The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer, Macclesfield Heritage Statement

The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer, Macclesfield

Heritage Statement

Humble Heritage Ltd May 2017

CONTENTS PAGE

Executive Summary 3

1.0 Introduction and Methodology 4

2.0 Site Location and Planning Context 5

3.0 History and Description of the Site 6

4.0 Summary Statement of Significance 8

5.0 Heritage Impact of the Development 9

6.0 Sources Consulted 11

Appendix A ~ Listing Building Entry 12

The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer, Macclesfield

Heritage Statement

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Site Name: The Knot Inn Address: The Knot Inn, Station Lane, Rushton Spencer, SK11 0QU Local Planning Authority: Staffordshire Moorlands District Council County: Staffordshire Date of Property: Mid-19th century public house Conservation Area: N/A Listed Building: Grade II Scheduled Monument: N/A Report Production: Liz Humble Enquiries To: Liz Humble, Director Humble Heritage Ltd 14 Ashbourne Way York, YO24 2SW Tel: 01904 340591 Mobile: 07548 624722 Email: [email protected] Website: www.humbleheritage.co.uk

Humble Heritage Ltd is a professional built heritage and archaeological consultancy operating in the specialised area of the historic environment. The practice has extensive experience of historical and archaeological research, assessing significance and heritage impact and preparing heritage impact assessments, archaeological desk-based assessments, statements of significance, conservation management plans and so forth. Humble Heritage Ltd provides heritage and archaeological advice on behalf of a wide variety of clients across much of England.

Humble Heritage Ltd undertook this Heritage Statement during May 2017 on behalf of Punch Taverns Ltd and RA Dalton Ltd. This assessment is intended to inform and accompany the application for planning permission for the installation of a duplex grade sewage pumping station, pumping main, KEE NuDisc sewage treatment plant and associated drainage at the grounds to The Knot Inn, a Grade II listed building. The application site is located within part of the car park to the public house.

This report assesses the potential for archaeological remains to survive in this area and their nature and significance and also the contribution that the application site makes to the significance of the Grade II listed public house and any other nearby listed buildings. The report concludes with an assessment of the impact of the development upon the significance of the designated heritage assets.

This report finds that the Grade II listed Knot Inn has been designated as being of special interest on the basis of its architectural and/or historic interest. The application site is its setting but makes a negligible

contribution to the special interest or significance of The Knot Inn. The car park within which the proposed development will be located enables open views to the building and facilitates the sustainable use of the building by providing parking for patrons, which contributes to communal heritage values but no other contribution has been identified.

The proposed development is considered to result in ‘less than substantial harm’ to the heritage significance of the Grade II listed Knot Inn. Indeed the impact is negligible and the proposals will support the ongoing sustainable use of the Grade II listed Knot Inn and is thus linked to a clear public benefit.

INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY

1.01 This Heritage Statement has been prepared by Liz Humble (MA, MA, MCIfA, IHBC), Director, Humble Heritage Ltd, on behalf of RA Dalton Ltd. This report has been produced during May 2017 and considers land (part of a car park) where a septic tank is planned for installation to serve the nearby Grade II listed Knot Inn.

1.02 The aims of this report are to:

. Inform the applicants and their specialist project team with respect to the significance of the site and the heritage implications of the development. . To provide a tool to help the planning authority to understand the development of the site and the contribution, if any, that it makes to the significance of the designated heritage assets in this location. . Assist those in the planning system advise and assess the change at the site and satisfy the requirement of paragraph 128 of the National Planning Policy Framework, which indicates that applicants should provide a description of the significance of any heritage assets affected by their proposals (including any contribution made by their setting).

1.03 This assessment has been informed by a site visit on 12 May 2017, analysis of historic Ordnance Survey maps of the area, listing descriptions, the Historic Environment record entry held at Staffordshire HER and desk based research. The archives at the Archaeology Data Search and Historic England were consulted but no futher information on The Knot Inn was found.

SITE LOCATION AND PLANNING CONTEXT

Site Location 2.01 The application site forms part of the car park to the Knot Inn located in Rushton Spencer situated between the towns of Leek and Congleton (both about 3 miles away), and about 5 miles south of Macclesfield (figure 1). Rushton Spencer is a small village, close to the western edge of the Peak District National Park. The Knot Inn itself sits on a large plot on a quiet lane just off the main A523 route through the area.

Figure 1: Site location (site shown within red spot)

Heritage Planning Context 2.02 The application site falls within the curtilage of the Grade II Knot Inn, designated in 1987 and is located close to the Grade II listed former Rushton Spencer Railway Station (Grade II listed in 1987; now a private dwelling).

2.03 The purpose of this Heritage Statement is to satisfy paragraph 128 of the National Planning Policy Framework and it therefore assesses the significance of any heritage assets that may be affected by the proposals. Furthermore, section 66(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 indicates that special regard shall be given to the desirability of preserving a listed building or its setting.

2.04 Paragraph 132 of the National Planning Policy Framework advises that the significance of designated heritage assets can be harmed or lost through alterations or development within their setting. Such harm or loss to significance requires clear and convincing justification. Paragraphs

133 and 134 of the National Planning Policy Framework make a distinction between proposals that will lead to ‘…substantial harm to or total loss of significance…’ of a designated heritage asset (paragraph 133) and proposals that will have ‘…less than substantial harm…’ (paragraph 134).

Planning History 2.05 A search of Staffordshire Moorland District Council’s online planning search has revealed the following application history at The Knot Inn.

Application Date Proposal Decision reference SMD/2015/0095 2015 Advertisement consent for new signage scheme Advertisement consisting of 1 hanging sign, 3 sets of halo- Consent - Approved illuminated individual letters, wall board, 2 poster cases and 2 handwritten signs SMD/2015/0091 2015 Listed Building Consent for 13 floodlights, 3 lanterns, Listed Building 1 hanging sign, 3 sets of halo-illuminated individual Consent - Approved letters, wall board, 2 poster cases and 2 handwritten signs SMD/2014/0837 2015 Listed building consent for demolition of existing Listed Building lean-to and erection of a rear extension, new Consent – Approved SMD/2014/0836 entrance canopy to the side entrance, installation of an extraction flue and internal and external Planning Permission alterations - Approved

HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE

Origins and Historical Development 3.01 The Knot Inn was built in the mid-19th century close to the former railway line (removed some time ago) and a nearby former railway station (built 1844, now a private dwelling) (figure 2). The inn was situated to provide hospitality to the travelling public, business, families etc using the adjacent railway.

3.02 Reputedly, the public house was originally named ‘The Hope & Anchor’. The Railway Inn replaced the Hope and Anchor in 1853. It is now known as The Knot Inn – named after the Staffordshire Knot used on the rolling stock and uniforms of the NSR Co. (North Staffordshire Railway Company). Rushton railway station was a railway station that served the village of Rushton Spencer, Staffordshire. The station was opened by the North Staffordshire Railway in 1849 as part of the Churnet Valley line. It remained open until passenger services were withdrawn from the northern end of the Churnet valley line in 1960. Freight services lasted until 1964 when they were withdrawn and the track lifted. Today, the track bed forms part of the ‘Staffordshire Way’, which is now a local leisure route.

3.03 The Staffordshire Historic Environment Record (SHER) is one of the primary sources of information on the local historic environment. It includes information on archaeological sites, historic buildings, finds and the historic landscape within the modern county of Staffordshire. The Knot Inn is recorded in the HER as number 13587. The HER record states: ‘A listed mid 19th century (former railway) inn of red brick with patterned, blue tile roof and brick chimney stacks. Associated with the adjacent Churnet Valley Branch of the North Staffordshire Railway (PRN 50750)’.

Figure 2: Ordnance Survey map, 1879

Archaeological Potential 3.04 The site of the new septic tank has low archaeological potential. A search of the Archaeology Data Service has not revealed any previous archaeological interventions here, however, there is some potential for earlier phases of the building to survive within the car park as foundations/artefacts.

Site Description: The Site Today 3.05 The Knot Inn is a Victorian brick-built public house that retains a traditional character and a number of traditional features externally and internally. Substantial investment in 2015 refurbished and altered the interior, demolition of existing lean-to and erection of a rear extension, new entrance canopy to the side entrance, installation of an extraction flue. The Knot also has a separate room that can be used as a function room, holding 50 people. To the rear of the property, there is a very large beer garden and car parking for approximately 25 vehicles.

3.06 The listing description reads: ‘Railway inn. Mid-C19. Red brick; banded patterned blue machine tile roof; verge parapets; brick end stacks. Symmetrical, 2-storey, 3-window front; glazing bar sashes with painted ashlar block lintels; the centre window is now occupied by the inn sign; moulded surround to Tudor-arch central entrance; cornice over and inset double, panelled doors. Forms a close group with the railway station adjacent to the west (q.v.).’

Figure 3: Knot Inn viewed from Station Lane Figure 4: Knot Inn and former Rushton Spencer Station viewed from Station Lane

Figure 5: Application site (for sewerage treatment plant) shown on image

SUMMARY STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

4.01 Significance is the concept that underpins current conservation philosophy. The significance of heritage assets is defined in the National Planning Policy Framework 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’.

4.02 When considering the significance of the application site and its contribution to the special interest of the listed buildings at The Knot Inn and former station this section is informed by the methodology set out in the Historic England document Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3 – The Setting of Heritage Assets (2015).

The Knot Inn 4.03 The Grade II listed Knot Inn has been designated as being of special interest on the basis of its architectural and/or historic interest. It also enjoys a group value with the former Rushton Spencer Station, also listed Grade II, given their shared history until the closure of the railway line. In terms of their setting, the route of the former railway line positively contributes as it is part of their history – and indeed the reason for their construction – and is now a popular leisure route.

The Contribution of the Site to the Special Interest of the Listed Building at the former Rushton Spencer Station 4.04 This report finds that the application site does not make any contribution to the significance of the former Rushton Spencer Station as the site lacks a sufficiently strong visual relationship with the former station building for it to fall within the setting of the listed building. The proposed development is also sufficiently modest to have no impact upon the experience of Rushton Spencer Station or the significance that it derives from its setting (in which The Knot Inn does positively contribute). Rushton Spencer Station is not therefore considered further in this report.

The Contribution of the Site to the Special Interest of the Listed Building at The Knot Inn 4.05 The car park as a whole makes only a negligible contribution to the special interest or significance of The Knot Inn. As a whole, it enables open views to the building from the former railway line now used as a leisure route and the pub beer garden, although this does not apply to the application site that is sufficiently marginal to not contribute in this way. It also facilitates the

sustainable use of the building by providing parking for patrons which contributes to communal heritage values but no other contribution has been identified. The part of the car park where the proposed development will be situated is sufficiently marginal to have no effect on these aspects of the setting of The Knot Inn.

HERITAGE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

5.01 This section of the Heritage Statement assesses the likely heritage impact caused to the designated heritage asset at The Knot Inn assessed above in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework i.e. as either ‘substantial harm’ (paragraph 133) or ‘less than substantial harm’ (paragraph 134). The National Planning Policy Framework Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) advises that in considering the “setting” of a heritage asset: ‘A thorough assessment of the impact on setting needs to take into account and be proportionate to the significance of the heritage assets…and the degree to which the proposed changes enhance or detract from this significance and the ability to appreciate it’. The PPG advises that: ‘In general terms, substantial harm is a high test, so it may not arise in many cases. For example, in determining whether works to a listed building constitute substantial harm an important consideration would be whether the adverse impact seriously affects a key element of its special architectural of historic interest…..works that are moderate or minor in scale are likely to cause less than substantial harm or no harm at all’.

5.02 The proposed development of the site is below judged proportionately to the relative contribution that the site makes to the designated heritage asset.

The Proposal 5.03 The proposal seeks planning permission for the installation of a duplex grade sewage pumping station, pumping main, KEE NuDisc sewage treatment plant and associated drainage at the grounds to The Knot Inn, a Grade II listed building. The application site is located within part of the car park to the public house as shown on figures 5 & 6.

Figure 6: Proposed location of the sewerage treatment plant

5.04 The proposed drainage routes are shown on drawing No. P31232-3E by Peter Matthews and Associates, drainage and water engineers and consultants. The sewerage treatment plant Klargester BM BioDisc is shown on BM Biodisc General Assembly drawing DS1292P by Kingspan Environmental. The proposed fencing is shown on a drawing by Butler Haig Associates. These have all been consulted as part of the preparation of the assessment of heritage impact in this report.

Assessment of the effect of the proposed development on the designated heritage asset Proposed works Significance of the historic fabric/area The impact of the proposed that will be affected work(s) on the historic fabric/area Excavation works for The grounds do not form part of a designed No adverse impact to the special drainage, the pumping landscape, but is rather a car park (for the interest of the listed building at The station and sewerage STP) and concrete surface (for discharge, Knot Inn or its significance treatment plant pumping station and grease trap) with a small area of grass at the rear of the public house. Outlet drainage would then be linked to a stream adjacent to the public house. There is no heritage impact to the landscape context. The archaeological potential is low and no significant archaeological deposits are likely to be encountered or disturbed, although there remains a possibly that artefacts/remains associated with the public house may be sealed under modern tarmac/hard core surfacing Most of the works will be The car park makes only a negligible The impact is neutral as the buried below the ground contribution to the significance of the listed sewerage treatment plant will be surface, however, the top of building largely hidden underground and will the sewerage treatment in any case by protected by a plant will be visible above timber fence that will enclose it ground whilst also preventing any views to it. It is situated in a marginal area of the car park so that it will not interfere with views towards the Knot Inn Erection of a solid timber The car park makes only a negligible The impact is very limited as the fence to enclose the contribution to the significance of the listed site is hidden from view from the sewerage treatment plant building road by The Knot Inn itself as this is at the rear of the inn. It is partially hidden from view from the former railway line (now publically accessible to walkers and cyclists) by a mature hedge and fence but could be glimpsed across the car park. It is situated in a marginal area of the car park so that it will not interfere with views towards the Knot Inn

Maximising Enhancement and Minimising Harm 5.05 This proposal has been designed to minimise harm in the following ways:

. The access arrangements and site boundaries remain unchanged.

. The location is not sensitive; it is in a less visible location at the rear of the car park and is sited close to a series of ‘back of house’ services and associated infrastructure. . The only publically visible above ground element will be the fencing, which is timber and will blend with existing fencing and nearby sheds at the site.

5.06 The proposal has been designed to maximise enhancement in the following ways:

. This work supports the ongoing viable sustainable use of a listed building - the Knot Inn – as a public house. Without appropriate facilities, the use of the listed building is put at risk.

Summary of Heritage Impact and Public Benefit 5.07 The NPPF sets out a sequential process for assessing potential harm. The accompanying Planning Practice Guidance expands on the interpretation of this policy. In considering the ‘setting’ of a heritage asset the guidance advises that: ‘A thorough assessment of the impact on setting needs to take into account and be proportionate to the significance of the heritage assets…and the degree to which the proposed changes enhance or detract from this significance and the ability to appreciate it’. The proposed development is considered to result in ‘less than substantial harm’ to the heritage significance of the Grade II listed Knot Inn. Indeed the impact is negligible, while the proposals will support the ongoing sustainable use of the Grade II listed Knot Inn and is thus linked to a clear public benefit.

SOURCES CONSULTED

Policy and Guidance Documents Communities and Local Government (2012). National Planning Policy Framework. Historic England (2008). Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance. Historic England (2015). Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning. Note 3 - The Setting of Heritage Assets.

Websites Archaeology Data Service - http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk Heritage Gateway - http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway Historic England Archive - http://archive.historicengland.org.uk Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Online Planning Application Search - https://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/article/568/Search-and-track-planning-applications Staffordshire Historic Environment Record

APPENDIX A ~ LISTED BUILDING ENTRY

Name: The Knot Inn List Entry Number: 1374775 County: Staffordshire District: Staffordshire Moorlands Parish: Rushton Grade: II Date First Listed: 20 November 1987

Railway inn. Mid-C19. Red brick; banded patterned blue machine tile roof; verge parapets; brick end stacks. Symmetrical, 2-storey, 3-window front; glazing bar sashes with painted ashlar block lintels; the centre window is now occupied by the inn sign; moulded surround to Tudor-arch central entrance; cornice over and inset double, panelled doors. Forms a close group with the railway station adjacent to the west (q.v.).

National Grid Reference: SJ 93613 62470