Land at Luther's Farm, Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement

Land at Luther’s Farm, Sewardstone, Essex

Heritage Statement

Land at Luther’s Farm, Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement

Clients: Dr K. Misra

Report no.: BSA 1829_1a

Author: Ben Stephenson

th Date: 15 August 2018

Version: Final

E: [email protected] T: 01235 536754 Web:www.bsaheritage.co.uk 7 Spring Gardens, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 1AZ. This report, all illustrations and other associated material remains the property of BSA Heritage until paid for in full. Copyright and intellectual property rights remain with BSA Heritage.

Contents

Section 1: Introduction and Methodology ...... 1 Section 2: Policy Context ...... 2 Section 3: Identified Heritage ...... 5 Section 4: Documentary Sources ...... 7 Section 5: Appraisal of Site and Environs ...... 9 Section 6: Impact of Proposals ...... 10 Section 7: References and Sources ...... 12 ......

Appendix

Essex Historic Environment Record Gazetteer

Plates

Plate 1: Plate 1: Luthers, looking west across Sewardstone Road

Plate 2: Map of 1754 showing old Luthers Farm buildings

Plate 3: First edition Ordnance Survey map extract

Plate 4: 1930s’ Ordnance Survey map extract

Plate 5: Access to site, looking east

Plate 6: Bungalow south of access

Plate 7: Luthers’ north west boundary wall on edge of site

Plate 8: Derelict stable block, looking south west

Plate 9: Southern end of structure

Plate 10: Remains of wooden structure on site

Plate 11: View east towards Luthers from site

Plate 12: Setting of Luthers in north east of site

Figures

Figure 1: Identified Heritage

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 15th August 2018 Section 1: Introduction and Methodology

1.1. This heritage assessment has been prepared by BSA Heritage Limited on behalf of Dr K. Misra to inform a planning decision for land at Luther’s Farm, Sewardstone, Essex for residential and related development including access, drainage and landscaping. The site is located west of Sewardstone Road (A1112), Sewardstone, Essex and lies in Epping Forest District in the south of the county.

1.2. The assessment considers a site centred at NGR TQ 3800 9730 and as shown in Figure 1. The overall site area measures approximately 0.75 hectare. The site includes an access track running west off Sewardstone Road, a bungalow and an area of long grass, trees, hard- standing and scrub which contains a number of derelict structures. Proposals are for six new properties.

1.3. The eastern site boundary is defined by Sewardstone Road, three inter-war terraced properties and the grounds of ‘Luthers’, a large listed house now sub-divided. A disused nursery, including greenhouses lies north of the site, whilst grassland lies west and paddocks to the south of the main site area. The canalised River Lea and George V Reservoir lie approximately 100m west of the site.

1.4. The underlying geology of the site is recorded by the British Geological Survey as London Clay Formation clay, silt and sand. West of the site, superficial deposits of alluvium, including gravel are recorded along the course of the old River Lea. Superficial deposits are not recorded for the site and its immediate environs.

1.5. The site is relatively level and lies at approximately 20m Above Ordnance Datum. The ground surface doe slope down to the west of the site and to circa 15m AOD by the River Lea and George V Reservoir.

1.6. A number of existing sources of information have been consulted to inform this Statement including the Essex Historic Environment Record (HER) which holds records relating to known or suspected archaeological and heritage sites, past investigations and findspots1.

1.7. The HER and Historic England’s online National Heritage List for England, which was also consulted, hold details of designated heritage assets including listed buildings, conservation areas, scheduled monuments and registered landscapes. Epping Forest District Council also holds information on local policy and locally designated heritage assets. This information is summarised in Section 3.

1.8. Section 4 summarises the historical development of the area and was informed by sources consulted at Essex Record Office in Chelmsford, Historic England’s Archive in Swindon and online. A site walkover was completed in July 2018 and findings are summarised in Section 5.

1.9. The above sources have allowed the potential for sub-surface archaeological remains within the site to be assessed. Further work which may be required to support development is outlined. The potential impact of likely proposals on nearby designated heritage assets is also considered in line with relevant legislation, policy and guidance. The policy context is summarised in Section 2 and potential impacts and mitigation in Section 6.

1Findspots record the location of the recovery of archaeological material only, without associated features.

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 1 15th August 2018 Section 2: Policy Context

Legislation

2.1. The 1990 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act, as amended, confirms that in reaching planning decisions the local planning authority should have special regard to preserving listed buildings and their settings and preserving or enhancing the character and appearance in conservation areas (HMSO 1990).

2.2. Listed Building Consent (LBC) is required for any activity which might harm the special architectural or historical significance of a listed building or any ‘curtilage structure’ which dates to before 1948 and had an associated but ancillary role to the main listed building. The Act notes that: ‘In considering whether to grant listed building consent for any works the local planning authority or the Secretary of State shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses’. Provision is made for the grant of consent subject to conditions which might include recording of the surviving fabric.

2.3. A 2014 Court of Appeal ruling in Barnwell Manor Wind Energy Ltd v East Northants District Council, English Heritage and the National Trust made clear that to discharge this responsibility, decision makers must give considerable importance and weight to the desirability of preserving the setting of listed buildings when carrying out the balancing exercise of judging harm against other planning considerations, as required under the National Planning Policy Framework.

National Policy

2.4. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has just been revised, the first updating since it was published in 2012 (DCLG 2012, MHCLG 2018). The policy wording relating to the historic environment remains very similar, albeit that the order of certain paragraphs and numbering has changed.

2.5. Heritage assets are still defined in the NPPF glossary as any designated or undesignated element of the historic environment which is identified as being of such significance that it is a material consideration in the planning process. In determining applications which cause harm to heritage assets directly, or indirectly, through affecting a complementary setting, the NPPF now recommends that ‘great weight’ should be given to their conservation when reaching a planning decision (Paragraph 193).

2.6. The more important the asset, the greater the weight that should be ascribed. As heritage assets are irreplaceable, it is noted that any harm or loss should require clear and convincing justification. It notes that ‘substantial harm’ to or loss of designated heritage assets of the highest significance (Grades I and II*) should be wholly exceptional and exceptional for Grade II listed buildings and Registered parks and gardens (Paragraph 194).

2.7. The latest version of the NPPF notes at Paragraph 200 that local authorities should look for opportunities for development within conservation areas which ‘enhance or better reveal their significance’. A similar approach to the setting of heritage assets is also mooted, with favourable treatment of proposals which preserve those elements which make a positive contribution to the asset or better reveal an asset’s significance.

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 2 15th August 2018 2.8. Paragraph 196 clarifies that, where a development proposal will lead to ‘less than substantial harm’ to the significance of a designated heritage asset, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal, including securing an optimal viable use.

2.9. Paragraph 197 notes that effects on the significance of non-designated heritage assets, which confusingly includes ‘locally listed buildings’, require a balanced judgement weighing the scale of impact on the significance of the heritage asset against the benefits of the proposed development. Where heritage assets are to be lost, Paragraph 199 confirms that an appropriate record of the elements to be lost should be provided and both disseminated and archived by the developer.

2.10. Earlier in the NPPF, the ‘Achieving well designed places’ section notes that development decisions should look for design which is sympathetic to local character and history, including built environment and landscape setting (Paragraph 127).

Local Policy

2.11. The adopted policy is that saved from the 1998 Local Plan for the District (EFDC 2006 & 2018). This includes Policy HC1 relating to archaeology which confirms that development which harms nationally important remains will not be permitted and that an evaluation will be required where there is known or likely archaeological interest. Development may be permitted subject to suitable further investigation of remains ahead of construction.

2.12. Policy HC12: Development Affecting the Setting of Listed Buildings confirms that the Council will not permit development which adversely affects the setting of a listed building.

2.13. Epping Forest also make clear that the evolving Local Plan is also a ‘material consideration’ in reaching planning decisions (EFDC 2017). The latest submission version of the new policy document includes Policy DM7: Heritage Assets. This accords with the NPPF in stating that heritage assets and their settings will be conserved in accordance with their significance.

Guidance

2.14. The Department for Communities and Local Government has produced Planning Practice Guidance which supports the NPPF (DCLG 2014). This includes a section titled Conserving and Enhancing the Historic Environment. More recently, Historic England has produced more detailed guidance on decision making: Managing Significance in Decision-Taking in the Historic Environment (Historic England 2015). Where relevant, this guidance has informed this assessment.

2.15. Historic England has also just released an updated version of its The Setting of Heritage Assets which is designed to guide their own staff, local planning advisors and specialists in determining what forms a setting and how it adds to or detracts from the significance of a heritage asset or assets (Historic England 2017). It also advises on assessing the effect of development proposals and how to avoid or minimise loss of or enhance significance.

2.16. The Guidance confirms that the consideration of setting is a matter of ‘informed judgement’ and sets out five stages involved in robust assessment of setting. The heritage assets which have a setting, whether designated or undesignated, have to be defined through a suitable level of research. However, the Guidance confirms that setting is not a heritage asset or designation in itself.

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 3 15th August 2018

2.17. The Guidance highlights the fundamental basis of current policy; that although setting can cover a large area, not all of it is positive or anything other than neutral in relation to the significance of the heritage assets concerned. It sets out in detail the aspects of setting which may have a bearing on a heritage asset’s significance.

2.18. The Guidance examines assessment of the effects of a development proposal on significant elements of setting and stresses that although visual impacts are at the heart of such effects, other factors including noise, vibration and dust can also harm setting. An understanding of the heritage assets and the significance of their setting at an early stage can influence proposals in order to minimise adverse effects. A proposal may be re-located, better screened or designed to complement an asset’s character.

2.19. Historic England’s Guidance also details enhancement of setting which can stem from development. This is noted to include the removal of a detrimental structure, or revealing a lost historic feature, enhancement or creation of public views and improving public access to and interpretation of an asset and its setting.

2.20. The Guidance sets out a five step approach to considering setting in relation to development proposals. The assets which might be affected have to be identified and then the degree to which their setting enhances their significance or an appreciation of that significance is to be assessed. Steps 3 and 4 require that the harm or benefits of the proposals are considered in relation to setting and that measures to avoid or minimise the harm are sought. A final step is the documenting of the decisions made and post-development monitoring to confirm how accurate the assessment had been.

2.21. Usefully, the new Guidance no longer suggests the assessment of setting be informed by the Heritage Values approach set out by English Heritage in their 2008 Conservation Principles document (English Heritage 2008).

2.22. Given recent Appeal decisions in relation to the effect of development on highly visible assets such as churches, the new Guidance includes specific reference to these and states:

‘Being tall structures, church towers and spires are often widely visible across land- and townscapes but, where development does not impact on the significance of heritage assets visible in a wider setting or where not allowing significance to be appreciated, they are unlikely to be affected by small-scale development, unless that development competes with them, as tower blocks and wind turbines may. Even then, such an impact is more likely to be on the landscape values of the tower or spire rather than the heritage values, unless the development impacts on its significance, for instance by impacting on a designed or associative view.’

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 4 15th August 2018 Section 3: Previously Identified Heritage

Designated Heritage

3.1. This section details the known designated heritage and past archaeological finds and identified sites within and closest to the proposed development area. The section has been informed by information provided by the Essex Historic Environment Record (HER) and also available via Historic England’s online National Heritage List for England. A study area of a kilometre’s radius centred on the site has been considered.

3.2. No scheduled monuments, conservation areas nor registered landscapes lie within the study area or close enough to be affected by the proposals. The only designated heritage assets within the study area are a range of residential listed buildings, often formerly farmhouses.

3.3. The closest listed building to the site is the ‘L’ shaped ‘Luthers’ which is thought to date from the early 19th century, but to have incorporated earlier elements (Figure 1, Plate 1, HER 34157). Unusually for a post-medieval domestic structure, Luthers is Grade II* listed.

3.4. The NHLE citation notes that it is ‘substantially 19th century’ and of two storeys in colourwashed brick with a Welsh slate roof and Doric porch. It is noted that ‘it incorporates earlier house on a lower site, now built up’ and ‘said to retain some timber framework from an earlier house on this site’. Although the house appears to have been accessed when listed, no further evidence for earlier origins is recorded.

3.5. Although a second listed building is recorded 300m south of the site, this is noted by the HER to have been lost, presumably demolished (Figure 1, HER 34156). This was the Grade II listed Sewardstone Lodge and the NHLE still records it as in place. The citation notes that it dates to circa 1800 and is of two storeys with 19th century extensions in park like grounds. The house itself is recorded as roughcast with a hipped tile roof and an ironwork verandah.

3.6. The next closest listed buildings to the north of the site lie almost a kilometre distant and include a group of Grade II listed structures associated with the George V Reservoir and also Netherhouse Farm farmhouse east of Sewardstone Road.

3.7. Nearly a kilometre south east of the site lie Grade II listed structures in Gilwell Park, now home to the Scout Association, and at Carroll’s Farm. The HER also records Gilwell Park itself, but it is not Registered. ‘Gilwellbury’ within Gilwell Park is possibly the site of a lost medieval settlement. Although the Council maintain a list of Local Heritage Assets, the closest of these to the site is Sewardstone Hall, more than a kilometre to the north (EFDC n.d.).

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 5 15th August 2018 Other HER Records

3.8. There are relatively few HER entries for the study area. Most of these relate to post-medieval buildings, the locations of likely bomb craters and other elements which do not have a bearing on the archaeological potential of the site and would certainly not be affected by the proposals. The records confirm that Sewardstone was settled in the medieval period, but that the centres of activity lay away from the site itself.

3.9. Two prehistoric records suggest activity in the study area from this period, although both HER records are poorly located. HER 3456 records the find of a quartzite pebble macehead from the River Lea, whilst HER 47279 records the find of a dug-out canoe, made from a single trunk and preserved in water-logged deposits (Figure 1). Such artefacts are usually prehistoric in date, but this example has been radiocarbon dated and this indicated it was actually late Saxon.

3.10. Better located, and circa 300m north of the site, is HER 3463 which records the results of archaeological excavations at Northfield Nursery in the 1970s. This work recorded a number of shallow pits and gullies lying close to the River Lea and associated Roman pottery and a single coin of Constantius. It was inferred that a Roman ‘villa’ lay nearby.

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 6 15th August 2018 Section 4: Documentary Sources

Historic Maps

4.1. Essex Record Office and the Historic England Archive were visited and relevant documents were consulted. These, and online sources including historic Ordnance Survey mapping allow the history of the site and its environs to be understood to a certain degree, but definitive site specific information can be sparse.

4.2. The 1777 Chapman and Andre map of Essex shows Sewardstone Road and what is likely to be Luthers west of it. At this time, a mill lay south west of the site on the then circuitous River Lea. Unusually, there is a much more detailed map of the site contained in a book of maps of Sewardstone by John Dodson dating to 1754 (Plate 2).

4.3. Given considerable change, it took some time to orientate the map, but in the middle of the 18th century, the site would have lain in what were then ‘Barn Field’ by Sewardstone Road and ‘Fishers Croft’ to its west. An east west track is likely to have run along what is now the site’s southern boundary between the old River Lea and Sewardstone Road. The manor was owned by a Sir William Sotheby at the time and he commissioned Dodson’s survey, but the land and buildings were tenanted by a Mary Remmington.

4.4. Most noteworthy on the 1754 map is that ‘Luthers’ had three roughly equally sized buildings which do not have the ‘L’ shape plan which is now in place. That to the south looks to be the main house, close to and facing onto the road. Two buildings to the north are likely to be farm buildings and may have extended into the site and the area where three terraced houses now lie. An orchard or garden lies west of this group in a similar location to that there now.

4.5. The next earliest detailed map is the 1842 Tithe map. This shows (faintly) a rearranged layout for the site and environs. The ‘L’ shaped Luthers is marked, with a seemingly realigned area of garden to its west. On the western edge of the garden is a north south aligned structure (Plate 3). The access to the main house was to the south, with the surviving porch marked.

4.6. The site all lay within a single parcel of land which is recorded as ‘The H’ and as meadow owned and occupied by a Charles Preston. Unfortunately, the owner of Luthers and its grounds is not detailed in the Tithe map apportionment. It is also not clear if a new arrangement of buildings east of Sewardstone Road and later marked ‘Luthers Farm’ was associated with Luthers’ occupier.

4.7. The first edition Ordnance Survey (OS) map of circa 1870 shows a very similar situation to the Tithe map for the site and its environs (Plate 3). Luthers is named for the first time, as is ‘Luthers Farm’ to the north east. It is clear that a subsidiary access had been added to the north of Luthers which would pass through the site. This map also makes clear that the grounds of the main house were well timbered and that part of the structure on the western edge of the grounds is that lying within the site (Figure 1, Building 1). It is likely that this structure related to the grounds, with stabling in the north south wing of the main building. A walled garden lay west of this range.

4.8. No substantive change is evident on the late 19th century OS map for the site, although it shows less detail than the first edition. The earliest 20th century map dates to a 1915 survey and shows much the same arrangement too. However, the structure within the site had been extended westwards. Luthers itself had been extended northwards and would have edged into the site close to where a bungalow now lies (Figure 1, Building 2).

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 7 15th August 2018

4.9. The George V Reservoir had been built to the west, radically changing the landscape in that direction. It may have been the catalyst too for extensive greenhouses to either side of Sewardstone Road north of the site, although Luthers Farm had far fewer buildings by this time. Luthers is marked as ‘Loch Hourn Lodge’. The 1935 map shows a similar situation, but the western part of the site contained three new structures and also further field sub-divisions. Luthers had lost its Caledonian nomenclature and reverted to the older name (Plate 4).

Aerial Photographs

4.10. A search with Historic England allowed more than a hundred vertical and oblique images to be viewed which ranged in date from 1946 to 2003, with some from every decade in between. However, these images tended to concentrate on the Royal Ordnance factory site to the north west and reservoir to the west. The greenhouses of nurseries dominate the landscape to either side of Sewardstone Road.

4.11. Nothing of archaeological interest was apparent on any of the images viewed within or close to the site. The site contained a mix of vegetation, buildings and pasture as evident on the 1930s’ OS map and today (Plate 4, Figure 1). However, in 1947, the only structure on site was Building 1. Structures shown on the 1930s’ OS map had gone.

4.12. The bungalow in the north would appear to have been built by 1971, with other structures shown on post-war maps in place by then. It is not clear if the ownership of Luthers and the site had diverged by this time.

Other Sources

4.13. Essex Record Office holds documents relating to several pre-war planning applications within and adjacent to the site and made on behalf of the ‘Luther Farm Estate’. Interestingly, in 1946 redevelopment of the entire plot, extending west towards the reservoir was proposed. The available plans indicate that structures shown for the first time on the 1930s’ OS map and gone post-war were probably pig sties or kennels.

4.14. A separate set of documents makes clear that the three houses east of the site were built in the late 1930s. The related detailed plans confirm that Luthers’ west range extended into the area where the bungalow now sits. An application to extend this range dates to 1924. A further primary source confirms that bungalows lying north of the site access were built in the 1920s.

4.15. Limited further information is available from secondary sources or other documents relating to Sewardstone. Placename evidence confirms that ‘Siwardeston’ is first documented in the late 12th century, but nothing specific to the name Luthers is recorded (Reaney 1969). Pevsner does not mention Luthers or any property near it (Bettley & Pevsner 2007).

4.16. The Victoria County History notes that the township lay between the River Lea and Epping Forest in Waltham Abbey parish (Powell 1966). Land is thought to have been assarted or won from Epping Forest and a mill is recorded in 1235. Powell also confirms that the George V Reservoir opened in 1913.

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 8 15th August 2018 Section 5: Appraisal of Site and Environs

5.1. The site was visited in July 2018 in order to check for heritage features and current land use and topography. The site visit also allowed consideration of the relationship between the site and nearby heritage assets to ascertain whether these might be affected by development.

5.2. The site is accessed by a tarmacadam track running west off Sewardstone Road which is likely to follow the course of the 19th century ‘tradesmen’s entrance’ in part (Plate 5). This gives no particular indication of having been a drive to Luthers historically. To either side of the track entrance lie twentieth century residences including three which are late 1930s’ and slightly earlier and much altered bungalows to the north.

5.3. Once in the site lie a range of derelict wooden shed type structures and a wooden stables which must be post-war in date. South of the track and adjacent to Luthers’ eastern boundary is a vacated post-war single storey and flat roofed bungalow (Building 2, Plate 6). North of this, a very poor condition stock brick high wall is likely to mark the edge of Luthers’ historical grounds and lies beyond the site (Plate 7). A lower wall between the bungalow and Luthers’ grounds must be post-war too.

5.4. Within the main part of the site, the largest structure is a possibly early 19th century block in very poor condition, but which may have originally been associated with Luthers (Building 1, Plates 8 & 9). This is very simply built and is now largely roofless and with partially collapsed walls. It has a lean-to metal sheet structure attached to its north side which echoes a footprint shown on the 1915 map. The original side is of cheap mortar bonded stock brick and had a pantile roof, vestiges of which survive in the north.

5.5. Breeze block stabling also lies east of this and partial remains of other structures are still in place, in places obscured by vegetation (Plate 10). None of these structures, including a shipping container are of pre-war date.

5.6. The remainder of the site is a mix of trees and rough grass, with some piles of debris from derelict structures and the site’s historical use. There is a strong boundary of trees and vegetation between the main part of the site and Luthers’ grounds to the east (Plate 11). It was not possible to see if the listed house’s garden still contains a large number of trees itself.

5.7. A large bank obscures the George V Reservoir to the west from the site and the grass meadow which slopes down westwards to it beyond the site boundary. To the north, make-shift fencing screens a former nursery from the site, whilst to the south, there are open views across horse paddocks. No indication of a trackway was evident on this boundary.

5.8. It is only in the east of the site that there is any inter-visibility between Luthers and the site, with views from close to the derelict bungalow beyond a brick wall (Plate 12). This would be seen in a context which includes the three 1930s’ houses to the south west and a post-war single storey ‘coach house’ within Luthers’ curtilage.

5.9. Nonetheless, it was clear from the site visit that the main focus of Luthers was historically to the north and west, onto Sewardstone Road, with the area adjacent to the site very much the ancillary part. The main entrance porch lies to the south. The house is now well screened from the busy Sewardstone Road by walls and hedges and there is a new secondary access south of the terrace of three houses.

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 9 15th August 2018 Section 6: Impact of Proposals

6.1 This Statement has been prepared on behalf of Dr. K. Misra to inform a planning decision for a site west of Sewardstone Road, Sewardstone, Essex. Planning permission for redevelopment of a brownfield site with six new houses has been applied for, with associated access, infrastructure and landscaping. The site north of Luthers, a Grade II * listed building and the site area was once part of its land holding.

6.2 In accordance with national legislation, policy and guidance, the likely impact of the proposals on heritage has been assessed. The assessment has been informed by consultation with the Essex Historic Environment Record and visits to Essex Record Office in Chelmsford and Historic England’s Archive in Swindon. Historic England’s National Heritage List for England and other online sources have complemented these sources. A walkover survey in July 2018 completed the work informing this report.

6.3 The site does not contain any designated or otherwise significant heritage assets. A number of mainly post-war structures are in poor condition and of no particular architectural or historical interest.

6.4 However, one almost wholly roofless and partially collapsed single storey brick and pantile structure likely to relate to the redevelopment of the nearby Luthers, probably in the early 19th century. As Luthers is a listed building, it is possible that this structure would qualify as ‘curtilage’ or deemed listed.

6.5 As well as being in poor condition and having no special architectural interest, the building is no longer functionally related to Luthers and has had its immediate context changed more recently. Although it may be wise to apply for Listed Building Consent to demolish this building, it is recommended that consent be granted. Basic historic building recording may be required as a condition of LBC.

6.6 The site has low archaeological potential for sub-surface remains. Although there is some scant evidence for prehistoric and Roman activity close to the River Lea and the area was settled in the medieval period, later development is likely to have truncated any remains. Elements of the post-medieval Luthers Farm and house which might have lain within the site would also have been disturbed by later construction and are of limited archaeological interest. If any further work is required to mitigate the potential harm to archaeological remains, it is recommended that this be limited to a watching brief secured as a condition of planning permission.

6.7 The development site does appear to have historically been part of the wider land holding of Luthers, which lies south and east of the site and is Grade II* listed. It is not clear why the ostensibly 19th century large house warrants such a high grade. Whether Grade II* or Grade II listed, the potential harm to the house’s significance has been considered as required by legislation and policy.

6.8 To the west, a strong screen of planting echoes the well-timbered grounds of Luthers which is apparent on historical maps and prevents inter-visibility with the site. The main entrance to the listed house has also always lain to the south east. Although there is some inter-visibility between the north east of the site and Luthers, this has changed substantially since the ancillary access passed through part of the site. Original parts of the house have been demolished and replaced by a wall, coach house and unappealing bungalow. Three pre-war houses reinforce a now crowded, urban setting.

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 10 15th August 2018

6.9 The site itself is currently disused and unmanaged replacement of these negative elements with six well designed new houses represents a neutral if not positive enhancement of Luthers’ setting. The changes would not harm or benefit the significance of the listed building or an appreciation of its significance and do not trigger Paragraph 134 of the NPPF.

6.10 Limited additional traffic movements related to the proposals would not affect Luthers and potential noise, vibration and dust generated by the proposals could be managed through best working practice to avoid any negative effects. However, the kitchen garden wall which lies just beyond the boundary of the site is in a very poor condition and could quite easily be accidently damaged during development on site. To avoid breaking the law, it is recommended that suitable fencing is erected to protect this boundary during the construction process.

6.11 No other designated or otherwise significant heritage assets have a relationship with the site whereby they might be affected by the proposed changes within the site or due to the proposals.

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 11 15th August 2018 Section 7 References and Sources

Bettley J. & Pevsner N. 2007 The Buildings of England – Essex New Haven

Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) 2012 National Planning Policy Framework London

English Heritage 2008 Conservation Principles London

Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) 2008 Combined Policies of Epping Forest Local Plan (1998) and Alterations (2006) Epping

Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) no date List of Buildings of Local Architectural or Historical Interest – Waltham Abbey Parish Epping

Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) 2017 Epping Forest District Local Plan – Submission Version 2017 Epping=

Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) 2018 Epping Forest District Council Planning Policy Briefing Note Epping

Historic England 2015 Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 2 – Managing Significance in Decision-Taking in the Historic Environment London

Historic England 2017 Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3 – The Setting of Heritage Assets London

HMSO 1990 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act London

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) 2018 National Planning Policy Framework London (2nd edition)

Powell W. R. 1966 Victoria County History of Essex, vol. V, Oxford

Reaney P. 1969 The Place-Names of Essex Cambridge (EPNS vol. XII)

Primary Sources

Building plan of extension to Luthers, 1924 (ERO ref. D/UWm Pb2/360)

Proposals for new houses west of Sewardstone Road, 1928 (ERO ref. D/UWm P62/395)

Proposals for new houses at Luthers Farm

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 12 15th August 2018 Maps

James Dodson’s maps of Sewardstone of 1754 (ERO ref. D/DU 1907/1)

Chapman and Andre’s map of Essex of 1777

Waltham Abbey (Sewardstone Township) Tithe map and apportionment of 1842 (ERO ref. D/CT 381/2B)

Twenty five inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of 1870 & 1896 (Sheet 57.10)

Twenty five inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map of 1935 (Sheet 69.1)

Web Sources

British Geological Survey Geology Viewer accessed at www.bgs.ac.uk

Epping Forest District Council website accessed at www.epping.gov.uk/planning

Historic England’s National Heritage List for England accessed at www.historic- england.org.uk/professional/protection/process/national-heritage-list-for-england

OS maps of site accessed at National Library of Scotland at www.nls.uk

Street Map Ordnance Survey map of Sewardstone accessed at www.streetmap.co.uk

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 13 15th August 2018 Appendix: Essex Historic Environment Record Gazetteer

HER NGR (TQ Period Notes ref. prefix) 3456 37 98 Prehistoric Quartzite pebble macehead found in the River Lea. Poor NGR. 3463 380 976 Roman Excavations in 1970s at Northfield Nurseries recorded shallow pits and gullies and some Roman pottery and a coin of Constantius. Site of ‘villa’ nearby inferred. 34156 3798 9691 18th century Sewardstone Lodge was a late 18th century or early 19th century building which was Grade II listed but has now been demolished. 34157 3805 9724 19th century Luthers is an early 19th century house with earlier origins which is Grade II* listed. 47279 375 970 Prehistoric? Recovery of a canoe fashioned from a single log and 13 feet long – indicates prehistoric, but Anglo-Saxon radiocarbon date secured for it.

Land at Sewardstone, Essex Heritage Statement 15th August 2018 Plates