Skillington Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan Designated 1990 Review August 2016
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Skillington Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan Designated 1990 Review August 2016 1 1.0 Character Appraisal 4 1.2 Background 4 1.3 Location and Context 4 2.0 Planning Policy Context 4 2.1 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act) 1990 5 2.2 National Planning Policy Framework 5 2.3 Local Development Framework, Core Strategy 5 3.0 Summary of Special Interest 6 4.0 Historical Development 6 5.0 Character and Appearance 7 5.1 Spatial Character and Townscape Quality 7 5.2 Architecture and Building Materials 10 5.3 Key Views 11 5.4 Contribution of Trees, Hedgerows and Open Space 12 5.5 Floorscape and Street Furniture 12 6.0 Key Historic Buildings 12 6.1 Listed Buildings 12 6.2 Positive Unlisted Buildings 13 6.3 Locally Listed Buildings 14 7.0 Archaeology 15 8.0 Changes since Designation 15 9.0 Boundary Review 15 10.0 Management Plan 16 10.1 Introduction 16 11.0 Effects of Designation 16 12.0 Article 4 Directions 16 13.0 Protection of Trees 17 14.0 Monitoring Condition 17 14.1 Urgent Works Notice 18 14.2 Repairs Notice 18 14.3 Section 215 Notice 18 14.4 Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) 18 15.0 Enforcement 18 16.0 Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, 19 Threats (SWOT) Analysis 16.1 Strengths 19 16.2 Weaknesses 19 16.3 Opportunities 20 16.4 Threats 20 17.0 Action Plan 21 2 18.0 References 26 19.0 Useful Contacts 26 3 1.0 Character Appraisal 1.2 Background The conservation area at Skillington was designated in 1990. The purpose of this document is to define the special interest of the conservation area and assess the action needed to protect and enhance the special qualities of the conservation area. The conservation area appraisal and management plan is split into three sections: Section 1: Conservation area appraisal, which details any proposed changes or extensions as part of the 2016 review. Section 2: Management plan, which puts forward proposals for preservation and enhancement. Section 3: Action plan to address those issues drawn out in the appraisal and management plan. The appraisal and management plan should be read alongside the accompanying map in the appendix. 1.3 Location and Context Skillington is a small village approximately 4 miles from Great Ponton and 8 miles from Grantham, to the east of the Viking Way. It is located within the Kesteven Uplands landscape character area which extends southwards towards Stamford and eastwards towards Bourne. The undulating landscape is characterised by a high proportion of historic woodland and fields enclosed by hedgerows. Villages are built of predominantly limestone, with pantile roofs in the north part of the uplands and Collywestern roofs to the south. Cringle (meaning winding) Brook passes through the village, and can be seen running underneath the Bridge at Colsterworth Road. 2.0 Planning Policy Context 2.1 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 Conservation areas are designated under the provisions of Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. A conservation area is defined as ‘an area of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’. It is the duty of local authorities to designate such areas in order to ensure that their unique character is preserved and enhanced. Designation grants control over demolition of unlisted buildings, strengthens controls over minor development and also gives special protection to trees. It is the quality and interest of an area as a whole, rather than that of individual buildings, which is the prime consideration in identifying a conservation area. Section 69(2) of the Act imposes a duty on Local Authorities to review their conservation areas from time to time, Section 71 of the same Act requires local planning authorities to formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of any parts 4 of their area that are designated as conservation areas. Section 72 specifies that, in making a decision on an application for development in a conservation area, special attention shall be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area. 2.2 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Government policy on the conservation of the historic environment is contained within National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2012. The presumption in favour of sustainable development is the guiding principal of the document and the protection and enhancement of the historic environment is embedded within this approach. Sustainable development is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future (5) and the introduction of the NPPF breaks down this definition into three dimensions; economic, social and environmental. Within the environmental dimension sustainable development needs to contribute to ‘protecting and enhancing our natural, built and historic environment’ (7).According to the NPPF, a conservation area is a ‘designated heritage asset’ and has been defined in Annex 2 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 interest. Heritage asset includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority (including local listing)’.Great weight is given to the conservation of designated heritage assets. Heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource and any harm or loss requires clear and convincing justification (132). In developing this strategy, the following needs to be taken into account (131): The desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets 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 distinctiveness Opportunities to draw on the contribution made by the historic environment to the character of place 2.3 Local Development Framework, Core Strategy The South Kesteven District Council Core strategy was adopted in July 2010 and is one of the most important parts of the Local Development Framework. It sets out the key principles for development management and the conservation of the historic environment is detailed within policy EN1: The protection and enhancement of the character of the district. Development must be appropriate to the character and significant natural, historic and cultural attributes and features of the landscape. The development must also contribute to its conservation, enhancement and restoration. 5 3.0 Summary of Special Interest The village has long standing associations with a number of large landowners including The Buckminster Estate (The Earl of Dysart and later the Tollemache family), the Easton Estate (The Cholmeley family) and the Turnors of Stoke Rochford. Strong rural and agricultural character with a number of working farms. Village Greens, areas of open space and the Paddock to the south of Church Lane contributing towards a rural and open character. Grouping of St. James’s Church (Grade I), The Abbey with its moat to the rear, outbuildings and pigeoncote (Grade II) making a strong contribution. Development radiating from ‘The Square’, which forms the focal point of the conservation area. However, the early settlement of the village is located to the west of the conservation area, surrounding the Parish Church and the Abbey. Visual harmony across the conservation area contributed by a material palette of coursed or rubble limestone walling and pantile roofs, although the buildings do not necessarily display a uniform ‘estate style’ that is typical of many other villages within the district. Traditional craftsmanship embodied in original building materials and architectural features. 4.0 Historical development The village of Skillington has early origins and can be traced back to the Doomsday book. It is believed that the name Skillington is derived from Sceilas village, Sciella being a Viking name. Tun (later spelt ton) was a common ending meaning an enclosed piece of land. Ing and Inga means belonging to. It is quite possible that Skillington had earlier Roman origins as at nearby Stoke Rochford Hall are the remains of a Roman bathhouse and villa. In the field to the north of Back Lane, now the site of Fish Well Close are earthworks dating to the medieval period. The site was investigated during a watching brief in the 1990’s which revealed a stone and brick well, believed to be 17th century or earlier, a medieval stone wall and a mix of pottery dating from the 12th to the 18th century. The Church of St. James has ‘long and short’ stone quoining typical of the Anglo Saxon period. The village has long standing associations with a number of landowners including The Buckminster Estate (The Earl of Dysart and later the Tollemache family), The Easton Estate (The Cholmeley family) and the Turnors of Stoke Rochford. The Dysart and Cholmeley family were dual lords of the Manor and many of the estate’s’ assets and belongings were termed ’ blue’, which is also an indication of the political allegiance of the Dysart family at the time. Their association within the village can still be seen today, with ‘Blue Town’ consisting of housing built for their workers and the local pub which is called ‘The Blue Horse Inn’, located on Lords Lane. 6 During the 19th century there was notable growth in the village, probably due to the need to provide services and community buildings for the large number of agricultural workers. In 1842 the school was built (enlarged in 1894) and not long after, the Methodist Chapel was built in 1847. Additionally, a new vicarage was built on Park Lane by Christopher Turnor of Stoke Rochford Hall, known as The Old Rectory. There is a strong history of farming in the village.