Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal & Management Plan June 2011 Conservation Area Appraisal & Management Plan

June 2011

This document was drafted by Forum Heritage Services for District Council. Contents

Part 1: Purpose and Scope of Study 1 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Consultation 1 3.0 Planning Policy Context 1

Part 2: Appraisal 2 4.0 Location and Setting 2 5.0 Historic Development and Archaeology 2 Historic Background 2 Settlement Plan 3 Archaeological Potential 3 Key Historic Influences 3 6.0 Spatial Analysis 4 Character Areas: 4 1. Manor House School, The Grange and environs 5 2. Little Bookham Street & Lower Road 7 7.0 Architectural and historic qualities of buildings 9 8.0 Activity: prevailing and former uses 11 9.0 Contribution made by key unlisted buildings 11 10.0 Prevalent local and traditional materials 11 11.0 Contribution made by green spaces, trees and hedges 13 12.0 Key views, vistas and panoramas 14 13.0 Degree of loss of architectural and/or historic elements 14 14.0 Negative elements 14 15.0 Conclusion 15

Part 3: Management Plan 16 16.0 Introduction 16 17.0 Overview of the condition of the Conservation Area 16 18.0 Summary of the public consultation 17 19.0 Management Proposals 17 20.0 Proposals for enhancement 17 21.0 Article 4 Directions 18 22.0 New Buildings in the Conservation Area 19

Bibliography and references 20 Appendices 21 A General design guidance for new buildings in Conservation Areas 21 Glossary 22 Part 1: Purpose and Scope of study

1.0 Introduction 3.4 In order to undertake works of enhancement, the character of the Conservation Area needs to be clearly defined and 1.1 understood (the character appraisal). This is in line with Little Bookham is one of 28 designated Conservation Areas in government guidance on the management of the historic the Mole Valley District. It was designated by County environment through Informed Conservation (English Heritage Council as a Conservation Area in March 1974 and amended 2001). It also seeks to utilise principles used in characterisation by Mole Valley District Council in April 1995. techniques promoted by English Heritage.

2.0 3.5 Mole Valley District Council encapsulated the broad principles Consultation of this Government Guidance in Policy CS14 ‘Townscape, Urban Design and the Historic Environment’ of the Core 2.1 Strategy Development Plan Document (DPD). Forming part of This draft appraisal has been informed by a questionnaire its Local Development Framework (LDF) for the District, the sent to all residents and businesses in the Conservation Area. Core Strategy policy requires all new development to respect The questionnaire was also made available on the Council’s and enhance the character of the area in which it is proposed web site. Comments and opinions have been important in the whilst making the best use of previously developed land. drafting of this document and in the conclusions reached. 3.6 2.2 In support of the Core Strategy DPD, the Council will also continue to use ‘saved ‘ policies from the Mole Valley Local Following a public exhibition in the Bookham Baptist church Plan (2000) which are yet to be superseded by the Core and a further period to comment on this document, revisions Strategy or other Development Plan Documents, such as the will be made before the final document is published. Development Management DPD. Such policies include ENV39 (Development in Conservation Areas) and other similar policies covering specific types of development which may impact on the special character of the District’s Conservation Areas. 3.0 The Council has also prepared the Built Up Areas Character Appraisals Supplementary Document which describes in Planning Policy Context detail the urban character of the District. The Area Character Appraisals complement this document. 3.1 Section 69 1(a) and 2 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (‘the Act’) defines Conservation Areas as: ‘Areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’

3.2 In addition, the Act puts particular emphasis on specific duties: ‘It shall be the duty of the local authority from time to time to review the past exercise of functions under this section and to determine whether any parts or any further parts of their area should be designated as Conservation Areas…’

3.3 This is reinforced by the guidance set out in Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment (PPS5). In particular, the local authority should from time to time, formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of these Conservation Areas (the management plan).

Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 1 Part 2: Appraisal

4.0 valuations of the two estates, Little Bookham being valued at 60s against ’s £16, and the population, there Location and Setting being approximately 20-25 people in Little Bookham and 4.1 approximately 150 in Great Bookham. Little Bookham village lies 5 km (c.3 miles) south-west of , Surrey on the north and south side of the A246. 5.1.5 The village lies in a gently undulating landscape which rises The village remained in the hands of the de Braiose family gradually to the south towards and the until 1324 when it passed to Hugh le Dispenser. It passed scarp of the beyond which is some 4 km (2½ two years later to John de Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk and in miles) south of the village centre. To the north of the village is the 1470s to Richard, Duke of York, second son of Edward Little Bookham Common, an area of woodland adjacent to the IV. On Richard’s death (he was the younger of the two princes larger Great Bookham Common beyond which the landscape murdered in the Tower of London in 1483) the Lordship extends onto the heavy London Clays and into the valley of the reverted to the Crown. However, by 1498 the manor was in the River Mole. The village itself lies on the Thanet and Woolwich hands of Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey, later passing to his Beds below the chalk on the spring line. son William Howard, Lord of Effingham.

5.0 5.1.6 Historic Development and Archaeology As with Great Bookham, much village development took place in the 16th century. Many houses in the vicinity survive from 5.1 this period, including the late 15th century/early 16th century Historic Background hall house now known as Half Moon Cottage, the 16th century 5.1.1 Dawes Cottage, and the late 16th century farmhouse, now The The locality of Little Bookham has been occupied since Windsor Castle Public House. Neolithic times with flints found in the southern part of the . Evidence for prehistoric activity within the village itself is 5.1.7 limited. Little Bookham Manor stayed in the Howard family until it was sold in the 1630s, coming into the ownership of the Maddox 5.1.2 family. 17th century houses surviving in the village today There is no evidence for a Roman settlement in the vicinity include: the former farmhouse of Half Way House, Childs Hall of Little Bookham but a Roman brooch was found alongside Road; Rose Cottage; and Post Cottage, Little Bookham Street. Rectory Lane. Otherwise, the main evidence for Roman activity The settlement of farmhouses and cottages remained small in the area comes from the find of a hoard of Roman coins at and developed piecemeal. The 18th century saw the Maddox Bagden Farm near the North Downs. The major Roman road, Manor House built as well as Manor Farm with its farmhouse Stane Street, runs through and Leatherhead 5-6 km and farm buildings comprising timber-framed barn, stables, east of the village. cattle shelters and cart shed.

5.1.3 5.1.8 Anglo-Saxon settlements developed along the narrow strip Little Bookham remained a modest settlement into the 19th of Thanet Sand lying between the clay lands to the north and century. By 1842 the village comprised: the church, Manor chalk hills to the south. Great Bookham developed on the House, Manor Farm and village pound? south of Lower Road; well-drained gravel beds found at intervals along the Thanet a farm accessed via Water Lane; timber-framed cottages lining Sand. The first documentary reference to Bookham appears Little Bookham Street and Preston Cross House (later Hotel); in a charter of AD 675 granting twenty dwellings in Bookham The Grange (shown in outline) and rectory on Rectory Lane. By and Effingham to Abbey although this reference may 1869, The Grange was fully established with a ‘D’ plan walled relate to Great Bookham. The place name Bookham is derived kitchen garden. The manor passed through marriage to the from the Old English Bocheham meaning ‘the hamlet of the Pollen’s in 1917. It was sold in 1937 and the Manor House beech trees’. converted into a school. During its life as the manor house it was seldom occupied by the Lords of the Manor, instead being tenanted for long periods. 5.1.4

The of 1086 makes the first known distinction 5.1.9 between the settlements of Great and Little Bookham and tells us that before 1086 Little Bookham was held by Godtovi from Inter-war housing and the growth of nearby Leatherhead Earl Harold. After the conquest the estate was held by Halsard transformed the area so that by the 1930s there had been from William de Braiose. The relative size of the two estates huge expansion to the east of the village whilst the west suggested by the suffixes Great and Little are apparent in the remained rural. Development continued post-war and

2 Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan eventually nearby Great Bookham became hemmed in by 5.4 housing development to the north and east and the villages of Key historic influences Great and Little Bookham became linked by housing on Lower Road and Little Bookham Street. The key historic influences and characteristics of Great Bookham are: The geology of the area ensured the development of the 5.1.10 village on dry land due to the well-drained gravel beds The Lordship was bequeathed to the in 1978, placed at intervals along the Thanet Sand which also cares for Little Bookham Common and Banks Charter of 675 mentions Bookham in control of Chertsey Common. Abbey Parish church built in c.1100 5.2 Settlement Plan Village comprises timber-framed farmhouses and cottages some of which survive from the 15th and 16th centuries 5.2.1 From 17th century to 19th century a period of stagnation Historic maps show that there were two areas of development with no major development until the 19th century in Little Bookham; the church and manor house stood in 19th century consolidation of linear settlement relative isolation with the core of settlement located around 20th century infill with inter-war housing growth to the east Preston Cross and along Little Bookham Street to the north. Post-war housing developments linking the village to Great Bookham 5.2.2

The rural settlement, with timber-framed cottages, interspersed with village farms, remained small until the 19th century. The 20th century saw infill along Lower Road, Little Bookham Street and Rectory Lane but the settlement remained small with a rural outlook. Post-war development to the east linked Great and Little Bookham.

5.3 Archaeological Potential 5.3.1 Two Sites of Archaeological Potential, areas covering the medieval church and the area around Preston Cross, have been identified by Surrey County Council. The latter area possibly defines at least part of the extent of medieval Little Bookham. Accordingly, any future development proposals on sites or that have not been compromised by development within the defined areas may be subject to archaeological conditions in accordance with PPS 5.

5.3.2 Similarly, late medieval to 17th century timber-framed buildings within the village may also have the potential to shed further light on the development of the village and development proposals may be subject to recording conditions.

Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 3 6.0 6.2 Overview of the character of the Little Bookham Conservation Area Spatial Analysis 6.1 6.2.1 Character Areas The Little Bookham Conservation Area has two distinct 6.1.1 sub-divisions focused on two distinct groups of historic Conservation areas are designated for their special character, buildings. The first, to the south-west, is an area of strong rural but within the area there will be zones which are varied but character comprising the early 18th century Manor Farm with contribute to the whole. It is important to define these ‘sub outbuildings and tithe barn, the Manor House School and 12th areas’ and provide a clear understanding of the defining century parish church of All Saints. This group is linked by elements making up the character of a particular part of fields to the east to a further group of buildings comprising the the Conservation Area. This leads to a more useful and Preston Cross Hotel at Preston Cross and The Grange to the comprehensive document for the exercise of the Council’s south of Preston Cross. Both are substantial, former residential statutory planning functions and the management of properties now in commercial and institutional uses. development. 6.2.2 6.1.2 The second character area lies to the north spreading out from When using this document it is important to note that in the centre at Preston Cross along Little Bookham Street to the all cases the transitional areas between defined character north and Lower Road to the east and west. This residential areas are also important. These areas do not easily fit into area contains a fine collection of 16th and 17th century brick the defined character areas but can often be important to and timber-framed vernacular buildings. both. Areas not easily characterised remain important to the character and appearance of the Little Bookham Conservation 6.2.3 Area. These areas will often require more sensitivity rather than less, as they have to link two or more character areas. Intermixed with fields and lined with native, mixed hedging this Character areas often overlap. This is very much the case in area retains its essential rural character despite being so close Little Bookham where, despite there being distinctive areas of to the suburbs of Leatherhead. The survival of early buildings development, there are strong linkages throughout, especially from the period of sparsely distributed farms and cottages at Preston Cross. along lanes and surrounded by fields and commons, adds to the historic character and spatial qualities of the settlement.

6.1.3 6.2.4 It should be noted that whilst two sub areas have been identified, it is also important to appreciate each area The groupings of key buildings such as the Manor House, contributes? to the cohesion of the whole of the Conservation Manor Farm and parish church are important survivals of the Area. This point should always be considered when addressing village’s historic settlement pattern and have considerable issues relating to the character of the Little Bookham historic and architectural significance. Despite 20th century Conservation Area. intervention, they continue to be important positive elements which make up the special character and appearance of the village today. 6.1.4

Each character area makes reference to the following in bullet 6.3 points: Form (cohesiveness – why is it a character area?). Scale and building line Significant groups Materials Views Local features

Figure 1 Open fields divide the character area into two separate areas of built form

4 Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan Character Areas appearance of the Conservation Area. In some cases 1. Manor House School, The Grange & Environs these buildings are linked into cohesive groups. At Manor Farm, the farmhouse and farm buildings collectively form This character area comprises approximately two thirds of a historically significant farmstead group with a varied the Conservation Area. It is situated to the south of Preston roofscape (Figure 4) seen from various viewpoints within Cross and bounded by Lower Road to the north and and beyond the Conservation Area. Manor House School, Rectory Lane to the east. There are groupings of important with its 19th century Lodge and its Flemish bond brick buildings associated with the previous high status land garden wall, form a group with a strong visual connection owners set among fields and formal gardens. The focal to the 12th century parish church when viewed from the group of the church, manor house and farm are separated church yard (Figure 5). by fields from development along Rectory Lane (Figure 1). Brick is the predominant material, but it is often rendered, The building scale is predominantly substantial two to three-storey which is off-set by smaller ancillary buildings (such as The Lodge, Manor House Lane) and later infill development (Figure 2). Given that these large buildings are set back from the road in their own grounds, there is no consistent building line. As a result, this part of the Conservation Area has an informal character. Buildings on Rectory Lane are set back some distance from the road but generally face it. At the Manor House School later ancillary school buildings have been positioned to the rear of the main building, orientated in a line east-west, thus ensuring the impressive south façade of the 18th century building remains unimpeded. East of the Manor House, the two and a half storey Manor Farmhouse faces west to the roadside, away from its ‘U’ courtyard plan farmstead to the north (Figure 3). Figure 3 The inward facing courtyard of farm buildings at Manor Farm Most of the buildings in the character area are listed or make a positive contribution to the character and

Figure 4 A dynamic variation of roof heights and pitches to the farm buildings at Manor Farm

Figure 2 There is much variation to scale within this part of the Figure 5 View from the outside the church towards the rear of the Conservation Area - Manor House School (top image) and The Lodge Manor House, separated from the churchyard by a brick (bottom image) boundary wall

Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 5 roughcast or stuccoed and painted shades of white or cream, for example, The Grange, Preston Cross Hotel and Manor House School (Figure 6). Flint is seen both knapped and unknapped to the church of All Saints (Figure 7), outbuildings to The Grange and Preston Cross Hotel, and low boundary walls on Manor House Lane. Timber- framing is limited to the farm group at Manor Farm where it is weather boarded. Roofs are a mix of steeply pitched red/ orange clay tiles (some of which have the appearance of being handmade), red clay pantiles to farm buildings and the shallower pitches of natural slate. Figure 6 Roughcast render to The Preston Cross Hotel The rural setting of this character area provides the opportunity for open views across fields. Travelling west, along the public footpath between the Hotel and The Grange, views open out from the narrow laurel lined path across the fields both north and south. Looking north the rear of buildings on Lower Road come into view, including Oast House which is an unusual building type and survival for this area with a distinctive profile on the skyline. Views south take in the long and dramatic roofline of the 10-bay tithe barn with its prominent, red pantile roof (Figure 8). Further west along the same path there are glimpsed views to Manor House School. All Saints Church, with its low bell-tower, is screened in the summer months by dense tree cover. At the junction of Manor House Lane and Lower Road there are distant glimpsed views west, out of the Conservation Area, to Effingham Church. These glimpsed views to the church give a sense of Little Bookham forming part of a string of historic settlements (along the spring line). Figure 7 Flint walling to the church of All Saints Looking to the east on Rectory Lane (opposite The Grange) there are attractive open views across countryside with the rear of properties to Lower Road heavily landscaped (mature trees and hedges) completely obscuring from view the houses beyond. Locally distinctive features include the variation in boundary wall treatment. These range from the red brick of Manor House School (Figure 9) and the walled kitchen garden at The Grange (presently outside the Conservation Area) to the attractive curving flint wall on Manor House Lane. Extensive tree cover (Figure 10) and mature hedgerows complement the sylvan appearance of the area with some large specimen trees in the grounds of Manor House School and the old yew tree in the churchyard.

Figure 8 Distant view to the long roof line of the tithe barn at Manor Farm Figure 10 A large mature copper beech frames and encloses the road- side to Rectory Lane and is very apparent in local views into the Conservation Area from the south

Figure 9 The brick boundary wall to the grounds of Manor House School

6 Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 2. Little Bookham Street & Lower Road This character area comprises the section of the Conservation Area to the north and east of Preston Cross. It comprises the residential streets of Lower Road and Little Bookham Street. It is characterised by timber-framed cottages interspersed with 19th and 20th century houses, most of which are set back from the roadside within mature garden plots (Figure 11). The scale of buildings in this part of the Conservation Area is almost consistently one and a half and two-storey modest detached, occasionally semi-detached, small- scale houses and cottage style houses. The exception is Figure 11 Little Bookham Street, a very attractive and locally two large, former farmhouses which mark the extent of the characteristic streetscape comprising a mix of architectural styles and Conservation Area; The Windsor Castle Public House to periods the north and The Half Way House to the east (Figure 12). Houses set back on the south side of Lower Road are part of the 19th and 20th century expansion of the village and are generally larger with generous sized gardens screened by tall hedges and set behind hedges and/or flint walls. On Little Bookham Street houses on the west side of the road are positioned closer to the roadside. Front gardens are generally small with either low flint walls to historic properties, and driveways or brick walls to 20th century infill. To the east side of the street (outside the Conservation Area), 20th century semi-detached houses line the roadside. These are set back behind a wider pavement and grass verge giving a very suburban character to this side of the street (Figure 13). The 19th century ‘U’ plan farmstead at Preston Farm Court faces south, with its courtyard Figure 12 The more substantial scale of a former farmhouse, The Half accessed directly off Lower Road. Buildings within this Way House complex are a mix of single storey and two storey. The buildings on the west side of Little Bookham Street (despite some indifferent 20th infill) form a group of considerable architectural and historic significance. Modern buildings between listed properties do not detract from the cohesiveness or the quality of the group and some of the 19th and 20th century buildings make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. The 19th century brick and weatherboarded farmstead ranges at Preston Farm Court are an historic group of some considerable charm and character and add to the sense of a rural setting to the village (Figure 14). Brick is the predominant material in the character area with much variation seen to colour, texture and finish. Most are red/orange, some with vitrified headers, and many are Figure 13 The differing character of either side of Little Bookham hand-made with their qualities of grain and texture. Some Street brick is painted or rendered and painted in shades of white and cream. There is also exposed timber-framing to the collection of 16th and 17th century buildings, with brick nogging (Figure 15). Roofs are mainly red/orange clay tiles (some of which are handmade). There are natural slate roofs to some 19th century buildings such as the Preston Farm Court buildings and No. 253 Lower Road (Figure 16). Windows are usually timber casements to historic properties with vertical sliding sashes to 19th century cottages. The intimate scale of the townscape offers few well-defined local views. Views south along the rising Little Bookham Street take in the gables and stepped roofline of the Figure 14 Preston Farm Court, an historic group of farm buildings making a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area

Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 7 houses on the west side of the road. Views are terminated at the road junction by dense tree cover, with the darker shades of a spreading conifer giving some definition to the view. This natural backdrop is juxtaposed by the clutter of roundabout signage, bollards and street lighting at the road junction (Figure 17). At the junction and roundabout Lower Road rises and sweeps west obscuring distant views but creating a terminated view looking east along Lower Road (terminated by Half Moon Cottage, No.2 Little Bookham Street). To the east, Lower Road gently falls away giving expansive views to a belt of mature trees. The flint boundary walls found both on Lower Road and Little Bookham Street are significant local features. On Lower Road the walls are particularly characteristic with historic un- knapped flint walling to Half Way House and beyond a wall on the south side of the road enclosing a group of houses set in large mature gardens. In the latter case knapped Figure 17 Views south along Little Bookham Street terminated by tree flints, form a distinctive band (Figure 18). On the north side cover are recent flint walls with red brick capping. In addition an historic red brick garden wall, which steps down the slope and contains an attractive pointed arch gateway, is a notable feature to the rear of No. 259 Lower Road (Figure 19).

Figure 18 Flint wall along Lower Road with distinctive banding

Figure 15 Varied use of brickwork to infill panels to Half Moon Cottage

Figure 19 Red brick garden wall to the rear of No. 259 Lower Road

Figure 16 The 19th century red brick No. 251 Lower Road with natural slate roof

8 Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 7.0 Architectural and historic qualities of buildings 7.1.1 The architectural and historic quality of the buildings is an important part of the special character of the Little Bookham Conservation Area. There is a varied collection of listed buildings within the designated area (a total of 10) and many more that are considered to make a positive contribution towards the special architectural and historic character of the Conservation Area (see Townscape Map).

7.1.2 Figure 20 The modest parish church with its distinctive arcading This following section considers non-secular and secular buildings arranged in chronological order. Key buildings that best demonstrate some of the qualities present in the Conservation Area are highlighted in bold.

7.2 Non-secular buildings of the village 7.2.1 The small parish church of All Saints is the oldest surviving building in the village today and its historic and architectural significance is reflected in its Grade II* listing. The simple building form (the nave and chancel in one vessel) dates in part from c.1100 (Figure 20). Its phasing is complex with a south aisle added in the 12th century, subsequently taken down, Figure 21 A new vestry was added to the church in 2001-2 rebuilt and taken down again in the 15th century. The church was ‘restored’ and porch and vestry added in the 19th century. The remains of two bays of the former south aisle arcade, comprising semicircular arches in the masonry with exposed portions of the capitals, is the most striking element of the church’s external appearance. Other features include a 15th century chamfered doorway to the south wall and a selection of 13th and 15th century lancet and square-headed windows. In 2001-2 a new vestry was built on the north side comprising clergy vestry, meeting room and toilets (Figure 21).

7.2.2 The building is constructed of vernacular materials with flint, partly plastered, limestone dressings, weatherboarding to the west gable, red clay tile roof and weatherboarding to the small bell-turret, which is topped by a short splay-footed spire clad Figure 22 Half Moon Cottage, an important heritage asset surviving in cedar shingles. from the late 15th century

7.3 Secular buildings 7.3.1 Up to the 16th century Few recorded secular buildings in the area date from before the 16th century. It may be, however, that fragments of medieval buildings survive encased or adapted to be incorporated into later buildings. The earliest recorded secular building within the Conservation Area is Half Moon Cottage, a former farmhouse, listed as a late 15th century or early 16th century hall-house with ceiling and chimney stack inserted in the 17th century. This low, two-storey, timber-framed house

Figure 23 Dawes Cottage, probably built in the early 16th century.’

Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 9 has brick casing at ground floor with noggin? above (Figure 22).

7.3.2 16th century Two buildings are recorded (in the statutory list descriptions) as having their origins in the 16th century. Only the timber- framed Dawes Cottage, No. 3 Little Bookham Street, survives in anything like its original form. Probably an early 16th century construction, it was enlarged later in the century into an L plan with the original hall range of three bays and a projecting wing added to the third bay (Figure 23). Vacant mortices in the posts of the second frame suggest that it was formerly closed, Figure 24 Rose Cottage perhaps forming part of a smoke bay, before the insertion of the chimney stack and back-to-back inglenook fireplaces. The Windsor Castle Public House, formerly a farmhouse, is late 16th century, altered in the 17th century. Its timber-frame is now obscured by painted and rendered brick cladding.

7.3.3 17th century Buildings dating from the 17th century do survive but have been largely re-modelled in the 18th century. Half Way House, No. 1 Childs Hall Road, a former farmhouse and later public house, is probably early 17th century. Its early range now forms the west wing of a larger 18th century addition, with Figure 25 The Manor House School subsequent additions to both. Similarly, the earliest parts of the brick and timber-framed Post Cottage, No. 9 Little Bookham Street, are probably 17th century with subsequent alterations and enlargement. Rose Cottage, No.21 Little Bookham Street, may date from the 17th century but was rebuilt in the 18th, the brickwork bearing the inscription ‘LM 1746’ (Figure 24). The only substantially complete 17th century building is Manor Farm Tithe Barn. This is a very large, 10-bay, timber-framed aisled barn with weatherboard cladding and recently re-roofed red pantile roof. The long barn has aisles on both sides and double wagon-entrances with hipped roof porches.

7.3.4 18th century Figure 26 The ‘fruit barn’, Manor House School grounds Two key Little Bookham buildings were constructed in the 18th century. First, Manor Farmhouse is early 18th century (altered and extended in the 20th century). It is a rectangular double-depth, two and a half storey house of brick, painted at ground floor and rendered above with tile-hanging at the south end. The three-bay symmetrical west front is an accomplished ensemble with large two-storey bow windows in the outer bays and small hipped dormers above. The Manor House, now a school, is of orange, hand-made brick in Flemish bond. The south front is stuccoed and painted white. The building is L plan composed of a rectangular double-depth, three- storey house and a rear, two-storey service wing with later 19th century additions. The symmetrical façade is striking and contains prominent semi-circular, full-height, three-bay bows flanking the two-bay centre. A wide doorway is positioned under a loggia with fluted Doric columns in antis (Figure 25). Figure 27 The Grange An 18th century timber-framed and weatherboarded ‘fruit

10 Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan barn’ is raised on staddle stones in the school grounds. It was 8.2 moved from Preston House and repositioned here in 1990 Residential uses predominate in the Conservation Area. (Figure 26). However, Manor Farm remains in agricultural use and there is a thriving school, business units at Preston Farm Court, 7.3.5 a hotel at Preston Cross, a school for adults with special educational needs at The Grange and The Windsor Castle 19th century Public House. This mix of uses makes for an active village There are no listed 19th century buildings in the Conservation and complementary services are available nearby in Great Area. However, there are two large, notable, unlisted buildings Bookham and Leatherhead. from this period on Rectory Lane. The first, Preston Cross House, now a hotel, is a large, three-storey rendered building. Its two-storey entrance incorporates Tudor style, stone mullion and transom windows and two four-centred arched doorways. 9.0 Contribution made by key unlisted To the rear is a large, 20th century range associated with the buildings hotel. The second is The Grange which is now a centre for adults with disabilities. It is a mid 19th century house with 9.1 late 19th century additions. The Grange displays a rich mix of There are a large number of unlisted buildings which make architectural styles with gables, mullion windows, bays, oriel important, positive contributions to the character of the Little windows, roof lantern with cupola and an ornate, octagonal Bookham Conservation Area both individually and in groups. chimney stack (Figure 27). Individually, these buildings are identified in the character area sections or in the architectural or historic qualities of buildings

sections. Key groups of unlisted buildings are: 7.3.6 The 19th century farmstead group at Preston Farm Court, 20th century Lower Road There are occasional infill buildings from the 20th century and A group of buildings positioned around Preston Cross ancillary buildings in the grounds of The Grange and Manor including the 19th century red brick house No. 324 Lower House School. The most distinctive 20th century buildings Road, the rendered and painted No. 322 Lower Road, and include the red brick No. 7 Little Bookham Street with half the Preston Cross Hotel with its flint outbuilding timbered gables, central dormer and plain clay tile roof and the square plan rendered and red brick house at The Grange’s south entrance. This distinctive house has a hipped roof with 9.2 oriel, half dormers breaking through the eaves line and central, In addition, historic boundary walls to gardens, front boundary square chimney stack with decorative clay pots. walls and some early outbuildings all make a significant contribution towards the character of the Conservation Area. Properties which make a positive contribution towards the 7.3.7 character and appearance of the Conservation Area are Nos. 322 and 324 Lower Road is an attractive pair of marked on the Townscape Map. symmetrical early twentieth century cottages to the junction with Little Bookham Street. These houses, although modest, are dominant in the street scene and retain a traditional scale and form. 10.0 Prevalent local and traditional materials 8.0 Activity: prevailing and former uses 10.1 8.1 The Little Bookham Conservation Area has a varied palette of vernacular materials, generally reflecting the complex geology The grouping of the former Manor House, Manor Farm, large within the District. The diversity of materials used varies across 19th century country houses, former farmhouses and timber- the Conservation Area, with some parts displaying a more framed cottages provide a sense of the rural agricultural concentrated use of different materials, often side by side, than character to this small village. This character prevails despite in other parts. The following provides a summary of the use extensive development across the settlements of Bookham of materials in the Conservation Area. It is divided into walling and . The rural qualities, which include the scale of and roofing materials, and has a separate section on boundary the roads, connecting footpaths, fields and the numerous walls as these form an important part of the character and groups of trees and native hedgerows, have been maintained. appearance of the Conservation Area. The village has retained its Manor Farm, important green open spaces and open grounds to key historic buildings.

Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 11 Walling materials 10.2 Brick 10.2.1 Brick is seen throughout the Conservation Area. Generally, very early bricks are a red/orange in colour and have the natural undulations associated with their handmade origins. Vitrified and burnt headers are often seen to early brick buildings where a Flemish or English bond has been used. Most older houses are of Flemish bond. Timber-framed houses often have brick nogging, occasionally in a herringbone pattern as seen at Half Moon Cottage. Later buildings of the 19th century have a brighter red brick, again, usually laid in Flemish bond. 20th century buildings are mostly constructed of machined brick in stretcher bond (Figure 28). 10.2.2 It should be noted that there are frequent examples of painted brickwork. This is generally white or cream in colour. Whilst this is not a traditional finish to houses in the District, it most likely replaced limewashing of brickwork in some cases and has now become an established part of the variation seen to Figure 28 top and bottom images) Predominant construction materials walling and finishes throughout the Conservation Area. Good used within the conservation area examples include Dawes Cottage and Post Cottage, Little Bookham Street.

10.3 Stone 10.3.1 The only use of stone within the Conservation Area is restricted to dressings to the church of All Saints and the Preston Cross Hotel.

10.4 Flint 10.4.1 Flint is largely confined to boundary walls, although it is also seen on outbuildings associated with the Preston Cross Hotel and the converted outbuilding south of The Grange (Figure 29). The exception to this is its prominent use in the parish church. It is seen in its knapped (with its flat face exposed) and unknapped (as nodules of flint) form and often complemented in the boundary walls by brick dressings and cappings.

10.5 Stucco, plaster and render Figure 29 (top and bottom) The outbuildings to the Hotel and The Grange 10.5.1 After brick, this form of wall finish is the most common throughout the Conservation Area, especially associated with high status buildings. It is generally painted white or cream. It is often associated with the houses of the early to mid 18th century onwards (with the exception of Half Way House dating from the 17th century and later) and complemented by natural slate or clay tile roofs. Good examples are render to Preston Cross Hotel and The Grange and stucco to the Manor House School. Fragments of surviving plaster are also seen on the parish church.

12 Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 10.5.2 buildings within the Conservation Area and usually incorporate There are also a number of later buildings dating from clay tiles. These older roofs are generally finished with gables throughout the twentieth century that have used white, painted or half-hips (as seen at Half Moon Cottage, Little Bookham render for the walls, providing a sense of continuity with the Street). Shallower, wider natural slate roofs are seen to the older use of this material in this part of the Conservation Area. later nineteenth century houses (good examples are seen at Preston Cross Hotel and No.253, both Rectory Lane). Later buildings occasionally have hipped roofs such as ancillary 10.6 Tile hanging school buildings and The Lodge, Manor House Lane. 10.6.1 There are several examples of the use of tile hanging in the 10.10 Clay tile Conservation Area. The south end of Manor Farmhouse is one. 10.10.1 A group of 20th century houses on the north side of Lower Road also utilise tile hanging as a decorative feature as does Clay tile is the most commonly used roofing material within the an earlier building, Loxley Cottages, on Manor House Lane. Conservation Area. Where seen, it is of a red/orange/brown colour and varies in its texture depending upon whether the tiles are handmade or machined. The handmade tile produces a very attractive, undulating finish to the roof, which greatly complements the host building and its wider context. Clay pantiles are seen to the farm buildings at Manor Farm.

10.11 Natural slate 10.11.1 Natural slate roofs are rare in the Conservation Area. They are generally confined to the later 19th century buildings of a low pitch and provide an interesting variation to clay tiles in the townscape. Figure 30 The tithe barn, Manor Farm

10.7 Timber-framing 10.7.1 11.0 Contribution made by green spaces, Little Bookham is fortunate to have a small but significant trees, hedges and natural boundaries survival of timber-framing. Some is hidden behind later 11.1 refronting. The survivals of exposed framing include Dawes Cottage, Half Moon Cottage, Post Cottage on Little Bookham There are a series of public and private open spaces which Street and a small exposed section to Half Way House, Childs make a significant contribution towards the character and Hall Road. Here houses exhibit timber box framing in the local appearance of the Conservation Area. They are in all cases tradition with brick nogging (some in herringbone pattern). complemented by mature trees and hedges. The following are Timber-framing is also found to the very large 10-bay tithe barn important public or semi-public open spaces: at Manor Farm (Figure 30). The churchyard of All Saints Church, accessed via a path 10.8 Weatherboarding lined with a hedge on one side and a line of clipped lime trees on the other. The treed churchyard contains a mature 10.8.1 cedar and very old yew tree, its split bole supporting There are some examples of the use of weatherboarding to vigorous growth. agricultural buildings within the Conservation Area and it is also The gardens/grounds to Manor House School with lawns, seen to the short bell-turret on the parish church. The Manor formal beds and good groupings of trees. Some larger Farm buildings, comprising timber-framed barn, stables, cattle trees, including an extremely large copper beech, act as shelters and cart shed, all have weatherboarding, as do two natural landmarks and can be seen from the roadside. brick ranges at Preston Farm Court and the relocated fruit barn in the grounds of the school. A grassed field situated between Manor House Lane and the rear of the Preston Cross Hotel can be viewed from the footpath crossing from Rectory Lane to Manor House Roofing materials Lane. This field is important in retaining the rural character 10.9 Roof form of the area by dividing up the built form. It also gives an agricultural setting to the tithe barn at Manor Farm. 10.9.1 The Windsor Castle Public House car park is demarked to Roof form is generally reflective of the period of development. the west and north by informal grassed areas containing Steeper pitches of 35 degrees and more are found on older trees.

Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 13 12.0 Key views, vistas and panoramas 11.2 Garden spaces (see Townscape Map) 11.2.1 12.1 A number of private garden spaces make a very important The tree cover, dense in places, is a very strong characteristic contribution towards the character and appearance of the of the Conservation Area. It means that views are often Conservation Area primarily because of their green character restricted or buildings are often glimpsed between trees. and the survival of a large number of mature trees within these Where views open out there are key views of green fields to spaces (good examples are to houses on the south side the east of Rectory Road and between it and Manor House of Lower Road, The Preston Cross Hotel and The Grange) Lane. These reinforce the rural character and setting of the (Figure 31). The trees form attractive green backdrops to conservation area (Figure 32). built development. Throughout the Conservation Area trees in front gardens contribute to the setting of the buildings. This is particularly apparent to sections of Lower Road. There are 12.2 also trees and hedges associated with houses outside the Conservation Area that form a continuous green boundary There are a small number of terminated or deflected views edge along Lower Road and make a significant contribution to within the Conservation Area. A terminated view is one which the character and appearance of views out of the Conservation is closed or partially closed by a building or object. A good Area. example would be the termination of the view along Manor House Lane south by the curving flint boundary wall of Loxley 11.2.2 Cottages. Manor House School has a series of specimen trees that greatly complement the garden setting of this house and its 20th century school buildings. In addition, there is an area of lawn and trees to the front of The Grange providing an attractive setting to the historic house. A ‘D’ plan walled 13.0 Degree of loss of architectural and/or kitchen garden to the south of The Grange, currently in active historic elements use, is a significant historic survival adding to the interest of the 13.1 Loss of architectural features complex. 13.1.1 There is relatively little loss of architectural or historic features throughout the Conservation Area and most traditional buildings retain much of their original fabric. There has been some loss of original windows to the houses on Lower Road, for example Nos. 326-324. Some clay tile or natural slate roofs have been replaced with modern cement fibre slates in the grounds of The Grange and with concrete tiles to the north range of farm buildings at Manor Farm.

14.0 Negative elements 14.1 The following is a summary of negative elements identified through analysis and initial public consultation with residents.

The utilitarian mini roundabout and signage on the junction of Lower Road, Rectory Lane and Little Bookham Street Fencing to the northern boundary of the Preston Cross Hotel Car parking on Manor House Lane at school Some poor signage to significant historic buildings.

Figure 31 and 32 (top and bottom) Gardens to the Hotel and Manor House School

14 Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 15.0 Conclusion 15.1 The Conservation Area has some key defining characteristics: the rural surroundings; the survival of the original settlement pattern; the modest scale of village houses; the mix of high quality traditional materials and ages of buildings; and the importance of trees. The use of brick walling in combination with timber-framing, clay tile roofs and flint boundary walls is common to historic buildings. The Conservation Area is generally in good to excellent condition. Most of the buildings, unlisted and listed, are in good condition and retain much original fabric or have been sympathetically altered or refurbished.

15.2 Trees and hedgerows form a very important part of the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. Located in important open public, semi-public or private spaces (gardens), they form an essential part of the village scene with its mix of buildings interspersed with greenery. Key open spaces, including the Manor House School grounds and churchyard, are enhanced by the presence of mature trees. The churchyard yew is of special note, celebrated locally for its very old age.

15.3 The modest scale of the village houses juxtaposed with the larger properties such as the Manor House School, Manor Farmhouse, The Grange and The Preston Cross Hotel, is a crucial part of its special character and appearance. Up to the present, new development has largely maintained and responded to this hierarchy of scale.

Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 15 Part 3: Management Plan

16.0 Introduction 16.7 Designation as a Conservation Area introduces a number of 16.1 specific statutory controls aimed at assisting the “preservation The management plan for the Little Bookham Conservation and enhancement” of the area. These controls include Area has been prepared in accordance with English Heritage requiring Conservation Area Consent for the substantial guidance, Understand Place: Conservation Area Designation, demolition of any unlisted building exceeding 115 cubic Appraisal and Management (2011) and should be read in metres, fewer permitted development rights for alterations conjunction with the Little Bookham Conservation Area and extensions, restrictions on advertisements and notice Appraisal produced by Mole Valley District Council as part of of proposed tree works. These are outlined in the Council’s the process of ongoing assessment and management of the guidance note Conservation Areas: A Planning Guide. conservation areas of the District.

16.8 16.2 The Conservation Management Plan recommends a series The purpose of the Management Plan is to present of measures to protect and enhance the significance of the proposals to achieve the preservation and enhancement of cultural, historic and aesthetic values of the Little Bookham the Conservation Area’s special character, identified in the Conservation Area. These recommendations are subject to Appraisal. resource allocation and encourage community ownership of the Conservation Area, in partnership with other bodies such as Mole Valley District Council and English Heritage. 16.3 The Little Bookham Conservation Area was designated in March 1974 and amended by Mole Valley District Council in April 1995. 17.0 16.4 This guidance develops some of the themes identified in the Overview of the Condition of the Negative Issues section of the Conservation Area Appraisal. Conservation Area The management plan provides a framework for achieving the statutory requirements of section 71(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, namely: 17.1 “It shall be the duty of the local planning authority from time to time to formulate and publish proposals for the preservation The listed buildings and buildings making a positive and enhancement of any parts of their area which are contribution (see Townscape Map) within the Little Bookham Conservation Areas.” Conservation Area are generally in a good condition with no significant buildings at ris.

16.5 Section 69(2) states: 17.2 “It shall be the duty of the local planning authority from time to The Conservation Area is generally in good order. There is time to review the past exercise of functions….and determine some scope for improvement to parts of the public realm whether any further parts of their area should be designated as including re-design of signage at key junctions, repair of Conservation Areas” historic fencing and removal and replacement of inappropriate fencing. The proposed areas for enhancement provide more detail on how these areas might be enhanced. 16.6 The Management Plan has been prepared and submitted for adoption in accordance with Government guidance. This is set out in Planning Policy Statement 5 ‘Planning for the Historic Environment’, English Heritage guidance titled Understand Place: Conservation Area Designation, Appraisal and Management (2011), Best Practice guidelines, policies within the Mole Valley Local Development Framework Core Strategy and any ‘saved’ policies from the Mole Valley Local Plan. In addition, there is planning guidance published specifically by Mole Valley District Council such as: Conservation Areas; A Planning Guide and Listed Buildings; An Owner’s Guide (both published March 2007) and the District’s Shopfront Design; A Guide to Good Practice (July 1999).

16 Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 18.0 Summary of the Public Consultation 20.0 Proposals for enhancement 18.1 The following sections provide a more detailed analysis of This section is divided into (i) general subject headings which the issues identified in both the appraisal work and through relate to the entire Conservation Area designation and (ii) consultation. The main headings are: specific areas for enhancement. Boundary revisions Proposed enhancements Section (i) Potential enhancement opportunities

20.1 Street Lighting 19.0 Boundary revisions 20.1.1 19.1 Presently a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) is being finalised As a result of analysis undertaken in the appraisal and in for the maintenance and upgrading where necessary of all response to public consultation a number of sites adjacent street lighting throughout the County. The work that may to the Conservation Area boundary were assessed to arise from this within the Little Bookham Conservation Area determine whether the boundary should be adjusted and needs to ensure that white light is incorporated within all these sites included. As a result of this analysis, there are lighting columns, that the style of column and lantern adopted two suggested boundary revisions to the Conservation Area. as the standard during previous enhancements be used and that redundant equipment is removed. Liaison with the conservation staff within the District Council should take place 19.2 when work is planned. Suggested areas for inclusion within the Little Bookham Conservation Area 20.1.2 The opportunity could also be taken to review the lighting 19.2.1 within the village and where possible rationalise street lighting, Fields immediately east of Manor Farm and former kitchen reducing the number of lamp columns and placing lighting on garden to The Grange buildings where possible. The fields immediately east of Manor Farm form part of the rural character of the Conservation Area and provide the 20.1.4 essential setting to Manor Farm. South of The Grange, a The following principles are suggested for lighting in the 19th century walled kitchen garden is an important historic Conservation Area: survival and should also be considered for inclusion. Lights should be mounted wherever possible on buildings rather than on lamp columns (unless they are historic 19.2.2 examples) All Saints Church. Include the newly consecrated graveyard Within the Conservation Area the lamp columns should be and the glebe land kept to a minimum The field to the west of the Church of All Saints has recently Historic/traditional lamp columns should be retained in-situ gained approval for use for burials as an extension to the Lights should be retro-fitted to traditional lamp columns existing churchyard. This is glebe land that runs up to wherever possible the footpath alongside the school grounds. It is logical to include all the churchyard land up to the tree-lined boundary New lamp columns should not be located immediately to the west within the Conservation Area. This inclusion adjacent to historic columns as this creates cluttered would recognise changing land uses and ownership townscape and compromises the setting of the traditional boundaries. street furniture Careful consideration of the detailed design of the light fixtures and these should replicate the existing style 19.3 adopted by the County Council as part of a previous There are no areas currently within the Conservation Area enhancement scheme in Little Bookham that are suggested for exclusion. It is not recommended, therefore, that the boundary should contract.

Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 17 20.1.5 20.6 Replacement of fencing to north boundary of the It should be noted that that lighting in the Little Bookham Preston Cross Hotel Conservation Area needs to be very carefully assessed and kept to a minimum to reflect the semi rural character of the 20.6.1 Conservation Area. The close board fencing on Lower Road creates an impenetrable boundary on the roadside. Replacement options 20.2 Financial assistance could include flint walling, native hedging or chestnut paling. (for repairs or replacement of traditional features)

20.2.1 Funding for projects to enhance the Conservation Areas in Mole Valley is very tightly constrained. Currently, 21.0 Article 4 Directions (Formerly Known there are no grants for repairs to listed or unlisted buildings. As Article 4(2) Directions) However, it is still helpful to identify possible projects that can compete for the funding that is available or that can 21.1 form the basis of bids to external funding bodies. It is Under Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General worth bearing in mind that advice to owners of properties Permitted Development) Order 1995, planning permission in the Conservation Area is available free from the Planning is granted as ‘permitted development’ for a range of minor Department. developments subject to limits and conditions designed to protect the amenity of the environment. Due to the sensitive nature of Conservation Areas and the fact that such ‘permitted Section (ii) Specific enhancement projects development’ in this environment could be harmful to the 20.3 character of the area, it is recommended that these ‘permitted Rationalisation of signage and lighting at the junction of development rights’ are restricted in order to preserve the Lower Road with Rectory Lane and Little Bookham Street character of the Conservation Area.

20.3.1 21.2 Signage clutter and lighting should be removed and only the Article 4 of the General Permitted Development Order essential retained. The scale and number of light columns (GPDO) enables local planning authorities to make directions should be carefully considered and redesigned to provide withdrawing the permitted development rights given under the a more appropriate solution to this semi-rural location. order. These rights should only be withdrawn where there is Alternative surface treatment to the mini-roundabout should be firm evidence to suggest that permitted development is likely to explored. take place which could damage the character or appearance of a Conservation Area, and which therefore should be brought within full planning control in the public interest. 20.4 Resurfacing and low key landscaping to car park opposite Loxley Cottages, Manor House Lane 21.3 There are different areas where permitted development 20.4.1 rights may be taken away, generally affecting the external Traditional surface finishing of loose gravel or resin bonded appearance of dwelling houses in the Conservation Area. gravel. Tarmac would be out of character. Examples would include: The erection, alteration or removal of a chimney 20.5 Repairs and restoration of oak fencing to footpath Various kinds of development fronting a highway The construction of an external porch 20.5.1 The painting of the dwelling house Oak post and rail fence survives in sections along the footpath The construction of a building or enclosure within the between Rectory Lane and Manor House Lane. It is in need curtilage of a building of repair and replacement of some sections. It is a positive boundary treatment suitable to the Conservation Area and Alteration including partial demolition of a gate fence or any therefore should be retained if possible. other means of enclosure

21.4 Mole Valley District Council has had a number of areas covered by Article 4 Directions within other Conservation Areas within the district, for example in the Leatherhead

18 Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan Conservation Area since 1997. The Council has produced a 22.0 New Buildings in the Conservation guidance leaflet entitled Article 4(2) Directions Leatherhead (July 2004) and a similar document for Article 4(2) Directions Area in Dorking. Potential areas for additional controls within the Little Bookham Conservation Area will need to be the subject of a separate consultation and all affected owners within 22.1 the areas suggested will be contacted by letter advising the All new building within the Conservation Area should meet the homeowner of the procedure and ways in which they can following key test outlined in the Planning (Listed Buildings make representations to the District Council. and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Mole Valley District Council in the exercising of its planning duties must be able to demonstrate that it has undertaken the following: Potential Article 4(2) Directions in Little Bookham Conservation Area ‘special attention shall be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area.’ 21.5 (section 72) Presently within the Little Bookham Conservation Area, the appraisal has not identified any potential Article 4 Directions. However, the Council may review this if it becomes apparent 22.2 that there is a genuine threat to important heritage assets In the Conservation Area, where the quality of the general which are not protected under any other legislation. A sensitive environment is already acknowledged by designation, the area where this may become an issues is the potential loss of Council will encourage good quality schemes that respond important front boundary walls to unlisted houses. positively to their setting. General guidance and a checklist for prospective developers can be found in Appendix A of the Management Plan.

Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 19 Bibliography and References

Brayley, E. W., A Topographical History of Surrey, Vol 4 (London, 1841) Fortescue, The storey of two villages, Great and Little Bookham (1975) Fortescue, People and Places, Great and Little Bookham (1978) Malden, H. E., A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 3 (Victoria County History, 1911) Pevsner N & Nairn I Buildings of ; Surrey second edition (revised by Bridget Cherry) (1971) Yale University Press, London

1842 Little Bookham Tithe Map (Surrey History Centre Ref: 864/1/17) 1869 1:2500 OS map 1914 1:2500 OS map 1935 1:2500 OS map

Mole Valley District Council publications Conservation Areas; A Planning Guide (Revised March 2007) Listed Buildings; An Owners’ Guide (Revised March 2007) Shopfront Design; A Guide to Good Practice (July 1999)

20 Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan Appendix A

Design guidance for new buildings in the Conservation Area Key points to remember: The character of the site should be considered. The boundaries should be noted, especially if they comprise The following provides general design guidance for small sites hedgerows, mature trees, walls, fences or railings. within the Conservation Area. It is intended as a checklist and prompt for prospective developers to ensure their The access point to the site will have to be agreed. scheme positively responds to the established character and Generally, care should be taken to minimise any damage to appearance of its immediate surroundings. front boundaries through the uncritical imposition of sight lines, which may have the effect of removing most of a This guidance provides generic advice for smaller boundary. developments of up to approximately 5-8 housing units. Sites of a larger number will require considerable pre-application Consider potential assets on-site, such as the lie of the negotiation and may be the subject of design briefs. Some land, areas of shelter and sunny aspect, existing structures small developments may be in such sensitive locations that such as buildings or walls, trees or hedgerows, which might they may require a concise brief from the District Council. In be incorporated into the scheme. all cases a Design Statement will be required to accompany Develop a design concept. This should include: the application drawings. The Character Appraisal for the Conservation Area must be considered and referred to by What is the role of this development within the the applicant in their supporting statements, as it will assist in setting? setting the context of the development. Is this a gateway development on the edge, approach It is strongly advised that all parties visit the site and its or periphery of the site? setting. The semi rural setting is particularly important to Little Is it a focal point development terminating a view or Bookham given the open and well treed character of much providing a skyline? of the Conservation Area and its rural edges. As a guide, the Is the site at a pivotal point in the townscape, turning setting should be taken as the area from which the site can be a corner from one type of development to another? seen, and the surroundings seen from the site. The setting can also be defined as the general pattern of uses in the vicinity. The frontage part of the development should, in virtually These may vary on each side of the site. every case, face outward to the streetscape, unless there are compelling reasons not to do so. It is important to consider specifically: surrounding skylines, tree lines and rooflines and the often open character of building The character of the development should be determined plots, be this for small or very large houses. The potential by layout and provide an appropriate sense of identity impact development might have on cherished views of the and enclosure. A sequence of spaces and places should landscape, or “signature” skylines should also be very carefully be considered; from major to minor space, from formal/ considered. symmetrical to informal. The surrounding built form should be appraised. The following The design should avoid any inappropriate suburbanising are a series of questions which should structure the analysis of the proposals through deep or irregular house plan, undertaken on a given site. This will also act as a check list for fussy elevations, spacious set backs from the building line, development control purposes when assessing an applicant’s dwarf wall boundaries and inappropriate spacing between scheme: buildings. What are the typical sizes and shapes of building plots? Design considerations, such as window proportions, Are these uniform or varied? If varied, consider largest and subservience of elements such as garages, roof type (gable smallest types. end or hipped), roof pitch, projection or recession and choice of materials, should derive from the character of How do buildings relate to the back edge of the footpath or surrounding buildings forming the setting. carriageway? This factor alone can help to assimilate new buildings into the street scene. Contemporary solutions may be appropriate if it can be demonstrated that they derive from a comprehensive Are the buildings in the street freestanding, or are they in appraisal of the setting and site. small informal groups or more regular terraces? Are buildings linked in a particular way, for example with boundary walls? Do the buildings generally have their main ridgeline parallel to the street or at right angles? Are the buildings generally ‘grand’ or modestly proportioned and styled? What is the character of the front boundary walls or fences? What are the predominant materials and colour of material in the area? Are any unique?

Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 21 Glossary

Article 4 Direction: Public Realm: An Article 4 Direction may be issued by the Council in The spaces between buildings accessible to the public, circumstances where the danger of the erosion of the including the highway, green areas, squares etc. character of the area is such that specific control over development is required. The effect of such a Direction is to remove the usual permitted development rights, thereby Scale: necessitating a planning application to be made. It can include This can have two meanings: it can be used to define the for example any proposals to replace windows, doors, roofs, mass or bulk of a building often in comparison to other and can restrict the construction of a porch or extension, the buildings or spaces, or (the more strictly correct) meaning painting of the external surfaces, or the removal of chimney appertaining to the subdivision of a building to create different stacks. effects for example the architectural expression of structural bays, intervals of windows, proportions etc. Building Line: The common alignment of building frontages in relation to the Setting/context: back edge of the carriageway, footpath or waterfront. The The physical (built and landscape), community and economic building line might also refer to a common alignment of the setting in which the development takes place. backs of buildings.

Streetscape: Building at Risk: The character of the street environment, existing or proposed. A phrase used to describe a building which is in poor repair (eg, leaking/blocked gutters, broken slates, structural problems) and often vacant with no use. The combination Townscape: of these two factors and the severity of the repair issues determines the degree of risk and the need for action. The urban equivalent of landscape; the overall effect of the combination of buildings, changes of level, green spaces, boundary walls, colours and textures, street surfaces, street Buildings of Local Importance: furniture, uses, scale, enclosure, views etc. A building which is considered to make a positive contribution to the special architectural or historic interest of a Conservation Vernacular/polite: Area, but does not meet the criteria for it to be added to the statutory list of buildings of special architectural and historic Vernacular interest. It may, for instance, be part of a group which by its Traditional buildings of a region, frequently developed by local scale, alignment, materials or style contribute to the quality of builders in response to the regional requirements, climate, site the townscape. conditions and available locally sourced materials.

Burgage Plot Polite Tenure of land in a town or city, which originally involved a fixed Designs developed by architects and architectural pattern money rent. Often used to describe the pattern of plots in a books usually incorporating classical concepts of symmetry, planned town. proportion and scale in both plan and elevation.

Enclosure: The arrangement of buildings, walls, trees etc. to provide different levels of containment of space.

22 Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 23 24 Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan How and where can additional copies can be obtained? Copies of the Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan and executive summary can be obtained from Mole Valley District Council. The address is at the end of this document. The documents can also be found on Mole Valley’s website at www.molevalley.gov.uk. Contacts for further information: Conservation Team, Planning Department, Mole Valley District Council, Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey RH4 1SJ or by email to: [email protected] Tel no. 01306 885001 Mole Valley District Council web site: www.molevalley.gov.uk

Little Bookham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 25 Alternative formats If you would like this document in another format or language please visit the Council’s main reception in Dorking or the Leatherhead HelpShop. Alternatively you can contact us by: Fax: 01306 876821 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.molevalley.gov.uk

Si desea este documento en otro formato o idioma sírvase visitar la receptción princial del Consejo en Dorking o el Leatherhead Helpshop. También puede comunicarse con nosotros por: Fax: 01306 876821 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.molevalley.gov.uk

Mole Valley District Council Written and produced by Pippbrook Forum Heritage Services for Dorking Mole Valley District Council RH4 1SJ

PublishedPublished by by Tel: 01306 885001 Mole Valley Planning Mole Valley Planning Fax: 01306 876821 Department department E-mail: [email protected]

April 2009 www.molevalley.gov.uk June 2011