

Site Boundary N Drawn by:LW Checked by:EK Birmingham Newark Kettering London Cheltenham www.cgms.co.uk ˆ1TFPCPEG5WTXG[OCRUTGRTQFWEGFYKVJVJGUCPEVKQPQHVJGEQPVTQNNGTQH*/5VCVKQPGT[1HHKEG.KEGPEG0Q#. G:\Project Graphics\ActiveJobs\11000-11999\11841-AmwellStreet\Figures\HistoricBuildingsFigures\Mapping\CAD\01current\*Fig2-13.dwg(Fig12)** Figure 12:1971Ordnance Survey Aug03,2010 Date printed: Project title: Site Rearof28AmwellStreet,London Additional information: Not toScale:IllustrativeOnly Archaeology &HistoricBuildings Planning &Development

Site Boundary N Drawn by:LW Checked by:EK Birmingham Newark Kettering London Cheltenham www.cgms.co.uk ˆ1TFPCPEG5WTXG[OCRUTGRTQFWEGFYKVJVJGUCPEVKQPQHVJGEQPVTQNNGTQH*/5VCVKQPGT[1HHKEG.KEGPEG0Q#. G:\Project Graphics\ActiveJobs\11000-11999\11841-AmwellStreet\Figures\HistoricBuildingsFigures\Mapping\CAD\01current\*Fig2-13.dwg(Fig13)** Figure 13:1976Ordnance Survey Aug03,2010 Date printed: Project title: Site Rearof28AmwellStreet,London Additional information: Not toScale:IllustrativeOnly Archaeology &HistoricBuildings Planning &Development

Site Boundary N Drawn by:LW Checked by:EK Birmingham Newark Kettering London Cheltenham www.cgms.co.uk Heritage Supporting Statement R/O 28 Amwell Street, Islington Turnhold (Islington) Limited

PLATES

CgMs Ltd © JO/DM/11841 © CgMs G:\Project Graphics\Active Jobs\11000-11999\11841 - Amwell Street\Plates\Historic Buildings Plates

Plate 1: South elevation of Engine House and attached Boiler House

Plate 2: South Elevation of Boiler House to the west © CgMs G:\Project Graphics\Active Jobs\11000-11999\11841 - Amwell Street\Plates\Historic Buildings Plates

Plate 3: South elevation of South Stores building

` Plate 4: Remains of former Windmill © CgMs G:\Project Graphics\Active Jobs\11000-11999\11841 - Amwell Street\Plates\Historic Buildings Plates

Plate 5: Detail of granite setts with inlaid rails

Plate 6: View into the site from the east © CgMs G:\Project Graphics\Active Jobs\11000-11999\11841 - Amwell Street\Plates\Historic Buildings Plates

Plate 7: North elevation of the Boiler House

Plate 8: West elevation of the North Stores © CgMs G:\Project Graphics\Active Jobs\11000-11999\11841 - Amwell Street\Plates\Historic Buildings Plates

Plate 9: South elevation of the North Stores

Plate 10: West elevation of the Engine House and attached Boiler House