G R O B Y U R B A N C H A R A C T E R6 Introduction 6.102 Groby almost certainly dates back to Saxon times with the word Grub meaning pit or mine. There is evidence that the Romans came to the village from their pot making. There were many small mines between Groby and its neighbouring village of Markfield. The last slate quarry closed in 1908, unable to compete with the lighter and cheaper Welsh slate being brought into Leicestershire by the Midland Railway. 6.103 The village is well placed for those travelling into the city of Leicester, and also ideally situated for those wanting to use the motorway network. C. 1885 OS History and Urban Form 6.104 In 1885 Groby was a small nucleated settlement formed around the junction of Leicester Road, Markfield Road, and Ratby Road centred around St. Phillip and St. James’ church and the Old Hall. The village continued to expand slowly along Leicester and Ratby Roads up to the early 1930s. 6.105 The village then followed a similar growth pattern to that of the surrounding villages of Ratby and Markfield with rapid expansion during the 1940s and 50s which more than tripled the size of the original settlement. This took the village boundary out to the A50 and A46, to the north and east. Resulting in a somewhat unbalanced pattern. C. 1931 OS M1 Location Map A50 Groby A447 A444 A46 A47 C. 1980 OS A5 Historical maps of Groby showing urban expansion from 9 6 1885-1980. Boundary shows the extent of the present M day developed area. H I N C K L E Y A N D B O S W O R T H 85 C H A R A C T E R A S S E S S M E N T 6G R O B Y U R B A N C H A R A C T E R Historic Core Mixed Development - some historic buildings with 19th and 20th Century infill. 19th Century Development 20th Century Development Grade II Listed Building Scheduled Ancient Monument Conservation Area Boundary Designations considered making the Old Hall the main residence for his family. Lady Jane Grey was the daughter of the 3rd 6.106 There are a number of listed buildings within the historic Marquis of Dorset and both Jane and her father were to core including the Old Hall, the primary school and the lose their heads on 24th February 1554 due to church along with many small cottages including the Old disagreements involving lineage to the throne of Blacksmiths. England. 6.107 The historic heart of the village is designated as a 6.111 The Church of St. Philip and St. James adjacent to the Conservation Area and includes the retail core, The Earl Old Hall also provides a dominant feature with its of Stamford Public house, the Old Hall, the Church and elevated setting. it’s associated land. th 6.112 Built in the late 18 century, the Earl of Stamford Arms 6.108 There is a Scheduled Ancient Monument located behind Public House (Grade 2) continues to be well used. the church known as Castle Hill, containing a Motte and Bailey manorial complex. General Architectural Style 6.113 Buildings within the historic core of the village largely Public Realm and Green Space range from 17th to 19th century. Building materials include 6.109 There are many small areas of public open space within randomly coursed Mountsorrel granite, red brick the 20th century development areas. The settlement has detailing and slate roofing. Alternatively timber framed good access to Charnwood Forest and Groby Pool. buildings can be seen with red brick infill, slate and occasionally thatch roofing. Frontages have Landmark Buildings predominantly small stone walled gardens, although th some older buildings within the centre of the village front 6.110 The Old Hall, (Grade 2 *) was built in the late 15 century directly onto the street. and inherited by the Grey family in1445. The hall was rebuilt many times over the years and was much altered 6.114 Modern development within the village mainly around 1495. Elizabeth Woodville's son from her first constructed in the later half of the 20th century often fails marriage became the 1st Marquis of Dorset and he to respect local themes. The built form includes 86 H I N C K L E Y A N D B O S W O R T H C H A R A C T E R A S S E S S M E N T 6 bungalows, semi-detached and detached dwellings, open with small front and rear gardens. Key Urban Characteristics ! The settlement pattern is dictated by the A50 and A46 dual carriageways, which define the northern and eastern boundaries. The Stamford Arms publicl house, a Grade II listed building, and small retail units on Leicester Road. The Dove Cote of the Old Hall is just visible beyond the trees. ! The historic core has a strong distinctive character which reflects it’s proximity to Charnwood Forest. ! Building materials within central core tend to be of local origin with bold red brick or local granite often combined with exposed timber framework and slate roofs. ! Twentieth century building dominated by bungalows, detached and semi-detached dwellings, sometimes of anonymous styling. View west from Leicester Road The Blacksmiths Cottage on towards the Church of St Philip and St Rookery Lane showing the typical James and the Old Hall (Grade II*). building style of red bricked timber framed buildings within older core of the village. Capacity and Sensitivity ! Due to the firm defensible boundary provided by the A50 and A46 there is little scope for further growth at Groby. ! The historic Conservation Area core is highly sensitive and has little capacity to accommodate change. Late 19th century Victorian terraced houses with decorative stonework and large bay windows on Ratby Road. Strategies ! Prepare an Urban Realm Strategy which seeks to enhance the townscape character and the setting of listed buildings. ! Ensure that future new development respects the setting of the village and the Conservation Area. ! Build upon and improve Groby’s sense of place and individual identity. Immaculately maintained allotment gardens located off Ratby Lane. ! Liase with Leicestershire County Council and Blaby District Council in Relation to the Rothley Brook Meadows management strategy. Modern retail development using Poor boundary treatment to materials and architectural details t w e n t i e t h c e n t u r y h o u s i n g inkeeping with the local vernacular development on Sacheverell Way. within the Conservation Area on Leicester Road. H I N C K L E Y A N D B O S W O R T H 87 C H A R A C T E R A S S E S S M E N T 6M A R K F I E L D U R B A N C H A R A C T E R Introduction 6.115 Located in the north-eastern corner of the Borough, Markfield was formerly known as Mercenfeld in Anglo- Saxon times and is one of the highest villages in Leicestershire. The small agricultural village gradually expanded to accommodate the workers of the nearby quarries at Cliffe Hill and Hill Hole (closed in the 1920s). The quarry cottages can still be seen on Hill Lane, and date back to the early 19th century. 6.116 The construction of the M1 and subsequently the A50 bypass produced significant changes - removing traffic from the core of the settlement. C. 1885 OS History and Urban Form 6.117 Originally a small linear settlement focussed on the village green and St. Michael’s Church, the village retained this form up to the 1930s. 6.118 However, this altered dramatically following the Second World War. By the late 20th Century Markfield had more than doubled its original size expanding away to the east. 6.119 The village has continued to develop with construction of dwellings off London Road during the 1980s and 90s creating a second village centre with a surgery, post office and local shop on Chitternman Way. C. 1931 OS M1 Location Map A50 Markfield A447 A444 A46 A47 C. 1980 OS A5 Historical maps of Markfield showing urban expansion 9 from 1885-1980. Boundary shows the extent of the 6 M present day developed area. 88 H I N C K L E Y A N D B O S W O R T H C H A R A C T E R A S S E S S M E N T 6 Historic Core Mixed Development - some historic buildings with 19th and 20th Century infill. 19th Century Development 20th Century Development Grade II* Listed Building Grade II Listed Building Conservation Area Boundary Designations Landmark Buildings 6.120 The linear historic core of the village is covered by 6.122 The most prominent building is the Church of St. Conservation Area status. This encompasses the Church, Michael set within the village green. Originally dating Manor House, the Bulls Head and cottages on the Nook. th back to the 12 century, the church was restored in 1865 The village lies within the National Forest. and is constructed of random coursed Mountsorrel granite, ashlar dressings, slate roofing and stone coped Public Realm and Green Space gables. 6.121 The village green is the key local point for the settlement. 6.123 The Old Rectory, a three storey grade 2 listed building Large areas of public open space can be found at Alter located on The Nook on the edge of Main Street provides Stones Lane, (thought to be the site of ancient druid a second landmark building, set amongst the worship) and Hill Hole.