TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group SAVE CAPEL
A report concerning the Heritage Assets in our parish
Apple Orchard, Tudeley (Image courtesy of Walk Tonbridge)
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CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...... 7 1. INTRODUCTION...... 8 2. METHODOLOGY...... 8 2.1 GUIDANCE ...... 8 2.2 RESEARCH AND SOURCES ...... 8 2.3 LIMITATIONS OF THE REPORT ...... 8 3. LOCATION, HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT, TOPOGRAPHY, LAND USE, GEOLOGY...... 10 LOCATION...... 10 HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT...... 11 TOPOGRAPHY...... 12 LAND USE...... 12 GEOLOGY...... 13 4. EVIDENCE OF KNOWN HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT ASSETS...... 14 THE MARC CHAGALL WINDOWS OF TUDELEY ...... 15 1 ALL SAINTS CHURCH ...... 18 2 CHURCH OF ST THOMAS A BECKET...... 21 SOMERHILL...... 25 3 SOMERHILL, HISTORIC PARK AND GARDEN ...... 25 54,58 SOMERHILL TERRACE, SUNKEN LANE, STABLEYARD, LAKE COTTAGE, LAKE BRIDGE ...... 28 97 SOMERHILL TOP LODGE...... 29 UPPER POSTERN FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)...... 31 4 UPPER POSTERN FARMHOUSE ...... 31 53 UPPER POSTERN OAST...... 32 5 THISTLES AND WENHAM COTTAGES...... 34 TATLINGBURY (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)...... 35 6 TATLINGBURY FARMHOUSE...... 36 31 TATLINGBURY OASTHOUSE ...... 37 32 TATLINGBURY BARN ...... 38 7 THE POSTERN ...... 40 8 SHERENDEN FARMHOUSE...... 41 LILLEY FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)...... 45 9 LILLEY FARMHOUSE ...... 45 10A LILLEY FARM OAST (UNDESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSET)...... 46 10B LILLEY FARM BARN...... 46 BANK FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)...... 49
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11 BANK FARMHOUSE...... 49 12 OASTHOUSE (BANK FARM)...... 50 TUDELEY HALL (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)...... 53 13 TUDELEY HALL ...... 53 14 BARN AT TUDELEY HALL...... 54 15 FRONT WALL OF THE GOLDSMID FAMILY CEMETERY ...... 58 CHURCH FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)...... 60 16 CHURCH FARMHOUSE & BAKEHOUSE...... 60 CHURCH FARM OAST (UNDESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSET) ...... 62 CHURCH FARM BARN (UNDESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSET) ...... 62 17 GROUP OF FIVE HEADSTONES - ABOUT 8 METRES SOUTH EAST OF THE PORCH OF THE CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS...... 64 COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVE (FIRST WORLD WAR) (UNDESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSET) ...... 65 CROCKHURST STREET FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)...... 66 18 CROCKHURST STREET FARMHOUSE...... 66 CROCKHURST FARM COTTAGES (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD) ...... 69 19 CROCKHURST FARM COTTAGES...... 69 20 CROCKHURST STREET COTTAGES...... 70 21 CAPEL COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL, INCLUDING BOUNDARY WALL TO THE SOUTH, FIVE OAK GREEN ROAD 73 FINCHES FARM...... 76 22 FINCHES FARMHOUSE...... 76 23 9-10 BRAMPTON BANK...... 79 HALE FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD) ...... 81 24 HALE FARMHOUSE...... 81 25 HALE FARM OAST HOUSE - THE OAST BARN ...... 82 26 CARTHOUSE AND GRANARY...... 83 27 JUBILEE FOUNTAIN ...... 85 BARHAM HOUSE (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD) ...... 87 28 BARHAM HOUSE...... 87 BARHAM HOUSE FARMSTEAD (UNDESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSET) ...... 88 29 THE GEORGE AND DRAGON PUBLIC HOUSE...... 89 30 GEORGE AND DRAGON COTTAGES, FIVE OAK GREEN ROAD...... 92 31 & 32 TATLINGBURY BARN AND OAST ...... 94 33 BADSELL MANOR...... 95 34 BADSELL MANOR STABLES & WALL ...... 97 35 MILL HOUSE ...... 99 36 MILL HOUSE BARN...... 101 37 BADSELL MANOR OASTHOUSE ...... 102
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38 BADSELL MAINS FARMHOUSE (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)...... 104 LYDD FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD) ...... 106 39 LYDD FARMHOUSE...... 106 40 FARM OFFICE...... 107 41 LYDD OASTHOUSE...... 108 42 THE CLOCKHOUSE...... 110 BROOK FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)...... 112 43 BROOK FARMHOUSE...... 112 44 BARN AT BROOK FARM...... 115 45 BROOK COTTAGE...... 118 46 BALIFF’S HOUSE...... 123 47 REEDS FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD) ...... 127 47 REEDS FARM COTTAGES...... 127 48 THE HOPPERS...... 134 POSTERN PARK (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD) ...... 136 49 POSTERN PARK FARMHOUSE ...... 136 50 POND OAST...... 137 51 THE OLD BARN...... 138 52 THE STABLES: STABLE AT POSTERN PARK FARMHOUSE...... 139 53 UPPER POSTERN OAST, SEE 4, UPPER POSTERN FARM...... 142 54 FURTHER LISTED BUIDLINGS AS SOMERHILL, SEE 3, SOMERHILL...... 142 55 SOMERHILL COTTAGES ...... 143 BROOK FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)...... 145 56 BROOK FARM COTTAGES...... 145 57 BARN (AT BROOK FARM)...... 145 58 LAKE COTTAGE...... 148 59 HALF MOON COTTAGE...... 149 60 PLOGGS HALL ...... 150 61 PLOGGS HALL OAST...... 151 62 PLOGGS HALL BARN...... 151 63 ORCHARD COTTAGE...... 153 64 OAK COTTAGE ...... 155 LATTERS FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD) ...... 157 65 LATTERS FARMHOUSE...... 157 66 STREAM COTTAGE ...... 160 GATE FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD) ...... 162 67 GATE COTTAGE AND GATE HOUSE ...... 162 68 BARN AT GATE FARM ...... 163
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TANNERS FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD) ...... 165 69 TANNERS FARMHOUSE...... 165 70 TANNERS FARM GRANARY ...... 166 71 TANNERS FARM OASTHOUSE...... 166 72 OLD SCHOOL COTTAGES ...... 168 73 ST NORTONS (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)...... 170 74 ST NORTONS COTTAGES ...... 170 75 ST NORTONS BARN...... 171 76 THE SUPPLY STORES...... 173 CHURCH FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)...... 175 77 CHURCH FARMHOUSE ...... 175 78 CHURCH FARM BARN...... 176 79 MOAT FARM ...... 177 80 HEADSTONES AND TOMBS AT ST THOMAS A BECKET CHURCH ...... 179 PARK FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD) ...... 180 81 PARK FARMHOUSE...... 180 82 DAIRY AT PARK FARM...... 183 83 MILKING PARLOUR AND CIDER HOUSE...... 185 84 TURKEY HOUSE AT PARK FARM...... 187 85 DISLINGBURY FARMHOUSE...... 191 86 THE ROUND HOUSE...... 195 87 SANDLING FARMHOUSE...... 196 88 THE COTTAGE, BADSELL ROAD...... 198 89 ROSE COTTAGE...... 200 STONECASTLE FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)...... 201 90 STONECASTLE FARMHOUSE ...... 201 91 GARDEN WALLS AT STONECASTLE FARM...... 202 92 STONECASTLE OAST ...... 203 93 IVY COTTAGES...... 205 94 WHITE COTTAGE ...... 206 95 COLTS HILL FARMHOUSE ...... 207 BADSELL PARK FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD) ...... 209 96 BADSELL PARK FARMHOUSE...... 209 97 BADSELL FARM OAST ...... 209 98 TOP LODGE ...... 211 CASTLE HILL FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD) ...... 212 99 CASTLE HILL FARMHOUSE...... 212 100 CASTLE HILL SCHEDULED MONUMENT ...... 213
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5. OVERVIEW OF SIGNIFICANCE OF HISTORIC FEATURES...... 215 6. OVERVIEW of SETTING AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HERITAGE ASSETS...... 216 7. OVERVIEW OF MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE TO THE SETTING AND SIGNIFICANCE ...... 217 8. OVERVIEW OF POTENTIAL FOR ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION OF POTENTIAL HARM ...... 218 9. STRATEGIC SITES AND THE MASTERPLANS...... 222 10. CONCLUSION...... 225 PLAN SHOWING THE SUBJECT AREAS ...... 227 PLAN SHOWING THE ZONES OF INFLUENCE...... 228 PLAN SHOWING LOCATION OF LISTED BUIDLINGS IN RELATION TO PROPOSED TUDELEY GARDEN VILLAGE AND 1KM ZONE OF INFLUENCE NUMBERED TO RELFECT THE ENTRIES...... 229 PLAN SHOWING LOCATION OF LISTED BUIDLINGS MOST AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED BY-PASS, NUMBERED TO RELFECT THE ENTRiES IN THE REPORT ...... 230 PLAN SHOWING LOCATION OF LISTED BUIDLINGS MOST AFFECTED BY PROPOSED site at east capel, NUMBERED TO RELFECT THE ENTRiES IN THE REPORT...... 231 11. APPENDIX...... 232
The River Medway at Tudeley (Image courtesy of Walk Tonbridge)
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This report was prepared by the following residents of Capel Parish:
Lynne Assirati Zoe Burnett Maggie Fenton Katie Lee-Amies Rebecca Richmond Andy Palmer Kay Palmer Lorna Veale
With our thanks to Don Foreman of the Capel History Society
May 2021
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1. INTRODUCTION
This desk-top study has been conducted by The Heritage Group on behalf of the Save Capel Campaign Team. The report provides an assessment of the historic development and character of Capel as well as the significance of designated heritage assets within Capel and the contribution that setting makes to their significance and their susceptibility to the proposed new development.
2. METHODOLOGY
2.1 GUIDANCE
2.1.1 In line with the “Standard Guidance for Environment Desk Based Assessment” CIfA1 which states ‘…consists of an analysis of existing written, graphic, photographic and electronic information in order to identify the likely heritage assets, their interests and significance and the character of the study area, including appropriate consideration of the settings of heritage assets and, in England, the nature, extent and quality of the known or potential archaeological, historic, architectural and artistic interest. Significance is to be judged in a local, regional, national or international context as appropriate’.
2.1.2 “The Setting of Heritage Assets” Historic England
2.1.3 Paragraph190 NPPF requires that local planning authorities should identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset that may be affected by a proposal (including by development affecting the setting of a heritage asset) taking account of the available evidence and any necessary expertise. They should take this into account when considering the impact of a proposal on a heritage asset, to avoid or minimise any conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the proposal.
2.2 RESEARCH AND SOURCES • HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORDS • GOOGLE EARTH (& HISTORICAL SIDE BAR) • HISTORIC ENGLAND RECORDS • KCC HERITAGE MAPS/HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORDS • EA LIDAR MAPS • TWBC PSLP • CAPEL HISTORY SOCIETY • EXTRIUM NOISE AND AIR QUALITY VIEWER
2.3 LIMITATIONS OF THE REPORT
2.3.1 This assessment does not take into account below ground archaeology or other potential factors which contribute to the value of the settlement, and which are pertinent considerations to be taken into account within the planning system.
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2.3.2 There are also many historical features in Capel that are not listed but provide a significance to the historic character of the parish. These include the ancient evidence of “bloomeries” and the more modern “hoppers huts”. These have not been addressed in the report but are notable assets.
2.3.3 Analysis of the historic assets evidence base from the Hadlow Estates Masterplan in regard to the Tudeley Garden Village and also the David Lock Associates Masterplan is difficult to undertake as it is minimal.
2.3.4 An SER and EVI will be undertaken at planning application stage should the Inspector approve the plan. The SER scope is contained within the LP Sustainability Appraisal but there is no in depth assessment of individual heritage assets as supporting documentation
2.3.5 A Zone of 1km from the edge of both strategic sites in Capel was established to assess heritage assets as is required by TWBC in relation to any planning application. However although the 1km would include heritage assets within Paddock Wood only those in Capel itself have been assessed
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3. LOCATION, HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT, TOPOGRAPHY, LAND USE, GEOLOGY
LOCATION
3.1 Capel is located within the Borough of Royal Tunbridge Wells. The population in the main settlement of Five Oak Green is approximately 1,500, with a further 1,000 within the overall parish. There are fewer than 1,000 dwellings at present.
3.2 Most of Capel Parish lies in the low Weald to the south of the River Medway. It reaches the edge of Tonbridge in the west, and the limits of the built development of Paddock Wood in the east. The more densely wooded south of the parish is within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It adjoins Southborough, Sherwood and Pembury. The rest of the parish outside of Five Oak Green is designated MGB. The present civil parish came into being as a result of the 1894 Local Government Act, which set up Parish Councils in rural areas. Until 1974 it came under the control of Tonbridge Rural District Council; now it is part of the Borough of Tunbridge Wells. 3.3 The present civil parish consists of the hamlets at Crockhurst St, Capel, Colts Hill, Tudeley, the area around Badsell/Dampiers Corner, the area around Hartlake and the Postern, Castle Hill and the main settlement of Five Oak Green.
The parish is bisected west/east by the railway line.
3.4 ‘’This area occupies the gentle foot slopes of the High Weald and is an important transition between the fruit belt and the flat arable and pasture land of the Low Weald and the Medway Valley from which it derives much of its character. It is an agricultural landscape with extensive fields and local areas of fruit orchards and includes the urban area of Paddock Wood.
This area lies adjacent to the High Weald AONB. There are strong associations between this area and the AONB and the area enhances the character of the AONB landscape.
Frequent historic farmsteads and oasts are conspicuous features in the landscape. These add local vernacular character typical of the Weald and the AONB, including oast houses, timber-framed farm buildings and details such as clay tiles and hipped roofs.
Capel and Tudeley… are small hamlets, with traditional buildings clustered around the Grade I Listed sandstone churches. The stained-glass windows at Tudeley’s All Saints Church were designed by the early modernist artist Marc Chagall. The hamlets have strong vernacular character and focal points with frequent glimpsed views to the surrounding agricultural landscape.”2 TWBC LCA 2017
3.5 “There are a large number of historic oast houses which are frequently visible throughout the landscape. Many are associated with small hamlet groupings, with many surviving from the medieval period, 17th and 18th centuries. They are very distinctive features within this open landscape. (Note: Many Oast houses are 19th century, although TWBC’s document states earlier as quoted above).
There are also numerous traditional historic buildings typical of the Weald, including timber framed houses and farmsteads. Vernacular materials include red brick, weatherboard, tiled roofs, hanging tile elevations, gable ends hipped or half-hipped roofs.
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Open views across this intensively farmed landscape are frequently punctuated by the cowls of clustered groups of oast houses and extensive farm building complexes. The Greensand Ridge to the north provides a distinctive skyline, whilst the High Weald to the south provides wooded enclosure.2 Tunbridge Wells LCA 2017
HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
3.6 The ecclesiastical parish was known until last year as Tudeley-cum-Capel with Five Oak Green. The hamlet of Capel contains two main clusters of development, one around the church with Church Farm and Tanners Farm at the junction of Alders Lane and Church Lane, and the other centred on the Dovecote Inn on Alders Road. This was an area known as the Lowy of Tonbridge granted to Richard fitzGilbert, later known as Richard of Tonbridge, around the site of Tonbridge Castle, after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its purpose was to provide maintenance and defence of the castle. Late 12th century documents show that the land within the Lowy and owned by the de Clares who were descendents of Richard, included the Manor of Hadlow. Hadlow was the chief sub-manor under the Tonbridge Castle Lowy. The boundary of the Lowy is evident on the 1866 Ordnance Survey map, which according to Archaeologica Cantiana, corresponds very closely with the boundaries defined in 1279. Hasted’s map of the Lowy shows Tatlingbury, together with Green Moat Farm, Brook Farm and the settlement of Capel within an irregular shaped offshoot south of the river Medway. Hasted, who was writing in 1798, described Capel as lying “...obscurely in a woody country, and is but little known or frequented, the surface of it is very low and flat, except in the middle of it, where there is a small rise, on which the church stands; here the soil is sand and stone, but in the rest of the parish it is a deep miry clay, the hedge rows broad, and filled with large and spreading oaks, which makes it exceeding gloomy. It is a wet place, full of ponds, and watered besides by two small streams, on the east and west sides of the parish”
3.7 The Domesday Book of 1086 tells us that the manor of Tudeley was once owned by Edith, Edward the Confessor’s Queen. After the Conquest King William granted it to the Clare family who held Tonbridge Castle and lands stretching as far east as Yalding. At this time there was also a settlement at what is now Badsell Manor in the east of the parish. The origins of this imposing and beautiful moated farmhouse can be traced back to the 13th century.
3.8 The railway line running from Tonbridge to Ashford cuts the parish in two. Its arrival in 1842 helped the development of the hop-growing industry, which dominated the economy of the parish until the mid-twentieth century. East Enders came down to harvest the crop each September. You can still see the remains of their huts around the parish. The typical conical oast houses were once used for drying hops.
3.9 There is now only one working hop garden in the parish, at Reed’s Farm in Alders Road. One reminder of this once dominant crop is ‘Hoppers’, formerly the Hoppers’ Hospital, in Five Oak Green. Originally a farmhouse and later the ‘Rose and Crown’ pub. In 1910 a church mission based in Stepney, East London, open it to tend to the needs of the hop-pickers and their families. It is still run by the Red House Trust to provide “a haven for those seeking time away from the strains and stresses of 21st century living”. The railway embankment has undoubtedly contributed to flooding in Five Oak Green in recent years. It impedes the free flow of water from the Alders Stream to the Medway. Flooding in 1968, 1999, 2001, 2012, 2013 and 2020 has been the result.
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3.10 From Whetsted, the Badsell Straight runs to Dampiers Corner (now a roundabout) to Colts Hill southwards to the beginning of the Pembury by pass as the A228 but was the original historic drove road. Five Oak Green Road from Tonbridge through to Whetsted was also an historic drove road.
3.11 Most of the population growth since the Second World War has been in Five Oak Green. The centre of the village lies at the junction of the roads to Paddock Wood and Whetsted, the latter joining the A228 to Maidstone. The late 1940s saw the building of Falmouth Place and Sychem Place at the far east and west of the village. Centrally situated, and much larger, the Norton’s Way estate was built in the 1960s. Tolhurst Close and Pemble Close followed shortly after. Both were named after long-established farming families.
TOPOGRAPHY
3.12 Topographical history: From The History & Topographical Survey of The County Of Kent. Published in 1798. “Capel is a very obscure and unfrequented place, the surface of it is very low and flat, except in the middle of it where there is a small rise, on which the church stands; ... in the rest of the parish it is deep miry clay.”
3.13 Bagshaw’s Directory of Kent in 1841 refers to the soil as being “mostly a miry clay”
3.14 This clay is hydratable and extremely unstable; it is subject to swelling when wet and to contraction when dried out.
3.15 The only major change between 1798, 1841, and 2019 is that while we still have thick wet clay, and still have a slope, since the 1840’s there has been a railway embankment in place to prevent the water from escaping.
3.16 There is little variation in levels across the PW1 and the northern side of the CA1 area: for the majority of both areas there is around 1m variation in levels. Such small variations in Height above Mean Sea-Level [HSL] indicate a greater risk of flooding.
3.17 “Flat or gently undulating land at the footslopes, backed by the adjacent ridge of the High Weald plateau. The ridgeline of the High Weald to the south provides enclosure to this otherwise fairly open, flat landscape. “The Greensand Ridge to the north provides a distinctive skyline, whilst the High Weald to the south provides wooded enclosure”.2 TWBC LCA 2017
LAND USE
3.18 “A mixed farmed landscape with extensive open arable fields, dwarf fruit orchards and pockets of pasture.
A richer more diverse landscape pattern occurs on the undulating slopes around Capel and Tudeley where a historic field pattern of fields with wavy and irregular boundaries are separated by thicker hedges of locally distinctive hornbeam.” 2TWBC LCA 2017
3.19 Most of the soil in Capel is Grade 3 (BMV) with pockets of valuable Grade 2 at Tudeley. It is high quality arable land the still supports the growing of hops at Reeds Farm and fruit crops such as blackcurrants for “Ribena!”
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3.20 The majority of the parish is designated Metropolitan Green Belt and both strategic sites are outside the LBD of the main settlement of Five Oak Green and wholly within MGB.
GEOLOGY
3.21 The soil is described in the National soil resources Institute as “Loamy and Clayey floodplain soils with naturally high groundwater”.
3.22 Geology of the sites mainly comprises of impermeable clay which does not drain easily and is susceptible to volume change, with changes in moisture content. The undeveloped land at both sites PW1 and CA1 is likely to contain high levels of sulphates from the agricultural use of the land, which attacks the integrity of concrete. Historic Ironworks and mining deposits are scattered over the southern side of CA1 with shafts up to 15 metres deep.
3.23 Special material and Foundation design are likely to be required and building out of the ground would be costly with possible retaining structures and terracing design required to accommodate sloping ground in places.
3.24 Data from the British Geological Society suggests the shrinkage and swelling of land, will be exacerbated by global warming. This will particularly prevalent in the South East of England including Kent where the land is particularly susceptible causing a vastly increased risk of property subsidence. This type of geology is typical throughout the whole of Capel. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/19/climate-crisis-to-put-millions-of-british-homes-at- risk-of-subsiding?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
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4. EVIDENCE OF KNOWN HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT ASSETS
4.1 Historic England entries for Capel are in excess of 100.
These include:
All Saints Church Tudeley Grade 1
St Thomas a Becket, Capel Grade 1
Somerhill Grade 1 and historic park/garden
Upper Postern Farmhouse Grade 11*
Thistles Wenhams Grade 11*
Tatlingbury Farmhouse Grade 11*
The Postern Grade 11*
Castle Hill Scheduled Monument
Also of note is Reeds Farm - not only a listed building but the last Hop Garden in Capel
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THE MARC CHAGALL WINDOWS OF TUDELEY
“In our life there is a single colour, as on an artist’s palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the colour of love.” Marc Chagall
Born Russian/French, in modern day Belarus, Marc Chagall (1887-1985) was a pioneer of modernism and is considered to be one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. Chagall’s unique personal style was informed by his experience and memories of Eastern European Jewish folk culture, a recurring dreamlike reverie of his native village Vitebsk. In Paris as part of the Montparnasse circle ‘he synthesized the art forms of Cubism, Symbolism, and Fauvism, and the influence of Fauvism gave rise to Surrealism.’
All Saints, Tudeley is the only church in the world to have all twelve of its windows created by Marc Chagall.
Chagall was initially commissioned to design one window, by Sir Henry and Lady D’Avigdor-Goldsmid in memory of their daughter Sarah who drowned in a sailing accident in 1963.
At the dedication of the window in 1967, Chagall was so moved by the setting, he exclaimed "C'est magnifique! Je les ferai tous!" ("It's magnificent! I will do them all!"). The eleven remaining windows of the church were created by Chagall working with the glassworker Charles Marq in his workshop at Reims in northern France. The last windows were installed in 1985, just before Chagall's death.
The inspiration for the windows is said to originate in Psalm 8. The predominantly blue windows fill the church with ethereal light but two are in mainly complementary yellows the colour of sunshine, vitality and rebirth and together they run in a series that cover Creation, Death and New Life, and Joy and Hope.
Chagall came relatively late to the medium of stained glass which he referred to as “painting with light”. It was a perfect medium for Chagall as the expressive effects of colour echo perfectly in stained glass and form a perfect transition from his initial designs in water colour or gouache to the translucence of glass. Chagall’s early Fauvre influence is clear to see with the bold riot of colour but the diaphanous quality invoked is very much Chagall’s signature of graceful figures floating in expanses of rich colour.
“The colours address our vital consciousness directly, because they tell of optimism, hope and delight in life” Monsignor Klaus Mayer,
“In our life there is a single colour, as on an artist’s palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the colour of love.” Marc Chagall
In the magnificant east window Sarah drifts in the blue sea, a peaceful figure. The cruel sea that took her life transformed to a sea of tranquility, cradling and comforting her, as if in the womb, awaiting rebirth to the eternal life, whilst Christ on the Cross watches over her.
The viewer experiences and shares this immersion as the rich magical colours are liberated by the light and wash down from the windows
The windows contribute to the atmosphere of peace and spirituality in the church and contrast beautifully with the plain fabric of the interior.
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In 1969 The Dean of Chichester Cathedral, inspired by the strong colours of Chagall’s windows in Jerusalem and at Tudeley, approached Chagall to design a window for the Cathedral. It was not until 1975 that Chagall accepted the commission. How wonderful that the tiny church in Kent took precedence!
It is a sad fact that none of the main UK museums currently display any major works by Chagall – the last exhibition being at Tate Liverpool in October 2013, the first in the UK since 1998. The importance and artistic value, therefore of Tudeley and its twelve original in situ masterpieces cannot be overstated. The church itself is a G1 listed building but together with these priceless windows should be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The concept that Art can add spirituality is something that goes to the core of all religions ...[Marc Chagall's stained glass] can but serve to enhance the spirituality of the beautiful surroundings in which they are placed, advance the fervour with which the Almighty is worshipped, and increase the devotion of those coming under the inspiration of Chagall's divinely-inspired talent."
Dr. Jonathan Sacks
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The East Window
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1 ALL SAINTS CHURCH
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: SURROUNDED ON 3 SIDES BY THE TGV ALLOCATED SITE SOME 0.6KM FROM THE CHURCH. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TO THE SOUTH NO MORE THAN 0.13KM DISTANT.
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 136
All Saints Church (Image courtesy of Walk Tonbridge)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of record: Listed building Name: Church of All Saints Summary: Grade I listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1350 to 1979 Summary: Mentioned 1239 part rebuilt 18th cent Grid Reference: TQ 65304483 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel
CHURCH (CHURCH, Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
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SITE (Medieval to Modern - 1350 AD to 1979 AD)
CHURCH (CHURCH, Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Late medieval or earlier origins, TOWER of 1765, church described as "lately rebuilt" in 1798 (Hasted), thorough rebuilding of nave and addition of north aisle in 1875 by Robert Medley Fulford of Devon, chancel ARCH 1885, some alteration of 1967 associated with the beginning of a programme of re-glazing the church with windows designed by Marc Chagall. Chancel sandstone brought to course with sandstone dressings; nave sandstone blocks to sill level, Flemish bond brick above; tower Flemish bond brick with blue headers on sandstone footings, north aisle sandstone rubble; slate roofs. Plan: Chancel, nave, west tower, 3-bay north aisle, south porch. The chancel masonry is probably medieval and Pevsner suggests that the sandstone footings of the nave may be the foundations of the medieval church. In 1765 an appeal was made for £1,125 for the rebuilding (Pevsner) and the form of the nave and chancel barrel roofs may date from the 1760s phase. Fulford's contribution was to re-gothicize the church with a mixture of Decorated and Perpendicular style windows, and to add the north aisle in a late C13/early C14 style with a baptistry at the west end. The east window was altered in 1967 for the insertion of glass to commemorate Sarah Venetia d'Avigdor Goldsmid. The church was restored in the late 1960s and 1970s, the work supervised by Robert Potter (Church Guide). Exterior: The chancel has angle buttresses with set-offs and a round-headed east window dated 1967, the gable evidently rebuilt at this date. The south side has a C19 2-light Decorated style window to the east with flush tracery, trefoil-headed lights and a quatrefoil in the head. One-light C19 trefoil- headed Decorated style window to the west. Between the windows an arched moulded priests' doorway with a hoodmould and C19 door of overlapping planks with strap hinges. The north side of the chancel has 2 one-light Decorated style trefoil-headed windows. Symmetrical nave with C19 brick buttresses with stone set-offs to left and right. 2 3-light C19 Perpendicular style 3-light traceried windows with hoodmoulds and uncarved label stops. C19 gabled porch with deep eaves and a peg-tile roof with a coursed sandstone base below a timber STRUCTUREwith glazed cusped lights. Tall segmental-headed outer doorway; moulded Tudor arched inner doorway with a C19 plank and cover strip door. North aisle with a lean-to roof, an angle buttress at the east corner. The westernmost bay (the baptistry) marked off by buttresses with set-offs. String course below the Decorated style windows: 2-light east and west windows each with trefoil-headed lights below a flush tracery quatrefoil. Centre window fo the aisle 3- light, outer windows 2-light, all with trefoil-headed lights. 2-stage west tower with a plain parapet and a tile-hung bell-shaped spirelet. Diagonal buttresses with stone footings and stone copings to the set-offs; string course above the bottom stage. The west face has a recessed C19 or C20 2-leaf door with a Tudor arch and cover strips. The north and south faces have round-headed belfry windows, the north face also has a round- headed window to the bottom stage and a C19 trefoil-headed window below the belfry opening. Interior: Plastered walls. 1885 moulded chancel arch with a hoodmould and carved label stops by Wadmore and Baker (Pevsner), springing from engaged shafts with waterleaf capitals and bases. 3-bay 1875 north aisle with octagonal sandstone piers on moulded bases with moulded caps and 3-centred moulded arches. The first pier from the west has an odd corbel projection on the south side. Plain round-headed tower arch. Plain barrel ceilings to the nave and chancel, the nave ceiling marbled in green and yellow in 1967 by Robert Potter, possibly restoring existing C18 marbled decoration. The chancel has a presumably C19 sedilia on the south side formed by dropping the sill of the eastern window. Plain ALTAR table of the C20. Communion rail with turned balusters, described by Pevsner as late C17 but perhaps with a later handrail. The nave has a timber drum pulpit with some re-used C17 panels with a design of scratch-moulded intersecting triangles. Set of plain C20 benches. The font, in the westernmost bay of the nroth aisle, is probably C19: octagonal on a stem with a moulded base, the faces of the bowl carved with blind tracery. The tower preserves original C18 ceiling beams and joists and includes 2 C19 windows re-sited and now artificially-lit from behind, when the Chagall glass was introduced, one probably by Clayton and Bell of about 1880, the other circa 1860s. Royal Arms in a nowy-headed frame over the tower arch. Monuments: Monument to George Fane, died 1571 in the north wall of the chancel. A tomb-chest decorated with strapwork panels divided by pilasters. Above the chest a canopy with Ionic columns and an entablature.Inscription carved in relief on the chest. Brass to Thomas Stydolf, died 1475, with 2 small figures. A purbeck marble matrix is all that survives of a second brass. The nave has 2 C18 marble wall monuments, one on
19 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group either side of the south door. Stained Glass: A remarkable glazing programme of European importance to the designs of Marc Chagall. The east window, of 1967, was commissioned by Sir Henry and Lady D'Avigdor Goldsmid to commemorate their daughter, who was drowned in a sailing accident in 1963. The window cames are irregular, to avoid the usual grid effect. The lower half of the window is blue and shows a girl floating in the sea with mourning figures around. The crucifixion, mostly yellow, is shown above, with a rearing horse at the foot of the CROSS. The patron commissioned a further 7 windows for the aisle and nave, installed in 1974. These are abstract designs with wonderful colours, mostly yellow on the south side of the church, blue in the north aisle. In 1985 a further 4 windows for the chancel by Chagall were installed, mostly blue.
SETTING
The church and graveyard are at the end of a narrow track, which also serves as access for a small cluster of other historic listed buildings. To the south of the church is a small car park with views that open out across the fields to the hamlet of Crockhurst Street and glimpses of oasts. To the east there are expansive views of agricultural land which slope away into the distance. The north aspect is heavily copsed with ancient woodland towards the railway line. It is a tranquil and isolated rural setting.
POTENTIAL Impact
The church and its setting are likely to suffer significant harmful impact from the proposal. The church will in effect be surrounded on 3 sides by housing. Although an open Green sward is envisaged facing towards a new school, this will not be sufficient to mitigate the loss of its original rural agricultural setting. The tranquility will be lost due to thousands of new residents and associated noise from lawn mowers, people, pets and school children. The sense of reverence and historic place in time will be lost forever. A housing development is not the artistic setting that befits the Chagall windows. With any masterpiece care must be taken on how it is displayed. A housing development will undoubtedly bring with it crime and vandalism. Although the church is visited by hundreds, (if not thousands), each year to see the Chagall windows, the isolated position has protected the works from mindless damage of the sort that is commonly seen in towns or villages. Many town churches have to protect their stained glass windows by mesh grills or bars – any such measures would destroy the integral artistic value and visual beauty of the windows.
MITIGATION
It is hard to see any form of mitigation from the development of a town surrounding this important heritage asset
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2 CHURCH OF ST THOMAS A BECKET
This important Church also has 20 separate listings by Historic England for Headstones and/or Tombs which have not been assessed in depth.
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSED FIVE OAK GREEN BYPASS: C500M
DISTANCE FROM DEVELOPMENT AREA: C600M TGV
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 6 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Church of St Thomas a Becket Grid Reference: TQ 6373 4451 Map Sheet: TQ64SW Parish: Capel
St Thomas a Becket – exterior
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St Thomas a Becket – interior wall paintings
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Heritage Category: Listed Building
Grade: I
List Entry Number: 1262867
Date first listed: 20-Oct-1954
Date of most recent amendment: 24-Aug-1990
Statutory Address: CHURCH OF ST THOMAS A BECKET, CHURCH LANE
St. Thomas a Becket's CHURCH [NAT] (1) The church at Capel is dedicated to St. Thomas Becket the Martyr. The body of it has lately been rebuilt of brick; the chancel seems very ancient. It has long been a CHAPEL annexed to Tudeley church and was anciently part of the possessions of the Knights Hospitallers. [Author gives details of patronage, etc. from c.1507] (2) St. Thomas of Canterbury, Capel "has some Norman remains, but it is chiefly of brick in the perpendicular style". (3) Capel. St. Thomas of Canterbury "Norman fabric of nave and chancel, western TOWER, original window on north side of nave; original king-post roof. The Chancel ARCH 13th century. Windows 14th and 15th century. (4) This church is at present used for ecclesiastical purposes. The only part in brick is the vestry on the north side of the chancel. The remainder of the church is stone, with features as described by authority 4. There are several fragments of Mediaeval WALL PAINTING exposed on the north wall of the nave. (5) No change. (6) PARISH CHURCH of St. Thomas of Canterbury. Grade B. Norman FOUNDATION(for full description see list). (7) Additional bibliography. (8) Church of St Thomas A Beckett (formerly listed as Parish Church of St Thomas of Canterbury). Norman origins, C13 chancel arch, tower and nave roof are C14 or early C15, some C16 and C17 altrations, (fire in 1639), chancel and much of the south wall refurbished in the C19. Grade I. (9)
Description from record TQ 64 SW 38: The following text is from the original listed BUILDING designation: TQ 64 SW CAPEL CHURCH LANE 5/222 Church of St Thomas A Becket of (formerly listed as Church of 20.10.54 Saint Thomas of Canterbury) GV I Former parish church, now in the care of the Redundant Churches Fund. Norman origins, C13 chancel arch, tower and nave roof are C14 or early C15, some C16 and C17 alterations (fire in 1639), chancel and much of the south wall refurbished in the C19. Chancel and north wall are plastered stone but tower and south wall of nave of large blocks of coursed sandstone ashlar, medieval section of south wall of smaller less well-dressed blocks; peg-tile roof. Plan: Small church comprising nave with lower chancel and large but relatively short west tower. Access through tower. C19 vestry on north side of chancel. Exterior: Single stage west tower has moulded plinth, low diagonal buttresses, crenellated parapet and pyramid roof surmounted by C20 cast iron weather vane. Belfry has large louvred lancets and tiny slit windows to the ringing FLOOR. West doorway is a plain round-headed arch containing a C19 plank door with coverstrips. Above a C14 or early C15 window, a double lancet with cusped ogival arch heads. Nave has low walls and tall roof. South side has a 4-window front. Left (west) bay has restored C16 2-light window (arch heads with sunk spandrels) with hoodmould. Rest rebuilt in C19 with similar Tudor-style 2 and 3- light windows separated by buttresses. Plastered north side of the nave contains 2 medieval windows, a large trefoil-headed lancet near the left end and a narrow lancet high in the wall near the centre. Chancel is also plastered. South wall has a late C18/early C19 priests door containing a very domestic-looking panelled door with plain hood on shaped timber brackets. East window is a C19 triple lancet in Early English style. Brick vestry windows have shoulder- headed lights.
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Interior: Porch is inside the tower with plain plaster ceiling and plain (probably C19) timber stair. Doorway to nave has late C18/early C19 panelled door like that in the priests doorway. Tower and chancel have similar arches; 2-centred arches with semi-octagonal shafts, moulded imposts and double- chamfered arch ring. Nave has good C14 or early C15 roof; 3 bays with arch- braced tie-beams, octagonal crown posts with moulded capitals and bases, and common rafter trusses with soulaces. Similar common rafter roof to the chancel but it is C19. The walls are lime-washed. Towards the west end of the north wall there is an arch-headed niche, either a blocked window or doorway. The north wall also includes the extensive remains of apparently C13 mural paintings which extend into the reveals of the windows and niche. The narrative biblical scenes are described by Newman (see sources). At the east end is a part of a C16 painted figure and next to it, alongside the chancel arch, painted scrolled strapwork frame, presumably surrounding a now missing text. C20 tile floor with older tiles in the chancel. Chancel has C20 stone ALTAR table. Good oak communion rail is carved with date 1682 and name of Michael Davis; moulded handrail, turned balusters and ball finials to the standards. C19 oak drum pulpit and pine benches. Plain, probably medieval, stone font has an octagonal bowl on a cylindrical shaft. The only monument is in the chancel, a plain marble PLAQUE in memory of Thomas Martin (died 1834). The nave contains brass plaques to the dead of both World Wars. A nowy-headed board over the tower arch is painted with the royal Arms GR, and it is flanked by contemporary C18 boards with the text of the Lords Prayer and below the arch is flanked by similar commandment boards. Stained glass in the East window is dated 1905.
SETTING
The Redundant Churches Fund has been superseded by the Churches Conservation Trust, a charity which maintains 360 of England’s most important redundant churches. On a day to day basis the church is cared for by the Friends of Capel Church. It is opened every day including Christmas Day for quiet contemplation and prayer and to the thousands of visitors who wish to see the important wall paintings first uncovered in the 1920s by Professor Ernest Tristram, widely regarded as the foremost expert in medieval wall paintings at that time. The churchyard is also maintained by the Friends group and contains 20 listed headstones and tombs, the most important of which are dated to the 1680s and dedicated to the Kippings family. The churchyard is a haven for wildlife and the local population together with visitors appreciate the various seating placed to enjoy the extensive views over the local countryside. This church is very much at the heart of the community and is used for everything from flower festivals to the annual Remembrance Day service. Sheep graze amongst the tombstones and it would be difficult to imagine anywhere more English. Reference has been made to the Knight Hospitallers in the listing description and Alders Road which borders the southern boundary of the churchyard would have been a pilgrimage route from Chichester to Canterbury, hence the Hospitallers patronage of the church.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The tranquility of the churchyard will be interrupted by the constant rumbling of traffic and the lovely views despoiled. Pollution will damage the building and the grave stones. Wild life will move elsewhere. A setting that has existed for hundreds of years will be lost as will this much valued amenity. Where else will the local villagers go for some much needed down time? Unless the infrastructure such as the proposed Five Oak Green by-pass is built before any other construction work is started, historic rural lanes such as Alders Road and Church Lane which are advised as being unsuitable for heavy traffic, will be damaged by diverted traffic and heavy goods vehicles delivering to the various sites. The verges and hedgerows which host a variety of wildlife such as voles, wild garlic and cowslips to name but a few will be damaged beyond repair and there will be an increase in traffic accidents on already dangerous roads.
MITIGATION
The only really acceptable solution is not to build these two unwanted sites but if there is to be any increase in housing within the parish, a solution must be found to keep the traffic moving. In planning document ENV13,
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TWBC pledges to maintain and indeed enhance historic rural lanes such as Alders Road, Church Lane, Amherst Bank Road, which are specifically listed. Attempting to widen and straighten these roads is not an option. A new route must be found and constructed BEFORE any more new homes are created.
Current view from St Thomas a Becket Church
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SOMERHILL
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: MAIN HOUSE AND OTHER LISTED ASPECTS 1.20KM FROM TGV. PARK AND GARDEN SETTING 0.35KM – NOT ASSESSED.
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 170
Somerhill (image curtesy of Walk Tonbridge)
3 SOMERHILL, HISTORIC PARK AND GARDEN
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Somerhill Summary Grade I listed building. Main construction periods 1600 to 1889 Summary: 16th century mansion Grid Reference: TQ 60867 45121 Map Sheet: TQ 64NW Parish: Capel
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Grid Reference: TQ 60867 45121 Monument Types HOUSE (HOUSE, Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD) HOUSE (HOUSE, Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD) SITE (Post Medieval - 1600 AD to 1889 AD)
Mansion with associated service buildings and stables. Now used as a school. The main house is dated 1611-13 by several lead rainwater heads and a datestone and was built for Richard, the Fourth Earl of Clanricade.
Parts of the service courtyard buildings are early C17 but it underwent a major refurbishment circa 1879. The stables courtyard was completely rebuilt in 1879 according to the dated rainwater heads.
All the building ranges are built of coursed blocks of Calverly stone ashlar. The stacks are of similar masonry topped with brick and with clusters of octagonal chimneyshafts. Roof of red clay peg-tiles. An Important H-plan house, an advanced example transitional between the medieval and modern plan-types. The house is built on top of a high hill and faces west. The main block has a central entrance directly into the hall which is set across the building from front to back. Either side the house is 2-rooms deep. The house is 2 storeys with a half BASEMENT and attics in the roofspace. Exterior: All 4 elevations present symmetrical gabled facades which are surprisingly unornamented for a house of this status from the early C17. The western (entrance) elevation has a 1:1:3:1:3:1-window front. The odd left hand one-window section belong to the southern turret. The majority of the ground and first floor windows are simple stone mullion-and-transom windows except on the ends of the crosswings and the centre of the main range where there are larger canted bay windows with crenellated parapets. On the wings these bays are confined to the ground floor but disturbed masonry above suggests that they were originally 2-storeys high like they are on the rear of the house. Most, if not all of the windows have replacement mullions and transoms and contain rectangular panes of leaded glass. The bay window in the main block serves the saloon over a shallow entrance porch with crenellated parapet, round-headed arch with a keystone carved with balls and nailheads, spandrels containing panelled circles, flanking fluted pilasters, triglyphs and moulded entablature. The whole front has a chamfered plinth, a flat band at first floor level, a moulded eaves cornice and parapet. The gables and corners have ball finials. The gables and clusters of tall chimneyshafts contribute strongly to the appearance of the house. The other sides continue in the same style. The right (southern) end has a symmetrical 3:1:3 window front with a central canted bay and includes 2 C19 or C20 doorways with bolection-moulded frames. The rear (eastern) side has a 1:2:3:2:1- window front with a C20 doorway punched through the central bay window. The left (northern) end has a 2:1:2- window front to the service courtyard and has a central doorway into the basement; a Tudor arch doorway under a stone pedimented hood resting on corbels. One of the most remarkable survivals at Somerhill is the complete set of original ornamental lead rainwater heads and DRAIN pipes. The rainwater heads are at their most elaborate on the main entrance front but all deserve close attention. Some are dated 1611 or 1613 and many include the initials of Robert and Frances Clarincade. Here and there, around the house, there are indications that much of the early structure survives intact behind later work. For instance the south wing includes several stone Tudor arch doorways and there are two more in the cellars. Also there is a large round-headed stone arch which originally connected the central passage from the hall to the southern crosswing. The alcoves alongside the ground and first floor fireplaces at the rear of the south wing were probably garderobe alcoves.
The house at Somerhill is impressively situated in a mature, natural park on a hill with extensive views. More than that it is very important in terms of the evolution of English domestic architecture and was painted by Turner in 1811.
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The Service Courtyard 3 ranges enclosing a courtyard adjoining the northern side of the main house. Circa 1879 they were refurbished to be used as servant accommodation and offices. This involved much internal reorganisation and most of the evidence for their former layout is hidden. The ranges are not contemporary. The north range appears to be the oldest and was probably built circa 1611-13 with the main house. It now comprises 2 2-room plan cottages, one either side of a central through passage. Since there are 2 original staircases here it seems likely that the arrangement was always similar. The stacks in this range are probably secondary. A one-room plan extension projects northwards towards the west end and this is heated by a stack backing onto the range. The outer (northern) side was formerly an open arcade of timber posts. The posts are boxed in and their date uncertain. The east range has a wide passageway through. It has an axial stack towards the north end which might have served a kitchen-size fireplace. There was a gap between this stack and the south range which is now filled in. There is precious little dating evidence for any phase of this range. Circa 1879 the ground floor rooms were converted to offices and stores whilst the first floor became a gallery (with small rooms off it) connecting the main house to the new guest apartments. The west range was also altered in circa 1879 and now contains 2 2-room plan cottages, one either side of a through passage. All the ranges have one storey with attic rooms in the roofspace and the north range (which is terraced into the hillslope) has a half basement which opens onto the lower ground level behind. Exterior: Although the ranges date from at least 2 building phases they now share a consistent style. The doorways have Tudor arch heads and the windows are stone and one or two lights (mostly C19 replacements). The attics have tall gable dormer windows. The outer (west) face of the west range has an irregular 4-window front with 2 doorways, the right one to the passage. Into the courtyard this range has a 3-window front. The north range courtyard side has a symmetrical 4-window front including windows to the half basement. There are 3 doorways; the centre one to the passage. The outer doorways formerly led to each of the stairs which were lit above by small slit windows. The east range has a 3-window front and 2 doorways, the right one to the passage. Throughout these buildings the gables have ball finials and the brick chimneyshafts are very important visually. The older masonry of the north range is distinguished by having a chamfered plinth which runs through behind the others ranges.
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54,58 SOMERHILL TERRACE, SUNKEN LANE, STABLEYARD, LAKE COTTAGE, LAKE BRIDGE
Comprises 3 separate listed assets. DISTANCE FROM THE PROPOSALS: 2KM NOT ASSESSED
HER Number TQ 64 NW 227 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: TERRACE WALLS AROUND THE SOUTH AND EAST SIDES OF SOMERHILL INCLUDING THE SUNKEN LANE (SIC) APPROXIMATELY 5 METRES NORTH OF THE SOMERHILL STABLEYARD Summary Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1859 to 1899 Grid Reference: TQ 6091 4514 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Post Medieval - 1859 AD to 1899 AD) TERRACE WALLS
Terrace walls and sunken lane. Circa 1879. Local sandstone ashlar. Terraced GARDEN lawns on the south and east sides of the main block of Somerhill (q.v.) are revetted by stone ashlar walls which rise as short parapet walls with plain flat coping. Square terminal posts. The eastern wall extends northwards stopping at a contemporary sunken service lane which passes by the northern end. It is deep, narrow with battered walls. It is spanned by a pedestrian BRIDGE with walls each side in the same style as the terrace wall parapets. This bridge crosses from the HOUSE side of the walled gardens to north. THE STABLE BLOCK Plan: North of the service courtyard is another courtyard enclosed by stables, GARAGE/coach houses, cottages, servant accommodation and at the east end, suites of high status, guest apartments. These are single phase buildings dated 1879. Exterior: These C19 buildings are built in the same style as the main house. The courtyard is dominated by a tall clock tower; 5 stages with embattled parapet and above is a louvred bellcote with a spire and wrought iron weathervane. Alongside are the cottages with a 2-window front and 2 doorways into the courtyard. The courtyard side of the stables has a symmetrical 4-window front with 3 gables. The 2 stable doorways have tall overlights with pointed arch heads above. In the centre there is a drinking trough set in a Tudor arch-headed niche and enclosed by a low wall. Directly above the centre gable contains a HAYLOFT loading hatch with a shoulder-arched doorway. At the right (east) end a stair block in the same style breaks forward. The doorway has a shoulder headed arch. The rest of the north range and the east range have various garage doors onto the courtyard and 3-window fronts above. The outer sides continue in the same style and include some large canted bay windows with crenellated parapets in the same style as the main house.
LAKE COTTAGE
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 132 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed building Summary: Grade II Listed building. Main construction periods 1860 to 1990
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Grid Reference: TQ 6000 4497 Map Sheet: TQ64SW Parish: Capel Cottage Ornee. Circa 1880. Local sandstone ashlar laid to courses; brick stacks and chimneyshafts; peg-tile roof.
Plan: Small cottage facing north towards the drive and to the lake beyond. Uneven T-plan cottage. Front block appears to have a 3-room plan with central entrance hall. Axial stack left of centre but right room appears to be unheated. One-room plan kitchen block projects at right angles left of centre with gable-end stack. Single storey with attics in the roofspace.
Exterior: Tudor style. Irregular 3-window front of stone flat-faced mullion windows containing rectangular panes of leaded glass and iron-framed casements. Front doorway is right of centre and contains its original plank door with coverstrips in a Tudor arch. Stone porch with crenellated parapet has Tudor outer arch. Eaves have low parapet which rises over a gable over the doorway and each side are gabled half dormers with shaped kneelers, coping and ball finials. Gable-ends of the main roof are similar and so too is kitchen-block gable-end. the right (west) end contains a stone canted bay with crenellated parapet and corbelled, moulded base.
This small estate cottage is very attractively sited in the landscaped park and is one of a number of superior buildings built in the park and on the estate by the Goldsmid family.
LAKE BRIDGE
HER Number: TQ 54 SE 55 Type of Record: Listed Building HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1867 to 1899 Grid Reference: TQ 5988 4498 Map Sheet: TQ54SE Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Post Medieval - 1867 AD to 1899 AD) Bridge taking the drive to Somerhill over the head of the landscaped lake. Probably late C19. The lower part, the actual arches, are red brick whilst the upper part is local sandstone ashlar laid to courses. 3-span bridge of small round-headed arches with low stone cutwaters. Sides rise to parapet walls with rounded coping. Each end the parapet walls curve out to square terminal piers. This bridge along with most of the buildings in Somerhill Park and indeed many on the estate was built to a superior standard by the Goldsmid family.
97 SOMERHILL TOP LODGE
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 150 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Top Lodge including front boundary fence
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Summary Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1860 to 1990 Grid Reference: TQ 60795 44228 Map Sheet: TQ64SW Parish: Capel Monument Type SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1860 AD to 1990 AD)
Lodge to Somerhill Park. Circa 1880. Top Lodge is one of a number of good late C19 buildings built by the Goldsmid family on the Somerhill Estate.
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UPPER POSTERN FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
Upper Postern Farm includes two listed buildings and three further buildings which form the Historic Farmstead but are undesignated heritage assets’
The farmstead comprises: Upper Postern Farmhouse, Upper Postern Oast, Upper Postern Barn (dates from c1610), The Granary and a former two-storey stable block.
4 UPPER POSTERN FARMHOUSE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.57KM TGV
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 163
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Upper Postern Farmhouse Summary Grade II* listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1700 to 1899 Summary from record TQ 64 NW 24 : Upper POSTERN FARMHOUSE: listed building Grid Reference: TQ 61537 46065 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel Monument Types FARMHOUSE (FARMHOUSE, Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD) SITE (Post Medieval - 1700 AD to 1899 AD)
Farmhouse. Early C18, some C19 modernisation. Half BASEMENT is Flemish bond red brick with burnt headers, timber-framed above and tile hung; brick stacks and chimneyshafts; peg-tile roof.
Exterior: Tall house with symmetrical 3-window front of C19 and C20 casements with glazing bars. Central front doorway up a flight of 6 stone STEPS. It has its original bead-moulded doorframe, fielded 6-panel door and flat hood. Side lights have replacement glazing bars. Moulded timber eaves cornice and the tall and steeply pitched roof is half-hipped to left and gable-ended to right and contains 3 front dormer windows with hipped roofs. The right (west) end WALL contains a C20 bay window to the ground floor front room. The left end wall has a doorway into the kitchen (original bead-moulded frame and fielded 3-panel door) behind an original brick porch. This contains a bench round 2 sides, presumably where farm workers could sit and eat without coming into the house. To rear the main roof is carried down over the outshots and here are original flat-faced mullion windows and the back door contains an old, if not original, plank door. First floor west outshot room was built up in the C19 with its own hipped roof and contains a rear-facing C19 4-pane sash. Alongside, to right of, the back door there is a curious relieving ARCH just above ground level. It is believed to be part of a WELL housing. The brickwork of the left (east) end wall has some interesting GRAFFITI; a series of C18 initials with C18 dates, the earliest is GW 1727. Upper Postern is an attractive and well-preserved example of polite architecture at yeoman farmer level.
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53 UPPER POSTERN OAST
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY: APPROX. 640 – 650M
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO TUDELEY DEVELOPMENT BUILDINGS: APPROX. 650– 660M
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 222 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Ref: TQ 61486 46050 Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval to Modern 1833 AD – 1985 AD) HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry No. 1253181 Grade II Listed Building Location: Upper Postern Oast, Postern Lane, CAPEL Converted oasthouse. Mid/late C19, converted circa 1980. Most is red brick but part of the stowage is timber- framed and weatherboarded; peg-tile roof.
Plan: Former oasthouse faces south onto the lane. Unusual double stowage with an H-shaped plan. 2 parallel stowage blocks are set a short distance apart, and set end onto the lane. They are connected by a middle crosswing. 2 hop kilns on the left (west) end.
Exterior: All C20 casements with glazing bars. The first floor level of the stowage is mostly weatherboarded and the roofs are hipped both end. The hop kilns are circular in section with brick dentil eaves cornices and tall conical roofs with cowls.
Interior: Not inspected.
This oasthouse forms part of a group with nearby Upper Postern Farmhouse (q.v.). Also it is built on the crest of a low hill so that it plays an important role in the landscape which is essentially unspoilt and of the buildings in the vicinity most are historic and listed.
SETTING AND VIEWS
Upper Postern Oast forms part of an isolated historic farmstead, off Postern Lane, where most of the buildings have now been converted for residential use. The farmstead centres around the attractive C16 Grade II* Listed Building: Upper Postern Farmhouse and the historic farm grouping adds value and significance to the heritage asset. There are significant non-designated heritage assets at Upper Postern, such as the C17 Upper Postern Barn.
The farm arrangement is consistent with scattered farmstead type of the Low Weald recognised by the TWBC Landscape Character Assessment for its contribution to the local character. It is built on the crest of a low hill where the circular hop kilns, conical peg-tiled roofs and white cowls punctuate the surrounding open landscape of the Low Weald. The oasthouse has historical value through associating with the surrounding agricultural land and
32 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group former farmstead since C19 and evidential and aesthetic value increase its significance. It is a heritage asset with high sensitivity to change.
The asset enjoys wide and open views to the north across agricultural land to the distant Greensand Ridge.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Upper Postern Farmhouse and Oast: Low Impact
The proposed TGV site is located to the east/south-east of Upper Postern, but there will be no inter-visibility between the proposed settlement and heritage asset due to the separation distance of approximately 650m.
The principle significance of the heritage asset is drawn from its historical farmstead value and survival of its connection to the surrounding open landscape. Although the proposed urban settlement at Tudeley will not alter the immediate surroundings of Upper Postern, it will change the historic pattern of dispersed settlement in the area, causing degradation of the wider setting which informs the character and context of the asset.
Access to the proposed new town, cumulative impact, pollution, lighting, noise and increased traffic on surrounding landscape have potential to impact the sense of space, tranquility and remote setting at Upper Postern Oast. Possible future growth of TGV means there is a risk that the setting could change from rural to semi urban.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF MITIGATION
New roads, road improvements, site access points and traffic flow must be assessed and carefully designed to minimise harm to the significance of the oasthouse.
Noisy uses and high level lighting should not form part of the masterplan on the eastern edge of the site and a significant buffer zone/tree screen should be provided along the Hartlake Road site boundary.
Alternative sites should be identified and assessed in order to preserve its connection with its rural setting and other historic farmsteads of Capel.
33 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
5 THISTLES AND WENHAM COTTAGES
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.95KM FOG BY PASS HER Number: TQ 64 NW 203
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Thistles Summary: Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1436 to 1990 Summary from record TQ 64 NW 25 : Formerly listed as Moat Farm Cottages Grid Reference: TQ 6479 4555 Map Sheet: TQ 64 NW Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Medieval to Modern - 1066 AD to 1990 AD) FARMHOUSE (FARMHOUSE, Medieval to Modern - 1436 AD to 2050 AD)
Nos 1 (Thistles) and 2 Wenhams 20.10.54 Cottages (formerly listed as MOATFARM Cottages) II* 2 cottages, formerly a FARMHOUSE. Dated circa 1436 by dendrochronological analysis, with C16 and C17 improvements, some alterations in the late C19 when the house was divided, both cottages modernised circa 1980. Timber-framed, ground FLOOR underbuilt with C19 and C20 brick, above first floor level the frame is clad with painted weatherboards; brick stack and staggered chimneyshaft; peg-tile roof. Plan and Development: Originally a medieval HALL HOUSE with a 3-room plan facing south east. No 1 occupies the C19 room on the site of the original passage and service room whilst No 2 occupies the former hall and inner room end. House is 2 storeys with various circa 1960 and circa 1980 single storey extensions to rear and a lean-to outshot on the right end. Exterior: Irregular 4-window front of C20 casements with no glazing bars. Both cottages have front doorways towards each front end and both contain C19 doors, the right one (No 1) behind a C20 gabled porch. The large post in the centre of the front WALL is the medieval wall post for the crown post truss. First floor JETTY at the left end carried on large joists. Roof is very tall and steeply pitched and is hipped both ends; to right it is carried down over the C20 KITCHEN there. Nos 1 and 2 Wenhams Cottages are built in the well-preserved remains of a medieval hall house.
SETTING
The cottages are approached via the long tarmac drive to Moat Farm. To the south they are close to the railway line. They are surrounded by extensive fruit orchards. To the East there are glimpses of the settlement of Five Oak through the trees. The setting is rural and there is a sense of their place in history. POTENTIAL IMPACT There is unlikely to be any impact of note on these cottages from any of the proposals. MITIGATION
Not applicable
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TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
TATLINGBURY (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
DISTANCE FROM DEVELOPMENT SITE APPROX. 25M
(incorporating Grade II* Farmhouse, Grade II Oast House and Grade II Barn)
Tunbridge Wells (District Authority) Capel Parish
National Grid Reference: TQ 63826 45009
Dispersed multiyard plan farmstead consisting of a yard surrounded by farmhouse with medieval origins, barn, stables and oasthouse. Site lies within an area of archaeological potential relating to its geological type and historic farmstead complex which is identifiable on the 1st Ed OS map. This dates the historic farmstead complex to the 19th century and possibly earlier. The site lies on River Terrace Gravels which have potential for early Prehistoric remains.
The farmstead Farmstead leading into Farmhouse
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6 TATLINGBURY FARMHOUSE
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 146
Tatlingbury Farmhouse including garden walls adjoining to the west.
Medieval to Post Medieval Site 1433 AD to 1899 AD
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING entry Grade II* Farmhouse 1262828
Farmhouse: Mid C15 with various C16, C17, and early C18 improvements, some C19 modernisation. Timber- framed although most of the front wall has been rebuilt or faced up with C18 or C19 brick; Flemish bond red brick with the earliest brickwork including a higher proportion of burnt headers; rear and end walls still partly timber- framed, either weatherboarded or hung with peg- tile; brick stacks and chimneyshafts; peg-tile roof.
Plan and Development: Essentially an L-plan building. The main block faces onto the garden to the west. It has a 4- room plan and these are the principal rooms. At the right (south) end there is a large parlour with a projecting rear lateral stack. Next to it is a relatively wide entrance hall with the main stair to rear in the outshots there which also contain a corridor running behind the left (northern) 2 rooms. Centre left is the dining room occupying most of the medieval hall and at the left end another parlour. This parlour and the dining room are separated by an axial stack serving back-to-back fireplaces. A 2-room plan kitchen/services block projects at right angles to rear of the left end parlour behind the corridor. The kitchen has a projecting outer lateral stack (now disused).
The main block contains the remains of a mid C15 hall-house. The 2-bay hall occupied the present dining room and adjoining part of the northern parlour. It was open to the roof and heated by an open hearth fire. There was certainly another one-bay room to south (the present entrance hall). It is not clear whether this end was floored. A fragment of a moulded beam at the southern end of the hall could be part of a low partition screen; it looks too low for a dais beam. Little carpentry is exposed at the north end and the roof has been rebuilt. It is difficult to disentangle the various C16 and C17 improvements in the main block. At that time much of the timber-framing of the rear wall was replaced, the hall was floored and the hall stack inserted. The southern parlour is probably a C17 extension. At the north end the hall crosswall was removed at ground floor level in order to create a large room that end and it was given a fireplace; this probably happened in the C18 or 19. No evidence shows that the rear outshots and kitchen block are any earlier than the C18 or C19.
2 storeys with attics in the roof space of the main block.
Exterior: Irregular 4-window front of various C19 sashes; 20 and 24-pane sashes and the hall has a tripartite sash with central 16-pane sash. The ground floor windows have low brick segmental arches. Front doorway is right of centre and contains a C19 part-glazed panelled door. Marks on the brickwork above show that it once had a tented roof hood or porch. Main roof is hipped to left and half-hipped to right. The right (south) end wall has a 20- pane sash in the blocked opening of a wider window. This end is tile hung at first floor level. At the back the southern parlour stack has tile weatherings. The outshot is weatherboarded and contains one probably C18 window to the staircase, single light containing diamond panes of old leaded glass. The rear block is brick at ground floor level and tile hung above. It contains C20 casements with glazing bars.
Interior: Includes good carpentry detail from all the main building phases. However little of the medieval structure shows below the roof. The crossbeam in the northern parlour was originally a rail in the crosswall at that end of the medieval hall and has mortises along its soffit from the removed ground floor frame. At the southern end of the hall is a moulded rail which has been cut through at both ends. It seems positioned too low for
36 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group a dais beam and may be from a low partition screen. Any other medieval carpentry below roof level is hidden behind later plaster.
The southern parlour is a C17 extension. Its crossbeam is chamfered with step stops. The relatively small brick fireplace here has a replacement oak lintel. In the dining room/former hall the axial beam and joists are chamfered with step stops. The large brick fireplace here has been somewhat restored but much is original; the bricks are small and narrow and the oak lintel is chamfered with scroll stops. The fireplace backing onto it in the northern parlour is C18 or C19. At first floor level much of the rear wall was rebuilt in the late C16 or C17. The frame has straight tension braces and there is no wall post supporting the medieval open truss tie-beam over the hall. However part of the frame is medieval including a massive wall post at the south end corner of the medieval house. The first floor chambers of the main block mostly have chamfered axial beams with step stops.
The remains of the original mid C15 roof survive mostly over the medieval hall. The open truss has a tie-beam of large scantling with the remains of moulded arch braces and (along the front wall) a length of a moulded wall plate. Crown post above is square in section with shallow moulded base and cap. Its 4-way braces are wide and one is carved from the solid. The structure over the medieval hall is smoke-blackened from the open hearth fire. At the southern end of the medieval hall is a closed crown post truss with down braces. To south there is evidence that the medieval roof was hipped and the roof structure here is clean. Most of the common rafter A-frames are medieval but they were taken down and re-erected when the roof was mended. These repairs could well have been quite early since it involved scarfing a new (and clean) length of crown purlin over the northern bay of the hall. It extends to the northern gable where there was originally another closed crown post truss. The roof over the C17 parlour extension is carried on collared common rafter couples.
The front garden is flanked by probably C19 brick walls. The northern one, between the garden and farmyard, bows northwards each side of a gateway with square-section gate posts with pyramid caps. The walls are built of flying bond red brick with bricks on top shaped for weathered coping.
Listing NGR: TQ6382645009
31 TATLINGBURY OASTHOUSE
APPROXIMATELY 5M EAST OF TATLINGBURY FARMHOUSE
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 142
Post Medieval Site 1800 AD to 1899 AD
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Grade II Oasthouse: 1261896
Oasthouse: C19, probably 2 phases. Mostly English bond brick, both red and ochre-coloured; some is timber- framed and clad with weatherboards; slate roof, and hop kilns have coated brick roofs.
Plan: Large oasthouse. The double depth stowage is on a rough east west axis with the west end facing into the farmyard. The stowage is open at ground floor level on the north side. The rear (southern) section of the stowage is not full length and there are 2 hop kilns behind the east end of the northern stowage. At the east end is a cluster of 4 hop kilns, 2 each side of a narrow extension of the northern section of the stowage.
Exterior: North long side of the stowage is 5 bays; an open arcade of plain posts at ground floor level and at first floor level there are 2 plain plank doorways to the loading hatches and 3 horizontal sliding sash windows, all C19. In the double gable west end at first floor level a similar loading hatch doorway to left (complete with sack hoist) and similar window to right over a wide c-art entrance. Hop kilns are circular in section with cogged brick eaves cornice. One of the kilns (to south of the stowage) is missing its roof but the other 5 have tall conical roofs with cowls.
37 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
This impressive oasthouse forms part of an attractive group with medieval Tatlingbury Farmhouse (q.v.) and its C17 barn (q.v.).
Listing NGR: TQ6382645009
32 TATLINGBURY BARN
APPROXIMATELY 5M NORTH OF TATLINGBURY FARMHOUSE
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 198
Post Medieval to Modern Site 1667 AD to 1990 AD
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Grade II Barn: 1251322
Barn: Late C17/early C18, the north end was repaired after a fire circa 1985. Low brick footings are mostly clad with C20 cement. Weatherboarded timber- frame with peg-tile roof. Outshots of red brick, both English or Flemish bond.
Plan: Large threshing barn on a rough north south axis. Central large opposing doorways onto the threshing floor. Eastern side is aisled with a full height porch. Secondary cartshed on the south end and lean-to outshot against the north end of the west side.
Exterior: West side has C20 double doors and its tall roof is half-hipped both ends. To left the eaves are carried down over the secondary outshot. On the east side the roof carries down over the aisle and the porch rises above it with its own hipped roof.
Interior: 5 bays open to the roof. The wall posts have formed jowls. Straight arch braces to the tie-beams. Staggered butt purlins and raking struts. Most of the carpentry which escaped fire damage is well-preserved and that which was replaced (mostly in the northern bay) was done so expertly and carefully using pegged mortise- and-tenon joints.
This barn forms part of a good group with medieval Tatlingbury Farmhouse (q.v.) and its oasthouse (q.v.).
Listing NGR: TQ6382645009
SETTING
The farmstead sits to the west of Five Oak Green separated from the settlement by fields. The complex remains semi-rural and the original grouping being retained adds to their architectural significance. The barn and stable block act as a visual buffer for the farm house which itself is set well back from Five Oak Green Road. The oast house is a dominant and distinctive visual feature. The two bungalows ato the west are unsympathetic to the traditional farm buildings but detract significantly from this historic and valued farmstead. When viewed from the road the farm sheds are visually intrusive.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The proximity to the road would make many of these buildings vulnerable to any increase in traffic especially HGV. It is likely they would suffer from sub surface vibration due to lack of foundations and noise of traffic would penetrate. The farmstead will only be separated from the proposal by the road. It is likely that the area opposite will contain the secondary school building. This is unlikely to be sympathetic to these historic buildings nor is it likely to be single storey and as such it will be visually dominant and distract from the semi rural of the setting. A housing development of any kind will destroy the rural setting and historic views.
38 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
MITIGATION
Installation of triple glazing would soundproof to some extent but due to the listing it is unlikely this would be permitted. Traffic calming measures, quiet tarmac, HGV ban and reduction in speed limit would alleviate some damage to the fabric. Designing the school in the Kent vernacular would be beneficial but unlikely. The juxtaposition of what will need to be a state of the art place of education opposite a traditional farmstead will be incongruous.
39 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
7 THE POSTERN
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 1.35KM – NOT ASSESSED
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 154 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: The Postern Summary Grade II* listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1757 to 1999 Grid Reference: TQ 60722 46206 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel Monument Types COUNTRY HOUSE (COUNTRY HOUSE, Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD) SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1757 AD to 1999 AD) Large HOUSE. Dated 1757 with some C19 and C20 modernisation. Flemish bond red brick on coursed sandstone ashlar footings; brick stacks and chimneyshafts; peg-tile roof. Plan: House faces south onto the GARDEN with its entrance front on the left (west) side. The house is terraced into the hillside so that the ground FLOOR level is buried on the right side. Exterior: Principal front to the garden (south) has a symmetrical 5-window front. Ground and first floor have 12- pane sashes and second floor 9-pane sashes. Central doorway contains a C20 part-glazed door with a contemporary Georgian-style doorcase with a segmental pediment. Flat brick bands across the front at first and second floor levels, moulded brick eaves cornice and plain parapet. Roof is hipped both ends. In the centre, above the first floor window there, a brick is inscribed with the date 1757 and the initials J.E.. Entrance front has a 4-window front; it would have been symmetrical with a 5th window right of centre. Similar windows but no flat bands or eaves cornice. Central doorway is wide with an almost round-headed segmental ARCH containing a 6-panel door with sidelights (with internal shutters for security) and a fanlight with an elegant pattern of glazing bars. Opposite (east) side has casement windows with glazing bars, all with low segmental brick arches.
The Postern (Image courtesy of Walk Tonbridge)
40 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
8 SHERENDEN FARMHOUSE
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY: APPROX. 70- 80M
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO TUDELEY DEVELOPMENT BUILDINGS: APPROX. 120-150M
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 122
Type of record: Listed Building
Grid Ref: TQ 62785 46279
Parish: Capel
SITE (Post Medieval to Modern 1600 AD – 1899 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry No. 1253478
Grade II Listed Building
Location: Sherenden Farmhouse, Sherenden Road, TUDELEY, Capel
Farmhouse. Probably C17, possibly earlier with various later modernisations (the largest one circa 1700). The earlier part is timber-framed although the end wall was rebuilt in the C19 with Flemish bond red brick and the front is clad with cement render incised like ashlar masonry. The circa 1700 extension front is of coursed blocks of local stone ashlar with large quoins on the south end corner and south end wall of English bond red brick including a large number of burnt headers. Brick stack and chimneyshafts and peg-tile roof. Plan: Farmhouse faces east south east, say east. The C17 section is at the right (north) end, 3-room lobby entrance plan house. The small north end room has an end stack, inserted there in the late C19. The main axial stack between the other 2 rooms serves back-to-back fireplaces and the lobby entrance is in front. Circa 1700 2-room plan parlour extension to left (south). Any stack here is now disused.
House is 2 storeys with attics in the roofspace and lean-to outshots across the rear of the right end.
Exterior: Irregular 4-window front of various windows. At the left end a late C19 canted bay window containing timber mullion-and-transom windows. Alongside is C19 16-pane sash, and next to that a tripartite sash with a central 16-pane sash. Above that is a C17 oriel window on curving oak brackets (5 lights with ovolo-moulded mullions). First floor right end another C17 window, 3 lights with chamfered oak mullions. Rest are C19 and C20 casements. Pent roof across the front of the older section at first floor level. Main roof is half-hipped both ends and contains 3 front gabled dormers. To rear roof is carried down over the outshots.
41 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Sherenden Farmhouse, south-east elevation
Sherenden Farmhouse, access
SETTING AND VIEWS
Sherenden Farmhouse is an attractive and significant Listed Building and forms part of the Sherenden Farm complex which includes three large barns and a cottage. It lies on the north side of Sherenden Road on the edge of the flood plain and is consistent with dispersed farmstead type in the Low Weald, recognised by TWBC Landscape Character Assessment for its contribution to the character of the area. The distinctive Farmhouse is an isolated heritage asset on the northern edge of the Low Weald and is surrounded on all sides by expansive open fields, currant fields and dwarf fruit orchards that contribute to the openness and tranquil setting. There are no other buildings or dwellings to the north between Sherenden Farmouse and the River Medway which creates a sense of rural calm and remoteness.
The traditional timber framed structure of Sherenden Farmhouse has evidential value from C17 building practices, possibly earlier. It has aesthetic value in appearance with local vernacular character typical of the character area, such as Kent peg tile roof, brick stacks and half-hipped roof.
Sherenden Farmhouse enjoys long distance views to the north/north-east over the huge currant fields and River Medway to the wooded Greensand Ridge beyond. The distinctive cylindrical kilns and white cowls of Lilley Farm
42 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Oast and the weathered timber Lilley Farm Barn can be seen in southerly views from Sherenden Farmhouse. There are also clear views of Bank Farm stables and Bank Farm Oasthouse over the rising open landscape.
Sherenden Farmhouse has historical value through associating with the surrounding land as a former farmstead since early C17 and evidential and aesthetic value increase its significance.
Sherenden Farmhouse is a heritage asset with high sensitivity to change.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Sherenden Farmhouse: High Impact
The heritage asset curtilage lies just outside the northern boundary of the proposed Tudeley Garden Village (TGV) development, on the central axis. The scale and densely packed urban structure of the new settlement will harm the aesthetic, historic and evidential value of the C17 Grade II Listed Building that is to be retained.
Sherenden Farmhouse and associated farm buildings will be on the edge of the high density ‘Housing’ zone causing harm to its the historic open setting and remoteness and disconnecting the heritage asset from the tranquil agricultural landscape it has associated with since early C17.
The masterplan illustrates a long strip of ‘Open Space’ along the northern site boundary of the development between Sherenden Road and the residential zone, which will reduce the impact on its open setting. However, the ‘Open Space’ is at its narrowest point (approximately 40m wide) in front of the Sherenden Farm complex and a proposed access point into the new town is to be provided opposite the Sherenden Farmhouse and Farm shared driveway. The location of the proposed new settlement access road shows no consideration for the significance of the heritage asset and its high sensitivity to change; the increase in traffic, noise and pollution will increase the harm.
Prominence, scale and massing, movement, changes to local character, access, pollution, cumulative impact, lighting, noise and traffic of the new urban settlement will severely impact on the significance of an attractive and distinctive Grade II Listed Building as well as the associated farm buildings and cottage.
There will be high visual impact harming the significance of Sherenden Farmhouse and wide, open views to the south will be replaced by rows of houses overlooking the farm complex.
Harm to heritage assets needs to be justified and evidenced if development proposals are to be acceptable.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF MITIGATION
A detailed Statement of Significance for Sherenden Farmhouse should be carried out so the significance informs the design of any proposed settlement at Tudeley.
A higher understanding of the heritage asset involving consultation and further research must be demonstrated so the layout and details of any development at Tudeley responds to the historic core and heritage farm building.
Sensitive design is strongly recommended that considers the new urban character of TGV and its relationship to historic landscape settings.
The ‘Open Space’ between Sherenden Farmhouse and ‘Housing’ zone should be widened and the settlement access road should be relocated to preserve the historic setting as far as possible.
There should be no high level lighting or noisy land uses in close proximity to Sherenden Farm. Development height should be limited and large new dwellings/buildings should be located away from Listed Buildings to retain as much of the historic connection as possible with the Low Weald character.
Ensure building design details reflects Sherenden Farmhouse and local vernacular character.
43 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Alternative sites for a new settlement should be identified and assessed in order to preserve both heritage assets and their settings.
44 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
LILLEY FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO TUDELEY DEVELOPMENT BUILDINGS: APPROX. 40-60M
Lilley Farm Farmstead comprises: LILLEY FARMHOUSE, LILLEY FARM BARN and associated non-designated heritage asset: LILLEY FARM OAST
Lilley Farmhouse Lilley Farm Barn
Lilley Farm Oast
9 LILLEY FARMHOUSE
Minimum distance from Listed Building curtilage to development boundary: Lilley Farmhouse sits within the proposed development.
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO TUDELEY DEVELOPMENT BUILDINGS: APPROX. 40-60M
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 122 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Ref: TQ 62904 45696 Parish: Capel
45 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
SITE (Post Medieval to Modern 1800 AD – 1832 AD) HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry No. 1253477 Grade II Listed Building Location: Lilley Farmhouse, Sherenden Road, TUDELEY, Capel Farmhouse. Probably early C19 but parts may be earlier. Most is Flemish bond red brick with decorative use of burnt headers. Front ground FLOOR level is plastered brick and first floor level is tile-hung; timber-framing; brick stacks and chimney shafts; slate roof. Plan: L-plan house. The main block faces south west. It has a 2-room plan, one each side of the central entrance hall containing the main stair. Left room, probably the parlour, has a gable-end stack and right room (probably the original KITCHEN) has a large projecting gable-end stack. One-room plan service block projects at right angles to rear of right (kitchen) end. House is 2 storeys with single storey service outshot in the angle of the 2 blocks. Exterior: Symmetrical 3-window front of C19 16-pane sashes, those on the ground floor in the centre of tripartite sash windows with low segmental brick arches over. Central doorway contains a C19 part-glazed 6-panel doorway with a monopitch roofed porch on plain posts. Main roof is gable-ended; rear block roof is hipped. Rear includes some C19 casements with glazing bars. Interior: Not available for inspection at the time of this survey.
10A LILLEY FARM OAST (UNDESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSET)
Minimum distance from Lilley Farm Oast curtilage to development boundary: Lilley Farm Oast sits within the proposed development. MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LILLEY FARM OAST CURTILAGE TO TUDELEY DEVELOPMENT BUILDINGS: APPROX. 40-60M
Location: Lilley Farm Oast, Sherenden Road, TUDELEY, Capel
Not Listed.
Oasthouse. Historic oast with two cylindrical hop kilns, conical peg tiled roofs and white painted cowls. It forms part of the existing cluster of agricultural buildings at historic farmstead, Lilley Farm. The primary elevation faces north-east, say north. No published building design details.
10B LILLEY FARM BARN
Minimum distance from Listed Building curtilage to development boundary: Lilley Farm Barn sits within the proposed development.
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO TUDELEY DEVELOPMENT BUILDINGS: APPROX. 30-50M
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Unknown Listed Building Number
Grade II Listed Building
Location: Lilley Farm Barn, Sherenden Road, TUDELEY, Capel
Barn. Large, historic L-shaped weatherboarded barn, possibly a former byre. It is a part of the historic farmstead at Lilley Farm and faces north-east. Listing details are not registered.
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SETTING AND VIEWS
Lilley Farmhouse and Lilley Farm Barn are significant Listed Buildings set back from Sherenden Road in Tudeley and they forms part of a historic farmyard group with Lilley Farm Oast. The three attractive heritage assets have aesthetic value and are now residential buildings with shared access from the lane, each with gardens that optimise the immense panorama over the River Medway valley.
The three Lilley Farm buildings are consistent with dispersed farmstead type in the Low Weald and the TWBC Landscape Character Assessment recognises their contribution to the character of the area. The grouping increases their value and significance as heritage assets. They are conspicuous and distinctive elements on higher land of the Low Weald and are surrounded by expansive open fields, dwarf fruit orchards and pockets of woodland which contribute to the open and tranquil setting.
The traditional timber framed structure of Lilley Farmhouse adds local vernacular character typical of the character area, with details such as hipped roof, brick stacks and clay peg tiles. The large traditional barn and circular hop kilns with tiled conical roofs of Lilley Farm Oast add to the distinctive skyline.
Lilley Farmhouse, Barn and Oast enjoy long distance, panoramic views to the north across the open landscape of the Low Weald and River Medway valley with the wooded Greensand Ridge forming a distinctive skyline. Views to the south-east are dominated by the Bank Farm Equestrian Centre buildings across the railway line and open fields; the land rising in the distance towards the High Weald.
This prominent group of heritage assets can be seen punctuating the rising landscape from the footpath network to the north around Sherenden Farm and from the flatter land of the River Medway flood plains. A small copse and the solar farm restrict views of Lilley Farm grouping from the footpath to the east.
The Lilley Farm buildings have historical value through associating with the surrounding land as a former farmstead since early C19 and evidential and aesthetic value increase their significance.
Lilley Farmhouse, Lilley Farm Barn and Lilley Farm Oast are heritage assets with high sensitivity to change.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Lilley Farmhouse: High Impact
Lilley Farm Barn: High Impact
Lilley Farm Oast: High Impact
These heritage assets will be close to the central area of the new Tudeley Garden Village (TGV) development, just north of the railway line. The scale and densely packed urban structure of the new settlement will harm the aesthetic, historic and evidential value of the heritage assets, in particular, the Grade II Listed Lilley Farmhouse which is to be retained as part of the development with a possible change of use.
Lilley Farmhouse and associated Barn and Oast will form part of the high density ‘Housing’ area. The masterplan indicates large buildings without gardens, possibly large blocks of flats with a carpark, will occupy the space between the Lilley Farm buildings and railway line which will have greater impact than smaller buildings at different orientations. New houses and roads will surround and enclose their curtilages, although a strip of green space will be provided either side of the rear garden at Lilley Farm Barn with an additional narrow green space and pond beyond providing some protection.
The urban character and increase in traffic and noise will eliminate the historic open settings of Lilley Farmhouse, Oast and Barn and disconnect them from the tranquil agricultural landscape they have associated with since early C19.
47 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
There will be high visual impact harming the significance of Lilley Farmhouse, Barn and Oast from loss of views, sense of space and remoteness. The immense panoramic views to the north will be replaced with thousands of houses and rooftops, although a view corridor looking north-east over the pond is suggested. Long distance views of Lilley Farm Oast’s distinctive circular kilns and cowls punctuating the skyline from the River Medway valley footpath network will be lost and replaced with a view of a high density housing development on the gently rising slopes.
Although the layout of the new town shows the heritage assets sitting within a small area of green space, predominantly the existing rear garden owned by Lilley Farm Barn, the small open area will not mitigate the significant harm caused by a large scale urban settlement and such a scheme does not consider the heritage assets’ high sensitivity to change or their historic relationship to the Low Weald landscape. Prominence, scale and massing, movement, changes to local character, access, pollution, cumulative impact, lighting, noise and traffic caused by the new urban settlement will severely impact on the significance of two Grade II Listed Building and an attractive and distinctive non-designated heritage asset.
Vibrations and ground disturbance from earthworks, construction and thousands of new buildings close to the Lilley Farm heritage assets could cause permanent structural damage. It is likely that the assets do not have foundations, therefore, the buildings will be particularly susceptible to irreparable structural damage. Increased pollution could also cause harm to the fabric of the buildings.
Harm to heritage assets needs to be justified and evidenced if development proposals are to be acceptable.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF MITIGATION
A detailed Statement of Significance for Lilley Farmhouse, Lilley Farm Barn and Lilley Farm Oast should be carried out so the significance informs the design of any new settlement at Tudeley.
A higher understanding of both heritage assets involving consultation and further research must be demonstrated so the layout and details of any development at Tudeley responds to the historic core and heritage farm buildings.
Sensitive design is strongly recommended that considers the new urban character of TGV and its relationship to historic landscape settings.
The buffer zone surrounding Lilley Farm heritage assets should be reconsidered to preserve openness and sense of calm: lanes rather than roads, no high level lighting or noisy uses, limiting height of development and proximity to curtilages to maintain visual connection to the Low Weald. Blocks of flats and large buildings should be located away from historic buildings.
Ensure building design details reflects the Lilley Farm buildings and local vernacular character.
Alternative sites for a new settlement should be identified and assessed in order to preserve both heritage assets and their settings.
48 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
BANK FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY: BANK FARMHOUSE SITS WITHIN THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO TUDELEY DEVELOPMENT BUILDINGS: APPROX. 30-40M
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 201
Type of record: Listed Building
Grid Ref: TQ 6281 4536
Parish: Capel
SITE (Post Medieval to Modern 1600 AD – 1999 AD)
11 BANK FARMHOUSE HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING List Entry No. 1253182
Grade II Listed Building
Location: Bank Farmhouse, Sherenden Road, TUDELEY, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Farmhouse. C17 with some C19 and C20 modernisation. Timber-framed. Ground floor level is underbuilt in painted Flemish bond brick whilst framing above is tile hung. Brick stack and chimney shaft (including some C17 brickwork); peg-tile roof.
Plan: 3-room lobby entrance plan house facing south-east. The right (north- east) end room was an unheated service room, probably buttery and dairy. Axial stack between the centre and left end rooms serves back-to-back fireplaces. Without an interior inspection it is not possible to determine which of these rooms was kitchen and parlour. Lobby entrance in front of the stack behind a 2-storey porch.
2 storeys with attics in the roof space.
Exterior: Irregular front fenestration. 4 first floor windows are C20 casements, mostly without glazing bars. At ground floor level there is a C19 tripartite sash containing a central horned 4-pane sash to left of the porch and a C19 horizontal sliding sash (6 panes each) to right serving the centre room. Porch has a C20 panelled door and a hipped roof. Main roof is half- hipped both ends.
49 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Bank Farmhouse
12 OASTHOUSE (BANK FARM)
APPROXIMATELY 10 METRES NORTH OF BANK FARMHOUSE
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY: BANK FARM OASTHOUSE SITS WITHIN THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO TUDELEY DEVELOPMENT BUILDINGS: APPROX. 60 - 70M
HER Number: Type of record: Listed Building Grid Ref: TQ 62828 45395 Parish: Capel SITE HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING List Entry No. 1253183 Grade II Listed Building Location: Oasthouse approximately 10m north of Bank Farmhouse, Sherenden Road, Capel, TUDELEY
Oasthouse. Probably mid C19. Flemish bond red brick with burnt headers; peg- tile roof.
Plan: Oasthouse faces south towards Bank Farmhouse (q.v.). Stowage under parallel roofs on a north south axis. 3 hop kilns on the left (west) end.
Exterior: 2-bay front. Each bay contains a cart-size entrance both containing C19 double plank doors. The left one has a low segmental arch over. At first floor level each bay contains a loading hatch doorway with an original horizontal sliding 12-pane sash to right. High in the wall between the bays there is a clockface. The parallel roofs are hipped both ends. The three hop kilns are circular in section and their cornices include bands of cogged brick. Tall conical roofs without cowls. On right end secondary lean-to coke store.
50 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Bank Farm Oasthouse
SETTING AND VIEWS Bank Farmhouse and Oasthouse are currently in single ownership and are no longer used for farming. Both heritage assets are historically connected and lie in the small hamlet of Tudeley where there is a scattered nature of historic settlement. The historical value of these farm buildings makes evident the long history of farming in this location since at least C17, probably earlier, and increases the significance of Bank Farmhouse and Oasthouse. They are conspicuous and distinctive elements in the open landscape of the Low Weald, as recognised by TWBC Landscape Character Assessment. The oasthouse and timber framed farmhouse add local vernacular character typical of the Low Weald, with details such as clay peg tiles, circular hop kilns and conical roofs.
Both heritage assets lie on the western side of Sherenden Road with Bank Farmhouse addressing the narrow lane and the Oasthouse facing south towards the farmhouse. To the west of the assets lie the recently developed Stables and Equestrian Centre at Bank Farm and to the north, east and south, the landscape setting is rural and open in character, interspersed with pockets of vegetation and sliced by the east-west railway line to the north. The open landscape gently falls away north/north-east from the Listed Buildings affording immense long distance panoramic views over the Medway valley with the Greensand Ridge providing a distinctive skyline beyond. To the south and east, the landscape gradient gently increases with a network of historic hedgerows and isolated fragments of woodland dividing sinuous field boundaries. This sense of historic landscape setting and contribution to the local character makes both Bank Farmhouse and Oasthouse highly sensitive to change, despite the recent development at Bank Farm which has altered the character of their setting.
Both buildings can be seen from the narrow Sherenden Road when approaching at an incline from the north and descending from the south towards the existing railway bridge. They have a relationship with the lane on which they make a positive contribution.
There are views of both heritage assets from the public footpath to the east as it descends from the paddocks to meet the section of lane between Bank Farmhouse and Oasthouse. The footpath continues westwards up Sherenden Road, passing the assets and continues through Bank Farm, where there are glimpses of the Listed Buildings. There are clear views of the three distinctive conical Oasthouse roofs from the lower level footpath network around Sherenden Farm and solar farm over gently rising, arable fields and the railway line.
The aesthetic, evidential and historical value from farming for Bank Farmhouse and Oasthouse remains high.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT Bank Farmhouse: High Impact
Bank Farm Oast House : High Impact
Bank Farmhouse and Oasthouse are located in the centre of the new Tudeley Garden Village (TGV) and the scale and urban structure of the new settlement will harm the aesthetic, historic and evidential value of both buildings. The Listed Buildings will form part of the ‘Mixed Use’ area allocated for ‘Civic Use’ with the adjacent Equestrian Centre buildings being repurposed for ‘Commercial Use’. In addition, high density housing to the north-east, south-east and south-west of the Listed Buildings, new roads and additional large commercial buildings to the north will crowd the assets. This densely built up area will eliminate the historic settings of Bank Farmhouse and Oasthouse and disconnect them from the agricultural landscape they have associated with since the C17.
51 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
The masterplan shows the heritage assets sitting within a small area of ‘Open Space’ and a larger green area is indicated to the south-east of the historic buildings. These green areas do not mitigate the significant harm caused by a large scale new settlement and such a scheme does not consider their moderate sensitivity to change or their historic relationship to the Low Weald landscape. Prominence, scale and massing, movement, changes to local character, access, pollution, cumulative impact, lighting, noise and traffic of the new urban settlement will severely impact on the significance of two attractive and distinctive Grade II Listed Buildings.
There would be high visual impact harming the significance of Bank Farmhouse and Oasthouse from loss of all views, sense of space, and remoteness. The panoramic views over the Medway valley and beyond will be eliminated and the masterplan does not allow for view corridors.
Vibrations and ground disturbance from earthworks, construction and thousands of new buildings close to Bank Farmhouse and Oasthouse could cause permanent structural damage. Neither heritage asset is likely to have foundations, therefore, the buildings will be particularly susceptible to irreparable structural damage. Increased pollution could cause harm to the fabric of the buildings.
Harm to heritage assets needs to be justified and evidenced if development proposals are to be acceptable.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF MITIGATION A detailed Statement of Significance for Bank Farmhouse and Oasthouse should be carried out so the significance informs the design of any new settlement at Tudeley.
A higher understanding of both heritage assets involving consultation and further research must be demonstrated so the layout and details of any development at Tudeley responds to the historic core and listed farm buildings.
Sensitive design is strongly recommended that considers the new urban character of TGV and its relationship to historic landscape settings.
A buffer zone setting a minimum distance of new development buildings from Bank Farmhouse and Oasthouse curtilages requires assessment against more detailed development proposals including type and form of commercial buildings, use, lighting, noise, access and associated infrastructure.
The cumulative impact of change must be assessed as detailed proposals develop.
View corridors must be created for both heritage assets.
Alternative sites for a new settlement should be identified and assessed in order to preserve both heritage assets and their settings.
52 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
TUDELEY HALL (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY: <0.5M;TUDELEY HALL SITS WITHIN THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO TUDELEY DEVELOPMENT BUILDINGS: APPROX. 6 - 7M
HER Number: MKE 81790 Type of record: Farmstead Grid Ref: TQ 6220 4604 Parish: Capel FARMSTEAD (Post Medieval 1540 AD – 1540 AD)
13 TUDELEY HALL
Type: Regular courtyard U-plan Farmhouse: Farmhouse detached in central position Position: Hamlet Survivial: No apparent alteration New sheds: Large modern sheds built beside the historic farmstead, the farmstead could still be in use
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry No. 1261773
Grade II Listed Building
Location: Tudeley Hall, Hartlake Road, Capel, TUDELEY HALE, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
House. C16 and C17, possibly medieval origins in parts, extensively renovated circa 1930. Timber-framed. Ground floor is Flemish bond red brick with burnt headers; brick stacks and ornate Tudor-style brick chimney shafts with crenelated tops; peg-tile roof.
Plan and Development: Large house facing west north west, say west. The main part is 2-rooms wide and 2-rooms deep. The front right (south) room has an outer lateral stack and rear room has rear end stack. Main stair also to rear. Principal parlour left front heated by-a stack backing onto a corridor connecting the stair to the front porch which is in a wing set back from the front and parallel with the road. Room behind the porch has a rear lateral stack.
Present layout is essentially the result of a major rearrangement and modernisation of circa 1930. Only very limited access was available at the time of this survey and therefore it was not possible to determine the historic development of the house. Certainly there is extensive remains of the C16 and C17 house and the owner described an octagonal crown post in the roof which probably suggests that the house originated as a late medieval open hall house.
House is 2 storeys.
Exterior: Attractive irregular front of circa 1930 in Tudor style. 3-bay front. The middle bay projects forward the furthest, the right bay only a little back and the left bay set well back. The left bay contains the entrance porch. It has a wide Tudor arch and the doorway is set behind a C20 panelled and glazed door. Mullioned window to left,
53 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group moulded bressummer at first floor level and gabled roof above projecting forward from the main south block roof. Main 2 gabled bays are brick at ground floor and timber-framed above; close studding with curving tension braces. First floor and gable are jettied with moulded bressummers on fluted scroll brackets. Ground and first floor have shallow oriel windows, mullioned with transoms. All the windows, throughout the house contain rectangular panes of leaded glass. Front gables have moulded bargeboards including a brattished frieze and have apex finials and pendants. The roof behind is parallel to the street. It steps down to the south wing which is gable- ended. Original large framing is exposed on the right (north) end and rear walls and includes large curving tension braces.
Interior: Only a very small part of the interior was available for inspection at the time of HE survey, but this was enough to indicate that C16 or C17 carpentry remains. Also the owner described an octagonal crown post in the roof.
Tudeley Hall
14 BARN AT TUDELEY HALL
BARN APPROXIMATELY 6M NORTH OF TUDELEY HALL MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY: <0.5M; THE BARN WILL SIT WITHIN THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT. MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO TUDELEY DEVELOPMENT BUILDINGS: APPROX. 20M HER Number: TQ 64 NW 121 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Ref: TQ 6219 4604 Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval 1700 AD – 1799 AD) HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry No. 1253533
54 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Grade II Listed Building
Location: Barn approximately 6m north of Tudeley Hall, Hartlake Road, Capel, TUDELEY HALE, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Barn. Date unknown, probably C18. Weatherboarded timber-framing on red brick footings; peg-tile roof. Large threshing barn on a rough north south axis with large opposing double doorways onto the threshing floor. The west side (onto the road) has a central full height doorway containing C19 2-flap double doors. A smaller doorway towards the left end. Main roof is gable-ended and each gable includes a C19 window with glazing bars.
Interior: Not available for inspection at the time of HE survey.
Barn at Tudeley Hall
SETTING AND VIEWS
Tudeley Hall and Barn are attractive and significant heritage assets in the small historic hamlet of Tudeley Hale where only a handful of dwellings exist. Both Listed Buildings are highly visible and distinctive elements within the open landscape of the Low Weald as recognised by TWBC Landscape Character Assessment. The arrangement of Tudeley Hall is consistent with historic courtyard farmstead type and both buildings are historically connected to Hale Farmhouse and agricultural buildings (REF 24 &25) approximately 50m to the north-west. The historical value of this clustered group of farm buildings makes evident the long history of farming in this location since at least C16, probably earlier, and increases the significance of Tudeley Hall and Barn.
Tudeley Hall and Barn occupy the gentler slopes of the Low Weald and are surrounded by extensive, open arable fields, large blackcurrant fields and dwarf fruit orchards which contribute to the openness of their setting and provide a sense of rural calm. The arrangement of the farmstead is typical of the dispersed nature of settlement in the open landscape of the Low Weald and makes Tudeley Hall and Barn highly sensitive to change.
The attractive Tudeley Hall exhibits design and alterations from C16 – C20 and was designed to address the ancient routeway of Hartlake Road on which it makes a positive contribution. Both buildings can be seen from Hartlake Road when approaching from the south and north and also from Sherenden Road to the north/north- east.
55 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
From the public footpath to the west, there are uninterrupted views of the primary elevation of Tudeley Hall and Barn across an open field margin and Hartlake Road. As the footpath continues alongside the southern fenced boundary of Tudeley Hall curtilage and across fields towards Sherenden Road, the first floor and garden of Tudeley Hall can be seen over the boundary hedge. Glimpses of Tudeley Hall are possible through the landscape from public footpaths to the north and north-east across expansive open fields and orchards where the gradient gently decreases before flattening towards the River Medway valley.
Long distance views to the north-east are possible from Tudeley Hall and Barn curtilages over Sherenden Farm and River Medway valley to the distinctive Greensand Ridge.
Tudeley Hall and C18 Threshing Barn are heritage assets with high historic, aesthetic and evidential value.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Tudeley Hall: High Impact
Barn at Tudeley Hall : High Impact
Tudeley Garden Village (TGV) integrates Tudeley Hall and Barn into the eastern edge of the development and the proposed urban structure of the new settlement will harm the aesthetic, historic and evidential value of both buildings. The type and form of development is ill-designed, showing high density housing and new roads wrapping around Tudeley Hall and Barn on the north, east and south of their curtilages altering the openness of their historic settings. The close proximity of dense residential development on three sides and the size and scale of the proposed small town, will disconnect Tudeley Hall and Barn from the expanse of agricultural land they have associated with since the C16. No buffer zones are shown on the development proposals and the design layout does not consider their high sensitivity to change or their historic relationship to the local character. Prominence, scale and massing, movement, changes to local character, access, pollution, cumulative impact, lighting, noise and traffic of the new urban settlement will severely impact on the significance of two attractive and distinctive Grade II Listed heritage assets. Increased traffic on Hartlake Road will negatively impact the historic routeway and open field margins which Tudeley Hall was designed to address.
There will be high visual impact on both heritage assets from the proposed new urban settlement from loss of views, sense of space and remoteness. The open views of fields and orchards from Tudeley Hall and Barn to the south and east will be replaced by new high density housing on the curtilage boundaries. The new town will eliminate the distinctive panoramic view of the Greensand Ridge stretching over flat landscape and replace it with thousands of houses, filling the land as it falls away towards Sherenden Farm. Similarly, views of Tudeley Hall, Barn and gardens from the proposed urban settlement will only be possible from the overlooking new houses surrounding the curtilages. The masterplan layout does not allow for view corridors from either heritage asset.
Vibrations and ground disturbance from earthworks, construction and thousands of new buildings close to Tudeley Hall and Barn could cause permanent structural damage. Typical of its age, Tudeley Hall is unlikely to have foundations, making it particularly susceptible to irreparable structural damage. Increased pollution could cause harm to the fabric of both Listed Buildings.
Harm to heritage assets needs to be justified and evidenced if development proposals are to be acceptable.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF MITIGATION
A detailed Statement of Significance for Tudeley Hall and Barn should be carried out so the significance informs the design of any new settlement at Tudeley.
56 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
A higher understanding of both heritage assets involving consultation and further research must be demonstrated so the layout and details of any proposed development at Tudeley responds to the historic core and listed buildings of this farmstead.
Sensitive design is strongly recommended that considers the new urban character of TGV and its relationship to historic landscape settings of Tudeley Hall and Barn. These two heritage assets will form part of the Tudeley Garden Village despite the site boundary excluding them.
A buffer zone setting a minimum distance of new development buildings from the Tudeley Hall farmstead curtilages must be established to preserve historic settings, openness, and views. There should no built development within 300-500m, but this requires assessment against more detailed development proposals including road layouts, access and Hartlake Road improvements.
The cumulative impact of change must be assessed as detailed proposals develop.
There should be no tall development, noisy uses and high level lighting near Tudeley Hall, Barn and Hale Farmhouse farmsteads.
View corridors must be created for both heritage assets.
Alternative sites for a new settlement should be identified and assessed in order to preserve these heritage assets and their settings.
57 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
15 FRONT WALL OF THE GOLDSMID FAMILY CEMETERY
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: ADJOINING ON THE SOUTHERN AND EASTERN SIDES
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 166 Type of record: Grade II Listed Building - main construction periods 1900 to 1932 Grid Reference: TQ 6206 4561 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE: (Post Medieval to Modern - 1900 AD to 1932 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1253585 Heritage Category: Listing Grade: II Location: FRONT WALL OF THE GOLDSMID FAMILY CEMETERY, TUDELEY HALE, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 62061 45611
Details: Cemetery wall. Probably early C20. Roughcast brick with sandstone ashlar dressings, keel-shaped red tile coping with beaded ridge.
Tall wall in a kind of Spanish colonial style built along the west (road) side of the family cemetery. Seven bays divided by front buttresses. At the left (south) end the wall top rises with carved scroll-shaped wings to a curvilinear gable over a large round-headed gateway with stone ashlar surround. To left is a series of round- headed lunette-shaped windows with similar stone ashlar surrounds. Windows are filled with ornamental grilles of wrought ironwork in the same style as the main gates.
58 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
SETTING
The Goldsmid Family Cemetery is situated a short distance from the B2017 along Hartlake Road, and the front wall of the Cemetery is a unique asset to the community and compliments other listed buildings which are located nearby. The closest of these is the Jubilee Fountain (Grade II) located c180 metres to the south. The Church Farm Historic Farmstead which includes Church Farmhouse (Grade II) is also situated c125 metres to the south; and All Saints Church (Grade I) together with five Historic Headstones (Grade II) c145 metres to the south.
The Cemetery is situated at the foot of higher placed farmland to the east; and to a large pond and wooded area situated c50 metres to the south east.
The Cemetery includes the grave of Sarah d'Avigdor-Goldsmid, who was commemorated by Marc Chagall in the main stained-glass window in All Saints Church.
The value of this structure was demonstrated by the allocation of a grant of £4,411 by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in 2004 after it had fallen into disrepair.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The proposal for the Tudeley Garden Village would detract from the current setting of the Cemetery; and result in a vast increase in vehicular movement along Hartlake Road, which is already busy with tailbacks of traffic, and could result in damage to the rendered walls. The development and use of the proposed roundabout at the junction of Hartlake Road and the B1207, which would seek to manage the increased traffic from the Tudeley Village development would also have a negative impact on the Cemetery, which would be c75 metres to the south. The B1207 and Hartlake Road are already increasingly busy roads.
The proposed works to reduce the existing rail bridge situated c10 metres north of the site could also damage the front wall.
The Cemetery is situated immediately adjacent to an area of persistent flooding caused by water draining from the land at the higher elevation and by the nearby pond overflowing. The development of Tudeley Village could aggravate the existing drainage problems and worsen flooding.
MITIGATION
Looking at appropriate routes for access roads avoiding an increase in traffic along Hartlake Road should be considered. The location of the proposed roundabout should also be reconsidered. Appropriate action would need to be taken to redirect surface water collecting in the immediate area to the Cemetery. Not building a garden village would mitigate the danger to the Cemetery and its listed front wall.
59 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
CHURCH FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: ADJOINING ON NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN BOUNDARIES
HER Number: MKE89019 Type of record: Farmstead Name: Church Farm Grid Reference: TQ 6209 4540 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel FARMSTEAD (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1540 AD)
Type: Loose courtyard with working agricultural buildings on three sides and with additional detached elements to the main plan. Farmhouse: Farmhouse detached in central position. Position: Hamlet. Survivial: Altered - partial loss of original form (less than 50%). Notes: Oast house. Barn converted to residential. Two established ponds.
16 CHURCH FARMHOUSE & BAKEHOUSE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: ADJOINING ON SOUTHERN BOUNDARY
CHURCH FARMHOUSE – INCLUDING BAKEHOUSE APPROXIMATELY 1.5 METRES TO THE EAST
HER Number TQ 64 NW 137
60 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6210 4538 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval to Modern – Main construction periods from 1567 AD to 1970 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1254120 Heritage Category: Listed Grade: II Location: Church Farmhouse, Crockhurst Street, Tudeley, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 62101 45387 Farmhouse. Late C16/early C17 with some mid C19 and circa 1960-70 modernisation. Timber-framed. Ground floor level is underbuilt with C19 Flemish bond red brick with burnt headers, timber-framing above is tile-hung and east end wall is weatherboarded; brick stack and chimney shaft; peg-tile roof.
Plan: 4-room plan farmhouse facing north. Entrance lobby containing the main stair is left of centre. Parlour at left (east) end and hall right of centre each have stacks backing onto the entrance lobby but their flues join into a single axial chimney shaft above. Unheated room at the right (west) end. Fifth room beyond made by converting a lean-to outshot into domestic use.
Present layout has been made by adapting original late C16/early C17 3-room lobby entrance plan house. Left end parlour is intact although part at front has been partitioned off for a lavatory. The stack has been rebuilt. It is thought that a large stack serving back-to-back fireplaces originally occupied the full width of the present entrance lobby.' The hall (maybe also used as the kitchen) was originally a little larger. The partition between it and the unheated room has been removed and a new one erected a little further eastward. Originally the unheated room was the service end. Mortises in the head-beam of the cross-wall and the joists show that it was divided by an axial wall into 2 rooms and there was an original stair rising against the back wall. Presumably, these were buttery and dairy. Secondary outshot at the right (west) end is now used as the kitchen.
Main house is 2 storeys with attics in the roof-space.
Exterior: Irregular 4-window front of C20 replacement casements with glazing bars. (Similar windows in the rear wall were inserted in the C20, the rear wall was formerly blind). Front doorway is left of centre and contains a C19 plank door behind a contemporary gabled porch on plain posts. Main roof is tall; it is gable-ended to left and hipped to right where it is carried down over the outshot. Left end gable is weather boarded, and it contains an early C19 window, the centre light of which has iron glazing bars including the top tier as a Gothic arcade.
Interior: Despite the C19 and C20 modernisation work a great deal of original carpentry remains. Most of the larger rooms have axial beams whilst the former hall/kitchen has a 4-panel intersecting beam ceiling. All the beams are chamfered with step stops. Much of the framing is exposed on the first floor; large framing with broad curving tension braces. 4-bay roof of tie-beam trusses with clasped side purlins and queen struts. Most of the common rafter couples are original.
Bakehouse: A small C19 bakehouse is built alongside the farmhouse. It is a small room with a gable-ended roof and large east end stack built of brick. Bakehouse is a weatherboarded frame on brick footings with peg-tiled roof.
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CHURCH FARM OAST (UNDESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSET)
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: ADJOINING ON NORTHERN BOUNDARY
Two-kiln two-storey C19 oasthouse converted in the late 1970’s. The two roundels are brick, with peg-tile cowls. The adjoining building is weatherboarded above the brick at ground-floor level and has a slate roof.
The oasthouse was largely rebuilt after being damaged by fire in 2017, with heritage features still being restored.
CHURCH FARM BARN (UNDESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSET)
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: ADJOINING ON NORTHERN BOUNDARY
The barn is timber-framed and weatherboarded above a brick plinth and has a peg-tile roof. The original structure of the barn dates from the mid-1700s; and it is believed that some of the internal timbers came from ships that were being broken up at Chatham Docks in North Kent.
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The barn was converted into two dwellings in the late 1970s. The conversion was sympathetic to the style of farmsteads in the Low Weald and added to the overall heritage value of Church Farm
SETTING
Church Farm is in a semi-rural position and has the benefit of long-reaching views across unspoilt open farmland and the Medway Valley. The site was a working farm until the recent conversion of the farm buildings, and older residents of Capel describe coming to Church Farm with their parents for seasonal working. The farmstead has a short, central access road which is wide enough for one vehicle. A public footpath runs through the farmstead via the access road, crossing the open farmland to the east.
The farmstead is adjacent to All Saints' Church to the east, which is Grade I listed. The Church is mentioned in the Domesday Book and its history pre-dates the Roman period. Several Grade II listed Headstones are situated within the churchyard: together with a designated Commonwealth War Grave from the First World War. People come to Capel from countries across the world to see the unique stained-glass windows created by the artist Marc Chagall. Visitors also look at the listed and heritage buildings within Church Farm; together with the wider setting of open Green Belt farmland which complement the Church and originally inspired Chagall.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The development of the Tudeley Garden Village would completely change the semi-rural setting of the farmstead and Church.
The increase in traffic movements as vehicles gain access to the B2017 will have a massive impact on these and other listed and non-listed heritage buildings in the area, reducing their individual and collective historic value within Capel and the Low Weald. The new roundabout that will be placed at the junction between Crockhurst Street and Hartlake Road will be c30 metres to the north of Church Farm; and the nearest of the three new access roads along the B2017 for Tudeley Garden Village will be c80 metres to the south. It is likely that the three new junctions will need to be substantive to ensure the flow of traffic from the development. Crockhurst Street is already becoming increasingly busy, with traffic queues from the junction between the B2017 and A26 sometimes reaching back beyond Church Farm. The significant increase in traffic movements and heavy freight along the B2017 associated with the housing development and new access roads would increase noise and light pollution from street lighting headlights and spoil the rurality of the area.
Following the development of Tudeley Garden Village, the historic and rural setting of ancient farmland which make Church Farm and All Saints’ Church a unique and valued part of the borough will be lost.
Long established wildlife, which include birds on the RSPB’s red list of endangered species, will also be lost during and after construction when their habitat is damaged or destroyed; and when large numbers of vehicles, people and their pets are introduced into the area.
MITIGATION
The destruction of the historic setting of Church Farm could be mitigated by retaining the current Green Belt designation for the fields and wooded areas that surround the farmstead as open areas free of housing.
The dramatic increase in traffic using the B2017 could be reduced by the provision of alternative access roads for Tudeley Garden Village. This would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure that the damage to the historical buildings and settings in Crockhurst Street would not simply be shifted to another part of Capel.
The danger to these buildings and loss of valuable farmland and designated Green Belt in this part of the Low Weald could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
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17 GROUP OF FIVE HEADSTONES - ABOUT 8 METRES SOUTH EAST OF THE PORCH OF THE CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.6KM
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 126 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6216 4539 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE: (Post Medieval - 1767 AD to 1799 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1261454 Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: II Location: GROUP OF 5 HEADSTONES ABOUT 8 METRES SOUTH EAST OF THE PORCH OF THE CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS, TUDELEY LANE, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. National Grid Reference: TQ 62164 45393
Group of 5 headstones. Freestone. Late C18. 3 headstones in a row to the east, 2 to the west. The 3 eastern headstones have segmental arched heads and scrolled corners. The northernmost has a lamp carved in the head, inscription and date illegible. The next south has an Agnus Dei carved in the head, date of 1780. The southernmost has a lamp carved in the head, inscription and date illegible. Of the 2 western headstones, the northern one has a curvilinear head with fluted carving in the centre, inscription commemorates Isaac Pearson, died 1789. The southern headstone has winged cherubim carved in the head. Date and inscription illegible.
A good group in a churchyard that has been rather severely cleared elsewhere.
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COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVE (FIRST WORLD WAR) (UNDESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSET)
PRIVATE WILLIAM ATTWOOD
Service Number 3508 Royal Sussex Regiment - 3rd Bn Born 1883 Died in action 14 March 1919
Son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Attwood, of Chapel Cottages, Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells.
The headstone is situated beneath a tree to the left of the churchyard and overlooks the open farmland of the Low Weald and Medway Valley. Poppies are laid by the headstone during Remembrance.
Personal Inscription: SLEEP ON DEAR SON TAKE THY REST GOD KNEW BEST FROM FATHER & MOTHER
Private Attwood lived at Sherenden Cottages, Tudeley, which are located in Sherenden Road c840 metres to the north of the headstone. The Cottages fall within the Tudeley Garden Village development.
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CROCKHURST STREET FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: ADJOINING ON SOUTHERN AND EASTERN BOUNDARIES
HER Number: MKE82381 Type of record: Farmstead Grid Reference: TQ 6242 4487 Map sheet: TQ64SW Parish: Capel FARMSTEAD (Post Medieval - 1600 AD to 1600 AD)
Type: A loose courtyard origin farmstead with working agricultural buildings on three sides and with additional detached elements to the main plan. Farmhouse: Farmhouse detached gable end-on to yard Position: Isolated position Survivial: Altered - significant loss of original form (more than 50%) Notes: Oast
18 CROCKHURST STREET FARMHOUSE
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 146 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6240 4487 Map sheet: TQ64SW Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1600 AD to 1970 AD) HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1251329 Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: II Location: CROCKHURST STREET FARMHOUSE, CROCKHURST STREET, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
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National Grid Reference: TQ 62409 44874
Farmhouse. Early/mid C17, modernised and enlarged in the late C19. Timber- framed, ground floor is underbuilt with brick and plastered (some brick is exposed to rear, Flemish bond red brick with burnt headers) and the first floor is clad with weatherboards; brick stacks and chimney shafts with C19 chimneypots; peg-tile roof.
Plan and Development: L-plan farmhouse set back from the road with the main block facing south. Main block has a 3-room plan. The small room at the left (west) end which is now used as a kitchen was probably built as a service room, probably a buttery or dairy. The projecting gable-end stack serves the chamber above. Next to it is a large room which is thought to have been the former kitchen. It has an axial stack backing onto the entrance hall further right. Main staircase rises from the entrance hall along the front. Parlour at the right (east) end with a projecting end stack. In fact the entrance hall and parlour are in a cross-wing which projects to rear with a short single storey service room.
The cross-wing is the C17 building and circa 1960 the rear part was reduced to the present single storey service room. The entrance hall was made by subdividing the C17 hall/parlour. The rest of the main block was added (or massively rebuilt) in the late C19.
2 storeys with attics over the parlour.
Exterior: Irregular 3-window front of C19 and C20 casements with glazing bars (similar windows around the rest of the house). Front doorway is right of centre and contains a late C19 plank door under a contemporary monopitch hood on curving timber brackets. Roofs are gable-ended and the cross-roof of the C17 section is much taller than the main block roof.
Interior: The C17 parlour, that is to say the present parlour and entrance hall, has a 4-panel intersecting beam ceiling with unusual stops; a bar from which a reverse scroll goes back to a chamfer then scroll stops. The end stack is C19. It is the axial stack which is C17 (now to the entrance hall) but its fireplaces are blocked. First floor chamber has a similar 4-panel intersecting beam ceiling and the roof above is carried on tie-beam trusses with clasped side purlins. In the rest of the front block no carpentry or joinery shows earlier than the late C19.
SETTING
The listed farmhouse and other buildings at the site combine to provide an important example of a dispersed historic farmstead of loose courtyard origin within the Low Weald. The farmstead is situated on Crockhurst Street (B2017), which is a narrow two-lane road with no footpaths or lighting; and is in a semi-rural position with the benefit of long-reaching views across unspoilt open farmland and the Medway Valley.
Crockhurst Street Farmhouse also compliments other listed buildings and historic farmsteads located nearby, which include All Saints Church (Grade I) c550 metres to the north.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The development of the Tudeley Garden Village would completely change the semi-rural setting of the Farmstead, as the open farmland currently to the north, east and west of the site would be lost.
Work on the existing junction between Sherenden Road and the B2017 to provide an access road for the housing development will be situated c200 metres to the east of the Farmhouse. This, together with two additional new access roads will have a massive impact on these and other listed and non-listed heritage buildings in the area, reducing their individual and collective historic value within the Low Weald. It is also likely that the three new junctions will need to be substantive to ensure the flow of traffic from the development. The B2017 is already
67 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group becoming increasingly busy and the significant increase in traffic movements and heavy freight along Crockhurst Street associated with the housing development and new access roads would increase noise and light pollution from headlights, spoil the rurality of the area, and risk damaging the structural integrity of the listed buildings.
MITIGATION
The dramatic increase in traffic using B2017 could be reduced by the provision of alternative access roads for Tudeley Garden Village. This would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure that the damage to the historical buildings and settings in Crockhurst Street would not simply be shifted to another part of Capel.
The danger to these buildings and loss of valuable farmland and designated Green Belt in this part of the Low Weald could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
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CROCKHURST FARM COTTAGES (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: ADJOINING ON THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN BOUNDARIES OF THE GROUP
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 294 Type of record: Farmstead Grid Reference: TQ 6215 4505 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel FARMSTEAD (Post Medieval - 1800 AD to 1800 AD) Type: Loose COURTYARD with working agricultural buildings on one side and with additional detached elements to the main plan Farmhouse: Farmhouse detached in central position Position: Hamlet Survivial: Altered - partial loss of original form (less than 50%)
19 CROCKHURST FARM COTTAGES
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 143 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6216 4507 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval - 1867 AD to 1899 AD) HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1262825 Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: II Location: CROCKHURST FARM COTTAGES, 1 and 2 CROCKHURST STREET, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. National Grid Reference: TQ 62164 45078
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Pair of cottages. Late C19. Flemish bond red brick with decorative burnt headers and buff-yellow coloured bricks used on the corners, windows and extensively in the chimney-shafts for decorative effect, most often looking like quoins; brick stacks and large divided chimney-shafts with projecting bands; red tile roof.
Plan: Pair of contemporary cottages facing east with No 1 to right (north) and No 2 to left (south). Each cottage is a mirror-plan of the other and has an L-shaped plan, an inner room in the main block and outer cross-wing room projecting forward each end. Axial stacks in each cottage serves back-to-back fireplaces. Entrances through porches towards the rear of the cross-wings.
Cottages are 2 storeys.
Exterior: Overall symmetrical 1:2:1-window front of late C19 and C20 replacement casements with glazing bars. All the windows have low brick segmental arches over except the 2 first floor central windows which have gables over. Gabled porches project each end and have elliptical-headed front arches with gables over and contain original doors with herringbone plank patterns. All the gables have original wavey bargeboards.
Interior: Not inspected.
This pair of cottages, built for the Somerhill Estate, are a good and very complete pair of late C19 cottages and form a group with Nos 1-4 Crockhurst Street Cottages (q.v.) opposite.
20 CROCKHURST STREET COTTAGES
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 220 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6217 4511 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE: (Post Medieval to Modern - 1867 AD to 1999 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1251313 Heritage Category: Listed Building
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Grade: II Location: CROCKHURST STREET COTTAGES, 1-4 CROCKHURST STREET, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. National Grid Reference: TQ 62173 45113 Row of 4 cottages. Late C19. Flemish bond red brick with cream-coloured bricks used on the corners, doorways, windows and extensively on the chimney shafts for decorative effect; brick stacks and large staggered chimney shafts; red tile roof. Plan: Row of 4 contemporary cottages facing west and numbering 1-4 from left (north) to right (south). Each cottage has a one-room plan with the front doorway, entrance hall and staircase to one side. Each two are a mirror-plan of the other two. The end cottages (Nos 1 and 4) have doorways towards each end and the middle cottages (Nos 2 and 3) have doorways towards the centre, side by side. Centre 2 cottages are broken forward very slightly from the outer two. Axial stacks between Nos 1 and 2 and Nos 3 and 4 serve back-to-back fireplaces.
Cottages are 2 storeys with small single storey bakehouse each end (both connected to end cottages in the C20).
Exterior: Symmetrical 1:2:1-window of late C19 casements with glazing bars, all with low segmental brick arches over. Doorways also with low segmental arches and they contain original plain plank doors behind original gabled porches with trellis sides and wavey bargeboards. Centre paired doorways share single larger porch. Main roof is gable-ended.
Interiors: Not inspected.
This row of small cottages, built for the Somerhill estate, are good and very complete late C19 cottages and form a group with Nos 1 and 2 Crockhurst Farm Cottages (q.v.) opposite.
SETTING
The group of listed buildings are an important example of late C19 cottages which make a valuable contribution to the cumulative heritage value of this part of the Low Weald. The cottages are situated on Crockhurst Street (B2017), which is a narrow two-lane road with no footpaths or lighting; and are grouped under the Crockhurst Farm farmstead (listed Grade II). The cottages are in a semi-rural position and have the benefit of long-reaching views across unspoilt open farmland and the Medway Valley.
The position of the cottages also compliments other listed buildings and historic farmsteads located nearby, which include All Saints Church (Grade I) situated c200 metres to the north.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The development of the Tudeley Garden Village would completely change the semi-rural setting of the C19 cottages, as the open farmland currently to the north, east and south of the site would be lost.
The placing of three new access road for the housing development in close proximity along the B2017 will have massive impact on these and other listed and non-listed heritage buildings in the area, reducing their individual and collective historic value within the Low Weald. The nearest of the new access roads will be c60 metres to the north of the cottages, and it is likely that the three new junctions will need to be substantive to ensure the flow of traffic from the development. Crockhurst Street is already becoming increasingly busy, with traffic queues from the junction between the B2017 and A26 sometimes reaching back beyond the Crockhurst farmstead. The significant increase in traffic movements and heavy freight along the B2017 associated with the housing development and new access roads would increase noise and light pollution from headlights, spoil the rurality of the area, and risk damaging the structural integrity of the listed buildings.
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MITIGATION
The dramatic increase in traffic using the B2017 could be reduced by the provision of alternative access roads for Tudeley Garden Village. This would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure that the damage to the historical buildings and settings in Crockhurst Street would not simply be shifted to another part of Capel.
The danger to these buildings and loss of valuable farmland and designated Green Belt in this part of the Low Weald could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
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21 CAPEL COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL, INCLUDING BOUNDARY WALL TO THE SOUTH, FIVE OAK GREEN ROAD
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPSOAL: ADJACENT TO TGV AND FOG BY PASS JUNCTION
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 147 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6391 4511 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1837 AD to 1980 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number:: 1262836 Heritage Category: Listing Grade: II Location: CAPEL COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL, INCLUDING BOUNDARY WALL TO THE SOUTH, FIVE OAK GREEN ROAD, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
National Grid Reference: TQ 63919 45118
School and former master’s house. Circa 1870-80. Flemish bond brick with decorative bands of black brick and buff-coloured sandstone ashlar detail; brick stacks and chimney-shafts; red tile roof.
Plan: Long block set back from the road and facing south south east, say south. In the centre the former masters house stands taller than the school blocks each side. It has a T-plan. The main block has 2 rooms, each with a gable-end stack backing onto the school blocks beyond. Front doorway to left with stair rising from the entrance hall. A lower one-room plan parlour block projects forward at right angles heated by a stack backing onto the main block. Each side are the school blocks, the left (west) one a little shorter than the right one. Each has a one-
73 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group room plan front wing, the left one at the end but the right one a bay short of that end. Both schools have an axial stack where the front wing roof meets the main block. Masters house is 2 storeys, the school blocks are single storey and there are various crica 1970 extensions to rear.
Exterior: High Victorian Gothic style. At first glance front appears symmetrical but it is not really so. 1:2:3:2:1:1- window front. The gable-end fronts of the front wings each contain a tall stone arch-headed and transomed window with plate tracery. A stone string course which runs across the whole front rises to the sill of these windows which also interrupt a band of black brick. Diagonal buttresses and in the gable the purlins are supported by shaped timber brackets. The front of each school main block has stone shoulder headed lights; 2 2- light windows to left of the former master’s house and these separated by a, buttress and 2 3-light windows to right with another 2-light window at the end, beyond the front wing. The doorway to the left block is next to the master's house, a kind of shouldered pointed arch in stone. The doorway to the right block is into a lean-to alongside the front wing that end. All the doorways contain original plank doors with ornate Gothick-style strap hinges.
The centre bay of the master’s house projects forward and has a ground floor bay window and first floor oriel on shaped timber brackets. Both contain timber mullion-and-transom window. Gable above has bargeboards supported by pairs of shaped timber brackets. To left, flush with the main school is the doorway, a stone shoulder headed arch with slit windows above lighting the stairs. To right a ground floor shoulder-headed arch contains a mullion-and- transom window and the first-floor casements above is a gabled half dormer. Eaves cornice of cogged brick (similar cornices to the chimney-shafts). Tall roof is gable-ended and each end contains tall arch- headed stone windows with plainer tracery than those at the front. Towards the left end a timber bellcote rises from the ridge and has a tall spire-like roof.
Interior: Not inspected.
Along the front of the property is a low brick wall with a brick dentil cornice and weathered coping. It is contemporary with the school. Square section gate posts in the same style with pyramid caps. The left gate post in front of the former master’s house includes a Victorian post box.
SETTING
Capel Primary School is in a semi-rural position situated on the Five Oak Green Road (B2017), and makes a valuable contribution to the cumulative heritage value of this part of the Low Weald. The School is sited opposite Church Lane, which is narrow and unpaved without street lighting and passes through open farmland. The School complements and enhances the Tatlingbury Farm farmstead (Grade II), which is located c50 metres to the south west. The historic farmstead consists of a yard surrounded by a FARMHOUSE (with medieval origins), BARN, stables and an OASTHOUSE. The School has the benefit of long-reaching views across unspoilt open farmland.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The semi-rural aspect of Capel Primary School will be significantly reduced by the proposed housing that will be c158 metres to the west – and by the new Secondary School that will be adjacent to Capel Primary. It is, however, difficult to be certain of the proposed site of the Secondary School, as the TWBC Infrastructure Plan and Hadlow Estate Master Plan appear to suggest different locations within Tudeley Garden Village.
The placing of three new access roads for the housing development along the B2017 will have a significant impact on the Grade II listed building and on the rurality of its setting, reducing the historic value of the Primary School within the Low Weald. The nearest of the new access roads will be c200 metres to the west of the School, and it is likely that the junctions on to the B2017 will need to be substantive to maintain the flow of traffic. The Five Oak Green Road is already becoming increasingly busy. The substantial increase in traffic movements and heavy
74 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group freight associated with the housing development will increase noise, spoil the rurality of the area, and risk harming the fabric and structural integrity of the listed buildings.
The construction of the Five Oak Green by-pass will involve the widening and redirection of Church Lane, which is currently a narrow country lane without lighting or pathways. Works associated with the by-pass include the construction of a major roundabout at the junction between Five Oak Green Road and Church Lane directly opposite the Primary School. The development of the roundabout and by-pass will take many months and will risk seriously damaging the listed building and boundary wall and their setting. The noise, vibration and pollution from vehicles, particularly heavy plant, will present a direct threat to the continued integrity and viability of the School both during and after construction. Once completed, there will be an added risk of vehicular accidents at the roundabout, including collisions with the listed wall.
Mitigation
The dramatic increase in traffic using the B2017 could be reduced by the provision of alternative access roads for Tudeley Garden Village. The significant threat and negative impact of the Five Oak Green by-pass and roundabout could similarly be mitigated by the identification of alternative access to the A228. These would, however, need to be subject to separate impact assessments to ensure that the damage to the historical buildings and settings in the Five Oak Green Road would not simply be relocated to another part of Capel.
Although the installation of defensive barriers at the roundabout could reduce the risk of collisions with the listed boundary wall, this would increase the detrimental effect on the setting of the building.
The danger to Capel Primary School and its setting in this part of the historic Low Weald could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
This report is looking into the potential damage to the listed buildings only, and the significant harm to children and staff of the school is covered in other submissions.
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FINCHES FARM
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: C350 METRES TO THE WEST
HER Number: MKE81818 Type of record: Farmstead Name: Finches Farm Grid Reference: TQ 6437 4542 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel FARMSTEAD (Post Medieval - 1600 AD to 1600 AD)
Type: A loose courtyard plan farmstead with buildings to two sides of the yard. Farmhouse: Farmhouse detached in central position Position: Isolated position Survival: Altered - significant loss of original form (more than 50%) New sheds: Large modern sheds built beside the historic farmstead, the farmstead could still be in use Notes: Oast converted. Historic Hop Pickers’ Huts.
22 FINCHES FARMHOUSE
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HOPPER’S HUTS AT FINCHES FARM
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1262826 Heritage Category: Listing Grade: II Location: FINCHES FARMHOUSE, FIVE OAK GREEN ROAD (off North side), Five Oak Green, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 64405 45455
Former farmhouse. Early/mid C17 with C18 or C19 out-shots, renovated circa 1985. Timber-framed, most of the ground floor level is underbuilt with C18 or C19 brick, above first floor level the framing is clad with peg-tile; brick stack, including some sandstone ashlar at the base, and brick chimney shaft; peg-tile roof.
Plan: Small 2-room plan farmhouse facing west. It has a lobby entrance plan, now with doorways from back and front. The smaller left (northern) room was originally divided axially into 2 small service rooms: dairy, buttery or the like. To right the living room which is heated by an axial stack. It is not clear which was originally the front entrance. Originally to rear would have been the stair, probably the west, the present front. There are now out- shots across the front and back, the front (west) one now containing the entrance hall and C20 stair, the rear one containing the C20 kitchen. 2 storeys with lean-to out-shots front and back.
Exterior: Because of the front outshot there is only a ground floor front window each side of the central doorway. This front wall is C19 brick and contains contemporary casement windows and doorway with a half-hipped roof above. The windows round the other sides are C19 and C20 casements with glazing bars. The ground floor window in the north end wall is in the original frame. It is 2 lights (one to each of the original service rooms) and was originally shuttered. The roof (unusually for Kent) is gable-ended. It is steeply pitched changing to a lower pitch over the out-shots.
Interior: The original farmhouse is well-preserved. A great deal of original carpentry survives. The main living room has a brick fireplace with sandstone ashlar jambs and the oak lintel has a low Tudor arch. There is a smaller version on the floor above. Main room and chambers have chamfered axial beams with scroll stops. Roof of 3 uneven bays including a narrow bay containing the stack; tie-beam trusses with clasped side purlins and small
77 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group straight wind braces.
As an example of a small C17 farmhouse this is a well-preserved example.
SETTING
The listed farmstead is a good example of an historic Low Weald Hop Farm c18; and is approached via a roadway that has no footpath nor lighting which increases the rural feel. The loose courtyard plan farmstead is located to the north east of Five Oak Green and has long uninterrupted views over open farmland to the west.
In addition to the Farmhouse, which includes elements from the 17th and 18th centuries, the farmstead includes an oast house (now converted) and examples of Hoppers’ Huts which provided accommodation to seasonal hop pickers and their families.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The south-eastern element of the Tudeley Garden Village proposal includes the development of housing and new secondary school. Finches Farm is located c350 metres from the south-east boundary, and the impact on the setting of the historic farmstead will be significant and reduce the heritage value of the farmstead as the rurality of the area and views across the Low Weald are lost. The dark skies which currently exist over the site designated for Tudeley Garden village will also be spoilt by the street lighting associated with the housing development.
The farmstead is situated within a current flood zone. The risk of flooding will be raised significantly by the drainage of surface water being reduced by the development.
MITIGATION
The loss of the peaceful and rural setting and aspect of the farmstead could be lessened by relocating the housing units and secondary school away from the south-eastern sector of the development.
The increase in the current risk of flooding at the site could be reduced by taking appropriate measures to ensure that surface water within the development is able to drain away. Any mitigation would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure that the increased risk of flooding at Finches Farm would not simply be shifted to other parts of Capel or the Medway Valley.
The danger to Finches Farm and its setting in this part of the Green Belt and Low Weald could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
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23 9-10 BRAMPTON BANK
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: ADJOINING ON THE REAR (NORTHERN) BOUNDARY
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 195 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 63180 44882 Map sheet: TQ64SW Parish: Capel SITE (Modern - 1918 AD to 1929 AD) HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1251204 Heritage Category: Listing Grade: II Location: 9-10 BAMPTON BANK (SIC), FIVE OAK GREEN ROAD, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 63180 44882 Pair of cottages built circa 1919 as a First World War memorial. Red brick with stone ashlar dressings; brick stacks and chimney-shafts; diaper tile roof.
Plan: Pair of mirror-plan cottages facing south east on a bank above the road. Overall T-plan building. In the main block each cottage has 2 rooms either side of a large axial stack serving back-to-back fireplaces. Each end are projecting gable-end stacks. In the centre each cottage has a one-room plan parlour projecting forward under parallel roofs.
Single storey.
Exterior: Symmetrical 1:2:1-window front of timber casements containing rectangular panes of leaded glass, the front parlour ones are taller with mullions and transoms. The doorways are at the back of the outer walls of the front parlour wing (both contain replacement part-glazed doors),and are sheltered by flat roofed verandahs across the front of the main block and carried on brick piers. Main block roof is gable-ended. The front parlour wing has a double-gabled front end with stone coping and there is a stone band across the front at eaves level which is inscribed in Roman serif capitals "In memory of those who fell in the War, 1914-1918". Between the
79 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group windows below are 3 plaques inscribed with the names of the dead of the parish and these are cleverly framed by the dividing iron rainwater drainpipes.
Interior: Not inspected.
This pair of attractive cottages make an unusual but useful war memorial.
SETTING
The listed mirror plan cottages provide an important memorial of the First World War for the Capel area. The cottages are situated on the Five Oak Green Road (B2017) and is in a semi-rural position with the benefit of long- reaching views across the unspoilt fields and woodland of the Low Weald and Medway Valley.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The development of the Tudeley Garden Village will completely change the semi-rural setting of the cottages, as the open farmland currently to the north of the site will be lost.
The building proposal for the Garden Village includes the construction of three new access roads on the B2017, the nearest of which is on the Five Oak Green Road c425 metres to the east of the cottages. The access roads will have a massive impact on this and other listed and non-listed heritage buildings in the area, reducing their individual and collective historic value. The B2017 is already becoming increasingly busy and the significant increase in traffic movements and heavy freight associated with the housing development and new access roads will increase noise and pollution and spoil the rurality of the area and setting for the War Memorial.
MITIGATION
The dramatic increase in traffic using the Five Oak Green Road could be reduced by siting the access roads for Tudeley Garden Village in an alternative location. This would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure that the damage to the historical building and its setting in the Five Oak Green Road would not simply be shifted to another part of Capel.
The danger to this building and loss of its setting overlooking farmland within the Green Belt could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
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HALE FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: C7 METRES
HER Number: MKE81789 Type of record: Farmstead Name: Hale Farm (Tudeley Hale) Grid Reference: TQ 6214 4607 Map Sheet: TQ64SW Parish: Capel FARMSTEAD (Post Medieval - 1600 AD to 1600 AD)
Type: Loose courtyard L with working agricultural buildings on four sides and with additional detached elements to the main plan. Farmhouse: Farmhouse detached gable end-on to yard Position: Isolated position Survival: Altered - significant loss of original form (more than 50%) Notes: Oast – listed
24 HALE FARMHOUSE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF TGV PROPOSAL: C40 METRES
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 167 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6214 4604 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval - Post Medieval to Modern - 1600 AD to 1990 AD) HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number:: 1253486
Heritage Category: Listing
Grade: II
Location: HALE FARMHOUSE, Hartlake Road, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
National Grid Reference: TQ 62148 46049
Farmhouse. Late C18 (including a fragment of C17 brickwork) with late C19 and circa 1980 modernisations. Flemish bond red brick and first floor of front block is plastered timber-framing. Part of the north wall of the rear block is probably C17 English bond brick including burnt headers. Brick stacks and chimney-shafts; peg-tile roof.
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Plan: L-plan house. The main block faces east south east, say east. It has a 2-room plan which has been somewhat altered. Direct entry into the larger left (south) room which has a large projecting gable-end stack, apparently the only original fireplace. Right room however now has secondary rear lateral stack. One-room plan rear service block projects at right angles to rear of left end.
House is 2 storeys with attics in the roof space and a cellar under the front left room.
Exterior: Symmetrical 2-window front of C20 casements with glazing bars. Central doorway has a C19 4-panel door in a late C19 timber-framed gabled porch with waney bargeboards. Tall mansard roof is gable-ended and contains 2 front flat-roofed dormer windows.
Interior: Shows mostly the result of the late C19 and C20 modernisations. No earlier features are exposed. Roof not inspected.
25 HALE FARM OAST HOUSE - THE OAST BARN
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF TGV PROPOSAL: C57 METRES
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 168 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6212 4609 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1833 AD to 1991 AD) HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1253487
Heritage Category: Listing
Grade: II
Location: HALE FARM OAST HOUSE – THE OAST BARN, Hartlake Road, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
National Grid Reference: TQ 62129 46092
Converted oast house. Mid/late C19, converted into 2 houses circa 1986. Red brick with weatherboarded timber- frame to the front of the former stowage; peg-tile roof.
Plan: Former oast house facing east. The stowage was originally open at ground floor level for the most part. 3 attached hop kilns, one on the left (south) end of the front and 2 on the right end. Now converted. Hale Farm Oast House occupies the south end including the hop kilns and The Oast Barn occupies the northern end.
Exterior: 4-bay front. The left bay is hidden behind a hop kiln. The right 2 bays are still open at ground floor level with a plain timber post between. The bay left of centre is filled and contains a window. Above are 3 windows with a former loading hatch doorway right of centre. All the windows are C20 casements, those in Hale Farm Oast House contain a diamond pane leaded glass effect, those of The Oast Barn are plain glass. The stowage roof is half- hipped. The hop kilns are all circular in plan with cogged brick eaves cornices and tall conical roofs with cowls and that one on the front has a taller roof.
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Interior: Not inspected.
26 CARTHOUSE AND GRANARY
APPROXIMATELY 10 METRES NORTH OF HALE FARMHOUSE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF TGV PROPOSAL: C62 METRES
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 140 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6215 4607 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval - 1833 AD to 1899 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1261772 Heritage Category: Listing Grade: II Location: CARTHOUSE AND GRANARY APPROXIMATELY 10 METRES NORTH OF HALE FARMHOUSE, Hartlake Road, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 62159 46074
Farmyard building: cart shed with probably a granary above. Late C18/early C19. Red brick to first floor level, weatherboarded timber-framing above; peg-tile roof.
Plan: The building faces north with an open-fronted cart shed at ground floor level and a granary above. Lean-to outs-hots to rear.
Exterior: 3-bay front. Cart shed at ground floor level has an open arcade of plain posts with straight braces to the first-floor beam. First floor level is weatherboarded with central loading hatch doorway flanked by shuttered windows. The roof is half-hipped both ends. To rear the roof carries down over the out-shots and, on the right (west) end wall, the outshot contains a window containing a trellis of wooden strips.
Interior: Not inspected.
This building forms part of a group with nearby Hale Farmhouse (q.v.); Tudeley Hall (q.v.), and their associated agricultural buildings.
SETTING
This group of listed buildings is an important example of a loose courtyard historic farmstead typical of the Low Weald. They are approached via a short access road and are separated from Hartlake Road by a substantial hedge. Hartlake Road is a narrow two-lane road with no footpaths or lighting. The other boundaries to the Farmstead face on to open fields of crops, which increases the rural feel. The Tudeley Hall Farmstead is situated immediately to the east of Hale Farm, on the opposite side of Hartlake Road, which includes Tudeley Hall (including elements from C15) and a Barn (mostly C18), both of which are Grade II listed. The Tudeley Hall Farmstead is also set
83 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group within a rural position within open farmland. The area is tranquil and allows the buildings within the Hale Farmstead to be seen very much in their former historical context via footpaths across the area.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The development of the Tudeley Garden Village would result in a dramatic increase in vehicular movement in Hartlake Road, which is already becoming increasingly busy. The increase in noise and light pollution from headlights would also spoil the rurality of the area.
The loss of good farmland, especially with climate change, would be a worrying aspect; and pollution both during the construction stage and then from emissions are liable to harm the fabric of the buildings. The natural habitat of a range of wildlife in this area of the Low Weald would be destroyed when the farmland was replaced by housing; and the value and historical setting of the combined group of Farmsteads at this location would also be lost.
The farmstead is also situated within a precautionary current flood zone. The risk of flooding will be raised significantly by the drainage of surface water being reduced by the development.
MITIGATION
The dramatic increase in traffic using Hartlake Road could be reduced by the provision of alternative access roads for Tudeley Garden Village, although it would be likely that this would result in the loss of historic value, natural habitats and amenity at the Hale Farm/Tudeley Hall Farmsteads impacting on other heritage sites situated within the Green Belt at Capel.
The increase in the current precautionary risk of flooding at the site could be reduced by taking appropriate measures to ensure that surface water within the development is able to drain away. Any mitigation would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure that the increased risk of flooding at Hale Farm would not simply be shifted to other parts of Capel or the Medway Valley.
Screening the housing development could lessen the visual and noise impact of the new built environment but would still dramatically alter the views across the open farmland of the Medway Valley. Not building a garden village would mitigate the danger to these historic buildings and their setting.
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27 JUBILEE FOUNTAIN
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: ADJOINING TO THE EAST OF TGV
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 128 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6204 4552 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE: (Post Medieval - 1897 AD to 1897 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1254174 Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: II Location: JUBILEE FOUNTAIN, TUDELEY LANE, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. National Grid Reference: TQ 62047 45524 Drinking fountain. Dated 1897. Local sandstone ashlar. Drinking fountain on a chamfered plinth. Essentially it is an upright round-headed slab surmounted by a cross inscribed with the date 1897, and it has short arms projecting from each side. The front contains a round-backed and round-headed niche with a chamfered surround. The bowl projects in a semi-circle. A lead pipe is in the back of the niche but no longer has a tap. An inscription round the top of the niche reads "Jubilee Drinking Fountain".
SETTING
The Jubilee Fountain is situated on the B2017 at the junction with Hartlake Road and is a valuable and unique asset to the community which compliments other listed buildings located nearby. The closest of these is the Goldsmid Family Cemetery (Grade II), which is located c180 metres to the north. The Church Farm Historic
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Farmstead which includes Church Farmhouse (Grade II) is also situated c55 metres to the south; and All Saints Church (Grade I) together with five Historic Headstones (Grade II) c90 metres to the south.
A gravelled area with wooden seats and flower planters is well maintained throughout the year, and poppies are laid at the Fountain during Remembrance.
The Fountain has become an established and well looked-after landmark which demarcates entry into the Parish of Capel from the Tudeley Road to the west.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The proposal for the Tudeley Garden Village would detract from the current setting of the Fountain and could result in demonstrable harm. In addition to the significant increase in vehicular movement along the B2017 and Hartlake Road, which are already busy with tailbacks of traffic, the development of the proposed roundabout at the junction of the two roads to increase capacity would have a negative impact on the setting and heritage value of the Fountain.
This in turn would lessen the contribution made by the Jubilee Fountain to the cumulative heritage value of All Saints Church and the adjoining Historic Farmstead.
MITIGATION
More appropriate routes for access roads avoiding an increase in traffic along the B2017 and Hartlake Road should be considered. The location of the proposed roundabout should also be reconsidered to reduce demonstrable harm. Not building a garden village would mitigate the danger to the Jubilee Fountain and its historic setting.
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BARHAM HOUSE (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSED TGV DEVELOPMENT APPROX. 90M
28 BARHAM HOUSE
Alders Rd comprises a Grade II listed house and historic farmstead. Tunbridge Wells (District Authority) Capel Parish National Grid Reference: TQ 62955 44679 Grade II Listed Building
Barham House
HISTORIC ENGLAND LIST ENTRY
Number: 1251197
HER Number TQ 64 SW 133 Post Medieval Site 1850 AD to 1860 AD
House: Circa 1850-60. Flemish bond red brick with some stucco detail; brick stacks and chimney shafts with C19 chimneypots; slate roof.
Plan: House faces north east and is set back from the road. Double depth plan house with a front and back room either side of a central entrance hall and staircase. Projecting end stacks. Principal rooms at the front with service rooms at the back.
2 storeys with attics in the roof space.
Exterior: Symmetrical 3-window front arranged about the central front doorway. Original 2-panel doorway with an over light (no glazing bars) behind a bulky stucco porch up a flight of stone steps; large columns and flat roof with moulded entablature. Windows each side are large tripartite sash windows without glazing bars with stucco flat architraves and moulded entablatures on scroll consoles. Flat stucco band across front at first floor level. First floor windows are sash windows with margin panes under low brick segmental arches. Parapet with broad moulded stucco cornice. Roof is gable-ended with single front flat-roofed dormer.
Listing NGR: TQ6295544679
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BARHAM HOUSE FARMSTEAD (UNDESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSET)
HER Number TQ 64 SW 205 Post Medieval Site 1800 AD
The Grade II Listed house forms part of a larger historic farmstead, comprising a regular U-plan courtyard farmstead with detached elements which retains its rural setting, isolated position and survives substantially in its original form.
SETTING
Barham House sits back from Alders Lane with a large Front Garden. Alders Lane is a designated rural Lane and the house has views across the open fields in a rural setting. The setting has a sense of isolation although Brampton Bank on the Five Oak Green Road is visible. This is the edge of the proposal.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
A new town would seriously impact on the rural setting of the house. Hedging along the distant edge of the field opposite is the only barrier to the flatness of the landscape. There will be an increase in traffic noise and light pollution both from car headlights and the town itself. There is no external lighting at this end of the parish in any form and to introduce it would be harmful to the rural setting.
MITIGATION
Large buffers must be left in the development between the road and houses. (At present though it appears that development will actually back onto Brampton Bank with no or very little screening. Street lighting in the town should be minimal although this could raise issues in itself with crime. Street lighting along the main road should also be discouraged.
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29 THE GEORGE AND DRAGON PUBLIC HOUSE
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSED TGV DEVELOPMENT SITE APPROX. 25M
THE GEORGE AND DRAGON PUBLIC HOUSE, FIVE OAK GREEN ROAD Tunbridge Wells (District Authority) Capel Parish National Grid Reference: TQ 63503 44904 Grade II HER Number: TQ 64 SW 90 Post Medieval to Modern Site 1600 AD to 1970 AD
George and Dragon Pub with views over the open landscape. All of these views would be built on in the development plans. This would leave this building unanchored in its landscape.
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HISTORIC ENGLAND LIST ENTRY
Number: 1251348
Public house: Early C17, enlarged in the late C19 and another extension circa 1960. The C17 section is timber- framed, the ground floor section underbuilt with Flemish bond red brick, the first floor level is clad with peg-tile; the C19 section is timber-framed and clad with weatherboards; the C20 extension is red brick. All sections have brick stacks and chimney shafts, and peg-tile roofs.
Plan and Development: Irregular building facing north. The main block contains the substantial remains of 2-room plan C17 house. The larger room is to left (east) and before the C20 extension that end had a gable-end stack. The smaller unheated room to right has been incorporated into later arrangements with the C19 cross wing that end. The C19 cross wing is now used as bars at the front and service rooms, including kitchen to rear, both sections have projecting lateral stacks.
The C17 section of the main block is 2 storeys with attics in the roofspace; the C20 extension is single storey. The front part of the C19 wing is 2 storeys, the rear part is single storey.
Exterior: Irregular front elevation. The C19 wing projects forward with a C19 ground floor horned 20-pane sash and first floor 16-pane sash. Front doorway to left up a flight of steps and it contains a C20 part-glazed door under a shallow flat hood. Roof above is hipped both sides. To left the ground floor front of the C17 block is mostly hidden by a porch which was built with the C20 extension but at first floor level there is a C19 18-pane horizontal sliding sash. The C17 roof is gable-ended to left and hipped to right as it continues down over the C19 service block. The rear service block also includes a couple of C19 horizontal sliding sash windows.
Interior: Although much of the ground floor timber framing has been removed the C17 house is otherwise well- preserved. Evidence for a jettied west end now shows inside the bar in the C19 section. The heated room has a 4- panel intersecting beam ceiling, the beams chamfered with scroll stops. The large brick fireplace has a plain oak lintel. Evidence of the ground floor cross wall shows in the bar serving area. On the first floor the plan is intact. The larger room has a 4-panel intersecting beam ceiling similar to that on the ground floor. The fireplace here is blocked. Alongside the stack is a probably original winder stair up to the attic. 3-bay roof of tie-beam trusses with clasped side purlins, diminished principals, queen struts and some curving wind braces.
According to the older locals the attic was notorious as a cock-fighting venue earlier in the C20.
Listing NGR: TQ6350344904
SETTING
This historic public house is situated between Tudeley and Five Oak Green. It is an isolated and rural position on the Five Oak Green Road. The fields opposite have no hedging and the only other properties are the semi detached cottages near by which are also listed. Together with the pub they form a typical Kentish scene of great historical and architectural significance with no other built forms to detract.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The pub looks directly over the proposed site with only the road between. Other built forms and infrastructure such as street lighting will severely harm the rural isolated setting. Increase in traffic could damage the fabric of such an old property from sub surface vibration (due to lack of foundations these properties “jump” especially when HGVs pass). Noise increased from traffic volumes. Construction vehicles will exacerbate issues.
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MITIGATION
Large green buffers should be installed along the road opposite the pub. Triple glazing (although only secondary glazing permitted at present). Tight control over any HGVs and their speed. Speed limit reduction.
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30 GEORGE AND DRAGON COTTAGES, FIVE OAK GREEN ROAD
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSED TGV DEVELOPMENT SITE APPROX. 25M Tunbridge Wells (District Authority) Capel Parish National Grid Reference: TQ 63556 44945 Grade II HER Number: TQ 64 SW 89 Medieval to Modern Site 1467 AD to 1932 AD
Cottages set within the landscape and adjacent to the George and Dragon Pub
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Entry number: 1251321
House: Late C15/early C16 origins, some late C16 or early C17 alterations, massively refurbished circa 1920-30. Timber-framed, the ground floor level is underbuilt with Flemish bond red brick, and the first floor level is weatherboarded; brick stack and chimney shaft built inside a former smoke bay; peg-tile roof.
Plan: 3-room plan house facing north north west, say north. The right (west) end room has a C20 end stack. Next to it is the entrance lobby containing the C20 stair and has opposing front and back doorways. In the centre is the main room, the medieval hall, with an axial stack backing onto the entrance lobby. The left (east) end room is unheated. It is now a woodshed and is cut off from the main house with its own back door. The present layout is mainly the result of the C20 renovation. The right end room is an addition of C19 or early C20 date. There is a medieval roof over the rest of the house and this indicates that the central room was the hall, open to the roof and heated by an open hearth fire. In the late C16 or early C17 the hall was floored over and given a smoke bay at its western end. The stack inside is C20.
House is 2 storeys.
Exterior: Regular but not symmetrical 4-window front of C20 casements with glazing bars. The front doorway is right of centre up a short flight of brick steps and it contains a C20 part-glazed door. Roof is hipped both ends and the stack has a Tudor style star-shaped chimney shaft.
Interior: Largely the result of the C20 renovation. Early structural carpentry is exposed only in the central ground floor room below roof level. The room has late C16/early C17 axial joists which are chamfered with step stops. The fireplace is C20. There is a beam across the chimneybreast which is the bressummer of the smoke bay hood.
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In the roof space the framed cross walls each side of the smoke bay are heavily sooted on their inner faces. The roof was altered during the C20 renovation. It seems that the original trusses were replaced but the common rafter couples were left in situ. They are smoke blackened from the original open hearth fire and there remains the original hip constructions at each end. (The roof was later extended westwards).
Listing NGR: TQ6355644945
SETTING
This pair of semi-detached cottages are situated between Tudeley and Five Oak Green. They are in an isolated and rural position on the Five Oak Green Road. Directly opposite is a copse of trees. The fields to the east and west opposite have none or sparse hedging and provide open rural vistas. The only other nearby property is the George and Dragon Pub which is also listed. Together with the pub they form a typical Kentish scene of great historical and architectural significance with no other built forms to detract.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The cottages directly face the proposed site with only the road between. Other built forms and infrastructure such as street lighting will severely harm the rural isolated setting. Increase in traffic could damage the fabric of such old properties from sub surface vibration (due to lack of foundations these properties “jump” especially when HGVs pass). Noise increased from traffic volumes. Construction vehicles will exacerbate issues.
MITIGATION
Large green buffers should be installed along the road opposite the cottages. Triple- glazing (although only secondary glazing permitted at present in listed buildings). Tight control over any HGVs and their speed or an HGV ban. Speed limit reduction and use of quiet tarmac.
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31 & 32 TATLINGBURY BARN AND OAST
Dealt with under 6, Tatlingbury Farmhouse GII*
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33 BADSELL MANOR
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL : C200M E. CAPEL HER Number: TQ 64 SE 177 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Badsell Manor Grid Reference: TQ 65783 44728 Map Sheet: TQ64SE Parish: Capel
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: II List Entry Number: 1251200 Date first listed: 20-Oct-1954 Statutory Address: BADSELL MANOR FARMHOUSE, BADSELL ROAD 6/208 Badsell Manor Farmhouse 20.10.54 GV II
Moated farmhouse. Medieval origins, rebuilt in the late C16 and C17, extensively remodelled in the mid/late C19. Whole house is built on a plinth faced up with large coursed blocks of local sandstone. Most of the ground floor is C19 Flemish bond red brick including burnt headers and most of the first floor level is timber-framed and hung with C19 tile including bands of scallop-shaped tile. The south east front section is late C16/early C17 English bond red brick with sandstone ashlar quoins; brick stacks, most in late C16/early C17 brick with contemporary chimney shafts; peg-tile roof.
Plan: Large house facing south west with an irregular kind of double pile plan.' Front and back ate 4 rooms wide. Entrance hall set between projecting parlours. The left end parlour has a projecting end stack and the right parlour has an axial stack backing onto the left end room. This stack is joined to the front lateral stack serving the left room. Dining room rear left end with axial stack backing onto a small unheated room, probably a buttery. Next to it is the main stair and kitchen rear right end has a rear lateral stack. This is a complex multi-phase house, its development confused by the extensive reuse of old timbers. The roof structure seems to suggests that the rear pile is the oldest part of the house and that most of the front part was added in the late C16 and first half of the C17. The front stacks all date from that time.
House is 2 storeys throughout. Exterior: Attractive house. 4-bay front rising from the moat. The left 3 bays have a symmetrical 1:1:1-window front of C19 casements with glazing bars. The centre bay, containing the main doorway is recessed and there is a platform in front with access across the moat by means of a C20 bridge. Doorway contains a C19 9-panel door with overlight under a low segmental brick arch. The moulded beam above may be C17. Each bay has a separate roof running back into the main roof. The centre roof is half-hipped to the front and the flanking roofs are hipped. The right end front bay is also recessed. It is a particularly impressive section of late C16/early C17 masonry and brickwork incorporating 2 adjacent stacks. The stone plinth has an irregular top and also a pronounced batter on the end corner. There is a straight join between the 2 main flues and they have separate chimneyshafts. The right flue is decorated with a diaper pattern of burnt headers. On top is a pair of tall octagonal shafts with a star-shaped cornice. The left flue has a tall chimneyshaft with an attractive but irregular angular section. The right (south eastern) end wall is now the main entrance front since the moat has been filled on this side. It has a 2:1-window front under 3 gables. The left 2-window section is early brick but the sandstone 2-light windows with segmental headed lights are probably C19. The right hand one-window front is wholly C19 except that the ground floor window is a C20 replacement. All 3 gables have C19 bargeboards with apex pendants and the right
95 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group hand gable is jettied. Most of the windows in the rear and end walls are C20 replacement casements containing rectangular panes of leaded glass. Interior: Largely the result of C19 and C20 modernisations and some exposed beams are probably reused, e.g. the crossbeam in the rear dining room. Both front parlours, and the first floor chamber front left end have sandstone ashlar fireplaces with Tudor arch heads and the same chamber includes sections of a moulded wall plate. Good mid/late C17 stair with closed string, square- section newel posts, moulded flat handrail and turned vase-like oak balusters. The roof structure is a complex arrangement and was much mended in the C19. The clean roof of common rafter A-frame trusses over the main rear part may be medieval if the mortises are from missing soulaces. The roof over the front right hand parlour is late C16 or early C17; common rafter A-frame trussed with curivng arch braces nailed on to provide the shape for a coved plaster ceiling over the parlour chamber. According to the owners research the earliest documentary mention of the place dates from 1259. Sources. The front stack is illustrated in K. Gravett. Timber and Brick Building in Kent (1971) plate 107.
SETTING AND VIEWS
The Local History group consider this residential property to be second only in importance to the two Grade I listed churches of St. Thomas a Becket, Capel and All Saints, Tudeley because of its historical significance. The house is set in well kept gardens between two streams and the moat is one of the few remaining working moats still left in England. Further afield, the house currently overlooks woods and MGB farmland which has probably changed little in centuries. The moat and its associated streams are abundant in wild life. The Grade II listed stone boundary wall and its impressive entrance announce to the visitor that this is a house of some importance. The house has had many illustrious owners the most well-known of whom was Sir Thomas Fane who became Sherriff of Kent in the 16c having been previously locked in the Tower of London for his part in the Thomas Cade Rebellion. Together with the several other listed properties such as Badsell Manor Oasthouse and Mill House which form a cluster around what is locally known as Dampiers Corner (named after a one time owner of Mill House) they announce to those arriving by foot or by car from Paddock Wood that they are leaving behind a modern town and entering a village of a different time where orchards and sheep and quaint cottages are still valued. Historic England regard the setting of a listed property to be of importance and an owner of a listed property has a right to expect that setting to be preserved and everything to be done to enable him to preserve the property as he undertakes to do when purchasing a listed property in the first place.
POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF DEVELOPMENT
If the proposed “village” for East Capel and its associated sports hub is to go ahead, the effects will be devastating for all the properties in this cluster but especially for this very important manor house. TWBC acknowledges that this is an area of historical importance and therefore proposes a buffer zone around it, but this zone is by no means extensive enough. Setting aside the years of pollution and noise created by the construction work itself, the property will then back onto residential properties with all the associated light pollution, constant to-ing and fro-ing of cars, doors banging, loud music and if the sports hub is built they may well have to contend with flood lighting, and even more noise from team support groups. The air pollution will undoubtedly damage the fabric of this building which in part dates back to the 12c, and the wild life will be lost forever. Loss of agricultural land is also an important factor. Climate change is not something that might happen in the future, it is happening now. We need to grow more food not less and agricultural land also serves a purpose in absorbing water and helping to prevent flooding. We are told there will be flood mitigation measures, whatever that means, but what guarantees can be offered to the owners of Badsell Manor that these measures will not undermine his foundations which may also be damaged by the construction work itself? The dramatic increase in traffic with its attendant air and noise pollution is another major concern.
MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT
Dense very tall hedging and trees might in the fullness of time lessen the impact of some of these issues but how tall would these trees have to grow to block the ugly view from the second floor windows? Sound barriers are equally ugly and will not enhance the setting for this lovely ancient property. Light and air pollution know no barriers and increasing the buffer zone will not replace starry skies or stop the wild life from leaving. The only
96 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group way to mitigate this blot on the landscape is not to build at all but instead make use of the abundant brown field sites and the empty shops in our town centres.
34 BADSELL MANOR STABLES & WALL
DISTANCE FROM EDGE PROPOSAL: C250M E. CAPEL
HER Number: TQ 64 SE 26 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Stables approx. 60m south of Badsell Manor Grid Reference: TQ 6576 4466 Map Sheet: TQ64SE Parish: Capel HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1262883 Heritage Category: Listing Grade: II Location: 2, Badsell Barns, Badsell Road, TN12 6QR, Capel, Tunbridge Wells Full description
The following text is from the original listed BUILDING designation: TQ 64 SE CAPEL BADSELL ROAD 6/209 Stables approx 60m south of Badsell MANOR Farmhouse GV II Stable block, now converted to a house. Late C16/early C17, converted circa 1986. Front is late C16/early C17 brick, English bond red brick with a diaper pattern of burnt headers; east end rebuilt in C20 brick; rest is timber- framed and clad with weatherboards; peg-tile roof. Plan: The former stable block faces north north east, say north back onto the road. Internal arrangement is the result of its conversion to a house. It has always been 2 storeys, formerly with a hay loft over the stalls. Exterior: Irregular 2-window front of C20 casements without glazing bars. The 2 ground FLOOR front doorways and 2 former HAYLOFT loading hatch doorways are probably in original positions and now contain C20 plank doors, mostly part-glazed. The extreme right end of the front WALL is weatherboarded. The rest is brick. The left half was rebuilt circa 1986 and faced up with original bricks in the same pattern as the original work surviving to right. There is a chamfered plinth. The roof is gable-ended. Interior: Not inspected. There is, according to several reports, a curious underground chamber built of brick with a barrel-vaulted roof. Listing NGR: TQ6548044764
SETTING AND VIEWS
This property is part of a cluster of listed buildings in the vicinity of what is locally known as Dampiers Corner and TWBC acknowledge that this is an area of historical importance by proposing a buffer zone around it as they are legally obliged to do. This group of old and picturesque buildings forms a “gateway” to a more picturesque setting of orchards and grazing sheep away from the bustle of the local town of Paddock Wood.
POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF DEVELOPMENT
Whilst this building will be protected from some of the worst effects of the construction work by its neighbour Badsell Manor, the occupants will undoubtedly still suffer from air noise and light pollution to a troubling degree
97 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group even after the work is completed. Furthermore, being adjacent to the road without any barrier, the massive increase in traffic as a result of so many families moving into the area will be very noticeable and possibly even affect the health of the occupants.
MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT
Anything that can be done to mitigate the effects on Badsell Manor will also benefit this property but there is nowhere to move the Paddock Wood road to and it is to be hoped that any new roads will be built in such a way as to by-pass this important cluster. The occupants of this property will soon be starting to feel the effects of the new housing estates built just a mile or so from them at the entrance to Paddock Wood. There is no hope of enhancement or mitigation. The only way to prevent this property from being damaged is to not build.
98 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
35 MILL HOUSE
DISTANCE FROM ROUNDABOUT “IMPROVEMENTS”: C10M DISTANCE FROM DEVELOPMENT AREA: C150M E. CAPEL
HER Number: TQ 64 SE 174 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Mill House including front railings Grid Reference: TQ 65480 44764 Map Sheet: TQ64SE Parish: Capel
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: II List Entry Number: 1251199 Date first listed: 24-Aug-1990 Statutory Address: MILL HOUSE, BADSELL ROAD
Full description
The following text is from the original listed BUILDING designation: TQ 64 SE CAPEL BADSELL ROAD 6/206 MILL HOUSE including front BOUNDARY railings GV II House. Early/mid C17, enlarged and remodelled in the early C19. C17 section is timber-framed and mostly clad with peg-tile, rear WALL is underbuilt with Flemish bond red brick, the C19 part is painted brick (larger than usual); brick stacks and chimneyshafts; slate roof to front section, peg-tile roof to rear. Plan: Double depth plan house facing south west. The principal rooms are those at the front, one each side of the central entrance hall containing the main stair. These rooms have projecting end stacks. Rear left is the former KITCHEN with its stack backing onto the front room and rear right is an unheated service room, now used as a kitchen. The rear part is the C17 house. Originally it had a 3-room plan. The narrow centre room (maybe a through passage) is now joined with the heated room. House is 2 storeys with attics over the C17 rear section and a single storey C19 BAKEHOUSE projects rear right. Exterior: Symmetrical 3-window front of horned 16-pane sashes. Central doorway contains C19 6-panel door behind a trellis porch with tented roof (rebuilt circa 1980). 2 parallel roofs are gable-ended. The bakehouse has a hipped roof and large OVEN housing which is gabled. Interior: C17 work is confined to rear part and here the C17 framed STRUCTURE is largely intact. The larger rooms on each FLOOR have chamfered axial beams. The former kitchen fire'place is sandstone ashlar but has a replacement oak lintel. The smaller version in the chamber above has the original oak lintel with a low Tudor ARCH. Roof of 3 uneven bays carried on clasped side purlin tie-beam trusses with curving windbraces. Front part has C19 joinery detail including a straight flight stair with 2 stick baluster balustrade on the landing. Narrow front GARDEN is enclosed by C19 cast iron railings. Plain rails and tubular standards with moulded finials. The railings also continue north westwards in front of the BARN.
99 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
SETTING
Mill House is part of a group of listed buildings clustered around what is locally known as Dampiers Corner to the east of the village of Five Oak Green. It overlooks an extensive area of orchards where sheep are put to graze for much of the year. This is a quintessentially Kentish view stretching back over centuries. The famous artist JMW Turner had connections with Finches Farm, just a short distance away and it is believed stayed there in order to work up a number of sketches of similar scenes.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
If the new village in Tudeley is to go ahead, it will be essential to build a by-pass for Five Oak Green and it is proposed that this road and the necessary roundabout to join the by-pass to the existing road network will be built in these orchards, thus destroying the setting for this 450 year old house and the lovely views. After years of construction work creating unacceptable levels of air and noise pollution, the occupants will be subjected to the constant roar of traffic and additional light pollution from the headlights of all these additional cars. Bearing in mind that a property of this age will have been built without foundations, irreparable damage causing subsidence and cracking could result both as a result of the original construction work, the passing traffic and the change to the water table. With ever increasing climate change, it is irresponsible to destroy land that is food producing and absorbs water in an area that already suffers badly from flooding.
MITIGATION
There can be no mitigation for the levels of air, noise and light pollution that the occupants of this property will suffer and the damage that the air pollution will cause to the fabric of the building. It is doubtful that the constructors will be able to offer guarantees to the owners or Historic England that more serious damage will not occur and once the setting is destroyed, it can never be recovered. Without Tudeley village, the road will not be necessary.
100 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
36 MILL HOUSE BARN
DISTANCE FROM ROUNDABOUT “IMPROVEMENTS”: C20M DISTANCE FROM DEVELOPMENT AREA: C200M E.CAPEL
HER Number: TQ 64 SE 28 Type of Record: Listed Building Name Barn approx. 5m NW of Mill House Grid Reference: TQ 6547 4477 Map Sheet: TQ64SE Parish: Capel HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: II List Entry Number: 1262882 Date first listed: 24-Aug-1990 Statutory Address: BARN APPROXIMATELY 5 METRES NORTH WEST OF MILL HOUSE, BADSELL ROAD TQ 64 SE CAPEL BADSELL ROAD 6/207 Barn approx. 5m north west of Mill House GV II Barn. Probably C17, roof rebuilt in the C20. Timber-framed on brick footings, most is clad with weatherboards but some of the framing is exposed on the front and is nogged with old bricks and stone fragments; slate roof.
Plan: Barn faces south west with opposing central double doorways onto the threshing floor and secondary outshots across the back. Exterior: Front doorway is nearly full height and contains C19 plank doors. Roof is gable-ended. Interior: 3 bays open to the roof. The C17 framed walls are largely intact with large curving tension braces above middle rail height. Roof structure rebuilt above the beam level.
The barn forms part of a group with Mill House and its front railings (q.v.).
SETTING
As with its neighbour Mill House, this property enjoys views over typical Kentish orchards.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
As with Mill House, if the by-pass necessitated by the building of Tudeley new village goes ahead, this property and its occupants, will suffer from unacceptable levels of air, noise and light pollution and the possible under- mining of the building which will have minimal foundations.
MITIGATION
Noise and light barriers will only add to what will be a scar on the landscape and will offer minimal protection.
101 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
37 BADSELL MANOR OASTHOUSE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: c300m E. CAPEL
HER Number: TQ 64 SE 190 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Oasthouse approx. 140m SSW of Badsell Manor Grid Reference: TQ 6573 4464 Map Sheet: TQ64SE Parish: Capel
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: II List Entry Number: 1251202 Date first listed: 24-Aug-1990 Statutory Address: Manor Oast and Little Manor Oast, Badsell Road, TN12 6QR
This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 06/09/2019
TQ 64 SE 6/211
CAPEL BADSELL ROAD Manor Oast and Little Manor Oast Former oasthouse approximately 140 metres south south west of Badsell Manor Farmhouse (Formerly listed as Oasthouse approximately 140 metres south south west of Badsell Manor Farmhouse, BADSELL ROAD) GV II Former oasthouse. Probably mid C19. The stowage is English bond red brick with timber-framed front clad with weatherboards and has a slate roof. The hop kilns are Flemish bond red brick with coated brick roofs. Plan: the oasthouse faces north east towards the road. The stowage is open at ground floor level. There are four hop kilns, two on the back and one each end towards the back. Exterior: stowage has a five bay arcade at ground floor level of plain timber posts on stone pads which support the crossbeams. The weatherboarded section above has a central loading hatch doorway flanked by two C19 shuttered windows each side. Roof is gable-ended. Each end wall contains a round-headed doorway. All doorways contain C19 plank doors. The hop kilns are circular in section and have eaves cornices of cogged brick. Tall conical roofs with cowls. Interior: has plain but sturdy carpentry detail.
SETTING AND VIEWS
These properties are part of a cluster of listed buildings in the vicinity of what is locally known as Dampiers Corner and TWBC acknowledge that this an area of historical importance by proposing a buffer zone around it as they are legally obliged to do. This group of old and picturesque buildings forms a “gateway” to a more picturesque setting of orchards and grazing sheep away from the bustle of the local town of Paddock Wood.
102 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF DEVELOPMENT
Whilst these buildings will be protected from some of the worst effects of the construction work by its neighbour Badsell Manor, the occupants will undoubtedly still suffer from air noise and light pollution to a troubling degree even after the work is completed. Furthermore, being adjacent to the road without any barrier, the massive increase in traffic as a result of so many families moving into the area will be very noticeable and possibly even affect the health of the occupants.
MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT
Anything that can be done to mitigate the effects on Badsell Manor will also benefit these properties but there is nowhere to move the Paddock Wood road to and it is to be hoped that any new roads will be built in such a way as to by-pass this important cluster. The occupants of these properties will soon be starting to feel the effects of the new housing estates built just a mile or so from them at the entrance to Paddock Wood. There is no hope of enhancement or mitigation. The only way to prevent these properties from being damaged is to not build.
103 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
38 BADSELL MAINS FARMHOUSE (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.15KM E.CAPEL, 0.88KM FOG BY-PASS
HER Number: MKE81822 Type of record: Farmstead Name: Badsell Mains Farm or Capel Grange Summary: A dispersed plan FARMSTEAD. Grid Reference: TQ 65304483 Map Sheet: TQ64ES Parish: Capel
FARMSTEAD (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1540 AD) HER Number: TQ 64SE112 Type of record: Listed building Summary: Grade 11 Listed building. Main construction periods 1500 to 1999 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING Probably C16 origins, much altered and rearranged in the late C18 or C19, some C20 modernisation. Timber- framed. Ground FLOOR level is underbuilt with late C18/early C19 Flemish bond red brick with decorative burnt headers (some of it rebuilt in the C20) and first floor frame is clad with peg-tile; brick stack and chimneyshaft; peg-tile roof.
Exterior: Regular but not symmetrical 4-window window of C20 casements with glazing bars. Front doorway at the right end contains an old plank door behind a C20 gabled porch. Main roof is gable-ended to left and half-hipped to right.
SETTING
Badsell Mains sits at the entrance to the settlement of Five Oak Green on Badsell Road (B2017) very close to where Badsell Road is bisected by the A228 and the junction is a roundabout (historically named Dampiers Corner). The KCC HER states that it was possibly the farmhouse associated with Capel Grange Farm. Capel Grange Farm consists of two oast houses (both unlisted and residential). Immediately next to Badsell main are several barns and oasts which are now residential.
Together with the Mill House (also listed) on the north side of the road, the visual setting and views are attractive as approached northwards and downhill from Colts Hill and the AONB, where the house can be seen, especially in the winter across the orchards at Capel Grange Farm. It is in an isolated cluster of dwellings and not in the confines of the village. There is no street lighting nor pavement so retains a strong sense of rurality. Travelling westwards from Paddock Wood to Five Oak Green, open fields separating the two settlements give way to the cluster of barns and oasts of Badsell Manor and then the attractive entrance to the village, which enhance the significance of the asset in terms of scene setting.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
104 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
The setting of Badsell mains has been impacted by Badsell Road becoming a busy B road (in the ‘70s) and the A228. However Badsell Road is the original historic drovers route and as such preserves the historic setting of a dispersed farmstead. The traffic noise already has an impact on the setting. The proposal to widen the approaches to Dampiers Corner (3 instead of 2 lanes) to accommodate a vast increase in traffic will exacerbate this further. The edge of the proposed new development is some only some 190 feet from Badsell Mains. The isolated, rural sense of place will be significantly compromised by the development of new housing estates. The proposed Colts Hill by pass (both off and online versions) could severely impact on the farmhouse as the route will possibly run the A228 closer to the property.
MITIGATION
The sense of rural isolation would be hard to mitigate and the cluster of listed properties will not be the entrance to Five Oak Green but rather the exit from the edge of an urban Paddock Wood. Leaving large green buffers at the edge of the proposal would help to soften the hard edge of the urban extension. Screening by the owners of Badsell mains would help to preserve the integrity of the property.
105 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
LYDD FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
Comprising of 3 listed buildings
HER Number: MKE82420 Type of record: Farmstead Name: Lydd Farm Grid Reference: TQ 6434475 Map Sheet: TQ64SW Parish: Capel FARMSTEAD (Post Medieval - 1600 AD to 1600 AD) Type: Linear with additional detached elements Farmhouse: Farmhouse attached to agricultural range Position: Isolated position Survival: No apparent alteration Notes: Oast - listed
39 LYDD FARMHOUSE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: C270M
HER Number TQ64SW126 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ64444474 Map sheet: TQ64SW Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval - 1833 AD to 1899 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1253483 Heritage Category: Listing Grade: II Location: LYDD FARMHOUSE, SYCHEM LANE, Capel, FIVE OAK GREEN, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 64442 44744 Barn. Half-converted to domestic use. C17 barn converted to domestic use in the mid/late C19. Timber-framed and clad with weatherboarding (a small section of the house section is underbuilt with brick); C19 brick stacks and chimneyshafts; peg-tile roof.
Plan and Development: Originally a 4-bay threshing barn on a north east / south west axis with opposing full height double doorways south west of centre onto the threshing floor. In the C19 the north eastern 2 bays were converted to a 2-room plan house facing north west with central front doorway and stair and stacks each end. House is 2 storeys and barn is open to the roof.
Exterior: The farmhouse section has an irregular 2-window front. The first floor windows are original (there are similar windows first floor rear), that is to say, mid/late C19, horizontal sliding sashes whilst the ground floor
106 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group casements, door and monopitch-roofed porch are C20. Immediately to right of the farmhouse section are the full height double plank doors belonging to the barn. There is another small plank door close to the right end and another beyond into a secondary lean-to outshot that end. Roof is gable-ended.
Interior: The barn is essentially intact. Its bays are defined by full height wall posts which support tie-beam trusses with clasped side purlins, diminishing principals, and queen struts. Most of the common rafter couples are original. The centre 2 bays have curving windbraces. The end bay of the barn is sealed off as some form of granary. It has a sloping wall over the tie tilting towards the end.
Lydd Farmhouse is an interesting early barn conversion which also forms part of a very picturesque Victorian farmyard.
40 FARM OFFICE
APPROXIMATELY 1 METRE N. OF LYDD FARMHOUSE HER Number: Record type: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ64434476 Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval - 1833 AD to 1899 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1253484 Heritage Category: Listing Grade: II Location: FARM OFFICE APPROXIMATELY 1 METRE NORTH OF LYDD FARMHOUSE, SYCHEM LANE, Capel, FIVE OAK GREEN, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 64448 44753
Former farm office, now used as a workshop and store. Mid/late C19. Timber- framed, clad with weatherboards; brick stack and chimneyshaft; peg-tile roof.
Plan: Unusually ornate farm office, deliberately picturesque. Single storey one-room plan building built in front and to left of Lydd Farmhouse (q.v.). Front gable-end faces north west with porch on the right (south western) side at the front. Rear gable-end stack.
Exterior: Front gable end has C19 casements with glazing bars, one on top of the other. Gable has cusped bargeboards with timber finial and pendant. Porch to right has front and back segmental arches on shaped imposts. The outer (right hand) side is open and filled with a wooden trellis. Above this level, on all four sides are rectangular fixed pane windows with margin panes of coloured glass. Small modillion eaves cornice. Deep eaves supported by shaped brackets on the corners and tall splay-footed spire-like roof with a weathervane at the apex. Doorway beneath contains C19 part-glazed and similar double doors in opposite long wall.
Interior: Not inspected.
This former office adds considerable interest to the group of attractive traditional farmbuildings around Lydd Farmhouse (q.v.).
EFFECTS OF DEVELOPMENT
The proposal for the Tudeley Garden Village necessitates a by-pass for Five Oak Green to accommodate the vast increase in vehicular movement. The suggested route of the by pass will cross to the south west of the farmstead though the fields some 300 yards from the farmstead. The impact on these buildings and their setting is
107 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group potentially extremely significant. Noise will be a particular factor as two lanes of traffic will be in close proximity. Light pollution from headlights (even with no street furniture) would spoil the rurality of the area. The loss of good farmland especially with climate change would be a worrying aspect. It is likely the traversing of the area with a road will strike the death knell for the last remaining working hop farm. Pollution both during construction stage and then from emissions are liable to harm the fabric of the buildings. Views from the High Weald looking down to the farmstead and the surrounding area will be spoilt by the introduction of a road and detract from the ability to appreciate the historical setting of the farm.
MITGATION AND ENHANCEMENT
Noise reduction methods such as ‘quiet tarmac” and screening could lessen the impact of noise. Screening however will dramatically alter views of the area & the farmstead. Looking at alternative routes for a by pass should be considered. Not building a garden village would mitigate the danger to these historic buildings and their setting.
41 LYDD OASTHOUSE
APPROXIMATELY 12 METRES NW OF LYDD FARMHOUSE
HER Number: TQ64SW69 Record type: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ64434476 Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval - 1833 AD to 1899 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1261771 Heritage Category: Listing Grade: II Location: OASTHOUSE APPROXIMATELY 12 METRES NORTH WEST OF LYDD FARMHOUSE, SYCHEM LANE, Capel, FIVE OAK GREEN, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 64448 44769 Oasthouse. Mid/late C19. Red brick, end wall of stowage is timber-framed clad with weatherboards; peg-tile roof.
Plan: Small oasthouse. Stowage faces south west with single hop kiln on left (north west) end.
Exterior: One-window front, one each floor roughly central, a first floor C19 9-pane sash and ground floor C20 casement with glazing bars under a low segmental arch. To left a doorway to each floor, one over the other, and both containing plank doors. Secondary timber-framed loading platform in front under a corrugated iron monopitch roof. It has ladder access. Roof is half- hipped to right end. This end wall has double plank doors for cart access to ground floor and small fixed pane window above. Hop kiln is circular in plan with cogged brick cornice and tall conical roof surmounted by a box-like ventilation system with pitched roof (for oil-fired hop drying).
Interior: Has plain but sturdy carpentry detail.
This unconverted oast is still in working order and forms part of an unusually attractive group of farmbuildings around Lydd Farmhouse (q.v.). SETTING AND VIEWS
108 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
This group of listed buildings is an important example of a dispersed historic farmstead typical of the low weald. They are approached via a long roadway that has no footpath nor lighting, increasing the rural feel. To the south the flatness of the low weald begins to give way to the High Weald and the gradient increases with uninterrupted views fields and the hop poles at Reeds farm. To the northeast approx 100m is the Grade 11 Brook Farm also an historic farmstead. The surroundings are rural and isolated and surrounded by fields, although to the north west some views are provided of the village of Five Oak Green. The area is tranquil and allows the buildings to be seen very much in their former historical context via footpaths across the area. HE descriptor “The Clock House forms part of a picturesque group of buildings with Lydd Farmhouse (q.v.) and its outbuildings’.
109 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
42 THE CLOCKHOUSE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: C300M HER Number: TQ 64SW94 Type of Record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ64444476 TQ64SW Parish: Capel
SITE (Post Medieval - 1833 AD to 1980 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1253482 Heritage Category: Listing Grade: II Location: THE CLOCK HOUSE, SYCHEM LANE, Capel, FIVE OAK GREEN, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 64448 44769
House, formerly a coach house with summerhouse above. Mid/late C19, converted to a house circa 1970. Flemish bond red brick; brick stacks and chimneyshafts; slate roof to main house, peg-tile roof to turret.
Plan: Originally this was built as a coach house facing north west. Above it was a single large room, a summerhouse heated by a stack in the left (north east) end wall, a balcony on the front and picturesque oriel window turret projecting from the right end wall. Circa 1970 the building was converted to a dwelling and both floors were then subdivided. The central axial stack dates'from this conversion. 2 storeys.
Exterior: Deliberately picturesque elevation in the High Victorian style. 2- window front. At ground floor level a C20 doorway and window occupy the position of the former coach house entrance. The lintel which was originally over the coach house double doors still remains. At first floor level 2 original glazed French windows onto the timber balcony which is carried on a series of joists with shaped ends. Tented zinc roof with shaped timber vallance is supported on rustic posts and trellis-work under the handrail. Plain deep eaves and tall roof is hipped both ends. It contains a gabled dormer with shaped bargeboards, finial and pendant, but this is not a window; it contains a clockface. To right at ground floor level a stone plaque is set into the wall and it is inscribed with the initials CAB, PC, PM and RAC along with a freemasonry motif. This end the corner is rounded and contains a window on each floor, both with Tudor-style hoodmoulds. The first floor window is an original horned 10/6-pane sash window but the ground floor one is a C20 window which replaced a former doorway there. Further round on the right end wall is an ornamental oriel window turret serving the first floor. It is a boarded timber-framed structure, circular in plan and resting on a pair of shaped timber brackets. Its tall and narrow windows have glazing bars only at the top. It rises above the eaves to a square-plan bellcote-like structre with open sides and wavy headed bays. Above a modillion eaves cornice deep eaves carry a splayed spire-like roof. The original stack on the opposite end wall has an original tall octagonal chimneypot. To rear the roof is half-hipped. Below the ground floor has been altered; a carriageway entrance has been blocked and C20 windows put in but at first floor level there are 2 more original horned 10/6 sash windows with Tudor-style hoodmoulds.
The Clock House forms part of a picturesque group of buildings with Lydd Farmhouse (q.v.) and its outbuildings.
SETTING AND VIEWS
110 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
The Clockhouse is a much loved asset within the community. It is both quirky and picturesque. Together with Lydd Farm and its associated buildings it is approached via a long roadway that has no footpath nor lighting, increasing the rural feel. To the south the flatness of the low weald begins to give way to the High Weald and the gradient increases with uninterrupted views fields and the hop poles at Reeds farm. To the northeast approx 100m is the Grade 11 Brook Farm also an historic farmstead. The surroundings are rural and isolated and surrounded by fields, although to the north west some views are provided of the village of Five Oak Green.
POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF DEVELOPMENT
The proposal for the Tudeley Garden Village necessitates a by-pass for Five Oak Green to accommodate the vast increase in vehicular movement. The suggested route of the bypass will cross to the south west of the farmstead though the fields some 300 yards from the farmstead. The impact on these buildings and their setting is potentially extremely significant. Noise will be a particular factor as two lanes of traffic will be in close proximity. Light pollution from headlights (even with no street furniture would spoil the rurality of the area. The loss of good farmland especially with climate change would be a worrying aspect. It is likely the traversing of the area with a road will strike the death knell for the last remaining working hop farm. Pollution both during construction stage and then from emissions are liable to harm the fabric of the buildings. Views from the High Weald looking down to the farmstead and the surrounding area will be spoilt by the introduction of a road.
MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT
Noise reduction methods such as ‘quiet tarmac” and screening could lessen the impact of noise. Screening however will dramatically alter views of the area. Looking at alternative routes for a bypass should be considered. Not building a garden village would mitigate the danger to the Clockhouse
111 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
BROOK FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
Comprises: Brook Farmhouse, Barn, Cottage
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSALS: 0.31KM FOG BY PASS, 0.80KM TGV, 0.90KM E.CAPEL
43 BROOK FARMHOUSE
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 92 Type of record: Listed Building Name: BROOK FARMHOUSE Grid Reference: TQ 6461 4487 Map Sheet: TQ64SW Parish: CAPEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1567 to 1999
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number:1253479 Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: II Date first listed:17-Jul-1990 Location: BROOK FARMHOUSE, SYCHEM LANE National Grid Reference: TQ 64613 44876
Farmhouse. Late C16/early C17, enlarged and remodelled in the early C19. The older part is timber-framed, some of it exposed but most clad with weatherboards; the C19 walls are of Flemish bond red brick with decorative burnt headers; C16 stack is coursed block of local sandstone, the others are brick, brick chimneyshafts; tile roof. Plan: Double depth plan house facing south west. Front and back room either side of the central entrance hall. The left (north west) parlour has a large axial stack projecting into the entrance hall. According to the owner there was once a steep main stair rising over the stack but now the only stair is a winder stair between the 2 rear rooms. Front right room has a projecting end stack and rear right room (the KITCHEN) has a projecting rear lateral stack. Rear left room is an unheated service room. The left (north west) front and back rooms are from the late C16/early C17 farmhouse. The front room was a large heated hall or parlour whilst the back room was a small unheated service room, probably a buttery or DAIRY. That house probably extended further forwards. The front wall was rebuilt in the C19 when the house was remodelled to its present form. 2 storeys with attics in the roofspace and a CELLAR under the left end. Exterior: At first glance the 3-window front appears symmetrical but it is not. The ground FLOOR left window is set higher and both left windows are further from the central doorway than the right ones. Outer windows are C19 16-pane sashes and low segmental brick arches over the ground floor windows. Central first floor 12-pane sash over the front doorway which contains a panelled and part-glazed C19 door behind a trellis porch. The main roof is hipped both ends. The right (south east) end room has a doorway, containing a C20 door under a C19 flat hood and behind it a 16-pane sash to each floor. The left (north west) end wall is weatherboarded and towards the front are late C16/early C17 oak 5-light windows with ovolo-moulded mullions on each floor. The rear wall of the old part has exposed framing, partly hidden by a C20 conservatory. The first floor JETTY retains one original
112 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group scroll-shaped bracket. Interior: Inside the unheated rear service room the late C16/early C17 framing is exposed; close-studded with middle rail and straight braces. It also includes 2 windows with original chamfered oak mullions with grilles of slender diamond mullions above. The front parlour is lined with C17 oak small-field panelling which may belong to this room but, if so, has been reset. The crossbeam here is boxed in. Large brick fireplace with plain oak lintel. The chamber above is also lined with similar panelling and a couple of panelled cupboard doors are hung on C17 H-hinges. 4-bay ceiling of intersecting beams, chamfered with scroll stops. The rest of the house shows much early C19 joinery and roof STRUCTURE dates from the same time. Brook Farmhouse is an attractive 2-phase building. It is approached by a BRIDGE across a stream, the course of which might indicate that the FARMSTEAD was once a moated SITE.
113 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
114 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
44 BARN AT BROOK FARM
APPROXIMATELY 40 METRES SOUTH OF BROOK FARMHOUSE
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 155 Grid Reference: TQ 6455 4482 Parish: CAPEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1600 AD to 1999 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number:1253480 Heritage Category:Listed Building Grade:II Statutory Address:BARN APPROXIMATELY 40 METRES SOUTH OF BROOK FARMHOUSE, SYCHEM LANE National Grid Reference:TQ 64559 44826
Barn. C17 with some C19 remodelling. Timber-framed and clad with weatherboards; corrugated iron roof (formerly peg-tile or thatch). Plan: THRESHING BARN on a north west / south east axis. It faces onto the FARMYARD to the north east. It had opposing large double doorways onto the threshing FLOOR but the front doorway is now hidden by a secondary lean-to outshot. The lean-to outshot on the left (north west) end, if not original, is probably quite an early addition but the various sheds and lean-to on the front are late C19 and C20 additions. Exterior: Most of the front WALL is hidden behind an irregular collection of secondary additions. However the extreme right end is exposed and there is a small doorway there containing a C19 plank door. Above the shed next to it there is a C19 pivoting casement window with glazing bars. The main barn is half-hipped both ends but at the left end it is carried down as a hip over the outshot there. The rear double doorway is not full height; it is blocked and the bay now contains a C20 window. Interior: The barn is open to the roof. It is 4 bays. The frame is of large scantling timbers. Some bays have large curving tension braces (a couple of them concave) but most are replaced by narrower straight braces. The wall posts have formed jowls and the tie-beams have straight ARCH braces. Roof of clasped side purlin construction with queen struts.
115 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
116 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
117 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
SETTING
This late 16th century farmhouse and 17th century barn are situated in a rural location surrounded by fields, orchards and Reed’s Farm hop gardens to the Southern aspect. The property sits with a cluster of heritage buildings, all of which are listed. The property is approached via a long private road with no footpath or lighting.
This historical building makes a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness, as well as forming part of the landscape character of both the High and Low Wealds.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The Five Oak Green Bypass would cut across the Northern hop garden, to the South of Brook Farmhouse. There would be consistent noise and disruption at construction stage together with light pollution from car headlights.
The properties are situated very close to the Alders Stream. The bridge carrying the planned Five Oak Green bypass would cross this stream and would need to be carefully managed to prevent flooding downstream.
A significant impact to biodiversity would be expected given the planned change from rural fields and farmland to a highway. The land concerned is classed as ‘Priority Habitat Inventory – Traditional Orchards’ by MAGIC (https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx).
MITIGATION
Providing a crossing on the Five Oak Green bypass would allow the nearby public footpath to be kept open. The use of minimal low level LED streetlights, but ideally no lights at all on this stretch of road would minimise impact to the rural properties situated around the farm, particularly in the small hamlet of Capel. Car headlights are likely to create significant negative effect to what is a naturally dark sky area. The flat open land is likely to be altered dramatically by adding screening trees but perhaps hedging would be more suitable to blend the road into this landscape. All possible noise reduction measures, including appropriate speed restrictions should be utilised on this road which will traverse quiet rural farmland and clearly be a main route for travel to existing and new schools planned within the Tudeley Village development. These measures will all help to respect the historic form of the property in its setting and support the long-term preservation of these buildings. It is essential to ‘conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance’ and ‘recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside’ as stated within the 12 keys principles of The National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 17. Significant reduction in development would mitigate the impact. Currently 2400 people live in Capel Parish’s 913 homes with the planned development taking this to over 13000 people in 5000 homes.
45 BROOK COTTAGE
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 147 Type of record: Listed Building Name: BROOK COTTAGE Grid Reference: TQ 6454 4471
Map Sheet: TQ64SW
Parish: CAPEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT
118 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1600 to 1990
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number:1253481 Heritage Category:Listed Building Grade:II Statutory Address:BROOK COTTAGE, SYCHEM LANE National Grid Reference:TQ 64541 44718
Small farmhouse. Early/mid C17, extensively modernised circa 1949 after bomb- shock damage in the Second World War, some circa 1980 modernisations. Timber- framed on brick footings and clad with peg-tile above first floor level, brick stack and chimneyshaft; peg-tile roof.
Plan: 2-room lobby entrance plan house facing north west. The left (north eastern) room was probably the kitchen and the right one the hall. Stairs rise in a turret projecting to rear of the stack. Rear service blocks were new built or much altered circa 1949 although there does seem to have been an original unheated room to rear of the parlour, maybe a buttery or dairy.
Main block is 2 storeys with attics in the roofspace with 2-storey and single storey ancillary blocks to rear.
Exterior: The framing is close studded. Essentially symmetrical front with 2 ground floor windows and 4 windows on the first floor, all C20 windows with ovolo-moulded mullions, iron casements and diamond panes of leaded glass. (There are similar windows around the rest of the main block). The windows reuse some old glass, some of the panes tinged green. In places the disposition of the windows has been altered. For instance there is evidence on the front frame for 4 original ground floor windows. Central doorway has original oak frame with richly- moulded surround and contains a C20 Tudor-style door with coverstrips and ornate strap hinges. Gabled timber- framed porch is C20 but includes some reused timbers and side windows have grilles of turned balusters. There is a similar smaller version to rear of the left end wall. Main roof is tall and steeply pitched and is half-hipped both ends. The stair turret also has a half-hipped roof. It is flanked by flat-roofed extensions and behind that a Victorian animal house has been brought into domestic use.
Interior: The supposed kitchen has an ovolo-moulded axial beam with bar- scroll stops and a large brick fireplace with plain oak lintel. By contrast the parlour has a chamfered and scroll-stopped crossbeam and a sandstone ashlar fireplace, a Tudor arch with moulded surround and sunk spandrels. Both first floor chambers have chamfered axial beams with scroll stops with renovated brick fireplaces with plain oak lintels. Where the framing is exposed at first floor level it is large framing with curving tension braces. Roof of 3 uneven bays, tie-beam trusses with clasped side purlins. The stair has been refurbished. It has square newel posts with teardrop finials and turned balusters. The evidence of a small original room behind the parlour comes from the 4-panel intersecting beam ceiling there.
It is clear that the house was extensively and expensively renovated to high standard circa 1949 and that some material was introduced then, e.g. oak small- field panelling in the main rooms and lobby, the Delft tiles in the parlour fireplace and the Tudor-style doors with good ornate strap hinges.
119 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
120 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
121 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
SETTING
This early 17th century farmhouse is situated in a rural location surrounded by fields and Reed’s Farm hop gardens to the Eastern and South-Eastern aspects. The property sits with a cluster of heritage buildings, all of which are listed. The property is approached via a long private road with no footpath or lighting.
The views from the property are open with no screening at all across the hop garden. The land concerned is classed as ‘Priority Habitat Inventory – Traditional Orchards’ by MAGIC (HTTPS://MAGIC.DEFRA.GOV.UK/MAGICMAP.ASPX).
This historical building makes a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness, as well as forming part of the landscape character of both the High and Low Wealds.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The Five Oak Green Bypass would cut across the Northern hop garden, immediately next to the Southern boundary of Brook Cottage.
There would be consistent noise and disruption at construction stage together with light pollution from car headlights.
The property is situated very close to the Alders Stream. The bridge carrying the planned Five Oak Green bypass would cross this stream and would need to be carefully managed to prevent flooding downstream.
The existing open views from this farmhouse would be directly onto the new road.
A significant impact to biodiversity would be expected given the planned change from rural fields and farmland to a highway.
MITIGATION
Providing a crossing on the Five Oak Green bypass would allow the nearby public footpath to be kept open.
The use of minimal low level LED streetlights, but ideally no lights at all on this stretch of road would minimise impact to the rural properties situated around the farm, particularly in the small hamlet of Capel. Car headlights are likely to create significant negative effect to what is a naturally dark sky area.
The flat open land is likely to be altered dramatically by adding numerous screening trees but hedging would be a necessity to blend the road into this landscape.
All possible noise reduction measures, including appropriate speed restrictions should be utilised on this road which will traverse quiet rural farmland and clearly be a main route for travel to existing and new schools planned within the Tudeley Village development.
These measures will all help to respect the historic form of the property in its setting and support the long-term preservation of these buildings. It is essential to ‘conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance’ and ‘recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside’ as stated within the 12 keys principles of The National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 17.
Significant reduction in development would mitigate the impact. Currently 2400 people live in Capel Parish’s 913 homes with the planned development taking this to over 13000 people in 5000 homes.
122 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
46 BALIFF’S HOUSE
DISTANCE TO PROPOSAL: 0.53KM FOG BY PASS
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 110 Type of record: Listed Building Name: THE BAILIFFS HOUSE Grid Reference: TQ 6454 4386 Map Sheet: TQ64SW Parish: CAPEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1600 to 1990
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number:1251196 Heritage Category:Listed Building Grade:II Statutory Address: THE BAILIFFS HOUSE, ALDERS ROAD National Grid Reference: TQ 64540 43869
Cottage. C17 origins, altered and rearranged probably in the early/mid C19, Some circa 1970 modernisation. Timber-framed; ground floor level underbuilt with brick; red brick facing bond with some burnt headers on the front with C20 brick on the end walls, framing above first floor level clad with peg- tile; brick stack and chimneyshaft; peg-tile roof.
Plan: House faces south set back from the lane. It has a 2-room lobby entrance plan; former kitchen to left and parlour to right. Central axial stack serves back-to-back fireplaces. Continuous outshots across the rear are now in domestic use and part used for present kitchen. Present layout is essentially the result of the early/mid C19 remodelling. However it does include C17 fabric particularly at the kitchen (southern) end where, before the C19, there was evidently an unheated room.
2 storeys with attics in the roofspace and lean-to outshots to rear.
Exterior: Symmetrical 3-window front of C20 casements with glazing bars. Central front lobby entrance doorway contains a C19 plank door under a flat hood on shaped brackets. Tall roof is half-hipped both ends and contains 2 hipped roof dormers.
Interior: C17 carpentry shows in the former kitchen. Here there is an axial chamfered and step-stopped beam set into a crossbeam close to the chimneybreast. Mortises in the soffit of the crossbeam show that this was originally part of a framed crosswall. In the former parlour there is another probably C17 crossbeam and it too is set a short distance from the chimneybreast. The axial beam and joists here however are C19. The fireplaces have been refurbished and many of the bricks have been turned round and reset. Both have chamfered oak lintels. At first floor level the frame is plastered over, so too is most of the roof structure in the attics although it is apparently 3 bays and is probably of clasped side purlin structure.
123 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
124 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
125 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
SETTING
Bailiffs House is a 17th century cottage surrounded on two sides by Reed’s Farmland, with uninterrupted views across ancient orchards and hop gardens. It faces AONB. It’s situated on Alders Road – a quiet country lane with no footpaths or street lighting.
This historical building makes a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness, as well as forming part of the landscape character of both the High and Low Wealds.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The Five Oak Green Bypass would run through the fields behind the house, joining the proposed Colts Hill bypass (between Alders Road and Badsell roundabout) to the East of Bailiff’s House.
A significant impact to biodiversity would be expected given the planned change from rural fields and farmland to a highway. The land concerned is classed as ‘Priority Habitat Inventory – Traditional Orchards’ and ‘Priority Species for Countryside Stewardship Targeting – Lapwing’ by MAGIC (HTTPS://MAGIC.DEFRA.GOV.UK/MAGICMAP.ASPX). Record submissions for Lapwing nests have fallen to 300 per year. Lapwing population numbers have declined rapidly since the 1980s with number falling over 50%. The species is on the BoCC Red List.
The listed house and garden would be impacted by noise and air pollution during the construction phase.
Car headlights are likely to create significant negative effect to what is a naturally dark sky area.
MITIGATION
The use of minimal low level LED streetlights but ideally no lights at all on this stretch of road would minimise impact to the rural properties situated in the small hamlet of Capel.
The road here is planned to be situated behind ancient orchard and therefore mitigated by adding screening trees to protect the beautiful countryside view and hedging to blend the road into this landscape.
The preservation of all existing trees on site should be a priority.
All possible noise reduction measures, including appropriate speed restrictions should be utilised on this road which will traverse quiet rural farmland and clearly be a main route for travel to existing and new schools planned.
These measures will all help to respect the historic form of the property in its setting and support the long-term preservation of these buildings. The aim would be to ‘conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance’ and ‘recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside’ as stated within the 12 keys principles of The National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 17.
Significant reduction in development would mitigate the impact. Currently 2400 people live in Capel Parish’s 913 homes with the planned development taking this to over 13000 people in 5000 homes.
126 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
47 REEDS FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD) DISTANCE TO EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.49KM FOG BY PASS
HER Number: MKE82418 Type of record: Farmstead Name: REEDS FARM Grid Reference: TQ 6440 4394 Map Sheet: TQ64SW Parish: CAPEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT FARMSTEAD (Post Medieval - 1600 AD to 1600 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: n/a Heritage Category: n/a Grade: n/a Statutory Address: REEDS FARM, ALDERS ROAD National Grid Reference: n/a
Type: Dispersed driftway Position: Isolated position Survival: Altered - significant loss of original form (more than 50%) New sheds: Large modern sheds built on the site of the historic farmstead, may have destroyed original buildings or obscured them Notes: Oast lost
47 REEDS FARM COTTAGES DISTANCE TO EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.49KM FOG BY PASS
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 55 Type of record: Listed Building Name: REEDS FARM COTTAGES Grid Reference: TQ 6438 4393 Map Sheet: TQ64SW Parish: CAPEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1600 to 1990
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number:1262880
127 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Heritage Category:Listed Building Grade:II Statutory Address: REEDS FARM COTTAGES, ALDERS ROAD National Grid Reference: TQ 64381 43938
Pair of cottages, former farmhouse. Probably C17, some C19 alterations when divided, some fire damage in 1988. Timber-framed. Ground floor is underbuilt with Flemish bond red brick with burnt headers (more than one build) and the frame above is clad with peg-tile. Brick stack and chimneyshaft. Peg-tile roof.
Plan: Pair of cottages in what appears to have been a 3-room lobby entrance plan house facing south south west, say south. The left (west) end room is unheated, a former service room. An axial stack between the other rooms serves back-to-back fireplaces. Front lobby entrance was blocked when the house was divided into cottages and new doorways provided.
2 storeys with attics in the roofspace and probably secondary lean-to outshots to rear.
Exterior: Irregular 2-window front of C20 casements without glazing bars. Left of centre is a doorway containing a C20 plank door and there is another similar to the other cottage round the corner in the right end wall. Roof is half-hipped both ends and contains 2 front dormer windows under hipped roofs. The chimneyshaft contains some old, probably C17, brickwork.
Interior: Not available for inspection at the time of this survey.
128 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
129 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
130 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
131 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
SETTING
Reeds Farm is the only remaining hop farm in Capel Parish and as a result is of utmost significance to a large geographical area. Though the original oast has been replaced with a modern version, this is as a result of continuing to farm hops into the present day and is commonplace since the 1950s where traditional farm buildings become increasingly redundant and upgraded. The original barn (hand carved Roman Numerals denote the various beams; these carpenters marks were most common pre-1830), stables and hoppers huts still remain on site as does the original Grade II listed farm house (Reeds Farm Cottages detailed above) which is situated next to the farmyard.
This historic farm has farmed its hop gardens without interruption for centuries - Maidstone Library hold title deeds for Reeds Farm for the period 1704-1820: Messuage near Cadnam Street and land (87 acres) including Upper Highlands, Newlands and Youngs, all forming Reeds Farm (catalogue ref. U47/17 T1 (bdls 1-3). It is clearly marked on the 1856 Ordnance Survey map.
The farm also grazes sheep on its circa 300 acres of land which includes several areas of ancient woodland and ancient orchards.
A public footpath runs through the hop gardens and farmyard which is a very popular local walk. The environment is unlike anywhere else in the whole Parish. This farm makes a very positive contribution to landscape character.
This historical building makes a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness, as well as forming part of the landscape character of both the High and Low Wealds.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The Five Oak Green Bypass would cut across the Northern hop garden, narrowly missing ancient woodland. It would then join the proposed Colts Hill bypass (between Alders Road and Badsell roundabout) which cuts through Reeds Farm grazing land.
There would be a loss to acres of farmland and the division of the existing hop gardens which would be impacted by pollution from traffic and would likely be inoperable during the construction phase.
A significant impact to biodiversity would be expected given the planned change from rural fields and farmland to a highway. The land concerned is classed as ‘Priority Habitat Inventory – Traditional Orchards’ and ‘Priority Species for Countryside Stewardship Targeting – Lapwing’ by MAGIC (HTTPS://MAGIC.DEFRA.GOV.UK/MAGICMAP.ASPX). Record submissions for Lapwing nests have fallen to 300 per year. Lapwing population numbers have declined rapidly since the 1980s with number falling over 50%. The species is on the BoCC Red List.
Car headlights are likely to create significant negative effect to what is a naturally dark sky area.
MITIGATION
Providing a crossing on the Five Oak Green bypass would allow the farmer to reach and utilise all of their land and keep the public footpath open.
The use of minimal low level LED streetlights but ideally no lights at all on this stretch of road would minimise impact to the rural properties situated around the farm, particularly in the small hamlet of Capel.
The flat open land is likely to be altered dramatically by adding screening trees but perhaps hedging would be more suitable to blend the road into this landscape.
The preservation of all existing trees on site should be a priority.
132 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
All possible noise reduction measures, including appropriate speed restrictions should be utilised on this road which will traverse quiet rural farmland and clearly be a main route for travel to existing and new schools planned within the Tudeley Village development.
These measures will all help to respect the historic form of the property in its setting and support the long-term preservation of these buildings. The aim would be to ‘conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance’ and ‘recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside’ as stated within the 12 keys principles of The National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 17.
Significant reduction in development would mitigate the impact. Currently 2400 people live in Capel Parish’s 913 homes with the planned development taking this to over 13000 people in 5000 homes.
133 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
48 THE HOPPERS
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 927M TGV, 968M E.CAPEL
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 197 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Hoppers Hospital Summary: Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1600 to 1950 Grid Reference: TQ 6473 4535 Map Sheet: TQ64 NW Parish: Capel
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Monument Types
SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1600 AD to 1950 AD)
Originally a FARMHOUSE, built in more than one phase in the C17; it was used as an ale house (The Rose and Crown) in the C19 and in the late C19 was bought up by a Roman Catholic charity for use as a hospital for the hop- pickers; the front COURTYARD was added circa 1940. The place is now run as a chaity to provide holiday accommodation for deprived people from the East End of London. The main house is timber-framed but the ground FLOOR level is underbuilt with painted C19 brick and the first floor is hung with peg-tile; brick stacks and chimneyshafts; peg-tile roof. The courtyard buildings are brick with a pantile roof. Plan: Main house is set back from the road and faces south. It has a 4-room plan. The 2 larger central rooms are heated by a stack between them with back-to-back fireplaces. A stair rises from the centre left room in front of the stack. Smaller end rooms each heated by a projecting end stack. Centre stack and stair is C17 but the end stacks were added in the C19. Although the main block is C17 evidence from the roof suggests that it was built in more than one phase, the left (west) half before the right half. 2 storeys with attics and secondary or rebuilt lean-to outshots across the rear. Front courtyard is enclosed by a circa 1940 cloister-like SHELTER with central front archway and a fireplace and stack in the west WALL. Exterior: House has an irregular 4-window front of late C19/early C20 casements with glazing bars. 3 contemporary front doorways, all containing plain plank doors, 2 of which have plain narrow flat hoods over. Plain eaves and roof is half-hipped both ends. Interior: The exposed carpentry suggests that the C17 STRUCTURE is well- preserved, although the partition between the two left ground floor rooms has been removed. The left end room has plain joists and all the other rooms have chamfered axial beams, and the beam over the first floor chamber left of centre is chamfered with scroll stops. All the fireplaces are blocked. Some plain but good (and probably C19) plank doors. The roof structure indicates 3 C17 phases. The 2-bay section over the left (west) half appears to be the earliest. It was somewhat altered in the C19 but there is the remains of a clasped side purlin construction. Narrow central bay (about the central stack) is also of clasped side purlin construction but the purlins are set at a different height. The next bay to right has an uncollared tie-beam truss with raking struts and butt purlins and the right end truss is an A-frame truss on a tie-beam with butt purlins. The front courtyard shelter is open with the pitched roof carried on a series of brick piers. 5-bay front with central entrance. Roof raised over bellcote with pyramid roof. A pole at the apex is thought to be the shaft of a former cross. Front and back of bellcote is panelled. central PLAQUE inscribed: "In happy memory of Old Friends who loved hopping and who loved this place very dearly who gave their lives for Old England and for us, 1914-18. Lord
134 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group all pitying, Jesu blest grant them Thine Eternal rest." Below is a brass plaque in memory of Alexander Forsythe Asher, an Augustine priest (died 1946) and Helen Chalk (died 1938) and each side are symbols of the old Rose and Crown. The area around Capel is the centre of the Kent hop industry and this building is an important monument to its more labour-intensive heyday. Listing NGR: TQ6382645009
SETTING
The Hoppers is a set within the main settlement of Five Oak Green. It is clearly visible being situated on Five Oak Green Road. Views from the Hoppers have been compromised over time with 60’s houses to the rear and commercial repair garage and outdoor car showroom opposite. Within the Hoppers itself the sense of history remains within the layout of secluded coutyards.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The developments will have little impact on the setting although damage to the fabric of the building could be caused by sub surface vibration from any increase in traffic especially HGVs or construction vehicles and an increase in noise pollution especially as the pavement is very narrow.
MITIGATION
Measures should be introduced to provide traffic calming, quiet tarmac and a ban on HGVs.
135 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
POSTERN PARK (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
Comprises: Postern Park Farmhouse, Pond Oast, The Old Barn and The Stables plus 3 non-designated heritage assets.
49 POSTERN PARK FARMHOUSE
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY: APPROX. 730 – 740M
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO TUDELEY DEVELOPMENT BUILDINGS: APPROX. 740 – 750M
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 242 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Ref: TQ 61449 46300 Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval 1733 AD – 1899 AD) HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry No. 1261901 Grade II Listed Building Location: Postern Park Farmhouse, Postern Lane, Capel
Farmhouse. Mid/late C18, parts may be earlier, various late C18 and C19 extensions. Part brick, part timber- framed. Ground floor level is red brick, randomly bonded tending to English bond and with some decorative burnt headers on the end walls; framed first floor is tile-hung and some framing is exposed at ground floor level to rear; brick stacks and chimney shafts; peg tile roof.
Plan: Double depth plan house facing south. The 3 front rooms are the main rooms with service rooms to rear. Central entrance hall with stair block to rear flanked by kitchen to left (west) and parlour to right (east). Both kitchen and parlour have rear lateral stacks. Parts of the rear section are additions, the left end part to rear of the kitchen certainly is. Although modernised with extensions in the C19 the original layout is preserved. House is 2 storeys with attics in the roof space of the front block and a cellar under the centre.
Exterior: Not quite symmetrical front. Central front doorway now contains a C20 doorway. C19 12-pane sashes adjacent each side and 2 more to right. To left a C20 horned 6-pane sash. Timber moulded cornice at first floor level and return round the end walls. 3 first floor 20-pane sashes. Plain eaves and roof is hipped both ends and contains 3 dormer windows, C19 casements with glazing bars and hipped roofs. Rear section is lower with gable- ended crossroofs. Rear has large central 12-pane sash to the stairs and each side are 20-pane sashes to the first floor rooms.
Interior: Only the ground floor level was accessible at the time of this survey. Very little carpentry is exposed and none in the front rooms. Most of the joinery is C19 including an open string stick baluster stair with mahogany handrail. The window reveals have fielded panel shutters, which may be original and more original joinery probably survives upstairs. Roof was not inspected.
136 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Postern Park Farmhouse
50 POND OAST
OASTHOUSE APPROXIMATELY 45M NORTH WEST OF POSTERN PARK FARMHOUSE
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY: APPROX. 770 - 780M
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO TUDELEY DEVELOPMENT BUILDINGS: APPROX. 780 – 790M
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 161 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Ref: TQ 61428 46368 Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval 1800 AD – 1866 AD) HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry No. 1253221 Grade II Listed Building Location: Pond Oast, Postern Park, Postern Lane, CAPEL
Partially surviving oasthouse comprising 2 hop kilns. Early/mid C19. Red brick including some burnt headers, peg-tile roof. The pair of hop kilns are all that remain of the oasthouse. The stowage and a third hop kiln have been demolished. The hop kilns are circular in plan with a brick dentil cornice and have tall conical roofs.
They are listed because they are part of a good farmyard group, which belong to Postern Park (q.v.).
137 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Pond Oast, Postern Park
51 THE OLD BARN
BARN AND ADJOINING CARTSHEDS APPROXIMATELY 25M NORTH OF POSTERN PARK FARMHOUSE
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY: APPROX. 720 – 730M
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO TUDELEY DEVELOPMENT BUILDINGS: APPROX. 730 – 740M
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 225 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Ref: TQ 61462 46331 Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval 1700 AD – 1832 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry No. 1253219 Grade II Listed Building Location: The Old Barn, Postern Park, Postern Lane, CAPEL
Threshing barn with adjoining cartsheds. C18 or early C19. Timber-framing on red brick footings, the framing clad with weatherboards; slate roof to the main barn, peg-tile roof to the outshots and cartsheds.
Plan: The barn faces south towards the farmhouse, Postern Park (q.v.). It is a threshing barn with opposing central large double doorways onto the threshing floor. Front and back roofs are carried down over integral outshots. Front doorway has full height porch flush with front of outshots but rear doorway blocked now and rear has continuous outshots. To right (west) low open-fronted cartshed range projects.
Exterior: Front plain weatherboarded exterior. Barn front doorway contains large plank double doors. The porch rises from the outshots with a hipped tile roof. Main roof is taller and half-hipped both ends. Roof both sides is carried down continuously over the outshots. To right of the front is the low cartshed range, open-fronted, 5 bays divided by plain posts with straight arch-braces. Its roof is gable-ended.
138 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Interior: Plain carpentry. 5 bays. Each bay has a middle rail and upper tier has straight arch braces. Main posts have jowled heads and tie-beams have straight arch braces. Above raking struts clasp the purlins.
The Old Barn, Postern Park
52 THE STABLES: STABLE AT POSTERN PARK FARMHOUSE
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY: APPROX. 710 – 720M
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LISTED BUILDING CURTILAGE TO TUDELEY DEVELOPMENT BUILDINGS: APPROX. 720 – 730M
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 200 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Ref: TQ 61500 46315 Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval 1700 AD – 1799 AD) HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry No. 1253180 Grade II Listed Building Location: The Stables, Postern Park, Postern Lane, CAPEL
Stable C18. Mainly red brick with grey headers but weatherboard gable. Half- hipped tiled roof. 1 stable door to front and sides with cambered head lining to side. Lean-to addition to rear. Iron tie. Interior has stall partitions.
139 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
The Stables,Postern Park
SETTING AND VIEWS
Postern Park Farm comprises a cluster of historic farm buildings, now residential dwellings, around the attractive C18 Postern Park Farmhouse. The Listed Buildings are approached via a long private drive off the historic Postern Lane, which also serves an additional four residential dwellings. The farm grouping increases the value and significance of the heritage assets.
The four heritage assets have aesthetic value, particularly Postern Park Farmhouse, and the farm setting is consistent with scattered farmstead type of the Low Weald recognised by the TWBC Landscape Character Assessment for its contribution to the local character. The traditional buildings are conspicuous and distinctive elements of the Low Weald surrounded by expansive fields and orchards which contribute to the open, remote and tranquil setting. The heritage assets have evidential value from C18 and C19 building practices, with details such as hipped roofs, weatherboarding, peg tile roofs, tile hung elevations, circular hop kilns and cowls which add local vernacular character typical of the character area.
The primary elevation of Postern Park Farmhouse and adjacent non-designated heritage asset, Postern Park Oast, are clearly visible from the footpath on elevated land to the south. The large tiled roof of The Old Barn and the distinctive white cowls of Pond Oast can be seen beyond with the Greensand Ridge providing a backdrop. Views across the Medway Valley to the Greensand Ridge in the distance can be seen from the curtilages of all four heritage assets.
Postern Park heritage assets are highly sensitivity to change.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Postern Park Farmhouse: Low Impact
Pond Oast: Low Impact
The Old Barn: Low Impact
The Stables: Low Impact
The proposed TGV site is located to the south-east of Postern Park and within 1km, but there will be no inter- visibility between the proposed settlement buildings and Listed Buildings due to the separation distances.
The principle significance of the heritage assets is drawn from their historical farmstead value and survival of their connection to the surrounding open landscape. Although TGV will not alter the immediate open setting of the heritage asset grouping, there will be minor degradation of the wider setting which informs the historic context of the asset.
140 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Access to the proposed new town, cumulative impact, pollution, lighting, noise and increased traffic on surrounding lanes have potential to impact the sense of space, tranquility and remote setting at Postern Park. Possible future growth of TGV means there is a risk that the setting could change from rural to semi urban.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF MITIGATION
New roads, road improvements, site access points and traffic flow must be assessed and carefully designed to minimise harm to the significance of the heritage assets.
Noisy uses and high level lighting should not form part of the masterplan.
Alternative sites should be identified and assessed in order to preserve Postern Lane and Postern Park heritage assets and their connection with the surrounding agricultural landscape and other historic farmsteads of Capel.
141 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
53 UPPER POSTERN OAST, SEE 4, UPPER POSTERN FARM 54 FURTHER LISTED BUIDLINGS AS SOMERHILL, SEE 3, SOMERHILL
142 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
55 SOMERHILL COTTAGES
DISTANCE TO THE PROPOSALS: 0.3KM HER Number: TQ 64 SW 88 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Somerhill Cottages Summary: Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1867 to 1999 Grid Reference: TQ 6256 4484 Map Sheet: TQ64SW Parish: Capel
Row of 4 cottages. Late C19 with some C20 extensions. Ground floor level is Flemish bond red brick with decorative burnt headers, timber-framing above is clad with red tile including bands of scallop-shaped tiles; brick stacks and chimneyshafts including several original chimneypots; red tile roof including bands of scallop tiles.
Plan: Row of 4 contemporary cottages facing north and numbering 1-4 from right (west) to left (east). Each cottages has a one-room plan with the front doorway, entrance hall and staircase to one side. Each two are a mirror-plan of the other two. The end cottages (Nos 1 and 4) have doorways towards each end and the middle cottages (Nos 2 and 3) have doorways towards the centre, side by side. Axial stacks between Nos 1 and 2 and Nos 3 and 4 serve back-to- back fireplaces.
All cottages are 2 storeys with attics in the roofspace and there are C20 extensions each end.
Exterior: Overall symmetrical 4-window front of various C20 casements without glazing bars. All 4 front doorways are elliptical arches containing original plank doors with vertical coverstrips. The main roof is gable- ended and includes 4 gabled dormers containing original casement windows with glazing bars. The gables have plain bargeboards with apex pendants.
SETTING
The group of listed buildings are an important example of late C19 cottages which make a valuable contribution to the cumulative heritage value of this part of the Low Weald. The cottages are situated on Crockhurst Street (B2017), which is a narrow two-lane road with no footpaths or lighting; and are grouped under the Crockhurst Farm farmstead (listed Grade II). The cottages are in a semi-rural position and have the benefit of long-reaching views across unspoilt open farmland and the Medway Valley.
The position of the cottages also compliments other listed buildings and historic farmsteads located nearby, which include All Saints Church (Grade I) situated c200 metres to the north.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The development of the Tudeley Garden Village would completely change the semi-rural setting of the C19 cottages, as the open farmland currently to the north, east and south of the site would be lost.
143 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
The placing of three new access road for the housing development in close proximity along the B2017 will have massive impact on these and other listed and non-listed heritage buildings in the area, reducing their individual and collective historic value within the Low Weald. The nearest of the new access roads will be c60 metres to the north of the cottages, and it is likely that the three new junctions will need to be substantive to ensure the flow of traffic from the development. Crockhurst Street is already becoming increasingly busy, with traffic queues from the junction between the B2017 and A26 sometimes reaching back beyond the Crockhurst farmstead. The significant increase in traffic movements and heavy freight along the B2017 associated with the housing development and new access roads would increase noise and light pollution from headlights, spoil the rurality of the area, and risk damaging the structural integrity of the listed buildings.
MITIGATION
The dramatic increase in traffic using the B2017 could be reduced by the provision of alternative access roads for Tudeley Garden Village. This would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure that the damage to the historical buildings and settings in Crockhurst Street would not simply be shifted to another part of Capel.
The danger to these buildings and loss of valuable farmland and designated Green Belt in this part of the Low Weald could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
144 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
BROOK FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: C1.6 KM
56 BROOK FARM COTTAGES
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 120 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6033 4550 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1833 AD to 1999 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1253535 Heritage Category: Listed Grade: II Location: BROOK FARM COTTAGES, 1 AND 2, TUDELEY LANE, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 60331 45501
Pair of cottages. Mid/late C19 with some C20 extensions. Ground floor level is Flemish bond red brick with decorative burnt headers, timber-framing above is tile-hung and includes bands of scallop tiles; brick stack and chimney shaft; tile roof.
Plan: Pair of contemporary cottages. L-plan building facing east. No 1 is to left (south) and No 2 to right is a cross- wing projecting forward. An axial stack between serves back-to-back fireplaces. Each now has a 2-room plan with a front parlour and rear service room. The rear service rooms are C20 additions. 2 storeys with attics in roof space.
Exterior: Regular but not symmetrical 1:1-window front. No 1 has C20 casements with glazing bars but No 2 has original C19 casements with glazing bars, the larger ones with mullion-and-transom frames. No 1 has a gabled dormer. Doorways each end of the front. Doorway to No 1 has a gabled porch and doorway to No 2 has an elliptical headed arch. Both contain C19 plank doors with cover-strips. A band of cogged brick at first floor level. Roofs are gable-ended with plain bargeboards with apex pendants. Stack has 4 diagonally set chimney shafts.
57 BARN (AT BROOK FARM)
APPROXIMATELY 30 METRES NORTH OF NOS 1 AND 2 BROOK COTTAGES
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 141 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6035 4553 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel
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SITE (Post Medieval - 1833 AD to 1866 AD) HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1261774 Heritage Category: Listed Grade: II Location: BARN APPROXIMATELY 30 METRES NORTH OF NOS 1 AND 2 BROOK COTTAGES, TUDELEY LANE, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 60356 45532
Threshing barn. Mid C19. Timber-framed and clad with weatherboards on brick footings; peg-tile roof.
Plan: Threshing barn faces south. 3-bays with central opposing doorways onto the threshing floor. Integral outshots across the rear and returning round the left (west) end.
Exterior: Front has central full height double doorways still containing original plank doors. Smaller doorways each side. To rear lower doorway from the outshot there. Roof is half-hipped both ends.
Interior: Is very well-preserved. 3 bays. The framing has staggered rails and large curving braces. From the posts either side of the main doorways there are large raking struts down the sides of the threshing floor. The left (western) rear bay is filled with a series of slender struts with narrow waney planks nailed across the front to create a kind of grille. Roof of tie-beam trusses with clasped side purlins.
SETTING
The Cottages and Barn at Brooke Farm provide a valuable example of an historic farmstead in the Low Weald. The site is situated in Tudeley Lane at the foot of Tudeley Road (A2017). Although much of the land adjoining the Farm has been developed, there is open farmland c85 metres to the east.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The development of the Tudeley Garden Village would result in a dramatic increase in vehicular movement on Tudeley Road, which is already becoming increasingly busy. The increase in traffic would further erode the rurality of the setting and add to the urban feel of the area.
Any expansion of the A2017 to reduce traffic congestion would have a similar negative impact on the setting of the listed buildings.
Brook Farm is situated within a recognised zone 3 flood area. The risk of flooding will be raised significantly, as the loss of the natural drainage of surface water arising from the housing development affects the surrounding area.
MITIGATION
The dramatic increase in traffic using the A2017 could be reduced by the provision of alternative access roads for Tudeley Garden Village. These would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure that the damage to the historical buildings and settings near Tudeley Road would not simply be shifted to another part of Capel.
The increase in the current risk of flooding at the site could be reduced by taking appropriate measures to ensure that surface water within the development is able to drain away. Any mitigation would, however, need to be
146 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group subject to a further impact assessment to ensure that the increased risk of flooding in Tudeley Lane would not be displaced to other parts of Capel or the Medway Valley.
The danger to Brook Farm Cottages and to the Barn and their setting could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
147 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
58 LAKE COTTAGE
See 3, Somerhill
148 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
59 HALF MOON COTTAGE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.71KM TGV
HER Number: TQ SW 45 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Half Moon Cottage HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1633 to 1991 Grid Reference: TQ 6332 4418 Map: TQ64SW Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1633 AD to 1991 AD) Cottage, originally a small FARMHOUSE and once, apparently, 2 cottages. Mid/late C17, probably divided in the late C18, reunited in the C20 and modernised circa 1986. Timber-framed. Front WALL rebuilt in C18 Flemish bond red brick with burnt headers. Rest is hidden behind secondary outshots except for the west end gable which is tile-hung. Brick stack and chimneyshaft; peg- tile roof. 2 storeys with attics in the roofspace. Secondary lean-to outshots on both ends and across the rear. The rear one is probably the earliest and is terraced down the hillslope lower than the main house. Exterior: Regular but not symmetrical 3-window front of circa 1986 casements with glazing bars with a fourth in the front of the left outshot. Ground FLOOR windows have low segmental arches over. Front doorway right of centre contains a C20 panelled door behind contemporary gabled porch. Main roof is gable-ended to left and hipped to right. It contains a front gabled dormer and another in the right hip.
SETTING
Half Moon Lane is a very heavily wooded lane and the cottage is obscured at the rear by heavy vegetation. To the front the views across the lane are limited to woodland
POTENTIAL IMPACT
There will be no visual impact on the setting and only a potential negligible noise increase
MITIGATION
Not applicable
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60 PLOGGS HALL
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSAL: 225M EAST CAPEL
HER Number: TQ 64 NE 172 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Ploggs Hall Summary Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1600 to 1932 Grid Reference: TQ 6568 4593 Map Sheet: TQ64NE Parish: Capel
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Monument Types
SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1600 AD to 1932 AD
House, former FARMHOUSE. C17 origins, massively rebuilt in the late C18/early C19, modernised in the early C20. Ground FLOOR level is coursed sandstone ashlar, chanelled rusticated and with a plinth and plat band at first floor level. Above is timber-framed and clad at the back with peg-tile, elsewhere replaced with scallop-tiles. Brick stacks and chimneyshafts; peg-tile roof. Plan: Rectangular double depth plan house facing a little north of east. Central front doorway to large entrance hall containing main stair. Principal room either side at the front, both heated by rear stacks backing onto rear KITCHEN and service rooms. Rear left room was probably the late C18/early C19 kitchen since there is said to be a large blocked fireplace backing onto the front parlour. If so rear axial stack serving the same room is later. That apart the present layout is a late C18/early C19 house. However the left (south) front room section includes the remains of one cell of a C17 house; the large fireplace shows it was then the kitchen. 2 storeys with attics in the roofspace. Exterior: Symmetrical 5-window front of probably early C20 paired 8-pane sashes with horns. Central front doorway contains a contemporary top-glazed door with diagonal planks in the lower panels behind gabled porch on timber posts. Like the front most of the windows were replaced in the early C20 but mostly the same size. The left end has a 3-window GARDEN front including French windows put in circa 1988. Rear has less regular fenestration, service doorway to rear and right (north) end has another small one with a tall side light which is probably late C18/early C19 and protected by twisted iron bars. Plain eaves and roof is hipped on all sides with central axial valley. Interior: Is largely the result of successive C19 and C20 modernisations although the late C18/early C19 layout remains. C17 features in the front parlour, the C17 kitchen. Large brick fireplace with plain oak lintel and blocked openings to OVEN and ash-pit. The parlour and bedroom above have chamfered and scroll-stopped axial beams. The C17 roof was incorporated and adapted into the late C18/early C19 roof. Collared tie purlin truss built for clasped side purlins. The later roof is a good solid piece of carpentry; collared tie-beam trusses with raking struts and staggered butt purlins and particularly impressive reinforced diagonal trusses on the hipped corners.
Ploggs Hall is part of a group with its former farmbuildings but not included as an historic farmstead on the KCC HR
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SETTING
As stated above the Hall is part of a small cluster of very attractive historic buildings. The views to the east towards Paddock Wood are limited by dense hedging on one field opposite but the adjacent field has views to the trees edging the A228. The setting is of a very rural nature tucked away from any modern development
POTENTIAL IMPACT
Impact is likely to be mininmal due to the good screening that exists to the West of the A228
MITIGATION
To ensure there is screening and a good sized buffer the length of the proposal at East Capel.
61 PLOGGS HALL OAST
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSAL: 212M EAST CAPEL HER Number: TQ 64 NE 187 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Ploggs Hall Oast Summary Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1800 to 1985 Grid Reference: TQ 6565 45 95 Map Sheet: TQ64NE Parish: Capel
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Monument Types
SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1800 AD to 1985 AD)
Oasthouse, converted into 2 houses. Early/mid C19, converted circa 1980. Red brick with some burnt headers laid to Monk and Flemish bonds, front WALL is timber-framed and clad with weatherboards. Peg-tile roof to the former stowage and the kilns have coated brick roofs. Plan: Originally a relatively large oasthouse facing east north east, say east. Stowage is roughly square in plan. It has parallel roofs and had an open arcade across the front. 4 hop kilns across the back and a fifth on the left (south) end. It is now converted to 2 similar houses divided from front to back. No 1 to right (south) and No 2 to left. The odd fifth kiln belongs to Ploggs Hall (q.v.). Former stowage is 2 storeys. Exterior: Front first FLOOR level has the original arrangement of 6 windows, 3 either side of a plain plank loading hatch door. Window like all the others around the house are C20 casements with no glazing bars. Originally a 6-bay arcade below still has open bays providing a central entrance porch to each house. Centre bays are GARAGE now. Other windows in the side walls have segmental ARCH heads. Roofs are hipped both ends. Circular hop kilns with cogged brick cornices, tall conical roofs and cowls. Interior: Has plain original carpentry detail including a roof of A-frame trusses with mortise, tenoned and pegged collars. No 1 still contains the hop press which has been moved to the ground floor. This converted oast house forms a group with the nearby converted BARN (q.v.) and Ploggs Hall (q.v.).
62 PLOGGS HALL BARN
151 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSAL: 187M EAST CAPEL
HER Number: TQ 64 NE 152 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Ploggs Hall Barn, East and West Summary Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1700 to 1985 Grid Reference: TQ 65644 45981 Map Sheet: Capel
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Monument Types
SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1700 AD to 1985 AD)
Large barn, now converted to 2 houses. C18 or early C19, converted circa 1980. Timber-framed and clad with weatherboards. Brick footings, reset at the back. Peg-tile roof. Plan: Originally a large double barn facing south south east, say south. Long building with 2 sets of opposing double doorways onto the 2 threshing floors. Both front doorways have full height porches and their fronts recessed behind the low front walls of integral outshots (missing on the right (east) end). Now a GARAGE into the front at the right end and each porch is the main entrance to one of the 2 houses built inside the barn. Both houses are 2 storeys and open to the roof in their entrance halls. Exterior: Both porches have recessed front doorways and C20 glass doors in glazed screens which are as large as the former double doors. Windows in new openings around the house are casements with no glazing bars. Disused double doors to rear. Tall roof is half-hipped both ends and carried down continuously over the former outshots. Porches have hipped roofs. Interior: Little of the framed outer walls are exposed. However the builder claims to have left most of the structural carpentry except for parts in the back wall. Roof STRUCTURE exposed in the entrance halls, collared tie-beam trusses with clasped side purlins and queen struts. This converted barn forms part of a group with the FARMHOUSE (q.v.) and former OASTHOUSE (q.v.).
SETTING
As stated above the Hall, barn and oast form a small cluster of very attractive historic buildings. The views to the east towards Paddock Wood are limited by dense hedging on one field opposite but the adjacent field has views to the trees edging the A228. The setting is of a very rural nature tucked away from any modern development. The Barn and the oast in particular have the most wide ranging views across the fields.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
Impact is likely to be minimal due to the good screening that exists to the West of the A228
MITIGATION
To ensure there continues to be sufficient screening and a good sized buffer the length of the proposal at East Capel.
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63 ORCHARD COTTAGE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: C400 METRES FIVE OAK GREEN BY-PASS
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 47 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6383 4483 Map sheet: TQ64SW Parish: CAPEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT SITE: (Post Medieval to Modern - 1600 AD to 1980 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1262824 Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: II Location: ORCHARD COTTAGE, CHURCH LANE, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. National Grid Reference: TQ 63832 44834
Cottage. Early/mid C17, refurbished and enlarged circa 1970. Timber-framed, the ground floor level is underbuilt with C20 brick and the first floor is hung with peg-tile; brick stack and chimney shaft; peg-tile roof.
Plan: Now an L-plan house. The front block faces east and has a 2-room plan, one each side of the central entrance hall. One-room plan rear block projects to rear of right end. This layout is essentially the result of the circa 1970 refurbishment. The C17 part is confined to the single room at the left (north) end of the front block. The original house was essentially a one-room plan cottage with a stack on its south end (now an axial stack) and with an integral service lean-to outshot that end. A photograph of circa 1952 in the National Monuments Records shows the cottage in its C17 form before it was extended. 2 storeys.
Exterior: Nearly symmetrical front with 4 ground floor windows and 3 first floor windows, all C20 casements with glazing bars. Central front doorway contains C20 studded plank door behind contemporary gabled porch. This is the C20 doorway. The original was sited at the left end. Roof is hipped both ends.
Interior: The carpentry of the C17 cottage is well-preserved. The ground floor room has a chamfered crossbeam with one step stop. Relined brick fireplace has an oak lintel which is cut back on the soffit but still shows part of the chamfer with scroll stops. Similar crossbeam on the first floor. Roof of 2 uneven bays of tie-beam trusses with clasped side purlins and diminished principals. The larger bay has straight principals and an intermediate A- frame truss.
Orchard Cottage was presumably associated with nearby Tattingbury Farmhouse (q.v.). It is an interesting survival of a very small C17 house.
SETTING
153 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Orchard Cottage is situated on Church Lane, which is a quiet, narrow country road without street lighting or pavements. The building forms part of a valuable group of typically Kentish cottages and barns, many of which are Grade II listed. The historic buildings are in a rural setting surrounded by farmland and add character to the location of the medieval Church of St. Thomas a Becket (Grade I listed) and churchyard opposite.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The construction of the major housing development at Tudeley Garden Village, and Five Oak Green by-pass, will result in a significant increase in traffic movements and heavy freight along Church Lane. This will spoil the rurality of the area and risk damaging the historic setting and structural integrity of the listed buildings and Church.
MITIGATION
Damage to the fabric and setting of Orchard Cottage could be mitigated by using quiet tarmac and sound and light barriers. Church Lane could similarly be designated “Access Only” with speed bumps placed outside this group of buildings.
The increase in traffic using Church Lane could be reduced by the provision of an alternative location for the Five Oak Green by-pass. This would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure that the damage to the setting and buildings in Church Lane would not simply be shifted to another part of Capel.
The danger to this historic location set within designated Green Belt could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
154 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
64 OAK COTTAGE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: C830 METRES
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 145 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6481 4536 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: CAPEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT SITE: (Post Medieval to Modern - 1633 AD to 1991 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1262827 Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: II Location: OAK COTTAGE, FIVE OAK GREEN ROAD, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. National Grid Reference: TQ 64817 45366
Cottage. Mid/late C17, refurbished in the late C19 with some circa 1986 modernisation. Timber-framed, ground floor underbuilt with Flemish bond red brick, clad with peg-tile above; brick stack and chimney shaft; peg-tile roof.
Plan: 3-room lobby entrance plan house set back from the Green facing south east. At the left (south west) end is a small unheated service room, probably a buttery or dairy originally. Alongside is the parlour and at the right end the former kitchen. Between hall and parlour an axial stack serves back-to- back fireplaces and lobby entrance in front. Straight flight stairs rise from parlour along rear wall of the service room. Much of the roof was rearranged in the late C19 and the parlour and service room partition were removed in the C20.
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2 storeys with attics in the roof space and C19 summerhouse to rear of former kitchen and lean-to outshots across the rest of the rear.
Exterior: Irregular 3-window front of circa 1988 uPVC casements with glazing bars, built the same size as the windows they replaced. Front doorway right of centre contains late C19/early C20 part-glazed plank door behind contemporary gabled porch. Tall roof is half-hipped both ends and includes a single front dormer, the roof pitch lifted to accommodate it.
Interior: This framed structure is essentially C17. Where it is exposed on the first floor each bay has relatively slender straight tension braces. Main rooms have chamfered axial beams with scroll stops in the kitchen and bar- scroll stops in the parlour. Both main fireplaces are brick with plain oak lintels, the kitchen one is larger and includes a cupboard and blocked oven doorway. The rail between parlour and service room has initials and an inverted heart motif carved onto it above the stair. Roof structure is mostly hidden behind C19 and C20 plaster but appears to have been remodelled in the C19. It has no collars now.
SETTING
Oak Cottage is situated in the centre of Five Oak Village on the A2017. Visually, the building forms an attractive group with Rose Cottage and White Cottage. Oak Cottage is typically Kentish with Flemish bond red brick and peg- tiling above. The house sits close to the main road with a small front garden.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The A2017 is already increasingly busy, and the proximity to the road would make of this and other buildings in the group of cottages vulnerable to any further increase in traffic, especially heavy freight. It is likely they would suffer from sub surface vibration due to lack of foundations.
The property is situated in a recognised zone 3 flood area and has suffered several severe flood events which have been exacerbated by “wash” from vehicles. The loss of natural drainage in the housing development will increase the risk of flooding, which in turn will increase the risk of water damage to the listed buildings in Five Oak Green.
MITIGATION
The dramatic increase in traffic using the B2017 could be reduced by the provision of alternative access roads for Tudeley Garden Village. This would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure that the damage to the historical buildings and settings in Five Oak Green would not simply be moved to other parts of Capel. Traffic calming measures, quiet tarmac, HGV ban and reduction in speed limit would alleviate some damage to the fabric.
The increase in the current risk of flooding at the site could be reduced by taking appropriate measures to ensure that surface water within the development is able to drain away. Any mitigation would, however, similarly need an impact assessment to ensure that the increased risk of flooding in Five Oak Green would not be displaced to other parts of Capel or the Medway Valley.
The danger to the Cottage could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
156 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
LATTERS FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
Comprises Farmhouse, Oasthouse and Barns
65 LATTERS FARMHOUSE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: C175 METRES
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 169 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 62243 46449 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE (Medieval to Modern - 1066 AD to 1999 AD)
Notes: The site includes a barn dating back to C16 and an oast – both converted.
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1253488 Heritage Category: Listed Grade: II Location: LATTERS FARMHOUSE, Tudeley Hale, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 62244 46450
Farmhouse. Late C16/early C17 (maybe medieval origins), some C19 and C20 modernisation, including a circa 1900 cross-wing. The main block is timber- framed, ground floor level is underbuilt with Flemish bond red brick with burnt headers and the frame above is tile-hung. Cross-wing is Flemish bond red brick. Brick stacks and
157 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group chimney-shafts.
Plan: Farmhouse is set back from the road and faces east. The main block has a 3-room-and-through-passage plan. Unheated service end room at the right (north) end. Next to it is the passage and then the hall with an axial stack backing onto the passage. The inner room/parlour at the left end has been re- built as a 2-room parlour cross- wing with an axial stack between the rooms.
It is not possible to describe the development of the house since no internal inspection was possible at the time of this survey. However, the shape and layout of the house suggests that it is a medieval open hall house, probably heated by an open hearth fire. If so, the hall was floored over and the hall stack inserted probably in the late C16/early C17. The inner room or parlour was rebuilt (maybe incorporating original fabric) circa 1900.
House is 2 storeys with attics in the roof space of the main block.
Exterior: 1:3-window front. The one-window section to left in the gable end of the circa 1900 cross-wing contains original sash windows with margin panes (more in a bay window in the left end). The 3-window section in the main block is nearly symmetrical and arranged around the passage front doorway; a C20 part-glazed plank door behind a contemporary gabled porch. The windows are C19 and C20 casements with glazing bars. The main roof is half-hipped to right and the lower cross-wing is gable-ended to the front.
Interior: Not available for inspection at the time of this survey. Nevertheless, an original arch-headed oak doorway was seen on the service side of the passage.
SETTING
Latters Farm provides a good example of a listed farmhouse and its associated buildings that are typical of the Low Weald. The Farm is situated in Hartlake Road, which is a narrow two-lane road with no footpaths or lighting and is surrounded by open fields of crops which contribute to its rural setting. The historical farmsteads at Hale Farm and Tudeley Hall are situated c300 metres and c340 metres to the south respectively and are both Grade II listed. The area is tranquil and allows the buildings within Latters Farm to be seen very much in their former historical context.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The development of the Tudeley Garden Village would result in a dramatic increase in vehicular movement in Hartlake Road, which is already becoming increasingly busy, and will risk harm to the fabric of the Farmhouse. The introduction of a new access road for the western part of the development into Hartlake Road will also add to traffic and will require road improvements that will result in the value and rural historical setting of the combined group of Farmsteads at this location being damaged.
Latters Farm is situated within a recognised zone 3 flood area. The risk of flooding will be raised significantly as the natural drainage of surface water in the fields to the east of the farm is lost following development.
MITIGATION
The dramatic increase in traffic using Hartlake Road could be reduced by the provision of alternative access roads for Tudeley Garden Village. These would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure
158 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group that the damage to the historical buildings and settings in Hartlake Road would not simply be shifted to another part of Capel.
The increase in the current risk of flooding at the site could be reduced by taking appropriate measures to ensure that surface water within the development is able to drain away. Any mitigation would, however, need to be subject to an impact assessment to ensure that the increased risk of flooding in Hartlake Road would not be displaced to other parts of Capel or the Medway Valley.
The danger to Latters Farmhouse and its setting could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
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66 STREAM COTTAGE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: C800 METRES
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 116 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6446 4522 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE (Medieval to Modern - 1500 AD to 1999 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1253173 Heritage Category: Listed Grade: II Location: STREAM COTTAGE, Five Oak Green Road, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 64466 45226 Cottage, once part of a larger farmhouse. Probably early C16, some late C16/early C17 alterations possibly associated with its conversion to a cottage, modernised more than once in the C20. Timber-framed, ground floor level is underbuilt with C19 red brick and first floor level is clad with peg- tile; brick stack and chimney-shaft; peg- tile roof.
Plan: 2-room lobby entrance plan cottage set back from the road and facing north north-west, say north. The unheated room to right (west) is now used as a kitchen. The left (east) room is heated by a central axial stack. This layout is probably the result of the late C16/early C17 alterations. However, the basic structure is earlier, and the present stack was built inside an original smoke bay. That earlier building was probably larger than the present cottage. 2 storeys.
Exterior: Not really symmetrical 3-window front of C20 casements with leaded diamond pane effect. Central doorway with sidelight. C19 door was put there circa 1970 and the owners reckon it came from Hadlow Castle. C20 porch with monopitch roof. Main roof is tall, steeply pitched and is hipped both ends.
Interior: The exposed carpentry is mostly early C16. Both rooms have ceilings of plain joists of large scantling. The fireplace is plastered and has a chamfered oak lintel with a segmental arch. It was inserted into the original smoke bay. Tie-beam across the front of the chimneybreast is the bressummer of the smoke bay. The other side, between the stack and present kitchen, appears to be a full height framed cross-wall, the back of the smoke bay. Above are 2 closed trusses, both tie-beam trusses with crown post super structures. The faces of the trusses into the smoke bay are heavily sooted, so too is the crown purlin as it passes across the smoke bay. The parlour side of the eastern truss is clean, and the cob plaster infill has a combed pattern on it. The original roof survives this end. It is clean and the collars of the A-frames are lap-jointed to the rafters. The western truss of the smoke bay is not complete, and the rest of the roof was rebuilt in the C20.
Stream Cottage is an interesting small cottage containing the extensive remains of its early C16 origins.
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SETTING
Stream Cottage is located on the Five Oak Green Road (B2017) and situated on the edge of Five Oak Green Village. The Cottage is in an open residential location and backs on to farmland to the south.
Stream Cottage makes a valuable contribution to the cumulative heritage value of Capel Parish and compliments other listed buildings in the area. These include St. Norton’s farmstead and Cottages which are c140 metres to the east; and Finches historic farmstead c195 metres to the north.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The development of Tudeley Garden Village would result in a dramatic increase in vehicular movement in Five Oak Green Road, which is already becoming increasingly busy. The substantial increase in traffic and heavy freight associated with the housing development will increase noise and risk harming the fabric and structural integrity of the listed building.
Stream Cottage is situated within a recognised zone 3 flood area. The risk of flooding will be raised significantly by the drainage of surface water being reduced by the development.
MITIGATION
The dramatic increase in traffic using the B2017 could be reduced by the provision of alternative access roads for Tudeley Garden Village. These would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure that the damage to the historical buildings and settings in the Five Oak Green Road would not simply be shifted to another part of Capel.
The increase in the current risk of flooding at the site could be reduced by taking appropriate measures to ensure that surface water within the development is able to drain away. Any mitigation would, however, need to be subject to a further impact assessment to ensure that the increased risk of flooding in Five Oak Green Road would not simply be displaced to other parts of Capel or the Medway Valley.
The danger to Stream Cottage and its setting could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
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GATE FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
This farmstead comprises ref. 67, 68 and 86.
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: c250 metres
HER Number: MKE82378 Type of record: Farmstead Name: Gate FARM Grid Reference: TQ 6177 4557 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel FARMSTEAD (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1540 AD) Type: Regular COURTYARD L-plan with detached HOUSE and other detached elements Farmhouse: Farmhouse detached in central position. Position: Isolated position Survival: Altered - significant loss of original form (more than 50%) Notes: Oast – listed
67 GATE COTTAGE AND GATE HOUSE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: c260 metres
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 174 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6179 4558 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1567 AD to 1999 AD) HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1254119 Heritage Category: Listed
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Grade: II Location: GATE COTTAGE and GATE HOUSE, Tudeley Lane, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 61792 45583
2 cottages, formerly a FARMHOUSE. Late C16/early C17, some C19 and C20 modernisation. Timber-framed. The ground FLOOR level is underbuilt with brick, painted in Gate Cottage, Gate House front is probably C17 English bond red brick with many burnt headers giving a banded appearance and including some C20 brick patching and east end is mostly C20 brick. First floor level is timber-framed and clad with peg-tile. Brick stack and chimney shaft; peg- tile roof.
Plan: The building faces south and is set back from the ROAD. Originally it was a 3-room lobby entrance plan farmhouse. The right (east) end was the unheated service end room. An axial stack between the other 2 rooms serve back-to-back fireplaces but without an internal inspection it is not possible to. determine which was the original parlour and KITCHEN. Now the house is divided into 2 cottages with a new partition built across the centre room as the party WALL. Original lobby entrance is now blocked. Gate Cottage occupies the left (west) part and Gate House the right (east) part.
2 storeys with attics in the roof space and secondary out shots to rear. Exterior: Irregular 3-window front of timber casement windows containing rectangular panes of leaded glass. One or two may be old but most are C20 replacements. Gate House front doorway is right of centre and contains a C19 top-glazed 6-panel door. Gate Cottage has a C20 door in the outshot towards the back of the left end wall. Main roof is gable-ended.
Interior: Not available for inspection at the time of this survey but late C16/early C17 carpentry is suspected.
68 BARN AT GATE FARM
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: C280 METRES
APPROXIMATELY 25 METRES SOUTH WEST OF GATE COTTAGE AND GATE HOUSE HER Number: TQ 64 NW 140 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6175 4556 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel SITE (Post Medieval - 1833 AD to 1899 AD) HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1261453 Heritage Category: Listed Grade: II Location: BARN APPROXIMATELY 25 METRES SOUTH WEST OF GATE COTTAGE AND GATE HOUSE, Tudeley Lane, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent National Grid Reference: TQ 61759 45568 Barn. C17 or C18. Weatherboarded timber-framing on brick footings, these on top of a plinth of coursed blocks of sandstone which show on the east end; peg-tile roof.
Plan: Threshing barn on an east west axis with large central opposing double doorways onto the threshing floor. The west wall is secondary (probably C19) and the barn once extended further westwards.
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Exterior: Central double doorways both sides contain C19 double doors. Roof is half-hipped both ends.
Interior: 3 bays and original framed structure is largely intact. The wall frames have broad curving tension braces above the middle rails. Wall posts with jowled heads carry arch-braced tie-beams and clasped side purlin trusses (no queen struts).
SETTING
Gate Farm is an important example of an historic farmstead with an L-plan courtyard typical of the Low Weald. The farmstead is located on Tudeley Lane (A2017), which is a two-lane road with no footpaths or lighting, and is directly opposite Goldsmid Hall to the south. The site faces onto open farmland to the west; and has woodland to the north and scrubland to the east.
The farmstead compliments other listed buildings and historic farmsteads located nearby, which include All Saints Church (Grade I) situated c280 metres to the south east; and the Jubilee Fountain located c240 metres to the east.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The development of the Tudeley Garden Village would completely change the semi-rural setting of the Farmstead.
The significant increase in traffic movements and heavy freight along the B2017 associated with the housing development and new access roads would increase noise and light pollution from headlights, spoil the rurality of the area, and risk damaging the structural integrity of the listed buildings. The development of a roundabout at the junction with Hartlake Road c240 metres to the east and associated road-widening will have a massive impact on these and other listed and non-listed heritage buildings in the area, reducing their individual and collective historic value. Three new access roads for Tudeley Garden Village will also be constructed along the B2017 to the south of the farmstead, which will need to be substantive to ensure the flow of traffic associated with the development. The nearest of the new access roads will be c380 metres to the south-east of the Farmstead. Tudeley Lane is already becoming increasingly busy, with traffic queues from the junction between the B2017 and A26 often reaching back beyond Gate Farm.
This section of the A2017 is prone to surface flooding. The loss of natural drainage in the housing development will increase the risk of flooding, which in turn will increase the risk of water damage to the listed buildings at the farmstead.
MITIGATION
The dramatic increase in traffic using the B2017 could be reduced by the provision of alternative access roads for Tudeley Garden Village. This would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure that the damage to the historical buildings and settings in Tudeley Lane would not simply be shifted to other parts of Capel.
The increase in the current risk of flooding at the site could be reduced by taking appropriate measures to ensure that surface water within the development is able to drain away. Any mitigation would, however, need to be subject to an impact assessment to ensure that the increased risk of flooding at Gate Farm would not be displaced to other parts of Capel or the Medway Valley.
The danger to these buildings could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
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TANNERS FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSED FIVE OAK GREEN BYPASS: C350M
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSED TGV DEVELOPMENT AREA: C600M
CHURCH FARMHOUSE, CHURCH FARM BARN, TANNERS FARMHOUSE, TANNERS FARM GRANARY AND TANNERS FARM OASTHOUSE form a hamlet opposite the church and whilst dealt with individually, all comments on the setting, potential impact and mitigation for each property should be taken to apply to all the properties.
69 TANNERS FARMHOUSE
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 152 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of record: Listed Building Name: Tanners Farmhouse Grid Reference: TQ 6382 4453 Map Sheet: TQ 64SW Parish: Capel Farmhouse once used as a vicarage. Early/mid C17, possibly earlier origins, reorganised and refurbished in the late C19. Timber-framed, ground floor level is underbuilt with C19 brick and front wall is attractive Flemish bond red brick with decorative burnt headers, chamfered plinth and cogged brick cornice, sandstone footings are exposed on the south end; framing above first floor level is clad with red tile, front has a regular pattern of rectangular and scallop-shaped tile and in the south gable end similar tiles used in a diaper pattern; brick stacks and chimneyshafts with a good C17 staggered chimneyshaft at the south end; peg-tile roof. Plan and Development: 2-room plan house facing west. Through passage with main stair between the rooms. Kitchen in lean-to outshot behind larger right (southern) room. Both rooms have gable-end stacks and kitchen stack backs onto the main block. This layout is the result of the late C19 reorganisation. Before that the main block was one room larger, extending further to right (south). This missing room was the parlour. The present right room was the kitchen which included the present passage and the left end room was an unheated service room. This C17 house may have had a lobby entrance plan with stairs behind the stack. The chimneyshaft still has 4 flues from the C17 back-to-back fireplaces. House is 2 storeys with attics in the roofspace and late C19 lean-to outshots to rear of the right room. Exterior: Not quite symmetrical late C19 3-window front of attractive casements containing iron glazing bars with a pattern of hexagonal panes. The ground floor windows have low segmental brick arches over. Front doorway is a little left of centre up a couple of concrete steps. It contains a late C19 panelled door under a gabled hood. Tanners Farmhouse is a most attractive house and one of a group of listed buildings in the vicinity of the Church of St Thomas A Becket
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70 TANNERS FARM GRANARY
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSED FIVE OAK GREEN BYPASS: C350M
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSED TGV DEVELOPMENT AREA: C600M
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 86 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Granary approx. 5m W. of Tanners Farmhouse Granary. Probably early/mid C19. Side walls of Flemish bond red brick at ground floor level, rest is timber- framed and clad with weatherboarding. Peg- tile roof. Plan: 2-storey granary on a rough north south axis. It stands between Tanners Farmhouse (q.v.) and the road. It was built with, but taller than, the adjoining stockyard and stands alongside the entrance to the farmyard. Exterior: The south end wall has a doorway to right containing a plain plank door and first floor has a central C19 casement window with glazing bars. Directly above this window is a well-preserved C19 pressed iron plaque of the Royal Insurance Company. The west side, to the lane, has a first floor landing hatch door. Roof is half-hipped both ends. This granary forms part of a group of attractive buildings in the vicinity of the Church of St Thomas A Becket
71 TANNERS FARM OASTHOUSE
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSED FIVE OAK GREEN BYPASS: C350M
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSED TGV DEVELOPMENT AREA: C600M
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 87 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Record: Listed Building Name: Oasthouse approx. 20m E. of Tanners Farmhouse Grid Refernce: TQ 6385 4453 Map Sheet: TQ 64SW Parish: Capel Oasthouse. Early/mid C19. Flemish bond red brick, south end wall is timber- framed at first floor level and clad with weatherboards; peg-tile roof. Plan: Stowage faces east. 2 storeys with 2 circular hop kilns attached to rear. Exterior: Stowage has ground floor doorway right of centre and window alongside to right. Both have low segmental arches over. First floor loading hatch doorway up a flight of wooden steps left of centre with window to left and smaller loading hatch at the right end. Plain C19 plank doors and shuttered windows. Large double doorway in right end. Roof is hipped both ends. Circular plan hop kilns with brick dentil cornice. Tall conical roofs with cowls. This unconverted oasthouse forms part of an attractive group of listed buildings in the vicinity of the Church of St Thomas A Becket
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SETTING AND VIEWS
Forms part of a typical Kentish hamlet providing a charming setting for the medieval church and churchyard opposite. This group of buildings is much appreciated by the many visitors who come to see the very important wall paintings in the church of St. Thomas a Becket. Rear views over fields and orchards.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
As with all the buildings in this grouping, the rear views will be destroyed by the construction of the Five Oak Green by-pass and there will be damage from all types of pollution. Heavier traffic on Church Lane will add to this problem.
MITIGATION
Find an alternative route for the by-pass and take measures to limit traffic on Church Lane. Do not destroy much needed land for growing food. Do not build these unnecessary developments.
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72 OLD SCHOOL COTTAGES
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSAL: 54M TGV
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 162 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Old School Cottages Summary Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1667 to 1999 Grid Reference: TQ 6199 4554 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Monument Types
SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1667 AD to 1999 AD)
Row of 3 estate cottages, formerly a FARMHOUSE. Late C17 (there is a date of 1696 inscribed inside), probably divided in the C19, some C20 modernisation. Timber-framed, the ground FLOOR is underbuilt with various builds of red brick (for instance, the front of No 1 includes noticeably more burnt headers than the rest), above the framing is hung with peg-tile; the south west end stack is coursed blocks of sandstone, the others are red brick, brick chimneyshafts; peg-tile roof. Plan: L-plan building. The main block faces south south west, say south, and is set back from the ROAD. It has a 3-room plan, each belonging to a separate cottage numbering 1-3 from left to right (west to east). No 1 is a one- room plan cottage with a projecting gable-end stack (added in the C19) and end entry. The centre room (No 2) has a rear lateral stack and the left end part of the room has been divided off as an entrance hall and staircase. KITCHEN in a C19 rear block. The right end room (No 3) has a large projecting gable- end stack and has lower rear service block projecting to rear. The main block was built as a late C17 farmhouse. It has a 3-room plan. The left end room was originally an unheated service room (possibly with a passage). The centre room was the kitchen and the right end room was the parlour. The rear service block may be original. 2 storeys. Exterior: Regular but symmetrical 4-window front of C19 and C20 casements with glazing bars. All doorways contain C20 plank doors. The roof is gable- ended. The right (east) end stack is large and impressive; built of coursed blocks of sandstone with tiled weathered offsets. Interior: Most rooms, both ground and first floor have chamfered and scroll- stopped axial beams. They are boxed in in No 3. The centre room fireplace (No 2) is large, built of brick with a chamfered oak lintel and includes a bread OVEN and cupboard alcove. A small fireplace to the chamber above is blocked although its oak lintel is exposed. The end fireplace (in No 3) is blocked although its oak lintel is exposed; it is chamfered with a low Tudor ARCH. The framed walls are plastered over except for a section of a stud in the centre room (between Nos 2 and 3). It is inscribed with the date 1696 and the initals I and MG and D and FG along with some scrolled decoration. Main block roof of tie-beam trusses with A-frames and butt purlins.
SETTING
These are an attractive group of cottages set back from Five Oak Green Road with typical cottage gardens. They are bounded by dense treelines on both the Hartlake Road junction to the East and directly opposite where the owner of the Old Vicarage has obscured views of the road with tree and hedge planting.
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POTENTIAL IMPACT
Despite the proximity of the new development the setting will not be heavily impacted if at all as they are so self- contained. However the junction is likely to have “improvements” made. This in itself could cause some impact if the road is nearer in anyway to the cottages.
MITIGATION
Ensure that any road developments do not encroach on the cottages. Quiet tarmac to offset any noise from extra traffic. The dense planting must be retained and enhanced.
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73 ST NORTONS (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSAL: 867M E.CAPEL, 810M FOG BY-PASS
HER Number: MKE81819 Type of Record: Farmstead Name: St. Nortons Summary A regular L-plan FARMSTEAD. Grid Reference: TQ 6461 4533 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel Monument Types FARMSTEAD (Undated)
Type: Regular COURTYARD L-plan with detached house Farmhouse: Farmhouse detached in central position Position: Located within a village
Survival: Altered - partial loss of original form (less than 50%) Notes: Listed BARN converted
74 ST NORTONS COTTAGES
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSAL: 867M E.CAPEL, 810M FOG BY-PASS
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 148 Type of Record: Listed Building Name St Nortons Cottages Summary Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1533 to 1980 Grid Reference: TQ 6464 4534 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Monument Types
SITE (Medieval to Modern - 1533 AD to 1980 AD)
2 cottages, formerly a FARMHOUSE. Mid/late C16 with some early/mid C17 alterations, refurbished circa 1970. Timber-framed, the ground FLOOR largely underbuilt with C19 Flemish bond red brick, framing is exposed above first floor level; brick stack and early/mid C17 brick chimneyshaft; peg-tile roof. Plan: 2 cottages made by dividing a 3-room plan farmhouse set back from the road and facing south south east, say south. Its original layout was a 3- room-and-through-passage plan. At the left (west) end is an unheated inner room. Next to it is the hall with an axial stack at the lower end, originally backing onto a through passage. The hall was floored from the beginning and the mid/late C16 stack served fireplaces to the hall and the chamber above. The right end room, the original service end room was unheated. However in the early/mid C17 it was converted
170 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group to a KITCHEN and a new fireplace was built in the original passage backing onto the hall fireplace. The house thus assumed a lobby entrance plan. It was probably divided into cottages in the mid/late C19. No 1 occupies the former inner room and hall section whilst No 2 occupies the C17 kitchen and a probably C19 outshot to rear. House is 2 storeys with attics in the roofspace and lean-to outshot to rear of right end. Exterior: Front and back first floor frames of 4 uneven bays articulating the layout. Only some of the posts have curving tension braces. Irregular 5- window front of various casement and fixed pane windows, variously plain, glazing bars and diamond or rectangular panes of leaded glass. All are C20 but the 3 smaller first floor windows have original plain frames and a couple have original diamond mullions (there are more in the other walls). Original front doorway was blocked up when the ground floor level was underbuilt although the right (No 2) cottage doorway is close by to right. The doorway to No 1 is left of centre, into the upper end of the former hall. Both contain C20 plank doors with strap hinges. Tall roof is gable-ended. Interior: Original structural carpentry is well-preserved. Most of the rooms have plain chamfered axial beams and a couple (e.g. the hall chamber) have scroll stops. Plain joists are mostly exposed. Hall has brick fireplace with sandstone ashlar jambs and chamfered oak lintel; smaller version for the chamber above. Inserted C17 kitchen fireplace is large, brick with chamfered oak lintel. Rail across the kitchen chimneybreast has disused mortises along its soffit proving that it was once the lower passage partition. 4-bay roof of collared tie-beam trusses with clasped side purlins, diminished principals, queen struts and small curving windbraces. Most of the joinery is C20.
This is an attractive and well-preserved small C16 farmhouse of modest status.
75 ST NORTONS BARN
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSAL: 867M E.CAPEL, 810M FOG BY-PASS
HER Number:TQ 64 NW 112 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Barn approx. 10m of St. Nortons Summary Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1600 to 1799 Grid Reference: TQ 6462 4533 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Monument Types SITE (Post Medieval - 1600 AD to 1799 AD) Barn. Date uncertain, C17/C19. Timber-framed, clad with weatherboards, corrugated iron roof. 3- bay THRESHING BARN on a rough east west axis with opposing full height central double doorways onto the threshing FLOOR. Front has a late C19/early C20 window with glazing bars either side of the plank doors and there is a shuttered hatch to left. Roof is gable-ended. Interior: Not available for inspection at the time of this survey. The barn is on the same alignment to Nos 1 and 2 St Nortons Cottages (q.v.) close by to right. It could be that they were built together.
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SETTING
These properties are within the main village of Five Oak Green. They are set back from the road. Although they were originally an historic farmstead they are now backed to the North by 60’s housing which is very close as they now have small private gardens. They are screened from view by small brick walls with large hedging behind.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The developments will have little impact on the setting although damage to the fabric of the building could be caused by sub surface vibration from any increase in traffic especially HGVs or construction vehicles and an increase in noise pollution especially as the pavement is very narrow.
MITIGATION
Measures should be introduced to provide traffic calming, quiet tarmac and a ban on HGVs.
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76 THE SUPPLY STORES
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSAL: 828M E.CAPEL, 900M FOG BY-PASS
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 151 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: The Supply Stores Summary Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1600 to 1899 Grid Reference: TQ 64 86 4531 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Monument Types
SITE (Post Medieval - 1600 AD to 1899 AD)
Shop and post OFFICE. C17 origins with various C18 and C19 alterations. Ground FLOORfront is plastered brick, timber framing above is clad with C20 scallop tiles, west gable-end is clad with peg-tile, rear blocks of red brick; brick stacks and chimneyshafts; peg-tile roof. Plan: Shop and POST OFFICE with living accommodation. The building faces north. Most of the ground floor partitions have been removed from the main block to create an uninterrupted sales area for the shop. It appears to have had a 4-room plan. There is a disused projecting right (east) end stack, a rear lateral stack right of centre and another to rear of the left (west) end room which is still partitioned off from the shop. This last stack also serves rear block behind. 2 parallel rear blocks projecting at right angles behind the left end. The C17 HOUSE appears to take up the left 2- or 3-room section of the main block. The right section and the rear blocks were added in the C19. The present premises have probably been made by uniting 2 or 3 former properties. 2 storeys with lean-to outshots across the rear to west of the rear blocks. Exterior: Irregular 4-window front of various C19 and C20 windows. Ground floor right end bay is a C20 flat- roofed extension projecting forward with a large window to right of a plain door. In the centre are 2 C20 canted bay windows with narrow mullions, and at the left end a late C19 sash with margin panes. All the first floor windows are C20 casements with glazing bars. Front doorway is left of centre and contains a C19 top-glazed 6- panel door. Main block roof is half-hipped both ends. Rear blocks include a late C19 sash with margin panes and, at the back, a wide doorway with a segmental ARCH containing a C19 plank door, the window alongside is protected by iron bars. Both rear block roofs are hipped. Interior: C17 carpentry detail appears to be confined to the western end of the main block. The left end room and former room next to it both have chamfered axial beams, the former with scroll stops, the latter with runout stops. Rest of main block has plain and relatively light carpentry detail. Differences in carpentry are not well-defined on the first floor although some of the timber-framing is exposed. Main block roof however is clearly of 2 phases although both appear to be C19. Most fireplaces are blocked but the eastern rear lateral stack was obviously large. The outshot behind includes a C19 fireplace with BAKEHOUSE OVEN. This is an interesting multi-phase house which would benefit from a more detailed examination than was possible at the time of this survey, preferably when plaster was being replaced and more structural carpentry was exposed.
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SETTING
The supply stores (or village shop as it is generally refered to) is central to the village of Five Oak Green, sitting on the Five Oak Green Road with a large area of pavement to the front and directly opposite the village Green. The shop over time has been somewhat compromised by the paraphernalia associated with a modern store such as window signage but the intrinsic “quaintness” remains.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The proposals themselves are unlikely to have any impact on the setting nor the fabric of the building except a possible increase in noise from an increase in traffic.
MITIGATION
Traffic calming and quiet tarmac.
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CHURCH FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSED FIVE OAK GREEN BYPASS: C350M
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSED TGV DEVELOPMENT AREA: C600M
CHURCH FARMHOUSE, CHURCH FARM BARN, TANNERS FARMHOUSE, TANNERS FARM GRANARY AND TANNERS FARM OASTHOUSE form a hamlet opposite the church and whilst dealt with individually, all comments on the setting, potential impact and mitigation for each property should be taken to apply to all the properties. See 69, 70, 71, 77 & 78
77 CHURCH FARMHOUSE
HER Number: TQ 64 SE 83 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Church Farmhouse Grid Reference: TQ64SW Parish: Capel Farmhouse divided into 2 cottages. Late C17, late C19 parlour crosswing and circa 1970 extension. Ground floor level is brick; timber-framed above clad with peg-tile; brick stacks and chimneyshafts; peg-tile roof. The brickwork varies from phase to phase. The late C17 brick is Flemish bond red brick with decorative burnt headers, the late C19 crosswing is Flemish bond red brick and C20 additions are red brick. Plan and Development: Farmhouse faces north west. The main block has a 3- room lobby entrance plan. The left end room has an end stack. It is a C20 addition but, according to the farmer, there was a ciderhouse here before, probably the service room of the old farmhouse. Next is the kitchen then the parlour. An axial stack between serves rear corner diagonal fireplaces. Lobby entrance and original staircase in front of the stack. House was enlarged in the late C19 by the parlour crosswing at the right (south west) end. It projects very slightly forward. At this time the old house was relegated to service use. A new front doorway was provided on the front end of the crosswing on the left side. It leads into an entrance hall containing the late C19 stair. The 2 principal rooms of the crosswing have an axial stack between serving back-to-back fireplaces. Lean-to outshots across the back of the main block include a late C19 bakehouse behind the original parlour. Its rear lateral stack contains a large oven. House is 2 storeys and attic rooms in the main block roofspace. Exterior: Regular but not symmetrical 5:1-window front. In the main block most windows are C19 and C20 casements with glazing bars and at the left end a C20 bay window with leaded glass. Original lobby entrance doorway is roughly central to the main block. It contains a late C19 part-glazed 4-panel door in the original solid doorframe with beaded surround and contemporary pedimented hood with panelled soffit and recessed front fielded panel under a moulded pediment. Main block roof is half-hipped to left and carried down over the rear outshots. The doorway in front of the crosswing contains a C20 4-panel door behind a C20 brick porch with monopitch roof. Windows here are late C19 horned 6-pane sashes and similar 2-window front on the side of the crosswing. The crosswing roof is gable-ended. Gables are exposed framing with roughcast panels and have wavey bargeboards. Church Farmhouse is one of a good group of listed buildings in the vicinity of the Church of St Thomas A becket
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78 CHURCH FARM BARN
DISTANCE FROM PROPOSED FIVE OAK GREEN BYPASS: C350M
DISTANCE FROM DEVELOPMENT AREA: C600M TGV
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 48 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name; Barn approx. 20m E. of Church Farmhouse Grid Reference: TQ 6380 4446 Map Sheet: TQ64SW Parish: Capel Barn. Probably C17 origins, much mended and partly rebuilt in the early/mid C19. Timber-framed and clad with weatherboarding built on low footings, mostly red brick but the east wall has a sandstone plinth; peg-tile roof. Plan: Threshing barn on a rough north south axis. Opposing full height double doorways onto the threshing floor south of centre. The barn is built across a slope. The western doorway, towards Church Farmhouse (q.v.), is level with the ground but the eastern one is higher to facilitate loading directly from a cart. C19 lean-to outshot on south end. Exterior: Both long sides have full height double plank doors. Smaller plank door alongside to left on western side and another similar to the outshot on the same side. Also high on west side to right is a small gabled dovecote. Roof is half-hipped to left (north) and hipped to right and continued over the outshot.
This barn forms part of an attractive group of buildings in the vicinity of the Church of St Thomas A Becket.
SETTING AND VIEWS
As stated above, this building is part of a pleasing group of typically Kentish cottages and barns, some of which are not listed, which add character to the entrance to the church and churchyard opposite. Whilst the front of the property looks on to the churchyard, to the rear the occupants overlook their working farm.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The proposed new Five Oak Green by-pass will impact heavily on the surrounding agricultural land and as in other locations the people who live in this little hamlet will have to contend with years of air and noise pollution which will damage their health both mental and physical and damage the fabric of the building. Once the road is completed, there will be on-going pollution with the addition of light pollution from the traffic using this new road. Church Lane and Half Moon Lane will be an obvious route for people from the new houses or dropping off at the schools, to get to the A21, so Church Lane which should be protected as an historic rural lane (ENV13), will suffer from heavy traffic use beyond its capacity with the resultant damage not just to the human occupants and the fabric of the buildings but to the wildlife in the hedgerows and verges.
MITIGATION
If the road is to go ahead, every effort must be made to lay down quiet tarmac and erect sound and light barriers. No attempt should be made to widen Church Lane or change its character but it could be made “Access Only” with no right turn into Alders Road and speed bumps outside this cluster of buildings. A change of policy to find an alternative route for the by-pass or not impose this unwanted new village on an unwilling population is the only sensible solution.
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79 MOAT FARM
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.95KM TGV
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 129
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Moat Farmhouse Summary: FARMHOUSE, formerly a moated SITE. Late C16/early C17 (probably earlier origins), service end rebuilt in the late C17/early C18, some minor C19 and C20 modernisation. Grid Reference: TQ 64563 45909 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel Monument Types FARMHOUSE (Late C16/early C17, Post Medieval - 1567 AD to 1632 AD) JETTIED HOUSE (Late C16/early C17, Post Medieval - 1567 AD to 1632 AD) FARMHOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1600 AD? to 2007 AD (between)) CROSS WING HOUSE (Late C17/early C18, Post Medieval - 1667 AD to 1732 AD) FARMHOUSE (Late C17/early C18, Post Medieval - 1667 AD to 1732 AD) FARMHOUSE (C19 or early C20, Post Medieval to Modern - 1800 AD to 1932 AD) Farmhouse, formerly a moated SITE. Late C16/early C17 (probably earlier origins), service end rebuilt in the late C17/early C18, some minor C19 and C20 modernisation. Timber-framed. Most of the ground FLOOR is underbuilt with Flemish bond brick in more than one phase. Above first floor level is still timber-framed; it is clad with peg- tile on the front and left end but the end and rear of the service end is exposed framing nogged with brick. Brick stacks and chimneyshafts, the lower part of the main hall/parlour chimneyshaft is of old brick. Peg-tile roof. Exterior: Irregular 4-window front of C19 and C20 casements with glazing bars, the older ones hinged from the top. Front doorway is right of centre It has a late C17/early C18 oak frame with a bead-moulded surround and contains the original plank door (attractive with alternate narrow canted-face planks). The original iron work includes hoops on the inside for a draw-bar. Early C20 monopitch hood. The doorway is cut through a blocked window. The older brick to left includes decorative burnt headers whereas the window blocking and brick to right (probably late C17/early C18) does not. The roof is half-hipped to left and hipped to right. The side of the crosswing, the right end, is underbuilt with C20 brick. The late C17/early C18 frame above has relatively slight scantling with straight braces and includes many reused timbers. A couple of blocked original windows show. Moat Farmhouse is an attractive and interesting farmhouse. The farmer has old photographs of the place from before the last part of the moat was infilled and before some impressive traditional farmbuildings were demolished.
SETTING
Moat Farm occupies a glorious rural setting. It is approached via an extremely long tarmac drive. It nestles within in extensive fruit orchards. To the north is the River Medway accessed by numerous PROWs. The railway line is to
177 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group the south. Modern cold stores and offices sit to the East. The urban edge of Five Oak Green is hardly discernible through the trees
POTENTIAL IMPACT
It is unlikely there will be any real impact on Moat Farm due to its isolated position. Views of the proposals might be glimpsed from the upper floors.
MITIGATION
Not applicable
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80 HEADSTONES AND TOMBS AT ST THOMAS A BECKET CHURCH
See 2, St Thomas a Becket Church
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PARK FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: APPROX 500M FROM TGV
81 PARK FARMHOUSE
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 119
Type of record: Listed Building Name: PARK FARMHOUSE Grid Reference: TQ 6157 4502 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: CAPEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1837 to 1901
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number:1254116 Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade:II Statutory Address: PARK FARMHOUSE, TUDELEY LANE National Grid Reference: TQ 61578 45026
Farmhouse of the home farm of Somerhill, now part of the Hadlow Estate. Probably 1850, architect unknown to date. Framed construction on brick footings; tiled roof with bands of scalloped tiles; brick stacks. Vernacular Revival style, freely using elements of C17 traditional south east architecture.
Plan: Part of a designed Victorian farmstead with contemporary farmbuildings in a style to match the house. The layout of the group is picturesquely irregular and organized to look attractive as well as being functional. The house faces south, the west elevation overlooking the farm lane. It is sited south of and above the dairy, which is elaborately-detailed and the first building on the approach to the farmstead. Other buildings in the group are the turkey house to the east and a combination building including a milking parlour, sited to the south with a show front facing the farm lane which carries on past the group to the estate laundry. The farmhouse is roofed on a west east axis with gabled wings at right angles on the south side, overlooking the dairy.
Exterior: 2 storeys. Gabled roofs with deep eaves and moulded bargeboards to the gables. Multiple and clustered chimneyshafts, some octagonal, some diagonally-set, with corbelled brick cornices. Close-studded framing with diagonal braces, the gables more elaborately treated including curved braces. Asymmetrical 1:1 window entrance (north) elevation, gabled to the front at the right. Gabled porch to the left, the side walls timber-framed with sections of open balustrades with barleysugar balusters; porch seats. Original Tudor arched plank and cover strip front door. 2-light casement windows, some retaining their original glazing of square leaded panes. The first floor window in the main block, above the porch, is a gabled dormer. The west elevation, overlooking the farm lane, is particularly showy. The gable end of the main block, to the right, has a jettied gable with a moulded fascia to the jetty. Below the jetty a section of open balustrade with barleysugar balusters is supported on a projecting beam at first floor level. The beam, carried on curved braces has a moulded fascia. 2-light ground floor casement, the outer
180 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group top corners of the timber frame ornamented with carved fleur-de-lis; carvings on the central mullion and below the sill. 2-light casement in the gable, both windows glazed with square leaded panes. The side elevation of the rear wing, set back to the left, is blind with a lateral stack and steps down to the cellar. The right (east) return of the main block has a Tudor arched doorway with an original door to the left and 2 2-light casements. Rear elevation in the same style with 3 gables to the north and a single- storey projection with a 2-span roof.
Interior: Not inspected but may retain original joinery and fireplaces.
George Devey was employed on the Somerhill Estate (information from Dr. Jill Allibone) although there is no documentary evidence known to date to connect him with Park Farm.
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Park Farm, an Historic Farmstead (Image courtesy of Walk Tonbridge)
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82 DAIRY AT PARK FARM
ABOUT 10 METRES NORTH OF PARK FARMHOUSE, TUDELEY LANE
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 171 Type of record: Listed Building Name: DAIRY ABOUT 10 METRES NORTH OF PARK FARMHOUSE Grid Reference: TQ 6158 4504 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: CAPEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT
Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1830 to 1901
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number:1254117 Heritage Category:Listed Building Grade:II Statutory Address: DAIRY ABOUT 10 METRES NORTH OF PARK FARMHOUSE, TUDELEY LANE National Grid Reference: TQ 61589 45044
Dairy on the home farm of Somerhill, now part of the Hadlow Estate. Probably circa 1850, architect unknown to date. Framed construction on brick footings; tiled roof with bands of scalloped tiles and fleur de lis crested ridge tiles; brick stack. The design makes free use of elements drawn from traditional buildings of the C17.
Plan: The dairy is part of a designed Victorian farmstead with other buildings in a matching style. The layout of the group is picturesquely irregular and organized to look attractive as well as being functional. The dairy, which is the first building in the group on the approach to the farm is also the most elaborately treated. It is sited north of and below the farmhouse (q.v.). T-plan, the 2 room plan main block roofed on an east west axis, at right angles to the farm lane, with an axial stack. A third room is in a crosswing at the west end with a large west end porch facing the lane. This was probably the entrance used by visitors from Somerhill. There is a plainer entrance on the south side, into the main block, opposite the rear door of the farmhouse.
Exterior: Extremely pretty and very intact. Gabled roofs with deep eaves and fancy cusped moulded bargeboards; axial stack with vertical rib decoration to the shaft, louvred ventilation shaft east of the stack with a tiled roof and finial. Framing with diagonal braces, the plaster of the infil panels raised. Symmetrical west elevation, dominated by a showy gabled porch in the centre. The outer doorway is flanked by arched open panels in the framing with trefoil-pierced spandrels, the framing of the side walls of the porch is divided into 3 tiers with cross-braced panels above the footings, the next tier of timber panels pierced with pointed quatrefoils, the tier below the eaves with a row of open shouldered arches. Original front door in a moulded frame, original floor tiling. The south side of the dairy has the gable end of the crosswing to the left, the main block to the right. The crosswing has a large 3-light casement window with cast iron casements with high transoms and diagonal iron glazing bars with decorated stamped bosses at the intersections. Original door into the main block alongside the crosswing, which is otherwise blind on the south side with tall cross-braced panels in the framing. The north elevation has a pair of 2-light cast iron transomed windows, matching those described above. The gable end of the crosswing has a projecting bay with a hipped roof and 3 similar 2-light transomed windows plus one-light windows to the returns. The rear (east) elevation is brick, the gable has fancy bargeboards but the 4-light window is plainer than the others with square leaded panes and original window furniture.
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Interior: Very complete including original tiling, canted roofs and marble shelves.
A remarkably attractive and well-preserved building.
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83 MILKING PARLOUR AND CIDER HOUSE
(GRADE II LISTED BUILDING IMMEDIATELY SOUTH OF PARK FARMHOUSE)
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 123 Type of record: Listed Building Name: MILKING PARLOUR AND CIDER HOUSE IMMEDIATELY SOUTH OF PARK FARMHOUSE Grid Reference: TQ 6157 4500 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: CAPEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1830 to 1989
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number:1261451 Heritage Category:Listed Building Grade:II Statutory Address: MILKING PARLOUR AND CIDER HOUSE IMMEDIATELY SOUTH OF PARK FARMHOUSE, TUDELEY LANE National Grid Reference: TQ 61572 45007
Milking parlour and cider house; partly adapted as a refrigerated fruit store. Probably circa 1850, architect unknown to date; alterations of the 1980s. Part of the home farm of Somerhill, now the Hadlow Estate. Mostly brick, with sections of timber framing below the eaves; peg-tile roof with fleur de lis crested ridge tiles.
Plan: Part of a designed Victorian farmstead with contemporary farmbuildings in a style to match the Vernacular Revival farmhouse. The layout of the group is picturesquely irregular and organized to look attractive as well as being functional. This building is sited above and south of the farmhouse, roofed on a north south axis with a west show front overlooking the farm lane, which carries on past the farmstead to the estate laundry. The main block contained a cider house to the north and housed machinery to the south, (information from the farmer) second block adjoining at the south may have been a cartshed. Milking parlour to the rear left (north east) under a 2-span roof, altered and adapted for fruit storage.
Exterior: Main block 2 storeys, single-storey block to the south. Gable- ended roofs with deep eaves and moulded eaves and verges brackets. Framed sections arranged as cross-braced panels. Asymmetrical 3-window west front plus a lower-roofed block at the right end. Brick ramp along the front at the left, where the site slopes sharply away to the north. Large jettied framed gable to left of centre carried on curved brackets with a pendant at the apex and moulded brackets to the verges. Full height original paired plank doors below with a glazed overlight and glazed flanking panels. Gabled dormers to left and right with 2-light casements, 2 panes per light; similar window to the right of the paired doors, under the eaves, timber loft door to the left. 2 2-light casements to ground floor right, probably C20 door to ground floor left. The single-storey building has a central gable with moulded verges brackets above an original 2-leaf full-height door with a glazed overlight. The left return of the main block is tile-hung on the first floor, brick below. The gable ends of the milking parlour have 4-light windows and curved braces in the gables.
Interior: The milking parlour is 2-bays deep, some of the posts have been removed to accommodate the fruit storage unit.
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84 TURKEY HOUSE AT PARK FARM
(GRADE II LISTED BUILDING ABOUT 25 METRES NORTH EAST OF PARK FARMHOUSE)
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 150 Type of record: Listed Building Name: TURKEY HOUSE ABOUT 25 METRES NORTH EAST OF PARK FARMHOUSE Grid Reference: TQ 6161 4502 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: CAPEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1830 to 1901
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number:1261452 Heritage Category:Listed Building Grade:II Statutory Address: TURKEY HOUSE ABOUT 25 METRES NORTH EAST OF PARK FARMHOUSE National Grid Reference: TQ 61613 45025
Turkey house, part of the home farmstead of Somerhill, now part of the Hadlow Estate. Probably circa 1850. Brick, the gables timber-framed; peg-tile roof.
Plan: Part of a designed Victorian farmstead with farmbuildings in a style to match the Vernacular Revival house. The layout of the group is picturesquely irregular and organized to look attractive as well as being functional. The turkey house is sited north east of the farmhouse, roofed on an east west axis, the rear elevation visible from the farm lane, which carries on past the farmstead to the estate laundry. A small symmetrically planned building with crosswings; central entrance, entrances to each crosswing.
Exterior: Single-storey. Symmetrical 4-window south front with left and right gabled projections and a louvred ventilator with a hipped roof and finial in the centre of the roof. The gables are framed with curved braces and have pendants at the apex. 3 original plank and cover strip doors, one in the centre, one to each gable. 4 2-light timber casements; 2 gabled dormers with pendants. The rear elevation has matching gabled dormers and framed gables to the crosswings.
Interior: Not inspected.
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SETTING
Park Farmhouse and its buildings form part of a picturesque Victorian farmstead approached via its own farm lane and sits surrounded by ancient woodland and arable fields.
‘A remarkably attractive and well-preserved building’ and ‘the layout of the group is picturesquely irregular and organized to look attractive as well as being functional’ according to Historic England.
These historical buildings make a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness, as well as forming part of the landscape character of both the High and Low Wealds.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The planned Tudeley Village housing development would change this property’s setting from rural to being on the edge of a housing estate.
A significant increase in traffic on the main road (B2017) as a result of the development and potential for sustained decades of noise throughout the construction stages.
A significant impact to biodiversity would be expected given the planned change from rural fields and farmland to a housing development of thousands of buildings.
MITIGATION
Significant reduction in development would mitigate the impact. Currently 2400 people live in Capel Parish’s 913 homes with the planned development taking this to over 13000 people in 5000 homes. This marked reduction in numbers would respect the historic form of the property in its setting and support the long-term preservation of these buildings. The aim would be to ‘conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance’ and ‘recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside’ as stated within the 12 keys principles of The National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 17.
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85 DISLINGBURY FARMHOUSE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.99KM
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 91 Type of record: Listed Building Name: DISLINGBURY FARMHOUSE Grid Reference: TQ 6283 4378 Map Sheet: TQ64SW Parish: CAPEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1667 to 1699
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number:1253175 Heritage Category:Listed Building Grade:II Statutory Address: DISLINGBURY FARMHOUSE, HALF MOON LANE National Grid Reference: TQ 62838 43789
Farmhouse. Late C17, possibly earlier origins. Timber-framed on brick footings, clad with weatherboarding; brick stack and chimneyshaft; peg-tile roof.
Plan: Farmhouse faces south west. It has a 3-room-and-through-passage plan. Unheated former service room at the right (south east) end. It is separated from the hall by the passage and parlour at the left end. Axial stack between hall and parlour serves back-to-back fireplaces. Stairs rise from parlour between stack and front wall. Despite its plan-form which suggests medieval origins what was seen on the ground floor suggests it is wholly C17. Maybe the roof would provide evidence of earlier origins.
2 storeys with attics in the roofspace and lean-to outshots across the back.
Exterior: Regular but not symmetrical 3-window front of C20 casements with glazing bars. Small fourth ground floor window lighting the stairs left of centre. Front doorway is right of centre and contains a C20 door. Roof is half-hipped both ends.
Interior: Not available for inspection at the time of this survey but plain C17 carpentry detail was seen on the ground floor. Hall and parlour have plain chamfered axial beams and both fireplaces are brick with plain oak lintels.
191 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
192 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
193 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
Copyright IoE Mrs Barbara Ingram-Monk. Source Historic England Archive ioe01_00698_01
SETTING
Dislingbury Farm is located on a quiet country lane opposite large area of ancient woodland which sits between the farm and the planned Tudeley Village development.
This historical building makes a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness, as well as forming part of the landscape character of both the High and Low Wealds.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
A potential slight increase in traffic as a result of the development and potential for noise throughout the construction stages.
MITIGATION
Reduction in number of new properties built.
These measures will all help to respect the historic form of the property in its setting and support the long-term preservation of these buildings. The aim would be to ‘conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance’ and ‘recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside’ as stated within the 12 keys principles of The National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 17.
Significant reduction in development would mitigate the impact. Currently 2400 people live in Capel Parish’s 913 homes with the planned development taking this to over 13000 people in 5000 homes.
194 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
86 THE ROUND HOUSE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.3KM FROM TUDELEY GARDEN VILLAGE
HER Record: TQ 64 NW 172
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Summary: Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1833 to 1966 Grid Reference: TQ 6176 4459 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1833 AD to 1966 AD)
GII Converted oasthouse, now one house but formerly two cottages.Mid/late C19, converted in the early/mid C20.Red brick, the front is timber-framed and hung with peg-tile; C20 brick stacks and chimney shafts; peg-tile roof. Plan:Originally an oasthouse facing south.Stowage now has a projecting right (east) end stack and left front corner stack.Single circular plan former hop kiln on left (west) end.Stowage is two storeys. Exterior:Former stowage has an irregular one:two-window front of C20 casements with glazing bars.Front doorway is right of centre and contains a C20 plank door under a shallow flat hood. (The National Monuments Records photograph of 1956 shows a pair of similar doors). Stowage roof is hipped to right.The hop kiln has a brick corbelled cornice and tall conical roof without its cowl.Interior: Not inspected. This is an early example of a converted oast in an attractive landscape where a high proportion of the buildings are listed including the nearby Gate Cottage and Gate House (q.v.) and the barn to south (q.v.).
SETTING
It was not possible to assess the setting as the property is surrounded by a thick boundary of trees.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The site is just across the road boundary from Tudeley garden village. There appears to be no visual impact as both sides are heavily vegetated. However the increased traffic noise and light pollution could impact as could any “improvement” to the junction which could increase noise
MITIGATION
Ensure there is a strong green buffer between Hartlake Road and the new development. Quiet tarmac should be used.
195 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
87 SANDLING FARMHOUSE DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.26KM FROM TUDELEY GARDEN VILLAGE
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 202 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Sandling Farmhouse Summary: Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1600 to 1999 Grid Reference: TQ 6179 4584 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1600 AD to 1999 AD)
House. Early/mid C17 origins with alterations of the C19 and C20. Framed construction, the ground floor underbuilt in Flemish bond brick, the first floor tile-hung; peg-tile roof; brick stacks.
Plan: The house faces south south west, say south. 3 room lobby entrance plan with a rear right wing, the main range with an axial stack to right of centre, the house extended at the left end, the lobby entrance replaced by a C20 entrance into the right end room which has been altered to an entrance hall containing the stair.
Exterior: 2 storeys. Roof gabled at left end. Left end and axial stack both with C19 brick shafts with corbelled brick cornices. Asymmetrical 4-window south front, 3 windows to the first floor. Set of C20 3- and 4-light casements with square leaded panes, 3 of the ground floor windows with segmental arched heads. The right (east) return has a large C20 3-light stair window with a high transom and square leaded panes, one first and one ground floor C20 casement. Recessed porch to the left. The crosswall visible inside the porch preserves its framing intact including large tension braces.
SETTING AND VIEWS
The farmhouse sits within an historic farmstead with non-designated heritage asset, Sandling Oast, and is accessed via a long private drive off Hartlake Road. The farm grouping increases the value and significance of the heritage asset.
The heritage asset has aesthetic value, with evidential value from early C17 building practices, with details such as timber frame construction, peg tile roofs and tile hung elevations which add local vernacular character typical of the character area.
The historic farm is consistent with scattered farmstead type of the Low Weald, recognised by the TWBC Landscape Character Assessment for their contribution to the local character. It is surrounded by open fields, dwarf orchards and hedgerows and has views to the north across the open landscape and Medway valley to the Greensand Ridge beyond. The setting provides a visual and historic relationship to its surrounding agricultural landscape and makes a major contribution to its significance.
196 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
POTENTIAL IMPACT
Although relatively close to the edge of the proposal there will be no inter-visibility between the settlement buildings and the heritage asset. TGV will not alter the immediate open setting of the heritage asset, but there will be minor degradation of the wider setting which informs the historic context of the asset.
Access to the proposed new town, cumulative impact, pollution, lighting, noise and increased traffic within the site and on Hartlake Road have potential to impact the sense of space, tranquility and remote setting of Sandling Farmhouse. The close proximity to the settlement means there is a risk that the setting could change from rural to semi urban.
MITIGATION
The TGV layout, new roads, changes to Hartlake Road, site access points and traffic flow must respond to the historic core of the farmstead to preserve historic settings, openness, and views.
A buffer zone of vegetation on the eastern site boundary/Hartlake Road must be established to minimise harm from noisy uses, pollution and lighting and shield views eastwards from the asset curtilage.
Alternative sites should be identified and assessed in order to preserve the connection with its rural setting and other historic farmsteads of Capel.
197 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
88 THE COTTAGE, BADSELL ROAD
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: C840 METRES
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 149 Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6490 4530 Map sheet: TQ64NW Parish: CAPEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT SITE: (Post Medieval - 1800 AD to 1866 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1262885 Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: II Location: THE COTTAGE, BADSELL ROAD, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. National Grid Reference: TQ 64903 45304
Cottage. Probably early/mid C19, possibly earlier. Timber-framed and clad with weatherboards; brick stack and chimney shaft; peg-tile roof.
Plan: Small 2-room plan house with central entry built along the street facing north. Stack at left (east) end. 2 storeys.
Exterior: Not symmetrical 2-window front of various C20 casements with glazing bars and ground floor has diamond panes of leaded glass. Central doorway contains a C20 plank door under a C20 shallow hood on shaped timber brackets. Roof parallel with the street and to right is continuous with the roof over Ivy Cottages (q.v.).
Interior: Not available for inspection at the time of this survey.
SETTING
The Cottage is situated in the centre of Five Oak Green village on Badsell Road (A2017) and forms an attractive group of listed buildings with Rose Cottage, White Cottage and Oak Cottage. The building sits close to the road and has a small front garden. The Cottage is typically Kentish in this part of the Low Weald.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The A2017 is already increasingly busy, and the proximity of The Cottage to the road would make this and other buildings in the group of cottages vulnerable to any further increase in traffic, especially heavy freight. It is likely they would suffer from sub-surface vibration due to lack of foundations and noise would penetrate via both the fenestration and weather boarding.
198 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
The property is situated in a recognised zone 3 flood area and has suffered several severe flood events which have been exacerbated by “wash” from vehicles. The loss of natural drainage in the housing development will increase the risk of flooding, which in turn will increase the risk of water damage to the listed buildings in Five Oak Green.
MITIGATION
The dramatic increase in traffic using the B2017 could be reduced by the provision of alternative access roads for Tudeley Garden Village. This would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure that the damage to the historical buildings and settings in Five Oak Green would not simply be shifted to other parts of Capel.
The installation of triple glazing would soundproof the building to some extent, but it is unlikely that this would be permitted due to the listing. Traffic calming measures, quiet tarmac, HGV ban and reduction in speed limit would also alleviate some damage to the fabric.
The increase in the current risk of flooding at the site could be reduced by taking appropriate measures to ensure that surface water within the development is able to drain away. Any mitigation would, however, similarly need an impact assessment to ensure that the increased risk of flooding in Five Oak Green would not be displaced to other parts of Capel or the Medway Valley.
The danger to the Cottages could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
199 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
89 ROSE COTTAGE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.82KM E CAPEL, 0.90KM FOG BY PASS
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 199
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Rose Cottage Summary: Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1800 to 1866 Grid Reference: TQ 6478 4535 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Post Medieval - 1800 AD to 1866 AD)
House. Early/mid C19. Front wholly of painted Flemish bond brick, other sides are timber-framed above first FLOOR level and clad with weatherboards; brick stacks and chimneyshafts; slate roof. Plan: Double depth plan house facing south with a front and back room either side of central entrance hall and main stair. Projecting end stacks. Principal rooms to front and service rooms to rear. 2 storeys. Exterior: Symmetrical 2-window front of 16-pane sashes, the ground floor ones with low segmental arches over. Central front doorway contains C19 6-panel door under a tented hood with its front gable set with diagonal planks and supported on curving timber struts. Roof is hipped both end.
SETTING
The cottage is in the centre of Five Oak Village. It is set back from the road screened by conifer hedging.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The proximity to the road would make the cottage vulnerable to any increase in traffic especially HGV. It is likely it would suffer from increased sub surface vibration due to lack of foundations and noise increase which is already a problem according to the owners.
MITIGATION
Installation of triple glazing would soundproof to some extent but due to the listing it is unlikely this would be permitted. Traffic calming measures, quiet tarmac, HGV ban and reduction in speed limit would alleviate some damage to the fabric.
200 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
STONECASTLE FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
90 STONECASTLE FARMHOUSE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.25KM EAST CAPEL
HER Number: TQ 64 NE 157 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Stonecastle Farmhouse Summary: Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1066 to 1899 Grid Reference: TQ 6581 4620 Map Sheet: TQ64NE Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1899 AD)
Farmhouse. Early C17 (parts, it is claimed, are medieval), modernised and enlarged in the mid/late C19. Original building was timber-framed. Now ground FLOOR level is underbuilt with red brick and the front is clad with stucco and lightly incised as ashlar. The surviving framing above is tile hung in bands of dark and light red C19 tiles including 3 types of shaped tile. C19 extension is red brick at ground floor level with a cogged brick cornice
201 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group and framing above is tile-hung. Brick stacks and chimneyshafts. Peg- tile roof with fleur-de-lys shaped crested ridge tiles. Plan: Farmhouse faces south south east, say south. The main block has a continuous JETTY round 3 sides and a 3- room lobby entrance plan. Axial stack between left (west) and centre rooms serves back-to-back fireplaces and lobby entrance in front of the stack. The right (east) end room has a gable end stack (probably a C19 insertion). A 2-room plan block to rear is parallel with the main block projecting to right (east) and only overlapping that end room. It is heated by an axial stack and maybe houses the main stair. Rear of centre a one-room plan single storey block with a lateral stack projects at right angles; it is probably a BAKEHOUSE. The main block appears to be an early C17 continuous jetty house but the owner claims that it incorporates the extensive remains of a medieval HALL HOUSE. It is not possible to determine the structural development of the house without an interior inspection. The rear blocks appear to be wholly C19. Main block is 2 storeys with attics in the roofspace. C19 2-storey extension, single storey bakehouse and leant-to outshot rear of the left (west) end. Exterior: Attractive 3-window front. The left 2-window section is symmetrical around the central doorway; a Tudor ARCH containing an old, maybe C17, studded oak plank door with ornate wrought iron strap hinges behind a C19 gabled porch on plain posts and C19 bargeboards with a fretwork pattern, apex finial and pendant. Each side are C19 bay windows containing tripartite sash windows without glazing bars. Their stucco sills supported on shaped consoles. Third similar tripartite sash window at right end. The timber mullioned windows on the firt floor are probably C19 replacements but may be C17. First floor jetty covered by probably C19 moulded timber faschia boards. Each end corner supported on plain shaped brackets, set diagonally (presumably under dragon beams). The shaped brackets each side of the front porch are carved with strapwork designs. The 2 left first floor windows above have jettied gables over supported on oak brackets carved with foliage and the bressummers are richly moulded. Main roof is tall and steeply-pitched and is gable-ended. It has original jettied gables, also with carved brackets and moulded bressummers. They have plain C19 bargeboards with finials and pendants. Rear C19 block has a porch in angle with the right end of the main block; it contains a 6-panel door. To right of the porch another tripartite sash with no glazing bars and the mullion-and-transom window above has a gable over with bargeboards cut to a fret design. Roof of this rear block is gable- ended.
91 GARDEN WALLS AT STONECASTLE FARM
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.25KM EAST CAPEL
HER Number: TQ 64 ne 191 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Garden walls approx. 2m E. of Stonecastle Farmhouse Summary: Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1833 to 1999 Grid Reference: TQ 6586 4621 Map Sheet: TQ64NE Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1833 AD to 1999 AD)
Garden walls. Mid/late C19. Brownish red brick, mostly laid to stretcher bond. Tall wall enclosing the north and east sides of the garden immediately east of Stone Castle Farmhouse (q.v.). In the north-east corner there is a small square-plan SUMMERHOUSE. In the south wall it has an original 3-light window with a timber-frame and margin glazing bars under a low segmental ARCH (smaller single light on the east side). Doorway into west side. Summerhouse has a stucco frieze enriched with lozenge motifs under a moulded timber eaves cornice including a
202 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group dentil frieze. Peg-tile pyramid roof. The walls have external flat pilaster-like buttresses. The north wall ramps up to a higher level in the middle. Towards the farmhouse the west end is C20.
92 STONECASTLE OAST
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.25KM EAST CAPEL (ASSESSED WITH THE FARMHOUSE)
HER Number: TQ NE 174 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Oasthouse approx. 20m N. of Stonecastle Farmhouse Summary: Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1833 to 1899 Grid Reference: TQ 6580 4622 Map Sheet: TQ64NE Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Post Medieval - 1833 AD to 1899 AD)
Oasthouse. Mid/late C19. Mostly red brick but the north front and west end are timber-framed and clad with weatherboards; peg-tile roof. Plan: Oasthouse. Stowage on a rough east west axis facing north. 3 hop kilns, 2 on the south side and a taller one on the east end. Exterior: The north side of the stowage (the front) was not available for inspection at the time of this survey. The west end contains a cart entrance containing double plank doors. The stowage roof is gable-ended. The hop kilns are circular in section and have brick dentil eaves cornices. All have tall conical roofs with cowls. A well-preserved converted oasthouse which forms part of an attractive group with nearby Stone Castle Farm (q.v.) and its GARDEN walls (q.v)
SETTING
Stonecastle farm is set within the hamlet of Whetsted. The farmhouse and A converted barn flank a drive into the original farmstead. BOTH of these properties look across extensive open agricultural Fields towards the treeline of the A228 and the boundary of the proposal. The oast occupies a position behind the farmhouse but has views mainly to the east of the treeline of the A228.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
IT is likely both the farmhouse and Oast will have views north, south and east of the development at East Capel especially as the northern part of the strategic site is allocated for economic development which is likely to include taller buildings. Noise and light pollution from the development itself are likely to increase significantly. Increased traffic will also generate more light and noise pollution and will carry over the flat landscape. No impact to the listed garden walls.
MITIGATION
203 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
The buffer between the development and the A228 needs to be extremely robust. Traffic noise will need to be mitigated for both the existing community and the new development.
204 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
93 IVY COTTAGES
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.82KM E CAPEL, 0.90KM FOG BY PASS HER Number: TQ64NW105
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name Ivy Cottages Summary: Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1800 to 1866 Grid Reference: TQ 6490 4530 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Post Medieval - 1800 AD to 1866 AD) Pair of small cottages. Probably early/mid C19. Ground FLOOR is Flemish bond red brick, first floor level is timber-framed and clad with weatherboards; brick stacks and chimneyshafts; peg-tile roof. Plan: Pair of contemporary mirror-plan cottages built alongside the road facing north. Each has a one-room plan with rear lateral stack and there are paired front doorways in the middle of the whole block. 2 storeys. Exterior: Overall symmetrical 2-window front of C20 casements with glazing bars. Paired front doorways both contain a C20 part-glazed door under an original shared flat hood on shaped timber brackets. Roof is parallel to the road and to left it is continuous with the roof over The Cottage (q.v.).
SETTING
The cottages are in the centre of Five Oak Village. Visually they are very pretty together with their neighbour The Cottage and are typically Kentish with white weather boarding. The houses sits close to the main road with very small front gardens.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The proximity to the road would make the cottages vulnerable to any increase in traffic especially HGV. It is likely they would suffer from sub surface vibration due to lack of foundations and noise would penetrate via both the fenestration and wooden top floor. The properties have suffered several severe flood events – this is exacerbated by “wash” from speeding cars.
MITIGATION
Installation of triple glazing would soundproof to some extent but due to the listing it is unlikely this would be permitted. Traffic calming measures, quiet tarmac, HGV ban and reduction in speed limit would alleviate some damage to the fabric. This would also ensure flooding not exacerbated.
205 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
94 WHITE COTTAGE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: 0.90KM E.CAPEL, 0.94KM TGV, 0.86KM FOG BY PASS
HER Number: TQ 64 NW 153 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: White Cottage Summary Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1800 to 1866 Grid Reference: TQ 6479 4532 Map Sheet: TQ64NW Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Post Medieval - 1800 AD to 1866 AD)
Small cottage. Early/mid C19, maybe earlier origins. Timber-framed, clad with weatherboards; brick stack and chimneyshaft; peg-tile roof. Plan: One-room plan cottage facing north with right (west) gable-end stack. 2 storeys with attics and lean-to outshots on let end and across rear. Exterior: Front doorway to left contains a late C19 4-panel door with a shallow timber hood. Alongside to right a contemporary horned 4-pane sash and at first FLOOR level an earlier C19 16-pane sash. The outshot to left has a separate front doorway containing a plank door and with a small window with glazing bars to left of it; both are C20. Main block roof is gable-ended and the attic is lit by a tiny fixed 4-pane window in the left end. Roof is carried down to rear over the outshot there. Interior: Not available for inspection at the time of this survey. This cottage is unusually complete for one so small.
SETTING
The cottage is in the centre of Five Oak Village. Visually its very pretty with typically Kentish with white weather boarding. The house sits close to the main road and has a small front garden surrounded by white picket fencing.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The proximity to the road would make the cottage vulnerable to any increase in traffic especially HGV. It is likely to suffer from sub surface vibration due to lack of foundations and noise would penetrate via both the fenestration and wooden frame.
MITIGATION
Installation of triple glazing would soundproof to some extent but due to the listing it is unlikely this would be permitted. Traffic calming measures, quiet tarmac, HGV ban and reduction in speed limit would alleviate some damage to the fabric of the property and reduce noise.
206 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
95 COLTS HILL FARMHOUSE
DISTANCE FROM EDGE OF PROPOSAL: C225 METRES FIVE OAK GREEN BY PASS
HER Number: TQ 64 SE 212
Type of record: Listed Building Grid Reference: TQ 6502 4406 Map sheet: TQ64SE Parish: Capel SITE: (Medieval to Modern - 1433 AD to 1979 AD)
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
List Entry Number: 1261385 Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: II Location: COLTS HILL FARMHOUSE, COLTS HILL, Capel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. National Grid Reference: TQ 65028 44064
House, formerly a farmhouse. Framed construction on brick and sandstone rubble footings, hung with peg-tiles; peg-tile roof; brick stacks. Circa mid C15 origins, remodelled in the circa late C17, rear addition of the 1970s.
Plan: The house is sited below the road and end on to it, facing south. The plan originated as a 4-bay open hall house with a 2-bay hall in the centre, the right (east) end storeyed. The original arrangement at the left (west) end is unclear. The C17 remodelling, which may have been in several phases, involved flooring the hall and inserting an axial stack with back-to-back fireplaces heating the 2 left-hand (west) rooms. There was probably a lobby entrance associated with this phase although the present front door is almost central and leads directly into the centre room. The wall framing shows evidence of considerable reconstruction and the medieval rafters have been re-used in the existing roof. In the 1970s a rear right wing was added on the same axis as the old house.
Exterior: 2 storeys. Asymmetrical 4-window front, the roof half-hipped at ends; axial stack with a modern brick shaft. Front right corner stack, probably C19, with a large rectangular sandstone bread oven. Almost central gabled porch on posts with a C19 plank front door. 1-, 2- and 3-light C20 casements with square leaded panes. The left (west) return has a probably 1930s 2-leaf door with a horizontal porch hood, a C19 3-light small-pane casement and a 3-light first floor C20 casement with square leaded panes. The right (east) return has a similar ground floor casement. The 1970s addition is brick and tile-hung with a peg-tile roof and casement windows with square leaded panes.
Interior: The C17 hall in the centre has a massive chamfered step-stopped crossbeam close to the axial stack and a massive axial beam; chamfered stopped joists. The partition between the hall and right hand (east) room has been moved, reducing the hall in size. The axial stack has no fireplace on the hall side, it has presumably been blocked. The right-hand room has original medieval joists of massive scantling and includes a trimmer for a stair. The left- hand room has 2 ceiling beams on the long axis, these are of a later character. The fireplace has been rebuilt. A stair rises from this room against the rear wall. The wall-framing includes re-used timbers and wall posts without
207 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group jowls. The medieval hall truss survives, immediately right (east) of the inserted stack. It has one massive hollow- chamfered arched brace intact, the other has been removed.
Roof: The roof appears to have been thoroughly rebuilt above the tie beams but re-using medieval smoke- blackened rafters which survive throughout the length of the roof space, augmented with later rafter couples. The joints are nailed. The medieval tie beam has a rough socket for a crown post. A plain post, with diagonal braces down to the tie, survives over the left (west) end of the roof, about 1.5 metres high, it does not appear to be part of the medieval arrangement.
An interesting traditional house of medieval origins.
SETTING
Colts Hill Farmhouse is a good example of a Kentish farmhouse typical of this part of the Low Weald. The Farmhouse is in a semi-rural position situated on the Maidstone Road (A228), which is a two-lane road with no footpaths or lighting. Although the site is adjacent to a mix of residential and commercial/agricultural property it has maintained its character, with extensive unspoilt open farmland and woodland immediately beyond the built area.
POTENTIAL IMPACT
The increase in traffic along Maidstone Road resulting from the development of Tudeley Garden Village will be further aggravated by the Five Oak Green by-pass, which will spoil the rurality of the area and risk damaging the structural integrity and historic setting of Colts Hill Farmhouse.
MITIGATION
The increase in traffic could be reduced by the provision of an alternative location for the Five Oak Green by-pass. This would, however, need to be subject to a separate impact assessment to ensure that the damage to the setting and buildings Colts Hill would not simply be moved to another part of Capel.
The danger to this historic location set within designated Green Belt could also be mitigated by not building a garden village at the Tudeley site.
208 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
BADSELL PARK FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
DISTANCE TO EDGE OF PROPOSALS: 1.49KM E CAPEL – NOT ASSESSED
HER Number: TQ 64 SE 249 Name: Badsell Park Farm or Home Farm (Bogs Hole) Summary: A dispersed plan FARMSTEAD. Grid Reference: TQ 6511 4340 Map Sheet: TQ64SE Parish: Capel Monument Types FARMSTEAD (Post Medieval - 1600 AD to 1600 AD)
96 BADSELL PARK FARMHOUSE
HER Number: TQ 64 SE 38 HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Badsell Park Farmhouse Summary Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1633 to 1899 Grid Reference: TQ 6506 4337 Map Sheet: TQ64SE Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Post Medieval - 1633 AD to 1899 AD)
Farmhouse. Late C19 remodelling and extension of a circa mid C17 house. The C17 core is framed, the ground FLOOR underbuilt in brick, the first floor tile-hung. The C19 phase is also brick and tile-hung; peg-tile roofs; brick stacks. Exterior: 2 storeys. Asymmetrical 4-window front with gables to the front at left and right, the right hand gable a 1980s addition. Late C19 open gabled porch to left of centre with timber struts in the gable and a half-glazed late C19 front door. Canted bay window to the left with a hipped roof, glazed with 2-light late C19 or C20 casements, 2 panes per light. The other windows, 2 to the right of the porch and 4 on the first floor are similar 2- and 3-light casements. The rear right wing has a half-hipped roof at the south end and a catslide roof to the outshut. Stack with staggered triple shafts.
97 BADSELL FARM OAST
HER Number: TQ 64 SE 71
209 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group
HISTORIC ENGLAND LISTING
Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Oasthouse immediately NW of Badsell Park Farmhouse
Summary Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1800 to 1932 Grid Reference: TQ 6508 4339 Map Sheet: TQ 64SE Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1800 AD to 1932 AD)
Oasthouse, in use as OFFICE and TEA ROOM associated with a farm trail. One early C19 KILN, stowage and second kiln probably early C20. Stowage English bond brick to the ground FLOOR, weatherboarded above; peg- tile roof. C20 kiln, Flemish bond brick with an asbestos slate roof; early C19 kiln Flemish bond brick with a tarred roof. Exterior: The cylindrical kiln has a conical roof and timber cowl. The rectangular kiln has a hipped roof with a ventilator along the ridge. The west front of the stowage has original paired plank doors in the centre and a central loft door above flanked by original top-hung 3-light casement windows. The rear elevation also preserves 3 original top-hung first floor casements. The rectangular kiln has paired C20 doors in the west end and 2 first floor doors on the south return. Included for group value with Badsell Park Farmhouse.
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98 TOP LODGE
See Somerhill, ref 3
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CASTLE HILL FARM (HISTORIC FARMSTEAD)
DISTANCE TO PROPOSAL: 1.72KM – NOT ASSESSED
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 201 Type of Record: Farmstead Name: Castle Hill Farm (Horseshoe Farm) Summary: A dispersed multiyard plan FARMSTEAD. Grid Reference: TQ 6105 4364 Map Sheet: TQ64SW Parish: Capel Monument Types FARMSTEAD (Post Medieval - 1600 AD to 1600 AD)
99 CASTLE HILL FARMHOUSE
DISTANCE TO PROPOSAL: 1.83KM – NOT ASSESSED
HER Number: TQ 64 SW 127 Type of Record: Listed Building Name: Castle Hill Farmhouse Summary: Grade II listed BUILDING. Main construction periods 1633 to 1866 Grid Rference: TQ 6105 4361 Map Sheet: TQ64SW Parish: Capel Monument Types SITE (Post Medieval - 1633 AD to 1866 AD) Farmhouse. Mid/late C17 origins, enlarged and modernised through several phases, notably in the early C18 and mid C19. Main block is timber-framed and clad with weatherboarding and the front of the older part is underbuilt with painted brick and end WALL is late C17/early C18 English bond brick; rear blocks and mid C19 parlour block is red brick with some of upper parts weatherboarded; brick stacks and chimneyshafts; peg-tile roof. Plan and Development: Farmhouse is set back from the road and it faces east north east, say east. Main block has a 3-room plan. The present layout is that of the C19. Dating of the various parts is not easy although the main block rear outshot appears to be part of the C18 alterations. 2 storeys with attics in the main block and the northern rear block room is open to the roof. Exterior: Regular but not symmetrical 5-window front of mid C19 casements with glazing bars. Front doorway is left of centre and contains a mid C19 part-glazed 4-panel door behind a contemporary gabled porch clad with diagonal planks and with wavey bargeboards. Main roof is gable-ended to left and half- hipped to right and it contains 4 gabled dormer windows.
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100 CASTLE HILL SCHEDULED MONUMENT
DISTANCE TO PROPOSAL: 1.83KM – NOT ASSESSED
HER Number: TQ 64 SW1 Type of Record: Monument Name Castle Hill Iron Age Hill Forts Summary: Two Iron Age contour hill-forts and associated earthworks. Mesolithic and Bronze Age flint implements and Neolithic pot sherds have been found at the SITE; now thought to be in Tunbridge Wells MUSEUM. The hillforts were first excavated in 1929 when they were thought to represent a single STRUCTURE. Since then a watching brief has taken place in 1965 and excavations in 1969-71. It is now believed that two hillforts are located on the spur of high ground. The first, larger hillfort has been radiocarbon dated to c.315 B.C. and the second smaller fort to c.228 B.C. Whilst flints and iron slag have been found at the site it is uncertain whether it was permanently occupied. The forts consisted of ramparts and ditches, with inner and outer banks. An iron stone roadway was also found leading to the east entrance of Fort I.
Grid Reference: TQ 60784384
Map Sheet: TQ64SW
Parish: Capel
Monument Types
APPROACH ROAD (Middle Iron Age to Late Iron Age - 315 BC? to 42 AD?)
HILLFORT (Middle Iron Age to Late Iron Age - 315 BC? to 42 AD?)
Associated Finds
LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Mesolithic - 10000 BC to 4001 BC)
LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)
POTTERY ASSEMBLAGE (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)
LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Bronze Age - 2350 BC? to 701 BC?)
(1) Castle Hill Camp, a multi-vallate hill-fort, with an area of c.17 acres, inside the outer bank. It was excavated by S.E. Winbolt, in 1929, when flint artefacts and iron slag were found.
(2-3) The Castle Hill earthworks are situated on a spur of high round, running from NE to SW, c. 400 feet above sea-level. The natural slopes are nowhere very steep. The true nature of this earthwork is uncertain; it does cut off the promontory but its defensive value is negated by the weak flanking slopes. There is no evidence that it was ever directly connected to the contour fort.
Excavations were carried out in 1969, 1970 and 1971 and a watching brief in May-June 1965 during pylon construction (7). An interim report appeared in 1971 (10). Worked flints and waste material, mainly Mesolithic, and three Neolithic sherds were found but there were no concentrations to suggest occupation in these periods. Fort I, Radiocarbon dated to c.315 BC, enclosed an area of 2-9 acres. The north-eastern defences are intact and the
213 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group entrance was positioned centrally on the east side. South of the entrance the earthwork has been badly mutilated. The south-eastern defences have been demolished but there are definite signs on air photographs.
Fort II, carbon dated to c.228BC, enclosed an area of 2.5 acres. Two-thirds of the earthwork still survives, consisting of a single bank and a ditch except in the north-west corner where there is a counter-scarp bank. The north-east defences have been demolished but it is still visible as a slight ground swelling. A large hill top camp of an ovoid shape defended by a double intrenchment.
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5. OVERVIEW OF SIGNIFICANCE OF HISTORIC FEATURES
5.1 Many of the historic features of the landscape are of great importance to the local community. There are many oast houses that do not enjoy the protection of statutory listing but are none the less highly valued. They are also finite assets for the future. Generally a heritage asset will demonstrate significant architectural, artistic and/or historic interest.
5.2 “LHAs do not have to be buildings; they can potentially include anything within the environment, such as archaeological sites, street furniture or even distinctive natural landscape features, iconic vistas, as well as designed parks or gardens.”3 TWBC Local Heritage Assets SPD June 2012
5.3 This is particularly true of Capel where the natural landscape in the main provides a valued rural setting for the many remaining dispersed farmsteads reinforced by the protection of high functioning MGB that separates Tonbridge and Paddock Wood. HA’s in Capel range from the Memorial Cottages at Brampton Bank built for local WW1 veterans, to the local village stores, to the Grade 1 listings of Somerhill with its park and gardens, All Saints with 12 priceless Chagall windows and St Thomas A Becket with its mediaeval frescos.
5.4 Para 1.21 Significance is a word to summarise what is important about a building or place, whether it is designated as an historic asset or not….farmsteads can be considered on 2 levels:
• significance as a traditional farmstead in its own setting • local and national significance
The research has re-emphasised the importance of historic farmsteads to Tunbridge Wells' rural areas.
Traditional farmstead groups and their buildings make a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness. “…..they are under the greatest threat of neglect on one hand, and development on the other, than any rural building type”.
National and local research has highlighted the significance of traditional farmsteads as assets which contribute to landscape character, local distinctiveness and rural economies and communities. 4Kent Farmsteads Assessment Guidance 2016
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6. OVERVIEW OF SETTING AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HERITAGE ASSETS
6.1 The historic farmsteads prevalent throughout out Capel hark of an earlier rural way of life away from the suburbs and the built environment. The open, arable landscape and its strong retention of dispersed settlements contribute to the particular character of the land and to its key sensitivities. This area can still overall be read as a historic working landscape formed of dispersed farmsteads. Farm buildings, cottages, public houses and old mills are surrounded by open fields. The topography of this area contributes greatly to its sensitivities, as wide views of the surrounding landscape provide an understanding of each buildings relationship with the land with views into and out of the AONB.
6.2 “1.15 Very few farmsteads worked the land from villages; rural settlement in this part of England is dominated by isolated farmsteads and hamlets which developed from earlier seasonal camps (called ‘dens’) used for foraging pigs from the communities around the Weald in the Saxon period. Farmsteads in areas of ancient enclosure often sit astride a road or public path or are at a junction of routeways, which can give high levels of public access to the farmsteads. “
NOTE: There may be listed and unlisted buildings within an historic farmstead, but the unlisted buildings will be treated by the Planning Department is the same way. This would increase the number of heritage assets significantly”.4 Kent Farmsteads Assessment Guidance 2016
6.3 The low weald characteristics as set out in this report, the rural nature of Capel and the importance of the GB setting of the majority of these assets are of considerable significance. The lack of urban sprawl contributes greatly to the settings. Choosing this landscape to site 4000+ new dwellings will destroy the integral setting of many of the assets in Capel.
Of particular note is the setting of All Saints Church in Tudeley, which so delighted and inspired Marc Chagall to create another 11 windows after his initial commission.
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7. OVERVIEW OF MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE TO THE SETTING AND SIGNIFICANCE
7.1 The magnitude of cumulative change to the setting and significance of the heritage assets in Capel can’t be over stated. The proposal to site over 4,000 new dwellings will mean the character of the area will be altered forever. The settlement of Five Oak Green is not a sprawling village as it is contained within the MGB and new development limited to infill so far. If the two strategic sites are developed the whole parish will coalesce with Paddock Wood to the east and Tonbridge to the west. Returning to the importance of the Chagall windows is the significant impact of bringing the suburbs to its doorstep with noise and light pollution and the threat of vandalism.
7.2 The proposals for two areas of development each based on garden village principles will change the parish in areas that have remained historically intact for centuries. The GB constraint on both sites has ensured that survival. In East Capel the constraint of being a floodplain has also helped to maintain the character of the area.
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8. OVERVIEW OF POTENTIAL FOR ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION OF POTENTIAL HARM
8.1 The potential for enhancement and mitigation should be contained within the various core policies however they are written to suggest they might apply to a singular new property or small developments. In many cases they appear diametrically opposed to the creation of two enormous new urban developments. Whilst wishing to conserve, enhance and protect the detail of how these policies might apply to the strategic sites is not detailed.
1.New developments can be highly visible over a wide area on these slopes and detract from the essential countryside character.
2.Ensure that any urban/suburban edges are tied into the local landscape through planting (e.g. hedges, shelter belts, small woodland copses and orchards) as well as ensuring an appropriate graduation in scale of built development to create an appropriate setting and sympathetic transition from urban to rural.
Consider the vulnerability of this open lowland landscape to built development which is likely to be very visible in views. Ensure that any urban/suburban edges are tied into the local landscape through planting (e.g. hedges, shelter belts, small woodland copses and orchards) as well as ensuring an appropriate graduation in scale of built development to create an appropriate setting and sympathetic transition from urban to rural.
2TWBC Landscape Character Assessment Supplementary Planning Document 2017 (LUC)
8.2 Policy STR8
Conserving and Enhancing the Natural, Built, and Historic Environment
1. The landscape character of the borough will be protected through retention and enhancement of the key characteristics or valued landscape features and qualities, as well as through the restoration of landscape character, in accordance with the objectives of the Borough Landscape Character Assessment SPD;
2. Development proposals must be informed by a clear understanding of the landscape context (on- and off-site) and demonstrate how it has incorporated and enhanced site characteristics and landscape features, avoiding and minimising harm wherever possible. Landscape mitigation, where required, should be identified at the outset of the scheme design process to ensure that proposals are truly landscape-led and should be used to reinforce and restore landscape character. All new landscaping should make a positive contribution to landscape character;
6. The designated and non-designated heritage assets of the borough, including historic field patterns, routeways, listed buildings, conservation areas, Scheduled Ancient Monuments, archaeological sites, and historic parks and gardens, will be conserved and enhanced, and special regard will be had to their settings;
7. The designated and non-designated heritage assets of the borough, including historic field patterns, routeways, listed buildings, conservation areas, Scheduled Ancient Monuments, archaeological sites, and historic parks and gardens, will be conserved and enhanced, and special regard will be had to their settings;
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8.3 Whilst this Strategy is to be applauded there is no evidence at this stage of how this protection and enhancement might be achieved. Any mitigation as it states should be addressed at the outset of a scheme. It is noted that at para 7. the term “will be” is used rather than in other strategies where the rather more usual “where possible”
8.4 Policy EN4
Historic Environment
All new development shall contribute to the overall conservation and, where possible, enhancement, of the historic environment of the borough. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposals have regard to the advice set out in government historic environment policy and guidance ….
6.51 The historic environment of the borough is an irreplaceable and valuable asset
The borough has a distinctive heritage, which can be easily identified through the diversity of its heritage assets, including: isolated farmsteads;…..surrounded by ancient farmsteads, and linked by ancient routeways; …medieval moated sites….; distinctive oast kilns and hoppers huts seen throughout the borough;
6.56 Proposals for development will be required to reflect the local distinctiveness, condition (state of repair), and sensitivity to change of the historic environment,
This Policy uses terms such as “have regard, where possible, consideration” words that do not convey any surety that the Policy will safeguard our unique historic environment despite acknowledging that it is an irreplaceable asset.
8.5 Policy EN5
Heritage Assets
Proposals that affect a designated or non-designated heritage asset, or its setting, will normally only be permitted where the development conserves or enhances the character, appearance, amenity, and setting of the asset.
6.60 As set out in the NPPF, heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource that should be conserved or enhanced in a manner appropriate to their significance. Any harm or loss will require a clear and convincing justification
6.66 Development that would have an adverse impact on their special historic or architectural interest, or their formal or natural landscape setting, will not normally be permitted.
6.67 The setting, significance, and importance of historic buildings can be seriously harmed by inappropriate neighbouring developments and/or uses.
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It is to be hoped that TWBC abide by this policy and recognise the significant harm that the LP as it stands will cause. Housing need alone can not be used as any justification.
8.6 Policy EN18
Rural Landscape
Development will be required to:
1. Conserve and enhance the unique and diverse variety and juxtaposition of the borough’s landscape and the special features that contribute positively to the local sense of place;
2. Include appropriate mitigation to ensure against significant harm to the landscape setting of settlements, including historic farmsteads and hamlets;
3. Not result in unsympathetic change to the character of a rural lane, which is of landscape, amenity, nature conservation, or historic or archaeological importance;
4. Restore landscape character where it has been eroded;
5. Preserve intrinsically dark landscapes in accordance with Policy EN 8: Outdoor Lighting and Dark Skies.
6.222 The whole landscape of the borough is a result of the traditional interactions of mankind with the natural environment over hundreds of years, resulting in a range of distinctive features, such as field, woodland, and settlement patterns that have arisen out of the ancient woodland of the Weald, and is generally of a high quality.
6.223 The character and attractive appearance of the countryside is one the principal assets of the borough, and its protection will be an important consideration during the assessment of all development proposals… Features such as routeways, …. and farmsteads have a vital role in defining the character of the countryside, providing highly visible evidence of the historical evolution of the landscape. Proposals should be capable of being easily assimilated without detracting from these features, which contribute to the character of the locality.
Landscape setting of the towns and villages
6.224 The landscape setting of the towns and villages is an important feature of the borough. Many of the settlements are situated on ridgelines and are particularly prominent when viewed from the countryside. Because of the topography, however, other settlements on lower land may also be viewed from higher areas across the attractive countryside. Development proposals should have regard for the setting of all types of settlement, with particular regard for the underlying historic pattern of settlement, and should seek to avoid coalescence between settlements.
8.7 Several roads within Capel are included in the “Rural Lanes” Supplementary Document.
Sherenden Road (No 125) will become the main road through what would be the new town of TGV and Hartlake Road (no 124) is the western boundary to this strategic site. Both are amongst the most highly scoring lanes in the borough. Hartlake Road is in the top 5% for historic value (Appendix 4) whilst both Sherenden and Hartlake in the top 10% for high landscape and amenity value (Appendix 3) 5 SPD “Rural Lanes”
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Sychem Lane (no. 127), Church Lane (No 128) and Alders Road (no 126) will be adversely affected by the proposed FOG by pass and fall within the top10% or 20-30% historic, amenity or landscape value.
8.8 It is unclear how this Policy relates or supports in any way to the Strategic Sites Policies. As such the evidence base to support the two sites and accompanying new road infrastructure, has not been positively prepared and is therefore unsound.
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9. STRATEGIC SITES AND THE MASTERPLANS
9.1 Policy STR/SS1
5.154 Whilst there are no listed buildings within the allocated sites, there are clusters of listed buildings adjacent to the site boundaries at Badsell Manor Farm, Whetsted, Mascalls Court, and south of Church Farm. The settings of these buildings form an important part of the heritage of the town. They are predominantly related to the agricultural and productive land history of the town, featuring some examples of oast houses (for drying of hops) and traditional farmsteads.
The strategy itself makes no mention of heritage protection or enhancement. The above refers twice to “the town”. Capel is not part of Paddock Wood
9.2 Policy STR/SS3
7. Require a high quality layout and design. In particular: a. consideration should be given to the key landscape characteristics, views, and the setting of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; b. particular respect should be given to the setting of heritage assets, especially All Saints Church;
This strategy gives no detail as to how any impact on heritage assets and their unique settings might be mitigated. ‘Consideration” and “respect” are as meaningless as Mr Teachers intention to create “a dialogue between” All Saints” and the proposed new school opposite it”.
9.3 Policy STR/CA1
This section lists no mitigation measures in any form regarding landscape or heritage assets and in fact fails to mention them. It details the destruction of an historic environment and landscape by way of the above two policies. 4. Provides for “compensatory improvements to the GB, including measure to reduce flooding in areas of FOG”
It is hard to see how existing GB can be “improved” and why does this “include” flooding as if GB is the reason?? Flooding thoughout Capel is an issue not just FOG (Alders Rd, not in FOG suffered severe flooding in February 2020).
This shows a lack of robustness in the evidence base surrounding Capel and an attempt to confound regarding the actual make up of the parish.
9.4 Hadlow Estates Masterplan
“Existing buildings and Heritage Constraints
The are several existing buildings on site. Some are owned by HE. These include a collection of buildings in the centre of the site at Bank Farm. Where the estate owns the buildings they have been included in the red line of plan of the site. Other existing buildings are in private ownership…..they will exist within or on the edge of the TV dev, and the masterplan has been designed to ensure a good interrelation between these buildings and the new development. An
222 TWBC Draft Local Plan / Representation Under Regulation 19 SAVECAPEL/Heritage Group example of these buildings include The Old Schoolhouse (now privately owned) …a large oasthouse on the sw boundary….” “some of these buildings are heritage assets that have been assessed as part of a wider study. The heritage constraints and opportunities across the site are well understood, and the masterplan has been developed to protect, respect and where appropriate celebrate these assets”. Page 30 6 Tudeley Village Delivery Plan
9.4.1 The words “listed building’ are missing from the delivery plan & it is not mentioned above that Bank Farm is a listed building.
9.4.2 Lilley Farmhouse, Sherenden Farm, (both at the centre of the new town) Tudeley Hall and Crockhurst Farm to name a few do not warrant a mention. Where is the assessment of heritage assets “as part of a wider study”? Why is this not attached as an Appendix?
9.4.3 The Constraints Map on page 35 of the section entitled Masterplan has included 5 purple dots in the key to indicate listed buildings. These are owned by the Hadlow Estates. Sherenden Farmhouse and Lilley Barn are absent. On the boundary but surrounded by new housing on all three sides are Tudeley Hall and of course the G1 “All Saints Church”. To not address or even acknowledge the impact of a new town is highly questionable.
9.5 David Lock Associates Masterplan (Land at East Capel & Paddock Wood)
9.5.1 The masterplan heritage section is lacking any detail. 9 small paragraphs to cover the whole subject.
"Site context”
4.108 High concentration of oasthouses around Paddock Wood
4.109 Except for a single building within the town centre allocation, no listed buildings lie within the draft allocations
4.110 There are clusters of listed buildings adjacent to the site boundaries at:
Badsell Manor Farm
Whetsted village
Mascalls Court
S of Church Farm
4.111 The settings of these buildings form an important part of the heritage of the town”.
9.5.2 No in depth research has been undertaken regarding heritage assets, for instance Tudeley Brook Farm on the boundary of the site, although not listed is within the HER as an historic farmstead.
9.5.3 Badsell Manor itself as previously noted has 13C origins and is of great local significance as a moated manor house in a lovely rural setting, and is somewhat more than just “on the boundary” – DLA do not mention this fact but do refer to a site to the East of Paddock with the remains of a former moat which would suggest a downplaying of a valuable asset.
4.114 “The setting of the listed heritage properties needs to be considered carefully with opportunities to create views towards these historic sites” 7 DLA Masterplan
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9.5.4 Whilst views towards the manor for residents of the new town might be pleasant, views from the manor and its setting do not warrant a mention!
9.5.6 “A revision of ancient Woodland” 8TWBC 2007. Map 5 shows an area of ancient of woodland south of Lydd Farm and appears to be in the path of the proposed new FOG By-Pass. “Access and Movement” 9Stantec shows the indicative path but not only omits showing ancient woodland but any trees
9.5.7 No mention has been made of how the IAs (Important Areas) for noise identified by DEFRA on the A228 will be addressed. One IA is Dampiers roundabout which will be significantly exacerbated by the increase in vehicles and affect the setting of the cluster of HA’s located at Badsell Manor, the other the IA which runs close to Whetsted again identified above as a cluster of HA’s.
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10. CONCLUSION
10.1 This assessment was undertaken with the purpose of identifying the potential impact both on Capel as a whole, and the impact on the significance of the individual heritage assets.
10.2 It has identified the value and susceptibility of Capel and of the heritage assets within its defined character.
10.3 The assessment has produced a number of important conclusions, not least to further highlight the high contribution that setting makes to the significance of heritage assets. In particular a number of areas were identified as being of cumulatively high value, in regard to their value as a whole, and in relation to individual heritage assets within them. This is particularly true of the dispersed nature of many of the historic farmsteads identified.
10.4 Allocated development sites listed in the TWBC Local Plan are deemed to have automatically received outline planning permission. Without any prior assessment of the impact of the strategic sites and the effect of potential new by passes on an historic landscape this must put the delivery of the LP at risk if the evidence base is not robust.
10.5 There is no up dated SER scoping within the document base. Historic England as statutory consultees were consulted in 2016. There was no indication at this stage of the TGV plan, since the Reg.18 consultation the proportion of houses allocated to East Capel has actually risen by some 700 houses!
10.6 EIAs will be prepared at planning app stage – with the magnitude of development for Capel in the TWBC LP (over 50% of the allocation) it is suggested that this is not appropriate in the case of the 2 strategic sites. This view would appear to be supported by the Planning Inspectors appointed to examine Tandridge DC LP.
Tandridge DC Local Plan Dec 2020 PINs Philip Lewis
• “The Inspector has specifically mentioned Star Fields (identified as policy HSG12 in the Plan) in his letter, noting the absence of an assessment of the heritage aspects of the site and the potential impact of development on them - he requests that a heritage assessment should be provided by TDC. “
Decision 30th November 2015: Appeal:OS Plot 8200 Badsell Road, Capel
• 22.3h solar photovoltaic park on land 120m S. of Five Oak Green • The appeal is made by Capel Grange Solar Energy Company against Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
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The appeal was DISMISSED
• The secretary of State agreed that the proposal would harm the character of the area and would have a significant adverse effect of moderate/substantial significance on the local landscape. • The proposal would have a moderate adverse effect on the setting of G11 Brook Farmhouse. (156m from the edge of the proposal)The Secretary of State agrees that this is a consideration which should be give special weight and considerable importance in the overall planning balance
10.7 The significant harmful impact on many of Capel’s heritage assets, the dramatic change of the historic rural landscape that comprises this parish to urbanisation, the loss of the dark skies, the increase in noise and pollution are all indisputable. The Local Plan as it stands is inequitable, a disproportionate burden on one area of the borough, will not meet the needs or improve the lives of the existing community and importantly does not have the support of the community.
10.8 Neither TWBC nor the masterplanners have demonstrated that “full account needs to be taken of the landscape and environmental sensitivities of each site, as well as respecting local distinctiveness and providing for enhancements” nor how harm to the existing landscape and thus the setting of heritage assets might be minimized or even avoided. It has not been demonstrated how any affected heritage assets will be enhanced. Far from protection proffered in Core Policies, the LP will actually cause irreversible damage. There is an inconsistency between the Core Policies and the Strategic Policies and no evidence offered as to how they can be implemented at the same time. For these reasons it is concluded that the LP as it stands is unsound.
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PLAN SHOWING THE SUBJECT AREAS
Yellow: Tudeley Garden Village to the west and the East Capel plan to the east Blue: The village of Five Oak Green Red: Areas within TGV that are excluded
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PLAN SHOWING THE ZONES OF INFLUENCE
If one takes a 1km buffer zone from the boundaries of the new areas of development, the village of Five Oak Green sits in the centre. There is no ‘space’ between the developments. The listed buildings are the blue triangles.
East Capel site set within a 1km buffer zone. The blue triangles are all the listed buildings.
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PLAN SHOWING LOCATION OF LISTED BUIDLINGS IN RELATION TO PROPOSED TUDELEY GARDEN VILLAGE AND 1KM ZONE OF INFLUENCE NUMBERED TO RELFECT THE ENTRIES
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PLAN SHOWING LOCATION OF LISTED BUIDLINGS MOST AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED BY-PASS, NUMBERED TO RELFECT THE ENTRIES IN THE REPORT
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PLAN SHOWING LOCATION OF LISTED BUIDLINGS MOST AFFECTED BY PROPOSED SITE AT EAST CAPEL, NUMBERED TO RELFECT THE ENTRIES IN THE REPORT
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11. APPENDIX
1 “Standard Guidance for Environment Desk Based Assessment” CIfA 2014 updated 2017
2 TWBC Landscape Character Assessment Supplementary Planning Document 2017 (LUC)
HTTPS://DEMOCRACY.TUNBRIDGEWELLS.GOV.UK/DOCUMENTS/S31439/TUNBRIDGE%20WELLS%20 BOROUGH%20LANDSCAPE%20CHARACTER%20ASSESSMENT%202017.PDF
3 Kent Farmsteads Assessment Guidance 2016 HTTPS://TUNBRIDGEWELLS.GOV.UK/__DATA/ASSETS/PDF_FILE/0003/118803/FARMSTEADS-SPD- ADOPTED-FEB-2016_LOWRES.PDF
4 TWBC Local Heritage Assets SPD June 2012 HTTPS://TUNBRIDGEWELLS.GOV.UK/__DATA/ASSETS/PDF_FILE/0007/343627/LIST-OF-LOCAL- HERITAGE-ASSETS_ADOPTED-2012.PDF
5 SPD “Rural Lanes” HTTPS://TUNBRIDGEWELLS.GOV.UK/__DATA/ASSETS/PDF_FILE/0004/343633/SPG_RURAL_LANES
6 Hadlow Estates Delivery Plan HTTPS://EN.CALAMEO.COM/READ/005138646E3C91CE5482A?AUTHID=OFMFWZ3Z9AB7
7 DLA Masterplan
HTTPS://TUNBRIDGEWELLS.GOV.UK/__DATA/ASSETS/PDF_FILE/0006/385395/01_STRATEGIC- SITES-MASTERPLANNING-AND-INFRASTRUCTURE-MAIN-REPORT.PDF
8 “A revision of ancient woodland” TWBC 2007 HTTPS://TUNBRIDGEWELLS.GOV.UK/__DATA/ASSETS/PDF_FILE/0006/39129/HE_ANCIENT_WOODL AND_INVENTORY_OCT07.PDF
9 Stantec Access and movement ://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/385446/Appendix-4_Access-and-Movement-Report- Stantec_03b_Appendix-B_Tudeley.pdf
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