Middleton-By-Wirksworth

Middleton-by-Wirksworth Conservation Area Appraisal September 2009 MIDDLETON-BY-WIRKSWORTH CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL page 1. Introduction 1 2. Summary of Special Interest 1 3. Context 3 • Location • Economic context • Statutory designations • Geology • Plan form 4. Origins & Historic Development of the Area 5 5. Archaeology 16 6. Architectural and Historic Quality 18 • Prevalent & traditional building materials & details • Building types 7. Landscape Setting & Green Spaces 28 8. Spatial Analysis 39 • Significant views and landmarks • Open spaces 9. Character Areas 44 10. Negative Factors 58 11. General Condition of the Area 61 12. Problems, Pressures and Capacity for change 62 13. Planning Policy Context 64 14. Conservation Area Boundary Review 74 15. Useful Information 78 Sections 1-6, 8-12 & 14 prepared by Mel Morris Appendix 1 Statutory Designations Conservation (Listed Buildings & Scheduled Monuments) All photographs within these sections have been taken by Mel Morris Conservation © i MIDDLETON-BY-WIRKSWORTH CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL List of Figures Fig. 1 Aerial Photograph Fig. 2 Identification of Character Areas Fig. 3 Statutory Designations Fig. 4 1843 Tithe map of Middleton-by-Wirksworth Reproduced by permission of Derbyshire Record Office Fig. 5 1880 Ordnance Survey map extract Fig. 6 Building Chronology Fig. 7 Historic Landscape Fig. 8 Planning Designations Fig. 9 Trees and Woodlands Fig. 10 Spatial Analysis Fig. 11 Boundary Review—As proposed June 2009 Fig. 12 Boundary—As Approved September 2009 ii MIDDLETON-BY-WIRKSWORTH CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL List of Illustrations & Acknowledgements Plate 1. Geological Map of Middleton (Special Sheet, Matlock) Reproduced by permission of the BGS © NERC All rights reserved. IPR/ 107-27CT Plate 2. Extract from Sanderson’s map “Twenty Miles round Mansfield” 1835 (by kind permission of the Local Studies Library, Derbyshire County Council) Plate 3. 1835 Enclosure map Reproduced by permission of Derbyshire Record Office Plate 4. The Town Basin, The Green - late 19th century (reproduced by kind permission of Tony Holmes) Plate 5. Extract from the 1922 Ordnance Survey map showing former quarries & lead mines Plate 6. Colour drawing of the Cromford & High Peak Railway, from the Tithe map 1843 Plate 7. A group of steam railway enthusiasts meet at Middleton Top, before it became a cycleway, circa 1970 (reproduced by kind permission of Tony Holmes) Plate 8. Postcard by Raphael Tuck of the Hopton Wood Stone Firms at Middleton, circa 1910 (reproduced by kind permission of Tony Holmes) Plate 9. Killer Brothers advertising leaflet (late C19) Plate 10. H S Flint postcard of Middleton Quarry with the Preston shed in the distance, circa 1930 (reproduced by kind permission of Tony Holmes) Plate 11. The Hillside at Middleton, circa 1880, as seen from Duke Street (reproduced by kind permission of Tony Holmes) Plate 12. Extract from 1922 Ordnance Survey map showing the extent of demolition Plate 13. Middleton Mine in the 1980s (reproduced by kind permission of Tony Holmes) Plate 14. Main Street, Middleton (ca. 1890) (reproduced by kind permission of Tony Holmes) Plate 15. Main Street Middleton & Post Office, early C20 (reproduced by kind permission of Tony Holmes) Plate 16. Middleton Stone Masons Yard (reproduced by kind permission of Tony Holmes) iii MIDDLETON-BY-WIRKSWORTH CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL List of Illustrations & Acknowledgements Plate 17. The Green & Basin, ca 1890 (reproduced by kind permission of Tony Holmes) Plate 18. Rise End, ca 1880 (reproduced by kind permission of Tony Holmes) Plate 19. Rise End, ca 1910 (reproduced by kind permission of Tony Holmes) iv MIDDLETONMIDDLETON BYBY WIRKSWORTHWIRKSWORTH ININ THETHE DERBYSHIREDERBYSHIRE DALESDALES FIG1FIG1 %%% ThisThisThis mapmapmap isisis reproducedreproducedreproduced fromfromfrom OrdnanceOrdnanceOrdnance SurveySurveySurvey materialmaterialmaterial withwithwith thethethe permissionpermissionpermission ofofof OrdnanceOrdnanceOrdnance SurveySurveySurvey ononon behalfbehalfbehalf ofofof thethethe ControllerControllerController ofofof HerHerHer Majesty'sMajesty'sMajesty's StationeryStationeryStationery OfficeOfficeOffice (c)(c)(c) CrownCrownCrown Copyright.Copyright.Copyright. UnauthorisedUnauthorised reproductionreproduction infringesinfringes CrownCrown CopyrightCopyright andand maymay leadlead toto prosecutionprosecution oror civilcivil proceedings.proceedings. (100019785)(100019785) 20092009 1. INTRODUCTION 2. SUMMARY OF SPECIAL INTEREST The Purpose of a Conservation Area Character The Middleton-by-Wirksworth Conservation Appraisal Area A conservation area is an area of special architectural or The conservation area has a few key historic interest the character or appearance of which it is characteristics: desirable to preserve or enhance. A conservation area is designated under section 69 of the Planning (Listed • Its high, upland location provides panoramic Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. The views over a wide area Council is obliged by section 71 of the same Act to formulate and publish proposals for the • The villages are tied to the upland landscape preservation and enhancement of any parts of their and geology through the predominant use of area, which are conservation areas. rubble limestone boundary walls and the presence of quarries both within and The contents of this Conservation Area Appraisal immediately beyond the conservation area are intended both as a guide for owners and occupiers of buildings within the conservation areas • Development is dense, built largely alongside and as a guide for the local planning authority. The the road frontage and running at 90 degrees contents are a material consideration when to the road determining applications for development, dealing with appeals or proposing works for the • The place has a gritty, working character, preservation or enhancement of the area. mainly comprising first homes, with thriving community groups and many successive This appraisal document defines and records the generations of the same families living in the special architectural and historic interest of the area, leading to strong associations with the conservation area & identifies opportunities for place and vivid memories of its past enhancement. The appraisal follows the model set out in English Heritage guidance (Guidance on • It is dominated by a mixture of Conservation Area Appraisals 2006). carboniferous limestone and rendered cottages & Staffordshire blue clay tiled roofs The appraisal considers the wider setting, beyond the conservation area boundary, by first looking at The area is split into three areas of different the historic development of the settlement and its character (see Figure 2). Their special interest is immediate environs, to establish how it has summarised as follows: changed over time. A review of the conservation area and its boundary, therefore, is based on an Area 1 – Main Street in Middleton-by- understanding of the wider historic and Wirksworth & its connected streets archaeological context. Middleton is dominated by its rugged landscape setting, perched high above the town of Wirksworth on the edge of the limestone plateau and at the foot of Middleton Moor. There are panoramic views from high level over rooftops, to the countryside beyond, with its distant hills and high horizons. The main natural and built landmarks to the north, south & east are all visible at key points from the conservation area. The main landmarks are Riber Castle, Matlock Moor, Cromford Moor, Black Rock, Wirksworth Moor & Alport Heights. The village has some undulation, as the Main Street follows a shallow valley downhill. The varied topography leads to dynamic views from within the conservation area. The quarries which have shaped its 19th and 20th century form have a dramatic presence within the village, dominating a number of views and the 1 industrial infrastructure of the immediate area. century town houses, several of which follow the contours of the land and overlook both of the main The village has a medieval core, which has formed roads. These, and a number of two-storey 18th the main influence over its built appearance. Its key century cottages, were added to and adapted, characteristics include: piecemeal, during the 19th century to become, in some cases, long terraced rows. • a long, linear main street and a very densely built up settlement. The main junction and Area 3 - The High Peak Trail and the quarries focus of activity is at the north end of the & lead mines in its vicinity settlement, around the village green The southern part of the conservation area is dominated by its industrial archaeological history, • glimpses between buildings of development much of which is of national significance. Here at the back of street frontages, which there is a strong sense of the industrial history, with illustrate its close-knit pattern of scattered remains of old industries; old quarry development workings & faces, limekilns, spoil heaps from lead mines, ruinous buildings from lead mining & • an urban character, with very few gardens, quarrying, bridges and old machinery. trees or shrubs between the houses. These are reserved mainly, with a few exceptions, The Cromford & High Peak Railway, of which the for the outlying, more rural areas, such as principal landmark is Middleton Top Engine Water Lane and Hillside House, has a significant presence within the southern area, creating a linear recreational route & • gable frontages of houses or former barns, a wildlife corridor.

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