Built Heritage Review Liverpool John Lennon Airport
February 2019
Contents
1. Introduction 1
2. The Heritage Assets 2
3. The Master Plan Area 4
4. Summary Assessments of Significance 7
5. Summary of Relevant Legislation, National Planning Policy and Guidance 10
6. Key Heritage Considerations 12
Appendix 1: Historic Development of the Master Plan Area
Appendix 2: Assessments of Significance
Our reference LIVM2008
February 2019
1. Introduction
1.1 This Built Heritage Review is prepared by Turley Heritage in connection with the Liverpool John Lennon Airport Master Plan to 2050 (dated March 2018) (the ‘Master Plan’) for the expansion of the existing Liverpool John Lennon Airport on the surrounding area (the ‘Master Plan Area’).
1.2 The NPPF (2019) defines a heritage asset as:
“A building, monument, site, place, area, or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage 1 interest”
1.3 For the purposes of this report, the term ‘Built Heritage’ refers to all above ground heritage assets. All below-ground heritage assets are discussed within the Archaeological Appraisal prepared by Aecom.
1.4 This Review undertakes a preliminary assessment of the likely and potential impacts on identified heritage assets. It informs the provisions of Policy EC7 of the Liverpool Local Plan Submission Draft (dated January 2018) in respect of built heritage considerations.
1.5 The Review is structured as follows:
• Section 2 sets out the nearby heritage assets with potential to be affected by the Master Plan;
• Section 3 provides an overview of the historic development of Liverpool John Lennon Airport and the surrounding area;
• Section 4 provides a proportionate assessment of the significance of the heritage assets including the contribution made by their setting; and
• Section 5 provides a summary of key heritage considerations, including an appraisal of draft Policy EC7 of the Liverpool Local Plan Submission Draft.
1.6 This Review has been informed by a site visit, initial archival research, a search of the Merseyside Historic Environment Record (HER), historic map regression, background knowledge of the area and site and relevant heritage legislation, planning policy and guidance.
1 MHCLG (2019) National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Annex 2; Glossary
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2. The Heritage Assets
Designated Heritage Assets
2.1 Designated heritage assets are those which possess a level of heritage interest that justifies designation under relevant legislation and are then subject to particular procedures in planning decisions that involve them.
Listed Buildings
2.2 The Master Plan Area includes the grade II listed Yew Tree Farmhouse which is located in the south eastern part of the Master Plan area. The building was included on the statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest on 14 March 1975.
2.3 The following listed buildings are not located within but are proximate to the Master Plan Area:
• Speke Hall (grade I listed), Bridges Over Moat to North and East (individually grade II listed), Outbuilding (grade II listed) and Farm Building (grade II listed);
• All Saints Church, Lychgate, Village Hall, 30-34 Hale Road and Church of St Ambrose (all grade II listed);
• Liverpool Speke Airport Complex comprising the former terminal and two hangars of the former Speke Northern Airfield (individually grade II* listed); and
• Hale Village; consisting of a mix of grade II* and grade II listed buildings.
2.4 A proportionate assessment of the significance of these assets has been undertaken at Section 4 of this report. The various listed buildings within Hale Village have been considered as part of the assessment of the Hale Conservation Area.
Scheduled Monuments
2.5 The moated site of Speke Hall was scheduled in 1991. The site includes an island predominantly occupied by Speke Hall surrounded by dry moat which survives to three sides.
Conservation Areas
2.6 To the east of the Master Plan Area are two conservation areas, both located within Halton Borough Council. These are:
• Hale Village Conservation Area which was designated in 1969 and is focussed on the collection of buildings along High Street and the Church of St Mary. It is located approximately 1.8km away from the boundary of the Master Plan Area.
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• Hale Road Conservation Area which was designated in 1983 and is focussed on a collection of 20th century cottages and a tree plantation. It is located approximately 900 metres from the boundary of the Master Plan Area.
2.7 There is no adopted Conservation Character Area Appraisal, Management Plan or Designation Report for either conservation area.
Summary
2.8 There is one listed building (Yew Tree Farmhouse) within the Master Plan Area. The Master Plan envisages that the farmhouse would be retained and reused as part of the expansion of LJLA. There is therefore the potential for direct and indirect effects on this asset. All the other effects arising from the Master Plan on built heritage will be indirect in nature having potential to affect the significance of the identified assets through change within their setting, rather than any direct effects.
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3. The Master Plan Area
Context
3.1 The ‘Master Plan Area’ (Figure 3.1) consists of the existing area of Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) and the proposed expansion area to its west, south and east. The area is located 11km to the south east of Liverpool City Centre and lies on the northern coast of the Mersey Estuary. The Airport is predominantly within the City of Liverpool but parts of it including some of the Master Plan Area are within the administrative area of Halton.
Figure 3.1: Master Plan Area (2018)2
3.2 The Master Plan Area itself consists of the existing Airport, an open field to the east of Dungeon Lane and the area of Oglet which includes a number of buildings and open fields. To the north west of the Master Plan Area is Speke Hall and its associated grounds; to the north is the associated infrastructure for the Airport beyond which is the Speke Hall Industrial Estate; and to the north east are residential dwellings and open fields. To the south east, south and south west is Mersey Estuary.
3.3 The Eastern Access Transport Corridor (EATC) is proposed to the east of the Master Plan Area (outside the red line boundary), connecting the airport with the A562 (Figure 3.2). It involves the construction of a new road from Hale Road to the west, curving across open fields and north parallel to the existing Ramsbrook Lane.
3.4 The EATC is predominantly located within Halton Borough Council and is not directly relevant to the emerging Liverpool Local Plan. It has however been referenced to within this Review for completeness.
2 Liverpool John Lennon Airport (2018) Liverpool John Lennon Airport Master Plan to 2050
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Figure 3.2: Eastern Access Transport Corridor (2018)3
Summary of Historic Development
3.5 Below is a summary of the historic development of the Master Plan Area. A more detailed overview can be found at Appendix 1 of this report.
• The Master Plan Area historically formed part of the much wider Speke Estate, of which Speke Hall has 11th century origins. The site appears to have formed part of the demesne of Speke Hall to the west and agricultural land to the east.
• In the late 19th century (c.1895), the Master Plan Area is shown as consisting of a mix of agricultural fields and tree plantations. In 1921, Adelaide Watt died and the family line ceased to exist. As a result, the Speke Estate was placed into a trust to manage and maintain the hall and grounds.4
• In 1928, the Liverpool Corporation purchased large parts of the Speke Estate (approximately 1,800 acres) to develop an industrial estate to attract new manufacturers to Liverpool to alleviate unemployment.5 In addition to this, a new airport was proposed together with a large housing development.
• In 1936, the Liverpool Corporation envisaged the housing development within Speke as a ‘satellite town…planned to accommodate all classes of the community’.6 By 1937, the area surrounding Speke Hall slowly became more urbanised and the new airport buildings were nearly completed (after construction began in 1935). There were few changes to the Master Plan Area itself with the exception of amalgamation of some field boundaries.
3 Liverpool John Lennon Airport (2018) Liverpool John Lennon Airport Master Plan to 2050 4 Whatmore, Tom (1990) My Life at Speke Hall 5 Pollard & Pevsner (2006) The Buildings of England: Lancashire – Liverpool and the South West 6 The Times (17 September 1937) Housing Progress at Liverpool: Estate for all classes
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• In the mid-20th century, the area surrounding the Master Plan Area continued to be developed with industrial and housing developments. In 1966, a 7,500ft runway known as the ‘Southern Airfield’ was constructed to the south and south east of Speke Hall. As part of this, ‘earth banks’ were planted to the periphery of Speke Hall to ‘minimise disturbance’.7
• In 1986, the original airport was relocated to the southern airfield to the south east of Speke Hall and a new terminal building was constructed. Further bunding / earth works are believed to have been introduced around Speke Hall to its east, south and west.
• More recently, the remainder of the original Speke Airport has been redeveloped with large industrial warehouses (known as the Estuary Commerce Park and the Liverpool International Business Park) which now occupy land to the western side of Speke Hall. Liverpool John Lennon Airport, forming part of the Master Plan Area, has been subject to various extensions with various new facilities and associated car parking. There have been few other changes to the remainder of the southern part of the Master Plan Area with the exception of the demolition of a number of buildings in and around the settlement of Oglet.
7 City of Liverpool (1962) Liverpool Airport Master Plan 1962-84
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4. Summary Assessments of Significance
Significance and Special Interest
4.1 The NPPF defines the significance of a heritage asset as:
“The value of a heritage asset to this and future generations because of its heritage interest. That interest may be archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic. Significance derives not only from a heritage asset’s physical presence, but also from its setting.”8
Listed Buildings
4.2 Listed buildings are defined as designated heritage assets that hold architectural or historic interest. The Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings are published by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and supported by Historic England’s Listing Selection Guides for each building type.
Conservation Areas
4.3 Conservation areas are designated on the basis of their special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Historic England has revised and republished its guidance in respect of conservation areas which provides a framework for the appraisal and assessment of the special interest and significance of a conservation area9.
Scheduled Monuments
4.4 A Scheduled Monument is defined by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as any structure, or site of a structure, above or below ground, which is considered by the Secretary of State to be of public interest by reason of its historic, architectural, traditional, artistic or archaeological importance.
Setting
4.5 The NPPF defines the setting of a heritage asset as:
“The surroundings in which a heritage asset is experienced. Its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings evolve. Elements of a setting may make a positive or negative contribution to the significance of an asset, may affect the ability to appreciate that significance or may be neutral10.”
4.6 Historic England has published guidance in respect of the setting of heritage assets within its Good Practice Advice Note 3: The Setting of Heritage Assets (2017), providing detail on understanding setting and the associated assessment of the impact of any
8 MHCLG (2019), National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) – Annex 2: Glossary 9 Historic England (2016) Advice Note 1: Conservation Area Designation, Appraisal and Management 10 MHCLG (2019), National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) – Annex 2: Glossary
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changes. The guidance11 confirms at paragraph 9 that setting is not a heritage asset, nor a heritage designation, rather its importance lies in what it contributes to the significance of the relevant heritage asset itself.
4.7 Further guidance on the definition of setting and how it should be taken into account is set out in national Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).
Summary Assessments
4.8 The assessments of significance are proportionate to both the importance of the identified heritage assets and the potential impacts of the Master Plan. They are informed by site visits, archival research, a search of the Merseyside HER and published information. It has been produced in accordance with guidance set out in Good Practice Advice Note 3: The Setting of Heritage Assets, Historic England (2017).
4.9 Below is a summary of the significance of the heritage assets including the contribution made by their setting. Detailed assessments of each asset are set out at Appendix 2.
The Speke Estate 4.10 Speke Hall (grade I listed and scheduled monument) holds significance as an important 16th century timber framed manor house with later additions, set in a quadrangular plan form around a former moat. Its setting is relatively well enclosed and defined by the parkland which surrounds it. Varying components including the Moated Gardens, Lawns and Gardens reinforce the former status and layout of the country house estate and contribute to the significance of the listed building.
4.11 The associated grade II listed structures within the grounds, including the Bridge and Outbuildings, are of significance as extant components of the former country house estate. Their setting is characterised by their proximity and association with the hall and wider estate which contributes to their significance.
4.12 Home Farm (grade II listed) holds significance as an architecturally distinctive modern farm which illustrates an important part of the 19th century development of the Speke Hall Estate. The significance of North Lodge is centred on its location, marking the entrance to the estate, together with its Tudor Revival design. The setting of these buildings is focussed on the hall and the wider estate which emphasises their original ancillary role and function on the Speke Hall Estate.
The Oglet 4.13 The grade II listed Yew Tree Farmhouse holds significance as a farmhouse dating to the early 19th century. Its setting includes the nearby outbuildings and farmland which illustrate the use and function of the buildings together with its proximity to the River Mersey which allows for an appreciation of its coastal context.
Speke 4.14 The grade II listed All Saints Church, Lychgate and Village Hall date to the mid to late 19th century and form part of a grouping of educational and religious buildings, each designed in the Gothic Revival style. Adjacent is 30-34 Hale Road (grade II listed) which
11 Historic England (2017) Good Practice Advice Note 3: The Setting of Heritage Assets
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consists of a small terrace of three houses from the late 18th century. Their setting has been altered and only the group value of the buildings which historically formed the original centre of Speke village contributes to their significance.
4.15 The significance of the Church of St Ambrose (grade II listed) is enshrined in its date of 1959-61, its architectural design and its associations with the architect Alfred Bullen (of Weightman and Bullen). Its setting is predominantly urban, surrounded by streets, forming part of the wider Speke Housing Estate which the church was constructed to serve.
4.16 The grade II* listed Liverpool Speke Airport Complex holds significance as a purpose built airport complex designed in the Art Deco style by architect Edward Bloomfield, forming an overall ambitious inter-war civic project. Those aspects of setting which contribute to the significance of the listed building complex are derived from the surviving concrete concourse and runways which reinforce its former functional use as an airport.
Hale 4.17 The Hale Village Conservation Area is centred on the historic core of Hale with its surviving 17th, 18th and 19th century cottages and buildings, largely constructed from brick, render and thatch. The key landmarks include the Manor House (grade II* listed) and St Mary’s Church (grade II listed). The setting of the conservation area is relatively mixed and includes agricultural fields, factories, the River Mersey and modern residential housing. This setting makes a limited contribution to its significance.
4.18 The Hale Road Conservation Area comprises of a linear street of residential properties constructed during the Inter-War period in the ‘Cottages Orne’ architectural style, employing thatch, render and faux timber-framing. The setting of the conservation area is largely mixed with some modern housing to the east and west. The fields to the north and north west do however reinforce its semi-rural position on the outskirts of Hale Village and contributes, to a degree, to its significance.
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5. Summary of Relevant Legislation, National Planning Policy and Guidance
Statutory Duty (1990 Act) 5.1 Section 66 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 states that:
“In considering whether to grant planning permission for development which affects a listed building or its setting, the local planning authority or, as the case may be, 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.”
5.2 The concept of ‘preserve’ has been interpreted through case law to mean ‘to cause no harm’.
The National Planning Policy Framework, revised 2019 5.3 Conservation areas are 'designated heritage assets' within the meaning of the NPPF. Paragraph 185 of the NPPF states that local planning authorities should set out in their Local Plan a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment, including heritage assets most at risk through neglect, decay or other threats. In developing this strategy, local planning authorities should take into account:
• The desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation;
• The wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits that conservation of the historic environment can bring;
• The desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness; and
• Opportunities to draw on the contribution made by the historic environment to the character of a place.
5.4 Paragraph 190 sets out the principles guiding the determination of applications affecting designated and non-designated heritage assets, and states that:
'Local planning authorities should identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset that may be affected by a proposal . . . They should take this assessment into account when considering the impact of a proposal on a heritage asset, to avoid or minimise conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the proposal.’
5.5 Paragraph 192 elaborates that local planning authorities should take account of the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets, putting them into viable uses consistent with their conservation, as well as the desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness.
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5.6 Paragraph 193 requires when considering the impact of a Proposed Development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, that great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation and the more important the asset, the greater that weight should be. Paragraph 194 confirms that significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting and any harm or loss requires clear and convincing justification.
5.7 Paragraph 197 requires that the effect of an application on the significance of a non- designated heritage asset should be taken into account in determining the application. In weighing applications that directly or indirectly affect non-designated heritage assets, a balanced judgement will be required having regard to the scale of any harm or loss and the significance of the heritage asset.
5.8 In the event that harm is perceived to arise from proposals, the NPPF provides a policy framework at paragraphs 195 and 196 within which such harm can then be weighed against public benefits (196) or substantial public benefits (195) bearing in mind the considerable importance and weight that should be attached to the statutory duty of the Act.
5.9 Paragraph 200 requires local planning authorities look for opportunities for new development within the setting of heritage assets to better reveal their significance. With respect to setting, the policy notes that proposals that preserve those elements of setting that make a positive contribution to or better reveal the significance of the asset should be treated favourably.
5.10 The setting of a conservation area is not enshrined in legislation and does not attract the weight of statutory protection.12 It is however a consideration as set out in the NPPF and has therefore been addressed in this report.
Historic England Guidance
Good Practice Advice in Planning 1: The Historic Environment in Local Plans (2015) 5.11 The Good Practice advice note provides guidance on implementation of historic environment policy set out in the NPPF. The advice in the document emphasises that all information requirements and assessment work in support of plan making and heritage protection needs to be proportionate to both the significance of the heritage assets that are likely to be affected and the impact on the significance of those heritage assets. At the same time, those taking decisions need sufficient information to understand the issues and formulate balanced policies.
Good Practice Advice Note 3: The Setting of Heritage Assets, Historic England (2017) 5.12 Historic England has published guidance in respect of the setting of heritage assets within its Good Practice Advice Note 3: The Setting of Heritage Assets (2017), providing detail on understanding setting and the associated assessment of the impact of any changes. The guidance13 confirms at paragraph 9 that setting is not a heritage asset, nor a heritage designation, rather its importance lies in what it contributes to the significance of the relevant heritage asset itself.
12 APP/H1705/A/14/2219070 & APP/U3935/V/14/2216792 13 Historic England (2017) Good Practice Advice Note 3: The Setting of Heritage Assets
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6. Key Heritage Considerations
Emerging Proposals
6.1 Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is one of the UK’s largest regional airports and is a significant economic driver and transport asset. It is of strategic importance to the economy and connectivity of Liverpool City Region.
6.2 The Airport is planning for further growth and has prepared an updated Master Plan to support this. The vision of the Master Plan is for LJLA to make its optimum contribution to the ongoing regeneration and development of the Liverpool City Region. The updated Master Plan covers the period to 2050. It sets out the anticipated growth of the Airport over this period in relation to expected passenger numbers, other aviation related services, and related opportunities to optimise the Airport’s contribution to the economy of the Liverpool City Region.
6.3 The Master Plan provides a framework for setting out the Airport’s longer term aspirations within which proposals can be considered and planning applications made as and when necessary. Policy EC7 of the Draft Local Plan supports in principle the expansion of the LJLA subject to satisfying various criteria. It is the intention of the Airport, to submit a planning application(s) to the relevant councils for the proposals contained in the Master Plan. Any applications will be subject to full and detailed assessments having regard to (among other things) the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007.
Emerging Local Policy
6.4 Draft Policy EC7 of the Liverpool Local Plan Submission Draft (dated January 2018) specifically relates to Liverpool John Lennon Airport and states the following:
“As a key sub-regional economic asset, the operation and expansion of Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA), in line with its Masterplan, will be supported in principle, subject to appropriate assessment of the potential environmental impacts referenced in criteria a) to c) below and where such assessment has shown it to be necessary, the implementation of appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures to address potential environmental impacts associated with this growth. These are:
a) impact on the natural, historic and built environment, including sites and buildings of international, national or local conservation, ecological or landscape importance. With respect to internationally important sites (the Mersey Estuary SPA, Dee Estuary SAC, Dee Estuary SPA and Dee Estuary Ramsar site, Liverpool Bay SPA and Ramsar site and Mersey Narrows & North Wirral Foreshore SPA and Ramsar site), development will be required to include appropriate mitigation measures agreed with the City Council and informed by an up-to-date environmental assessment;
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b) impact on adjacent residents and others (including those outside the City) in the vicinity of flightpaths, of any increases in traffic, noise and air pollution, including those generated by construction activity; and
c) impact on the local and regional transport network, through the implementation of a sustainable surface access strategy.
Subject to compliance with criteria 1 a) to c) of this Policy permission will be granted for:
a) the expansion of the operational airport to accommodate growth in passenger, cargo, business and general aviation; and maintenance repair and overhaul; and
b) employment uses which support its role as a key driver of the City Region economy. These will include aviation related-uses, aerospace businesses, logistics, advanced manufacturing and offices that seek proximity to an Airport and the international connectivity that this supports.”
Key Heritage Considerations
Master Plan 6.5 The Master Plan involves redeveloping land to the south which currently comprises agricultural fields and some built development associated with the settlement of Oglet. This land is located a considerable distance from All Saints Church, Lychgate, Village Hall, 30-34 Hale Road, Church of St Ambrose (individually grade II listed) and both Hale Road and Hale Village Conservation Areas. It has no historic, functional or visual relationship with these heritage assets and the Master Plan proposals would not affect any elements of setting which contribute to their significance.
6.6 The grade II listed Yew Tree Farmhouse is situated on the Master Plan Area to the south eastern corner. The Master Plan proposes re-use of the farmhouse as part of the expansion of LJLA. Such proposals would be accompanied by detailed assessments of significance and of any impact of the proposal upon this.
6.7 The potential redevelopment of the land to the north and north west, between the existing airport complex and the listed building has potential for impacts on significance by altering the setting of the listed building. The Master Plan proposals would result in the loss of some agricultural land around the grade II listed farmhouse. Redevelopment in this area would however be seen within the context of already established built development to the north west of the listed building. The development of the site would erode part of the former rural setting and could reduce, to a degree, the ability to experience the former functional and historic relationship of the buildings with the surrounding agricultural land.
6.8 Historic England identifies various ways in which harm arising from a development can be reduced.14 This can include the relocation of a development, changes to its design and the creation of effective long-term visual screening. Historic England further state
14 Historic England (2017) Good Practice in Planning 3: The Setting of Heritage Assets
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that good design may reduce or remove the harm, or provide enhancement, and that design quality may be the main consideration in determining the balance of harm and benefit.
6.9 The Master Plan shows a large area of open land remaining to all sides of the farmhouse which will assist in maintaining the agricultural and verdant setting of the listed building which is likely to avoid any significant harm to the listed building. In addition, the future design and layout of buildings / infrastructure to the north west of the farmhouse could be designed in a manner which minimises or removes harm to the significance of the listed building. There is also scope for landscaping / tree planting to further mitigate any impact of the proposed buildings.
6.10 The Liverpool Speke Airport Complex (individually grade II* listed) is located to the north west of the Master Plan Area, beyond LJLA, Speke Hall, the Estuary Commerce Park and Liverpool International Business Park. As set out at Section 4, there was originally an historic and functional connection between these buildings and the Master Plan Area, forming the southern airfield extension to the original airport. This connection has however been eroded by the separation of the airport complex and the redevelopment of the land around it. The expansion of the airport will not affect any elements of setting which contribute to the significance of the listed complex.
6.11 To the north west of the Master Plan Area is the grade I listed (and scheduled monument) Speke Hall together with its associated outbuildings and structures (individually grade II listed). The site was historically within the demise of the Speke Hall Estate before it was sold to Liverpool Corporation in 1926. It is now separated by a sizeable bund and planting which was introduced as part of the original Liverpool Speke Airport expansion in 1966 (Southern Airfield) and again in 1986 as part of the airport’s relocation. This physically and visually disconnected the Master Plan Area from Speke Hall and its associated listed structures and outbuildings.
6.12 As found today, LJLA is experienced in views from the Coastal Reserve Entrance and Estate Walk on the southern periphery of the grounds to Speke Hall. This consists of the runways and associated aviation infrastructure with distant views over to the River Mersey. Whilst views of the River Mersey (to its south and south west) contribute towards the understanding of the original coastal location of Speke Hall, the views of the airport to the south east are not considered to contribute to the significance of the listed building. The expansion of the airport would not alter or diminish the existing views from the grounds of Speke Hall. Some areas of additional hard surfacing and minor built development will be experienced within these views but this will not alter experience or appreciation of the significance of the listed building.
6.13 From within the grounds of Speke Hall, including (amongst others) the North Lawn, South Lawn, Kitchen Garden, Orchard and Secret Garden, the expansion of LJLA would not be visible and whilst the land originally held an historic and functional association with the listed building, this has been severely disconnected and is now no longer legible. The physical expansion of the airport would therefore not affect those elements of setting which contribute to the significance of the listed building.
6.14 Within the aforementioned areas, the noise of the airport is currently prevalent and is predominantly derived from bi-planes and private planes rather than commercial
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flights. In accordance with Historic England guidance, aspects of setting can be affected by an increase in noise and association vibration.
6.15 As a result of the airport expansion, there could be an increase in the number of planes utilising the airport which could therefore increase the noise and vibration in and around the Speke Hall Estate. The Master Plan explains that with expected improvements in technology the impacts of noise and vibration may in fact reduce. Notwithstanding this, over the short term any increase is not considered to materially reduce the ability to experience and appreciate the significance of the listed buildings which currently sit within a largely industrial and commercial context. They would be experienced within the context of an already established airport which has been operational in the area and adjacent to Speke Hall for approximately 90 years.
Eastern Access Transport Corridor (EATC) 6.16 The EATC involves the construction of a road to the east of the Master Plan Area. The land is located a considerable distance from the aforementioned heritage assets and is not considered to affect any elements of setting which contribute to their significance. The Hale Road Conservation Area is the closest designated heritage asset to the proposed EATC and therefore has the potential to be affected through development within its setting.
6.17 The EATC proposals would result in the loss of agricultural land to the north of the designated heritage asset. The fields to the immediate north, which serve to reinforce its semi-rural context of the conservation area would however be retained. The layout and design of the EATC could be designed in a manner which minimises or avoids harm to the significance of the conservation area. There is also scope for landscaping / bunding to further mitigate any impact of the proposed road.
6.18 In light of the above advice for the Master Plan and the EATC and our understanding of significance and the contribution made by setting, we would make the following recommendations.
Recommendations
6.19 Overall, the expansion of LJLA as currently envisaged has the potential to sustain the significance of the majority of heritage assets within the surrounding area.
6.20 There is the potential for Yew Tree Farmhouse to be affected by proposals for its reuse and the redevelopment of the agricultural land around it. In order to eliminate or mitigate any potential harm to the significance of this listed building, it is recommended that the following measures are considered:
• Ensure any physical interventions are consistent with the significance of the listed buildings and its long term re-use.
• Ensure an appropriate physical separation between new buildings and the listed building.
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• Retain and strengthen the existing planting to the boundaries of both LJLA and the listed building to maintain and reinforce the verdant character found to the setting of the listed buildings.
• Introduce planting to the north and west to screen and/or filter any views of new development from the farmhouse. The use of bunding should be restricted given the character of the site and the wider area is predominantly flat and may appear incongruous within the landscape.
• The final design and layout of any new built development should be informed by an understanding of the setting and thereby significance of Yew Tree Farmhouse.
6.21 It is considered that with these measures in place, the risk of harm to the listed building is low. If residual harm exists, this would be ‘less than substantial harm’ under the terms of the NPPF and would need to be weighed against the public benefits derived from the scheme. As identified, these can include economic and social, ensuring that the considerable importance and weight has been attached to the statutory duty. PPG confirms that public benefits should be of a nature or scale to be of benefit to the public at large and should not just be a private benefit. It further states that public benefits do not always have to be visible or accessible to the public in order to be genuine public benefits and may include heritage benefits.
6.22 For the EATC, it is considered that the design and layout of the proposed road could be undertaken in a manner which sustains the identified characteristics of the Hale Road Conservation Area and those elements of setting which contribute to its significance.
6.23 In terms of the potential increase in noise and vibration from the airport, this is not predicted to be significant (as illustrated within Master Plan and actually shows a potential reduction in the wider noise levels). This aspect of the proposed expansion of LJLA is therefore not considered to affect the setting and thereby significance of the heritage assets.
6.24 In addition to the above findings, the criteria within Policy EC7 within the Liverpool Local Plan Submission Draft (dated January 2018) ensure that any impact on heritage assets will be fully taken into consideration in determining compliance with the policy. A full Heritage Assessment, assessing the significance and setting of the heritage assets would accompany any planning application(s). Impacts on the setting / significance from the expansion of LJLA or associated noise and vibration would be further taken into account. As part of this, the proposals would need to comply with the statutory duty of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the relevant paragraphs of the NPPF.
6.25 Policy EC7 strikes an appropriate balance between supporting the principle of expansion in the Liverpool Local Plan Submission Draft whilst safeguarding the special interest and significance of adjacent heritage assets.
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Appendix 1: Historic Development of the Master Plan Area
Overview of Historic Development
1. The Master Plan Area is briefly illustrated on a 1781 Map of Speke (Figure 1.1) which shows the area broadly consisted of the small settlement of Oglet with ‘Sea Fields’, ‘Sea Meadows’ and ‘Oglet Woods’ located close to the Mersey Estuary. The site also included ‘Heaths’, ‘Gorsey Heys’ and ‘Brandereths’. The majority of the land appears to have formed part of the Speke Estate, of which Speke Hall has 11th century origins.
Figure 1.1 Map of Speke c.1781 (Indicative Red Line)15
2. The Master Plan Area is more clearly illustrated on the 1845 Map of the Manor of Speke (Figure 1.2) and provides further detail. This shows the ‘demesne’ (domain) of Speke Hall which was ‘all the land which was retained by a lord of the manor for his own use and support, under his own management, as distinguished from land sub- enfeoffed by him to others as sub-tenants’ (under the feudal system). The surrounding land is shown as being heavily subdivided for various agricultural uses at this time with scattered tree plantations and buildings in and around Oglet. The Master Plan Area appears to have formed part of the demesne of Speke Hall to the west and agricultural land to the east. Further to the east is the former ‘Dungeon Salt Works’.
Figure 1.2 Map of the Manor of Speke c.1845 (Indicative Red Line)16
15 Whatmore, Tom (1990) My Life at Speke Hall 16 Liverpool Record Office (1845) Map of the Manor of Speke
Figure 1.3 1895 Ordnance Survey Map (Indicative Red Line)
3. In the late 19th century (c.1895), the Master Plan Area is shown as consisted of a mix of agricultural fields and tree plantations. The settlement of Oglet was located to the east, together with a number of other buildings including Yew Tree Farm, Twiss Hall and Hale Cliff Salt Works (originally Dungeon Salt Works). In the 1901 Census, the population of Speke and the surrounding area was 381.17 The area was described as containing :
“some of the best wheat growing land in the hundred, and has a considerable river frontage opposite the widest portion of the River Mersey. There are scattered plantations amongst open fields, where barley and oats as well as wheat grow well in light, sandy, or stiff clay soils. There are no brooks.
The village of Speke consists of a small group of cottages near the church, a mile from a railway station. Other houses are scattered thinly over the district. The river bank in places is flat, but principally consists of high clay banks. Upon and about these the botanist may find many plants locally uncommon. The geological formation consists of the bunter series of the new red sandstone or trias; the pebble beds underlie the entire township. The area is 2,504½ acres, of which the demesne of Speke Hall occupies 765 acres. Oglet is a hamlet by the Mersey.”18
4. The majority of the land was in the ownership of the Speke Estate which belonged to the Watt family from at least 1795. In 1921, Adelaide Watt died and the family line ceased to exist. As a result, the Speke Estate was placed into a trust to manage and maintain the hall and grounds.19
17 Victoria County History (1907) A History of the County of Lancaster - Townships: Speke 18 Victoria County History (1907) A History of the County of Lancaster - Townships: Speke 19 Whatmore, Tom (1990) My Life at Speke Hall
5. In 1926, the Liverpool Corporation Act empowered Liverpool City Council to develop industrial estates and parallel housing developments. As part of this, in 1928, the Liverpool Corporation purchased large parts of the Speke Estate (approximately 1,800 acres) to develop an industrial estate, similar to Trafford Park in Manchester or the Slough Trading Estate, to attract new manufacturers to Liverpool to alleviate unemployment.20 In addition to this, a new airport was proposed together with a large housing development.
Figure 1.4 Speke Airport c.1930’s
6. Speke Airport was established in 1930, with the original buildings being particularly simple and consisting of a converted farmhouse (Chapel House) and a purpose built single hangar (Figure 1.4). Shortly after this, two new roads were constructed; Speke Hall Avenue which came from Hunts Cross to the north (Figure 1.5) and Speke Road from Garston to the west. These new roads enabled construction of industrial premises located close to the airport.
Figure 1.5 Speke Hall Avenue c.1934-35
7. Following implementation of the road network, various housing developments and industrial premises were constructed, including the large Dunlop Rubber Factory (later
20 Pollard & Pevsner (2006) The Buildings of England: Lancashire – Liverpool and the South West
the Rootes Aircraft Factory) which was located to the north east of Speke Hall. By 1939, 28 factories were built or under construction within the Speke Industrial Estate.21
Figure 1.6 Plan of the Speke Housing Development c.193622
8. In 1936, the Liverpool Corporation envisaged the housing development within Speke as a ‘satellite town…planned to accommodate all classes of the community’.23 This was progressed under designs by the Director of Housing, Lancelot Keay (Figure 1.6)24 and was part of an 8 year programme by the Corporation to clear 15,692 slums and construct over 5,000 new homes. The construction of these began from 1936/37 onwards (Figure 1.6).
Figure 1.7 Aerial of Speke c.1937
9. As illustrated at Figure 1.7 the area surrounding Speke Hall was slowly becoming more urbanised by 1937 with industrial development to its north east beyond which were housing developments together with Speke Airport (later to become known as ‘Speke
21 Ward, Stephen (1990) Local industrial promotion and development policies 1899-1940 22 Pollard & Pevsner (2006) The Buildings of England: Lancashire – Liverpool and the South West 23 The Times (17 September 1937) Housing Progress at Liverpool: Estate for all classes 24 Pollard & Pevsner (2006) The Buildings of England: Lancashire – Liverpool and the South West
Northern Airfield’) to its north west. By this time, the new airport buildings at Speke, designed by the architect Edward Bloomfield, were nearly completed (construction began in 1935). The hangar and control tower were completed in 1937, as illustrated at Figure 1.8, with the terminus (wrapped around the tower) completed in 1939 and the other hangar eventually completed in 1940.
Figure 1.8 Aerial of Speke Airport c.1937-38
10. The airport, factory and housing developments are further illustrated on the 1938 Ordnance Survey map (Figure 1.9) which shows the gradual urbanisation of the Speke Estate. There were little changes to the Master Plan Area itself with the exception of amalgamation of some field boundaries.
Figure 1.9 1938 Ordnance Survey Map (Indicative Red Line)
11. During World War II, there were extensive changes to the area around the Master Plan Area which involved the removal of the tree plantation to the south of Speke Hall
(known as the Clough) to improve visibility and allow aircraft to land safely at the airport25 (see Figures 1.7 and 1.10 for a comparison).
Figure 1.10 Aerial of Speke Hall and Airport c.1940’s
12. In 1942-44, Speke Hall was a military zone and guards were stationed at the North Lodge and around the wider estate. Stockton Wood to the north of Speke Hall (adjacent to the North Lodge) was partially cut down to allow for the discrete storage of aircraft parts, together with the gates to the lodge also being enlarged to allow access into estate.26 These aircraft parts were taken from the woods to the hangars at Speke Airport to be assembled by the RAF.
13. In the mid-20th century, the area surrounding the Master Plan Area continued to be developed with industrial and housing developments. The houses of the ‘satellite town’ originally designed by Lancelot Keay on behalf of the Liverpool Corporation were eventually completed by 1954.27 By 1955, the area of Speke had grown to a population of c.21,000.28
14. In relation to the Speke Industrial Estate, it was noted in an industrial handbook from 1962 that there was “great demand for factory sites on this estate, and the City Council has found it necessary to allocate further areas of land to industry. There are 45 factory sites leased and buildings have been erected on 42 of them.”29 It further notes that 16,000 people were employed on this estate during this time.30
25 Whatmore, Tom (1990) My Life at Speke Hall 26 Whatmore, Tom (1990) My Life at Speke Hall 27 Liverpool Corporation (1962) The City of Liverpool: the Official Industrial Handbook 28 Pollard & Pevsner (2006) The Buildings of England: Lancashire – Liverpool and the South West 29 Liverpool Corporation (1962) The City of Liverpool: the Official Industrial Handbook 30 Liverpool Corporation (1962) The City of Liverpool: the Official Industrial Handbook
Figure 1.11 Plan of the Proposed Southern Airfield c.196231
15. In 1966, a 7,500ft runway known as the ‘Southern Airfield’ was constructed to the south and south east of Speke Hall (Figures 1.11 and 1.12). This necessitated the complete removal of the tree plantations to the south of the hall (known as the Clough) and the redevelopment of the Master Plan Area.32 The southern airfield was officially opened by the Duke of Edinburgh on 7th May 1966.33 As part of this, ‘earth banks’ were planted to the periphery of Speke Hall to ‘minimise disturbance’.34
Figure 1.12 Southern Airfield c.1966
31 City of Liverpool (1962) Liverpool Airport Master Plan 1962-84 32 City of Liverpool (1962) Liverpool Airport Master Plan 1962-84 33 City of Liverpool (1962) Liverpool Airport Master Plan 1962-84 34 City of Liverpool (1962) Liverpool Airport Master Plan 1962-84
16. In 1986, the original airport was relocated to the southern airfield to the south east of Speke Hall and a new terminal building was constructed (Figure 1.13). The former airport buildings, including the terminal and hangars, remained vacant until their conversion into hotel and leisure uses into the late 20th century. Around this time, various bunding / earth works were introduced around Speke Hall to its east, south and west to further screen development.
Figure 1.13 Liverpool Airport c.1986
17. More recently, the remainder of the original Speke Airport has been redeveloped with large industrial warehouses (known as the Estuary Commerce Park) and Liverpool International Business Park which now occupy land on the western side of Speke Hall. Liverpool John Lennon Airport, forming part of the Master Plan Area, has been subject to various extensions with various new facilities and associated car parking. There have been few other changes to the remainder of the southern part of the Master Plan Area with the exception of the demolition of a number of buildings in and around the settlement of Oglet.
Figure 1.14 Liverpool Airport (2018)*
Appendix 2: Assessments of Significance
Speke Hall (Grade I Listed and Scheduled Monument) and Associated Structures and Outbuildings (Individually Grade II Listed)
Figure 2.1 Speke Hall
1. The present Speke Hall predominantly dates to the early 16th century (approximately c.1530) with incorporated earlier buildings.35 It was constructed under Sir William Norris and then completed by his son Henry Norris c.70 years later.36 The building is designed in a quadrangular plan form with numerous wings. The oak frame construction, typical of the period, rests on a plinth of red sandstone surrounded by a now dry moat. The main beams of the house are stiffened with smaller timbers and filled with wattle and daub. The exterior of the building is decorated with herringbone and quatrefoil panelling. The roofline is broken up through the use of several finialled gables and large stone chimneystacks.
2. The interior of the building has numerous heavily decorated rooms including a great hall and billiard hall. The wallpaper in the corridors of the building was designed by William Morris.37
3. Speke Hall continued to be owned by the Norris family for many generations until 1736 when Mary Norris married Sir Sidney Beauclerk.38 Richard Watt, a Liverpool merchant, purchased the house and estate from the Beauclerks in 1795.39 The last surviving heir of the Watt family was Miss Adelaide Watt, who inherited the house and restored it in 1878. Miss Watt died in 1921 and the estate was eventually passed into the ownership of the National Trust.40
4. Historic England notes that Speke Hall is “one of the most important timber framed manor houses in the country”.41
35 Historic England (1952) List Entry Description for Speke Hall 36 Historic England (1952) List Entry Description for Speke Hall 37 Historic England (1952) List Entry Description for Speke Hall 38 Whatmore, Tom (1990) My Life at Speke Hall 39 Whatmore, Tom (1990) My Life at Speke Hall 40 Whatmore, Tom (1990) My Life at Speke Hall 41 Historic England (1952) List Entry Description for Speke Hall
5. In the central courtyard of Speke Hall are two ancient yew trees called 'Adam' and 'Eve' which are first recorded in correspondence dating to 1712 and are believed to be at least 500 years old.42
6. To the entrance of Speke Hall to the north and also to the east are two grade II listed Bridges over the former moat which enclosed the hall. The date of the bridges is not known but they are constructed from stone with that to the principal entrance including ball finials (one carved with a face) and seats.43 Also to the east is a grade II listed outbuilding which dates to the 16th century. It is of timber-framed construction with a stone base and stone slate roof.44
7. Also to the east of the hall is the grade II listed Home Farm which consists of a range of former farm outbuildings. The buildings date to the late 19th century with later 20th century alterations. It is roughly E-shaped in its plan form with the centre originally consisting of a former cattle yard which was originally covered but was subsequently demolished following a fire in the 20th century. The building is constructed from snecked, rock-faced red sandstone and plain red brick with some areas of rendering. Above is a slate roof with oversailing eaves and verges and full-length ride ventilators.
8. Historic England notes that the farm complex is an “architecturally distinctive and well detailed range of ‘model’ farm buildings” that it is “an important part of the 19th century development of the Speke Hall Estate, and demonstrates then current theories of livestock husbandry, and integrated farm building design”.45
9. To the north of Speke Hall is the grade II listed North Lodge, designed by the architect Thomas Shelmerdine in 1867-8. The building is single storey and constructed from stucco painted to imitate timber framing. It includes a canted bay mullioned windows and paired sashes.
10. As set out at Section 3, the Speke Hall Estate historically sat within open countryside close to the River Mersey. This was heavily industrialised in the 20th century with the construction of Speke Airport (to the west and south) and a large industrial development (to the north and east). As found today, the Speke Hall Estate has a relatively well defined and enclosed setting.
11. Upon approaching Speke Hall, the area is surrounded by modern industrial sheds which is interspersed with green verges, modern tree planting and various industrial vehicles lining the road. The estate is clearly demarcated by the entrance gates close to the North Lodge. This listed building is largely enclosed by mature planting to its front and is only readily appreciable upon entering the estate road known as ‘The Walk’. Its role and function as a former lodge house is best understood from this point and contributes to its significance (Figure 2.2).
42 Whatmore, Tom (1990) My Life at Speke Hall 43 Historic England (1985) List Entry Description for Bridge over Moat 44 Historic England (1985) List Entry Description for Outbuilding to Speke Hall 45 Historic England (1996) List Entry Description for Home Farm
Figure 2.2 North Lodge
12. As the estate road curves, glimpsed views of Speke Hall are obtained between the avenue of trees along The Walk (Figure 2.3). It is at this point that the appreciation and presence of the Speke Hall Estate begins. This approach contrasts with its industrialised approach and wider setting. This juxtaposition is considered to contribute to the significance of the listed building. This approach then leads to the modern car park and visitor reception to the north east of the hall.
Figure 2.3 Views along The Walk to Speke Hall
13. In terms of the immediate gardens and grounds of Speke Hall, these have been continually altered and adapted with various phases of development. The gardens
predominantly date from the mid to late 19th century and have been restored in the late 20th and early 21st century. There are various components which contribute to the significance of the listed building but in varying levels. They are considered below:
14. South Lawn – this area consists of a formal lawn with decorative gardens including mature and new planting (Figure 2.4). This area allows for views of the rear elevation and reinforces its use as a country house. The activity of the nearby Woodland Play Area to the south is audible within this area.
Figure 2.4 South Lawn
15. Moated Gardens – this area was adapted in the 18th and 19th century to form gardens after the moat was drained (Figure 2.5). It illustrates the former history of the hall, being a moated site, together with its later development and alteration.
Figure 2.5 Moated Gardens
16. North Lawn – this area comprises of formal lawns and provides the main approach to the hall (Figure 2.6). It allows for short, medium and long range views of the principal elevation of the listed building which is framed and experienced amongst a backdrop of mature trees. Its verdant and former rural character as part of a country estate can be appreciated from this point.
Figure 2.6 North Lawn
17. Coastal Reserve and Estate Walk – this area consists of the path towards the coastline of the River Mersey (Figure 2.7). It is only here that the building’s original position close to the river can be clearly understood. This has, however, been altered by the loss of the tree plantation and the creation of bunding which has screened views from within the estate. The elevated estate walk, located on top of the bunding, is uncharacteristic of the area (which is predominantly flat) but allows for more wide-ranging views of the surrounding area. Both areas are largely experienced within the context of modern development associated with LJLA, the former Speke Airport and the Estuary Commerce Park / Liverpool International Business Park.
Figure 2.7 Coastal Reserve and Estate Walk
18. Home Farm – this area includes the grade II listed Home Farm which has been converted into a shop and restaurant (Figure 2.8). Its former use remains legible but the legibility of its connection with Speke Hall is not readily appreciable due to the distance and intervening planting between the building and the hall. The area has been modernised with the Home Farm Play Area and Maze which are audible within this area.
Figure 2.8 Home Farm and Maze
19. Secret Garden – this area was originally known as the ‘Stream Garden’ and represents a 19th century phase of the gardens with a stream, decorative planting and grotto style cave entrance (Figure 2.9). When compared to the other areas of the Speke Hall Estate, this area is secluded from the other areas but the noise from nearby planes remains audible within the area.
Figure 2.9 Secret Garden
20. Kitchen Garden and Orchard – this area comprises the former kitchen garden on the estate, illustrating the former status and self-sufficiency and character of the Speke Hall Estate (Figure 2.10). The orchard appears to be a more recent addition.
Figure 2.10 Kitchen Garden and Orchard
21. Car Park and Visitor Reception – this area consists of a modern purpose built visitor reception and car parking area (Figure 2.11). With the exception of views towards Home Farm, it does not contribute to the significance of Speke Hall.
Figure 2.11 Car Park and Visitor Reception
22. Generally, within the aforementioned areas and the overall Speke Hall Estate, the presence of LJLA is largely felt with the noise and activity of planes taking off and landing.
Yew Tree Farmhouse (Grade II Listed)
Figure 2.12 Yew Tree Farmhouse
23. Yew Tree Farmhouse (Figure 2.12) is located within the Master Plan Area and is a farmhouse dating to the early 19th century.46 The building is three storeys in a rectangular plan form and is constructed from red brick with stone dressings under a slate roof. It is symmetrical in its design and composition with two bays with a central entrance at ground floor with later 20th century timber porch. Above are corresponding timber casement windows with segmental heads. There are also flanking chimneystacks at either side of the building.
24. The listed building is largely enclosed to all sides by open agricultural fields, with a mix of traditional and modern outbuildings to the south east. To the north west, beyond the fields, is the LJLA complex with its associated airport infrastructure including control towers, buildings and runways. Further to the south is the River Mersey.
25. The setting of the listed building is largely defined by the agricultural fields which surround it, assisting to reinforce its former use as an agricultural farmhouse. Historic map regression indicates that the building originally held historic and functional association with this land.
46 Historic England (1975) List Entry Description for Yew Tree Farmhouse
Figure 2.13 View to Yew Tree Farmhouse along Oglet Lane
26. The listed building is primarily experienced from Oglet Lane where the road turns from the east to the west. Its prominent position on the road is appreciable here together with its former use with the nearby outbuildings to the east (Figures 2.13 and 2.14). There are distant views of the listed building from the west but these are largely concealed by the extent of mature trees and hedgerows.
Figure 2.14 View to Yew Tree Farmhouse along Oglet Lane
27. The setting of the farmhouse is largely defined by three factors;
• The nearby outbuildings and agricultural structures which assist in illustrating the role and function of the listed building as a residential farmhouse;
• It’s surrounding agricultural land which reinforces its use and function as a farmhouse; and
• The proximity to the River Mersey, providing views of it from and in-conjunction with the farmhouse which allows for an appreciation of its coastal context.
All Saints Church, Lychgate, Village Hall, 30-34 Hale Road and Church of St Ambrose; (Individually Grade II Listed)
Figure 2.15 All Saints Church, Lychgate and Village Hall
28. Approximately 500 metres to the north of the Master Plan Area, is the grouping of the grade II All Saints Church, Lychgate, Village Hall (Figure 2.15 and 2.17) and 30-34 Hale Road (Figure 2.16).
29. All Saints Church dates to the mid to late 19th century (c.1876) and was designed by the architect J.L. Pearson.47 The building is constructed from red snecked sandstone with a tiled roof and cresting. The plan form consists of a nave with north aisle, north transept and chancel with north vestry. To the south east is a large steeple with broach spire decorated with lucarnes. The windows to the nave have geometrical tracery with 2- light and 4-light windows.
30. The interior contains a four bay arcade on round columns, an arch braced clapsed- purlin roof and early Gothic revival stained glass to the east and transept windows. Pevsner describes the building as “simple, reasonable and serious but devoid of Pearson’s great enthusiasms”.48
31. Outside the church is a Lychgate of the same date (c.1876) which is constructed of stone walls under a hipped shingle roof with gablets and tile cresting.49 The roof is a crown post roof with arch-braced tie beams.
47 Historic England (1975) List Entry Description for All Saints Church 48 Pevsner, N (2006) Buildings of England – Lancashire: Liverpool and the South West 49 Historic England (1975) List Entry Description for the Lychgate
Figure 2.16 Village Hall
32. Across the road is the former St Mary’s School which was later adapted as a Village Hall (Figure 2.16) and is now vacant. The building is of a similar date to St Mary’s Church (c.1870’s) and is constructed from red snecked stone with a tile roof.50 The village is one storey with a projecting gabled bay and lateral stack together with a projecting gabled porch with timber table and decorative barge boards.
Figure 2.17 30-34 Hale Road
33. To the south of this grouping is the grade II listed 30-34 Hale Road (Figure 2.17) which comprises of three houses constructed in the late 18th century. They are constructed from red brick with tuck pointing under a slate roof. The central house is of three bays with a projecting pedimented gable with sandstone coping. This is flanked by houses of two bays which, together with the projecting chimneystacks, form an overall symmetrical composition.
50 Historic England (1975) List Entry Description for the Village Hall
34. These listed buildings form a grouping within the original centre of Speke before its rapid expansion in the 20th century. The buildings are primarily experienced from Hale Road where their grouping can be best appreciated. Due to the tight urban grain of the surrounding area and the topography of the land, there are limited other areas in which to experience the listed buildings. The church spire is visible intermittently from within the surrounding area but the majority of views are concealed by later development and/or existing mature trees.
35. Further to the east, approximately 2km from the Master Plan Area, is the Church of St Ambrose (Figure 2.18). The church dates to approximately c.1959-61 and was designed by the architect Alfred Bullen of Weightman and Bullen, assisted by Jerzy Faczynski.51 The building is constructed from a reinforced concrete frame clad in brown brick with stock brick cladding to the tall campanile. It is rectangular in plan form with a free- standing sanctuary and raised altar. St Ambrose's was built to serve the new housing estate of Speke. It is noted to be the first Roman Catholic church in England completed (though not the first begun) to a rectangular plan with a free-standing altar.52
Figure 2.18 Church of St Ambrose
36. The setting of the listed building is largely defined by the surrounding residential suburb of Speke. It is enclosed to all sides by modern residential streets, including Heathgate Avenue to the north, Critchley Road to the west and Churchway Road to the east and south. It is primarily experienced from the north where its rectangular plan form and separate campanile tower are appreciable. Due to the tight urban grain of the surrounding area and the topography of the land, there are limited other areas in which to experience the listed building.
51 Historic England (2007) List Entry Description for Church of St Ambrose 52 Historic England (2007) List Entry Description for Church of St Ambrose
Liverpool Speke Airport Complex (Grade II* Listed)
Figure 2.19 Liverpool Speke Airport
37. Liverpool Speke Airport (Figure 2.19) was constructed in c.1935-40 and designed by the architect Edward Bloomfield, working under the City Surveyor, Albert D Jenkins. The plan is largely based on the Fuhlsbuttel airport at Hamburg (constructed in c.1929); with matching hangars flanking a gently curving terminal with tiered observation decks and central control tower.
38. The terminal building is constructed from steel and cast iron structural frame with brown brick walling and concrete and stone dressings. It is described by Historic England as being designed in the ‘Linear Art Deco Style’.53 The building has since been converted and extended for hotel use in 1999-2001. The hangar buildings are constructed from a structural steel frame with brown brick walling panels and corner piers, supporting a steel lattice truss roof structure. It has since been converted to commercial use as a sports centre in 2001-2003.
39. Pevsner notes that the Liverpool Speke Airport Complex was “the city’s most forward- looking inter-war civic project, the action of a great port striving to remain at the forefront of transport developments by establishing itself as the premier ‘air junction’ in the North of England.”54
40. The setting of the listed building complex is principally derived from the surviving concrete concourse and runway areas to the south. These areas allow for an understanding of the former function and use of the buildings as an airport. This is enhanced by the display of vintage planes. The former runways have been redeveloped with the Estuary Commerce Park and are no longer appreciable.
53 Historic England (1985) List Entry Description for Liverpool Speke Airport 54 Pevsner, N (2006) Buildings of England – Lancashire: Liverpool and the South West
Hale Village Conservation Area
41. The village of Hale was an important (although treacherous) fording point on the Mersey from at least the 12th century until the Manchester Ship Canal intervened and the Widnes bridges were built.55 The village retains a number a number of 17th, 18th and 19th century whitewashed cottages, all predominantly located along High Street (Figure 2.20). Pevsner notes that the ‘best group’ are on Church End and are 17th century, single storey and constructed from brick and thatch with surviving cruck frame interiors.56 The 17th century Hale Hall which was originally located to the south of the village centre but was demolished in the early to mid 20th century and its ground reused as the Hale Park Recreation Ground.
Figure 2.20 Hale Village
42. These and other cottages on the High Street form the core of the conservation area and owe their survival complete with thatch and horizontal sliding sashes to Peter Fleetwood-Hesketh, architectural historian and last lord of Manor (Hale Hall) who sympathetically modernised them to preserve the character of the village.57
43. Also on Church End is the grade II* listed Manor House (Figure 2.21) which forms a landmark building within the centre / southern part of the conservation area. The building dates to the 17th century and was partially rebuilt in the 18th century. The façade is two storeys, of five bays and constructed from red sandstone and brick. It is decorated with dummy oeil de bouef windows at the top and a balustrade parapet, with peculiarly slim balusters. At each end are giant rusticated Doric pilasters and superimposed rusticated quoin pilasters delineate the middle bay.
55 Pevsner, N (2006) Buildings of England – Lancashire: Liverpool and the South West 56 Pevsner, N (2006) Buildings of England – Lancashire: Liverpool and the South West 57 Pevsner, N (2006) Buildings of England – Lancashire: Liverpool and the South West
Figure 2.21 Manor House in Hale
44. The building was not originally the manor house and was actually the parsonage when it was given ‘its remarkably ambitious, grand and mysterious features’. 58 This remodelling was the result of Rev William Langford in c.1703.59
Figure 2.22 St Mary’s Church
45. Also to this part of Hale Conservation Area is the grade II listed St Mary’s Church (Figure 2.22) which principally dates to the mid-18th century but with a surviving 14th century embattled west tower. The building is rectangular in plan form and constructed from red sandstone with slate roof. The windows to the body of the church are round headed with springing blocks and keystones and leaded light glazing but the chancel gable window differentiates with a large Palladian window.
58 Pevsner, N (2006) Buildings of England – Lancashire: Liverpool and the South West 59 Pevsner, N (2006) Buildings of England – Lancashire: Liverpool and the South West
46. The special character and appearance of the Hale Village Conservation Area is relatively well defined and centred on High Street and Church End. The setting of the conservation area is relatively mixed and makes a limited contribution to its significance. To the west and north of the conservation is modern residential development along High Street and Town Lane. To the south west and south is the Hale Park Recreation Ground which is the former site of Hale Manor which assists in illustrating the history and development of the area. Beyond this is mature tree plantings, open fields and the River Mersey.
Figure 2.23 Houses on Church End
47. To the south of the conservation area consists of mid-20th century housing towards the end of Church End (Figure 2.23), beyond which is the River Mersey. Similarly to the south east, beyond the churchyard of St Mary, are open agricultural fields beyond which are the industrial and chemical factories along the River Mersey which form part of the backdrop of the conservation area (Figure 2.24).
Figure 2.24 Views from St Mary’s Churchyard
Hale Road Conservation Area
48. To the east of the Master Plan Area, approximately 900 metres away, is the Hale Road Conservation Area which was designated by Halton Borough Council in 1983. The conservation area is predominately linear in a west to east alignment and is centred on the various residential properties which front Hale Road (both to the north and south).
Figure 2.25 Cottages along Hale Road
49. There are approximately 18 properties which were all constructed in the late 1920’s or early 1930’s during the Inter-War Period (Figure 2.25). They are predominantly designed in the ‘Cottages Orne’ style which means ‘a rustic building of picturesque design’. The buildings forms part of a particular phase of architectural design, centred on the ‘Old English’ style which was at its height in the late 1920’s.60 The use of thatch emphasises the style, as it was deemed an ‘obsolete roofing material’ by the late 19th century but became more fashionable during this period. 61 Some of the buildings have since been altered and roofing replaced with tiles or slates. The gardens largely retain a verdant character with mature hedgerows and trees to Hale Road.
50. The conservation area also includes a large tree plantation to the south, located behind the properties along Hale Road.
51. The setting of the conservation area is largely mixed, with the settlement of Hale located to its immediate east and agricultural fields to the north. To the south is the tree plantation (within the boundary) beyond which is further agricultural fields. To the west is a collection of 20th century properties along at the junction of Baileys Lane and Hale Road. The fields immediately to the north and north west are prominent in kinetic views from within the conservation area and serve to reinforce its semi-rural position on the outskirts of Hale Village. The remainder of its setting, with the exception of Hale Village itself, is not considered to contribute positively to the significance of the Hale Road Conservation Area.
60 Johnson, Alan (2006) Understanding the Edwardian and Inter-War Houses (1920s & 1930s) 61 Johnson, Alan (2006) Understanding the Edwardian and Inter-War Houses (1920s & 1930s)
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