DOCSLIB.ORG

David Wilson Homes

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
David Wilson Homes F DEVELOPMENT CONTROL AND REGULATORY BOARD 23 RD APRIL 2009 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES APPLICATION UPON WHICH THE COUNTY PLANNING AUTHORITY IS CONSULTED BY THE DISTRICT COUNCIL PART A – SUMMARY REPORT APP. NOS. & DATE: 2009/0157/03 – Received by L.C.C. on 24 th February 2009 PROPOSAL: Outline application for residential development of 175 dwellings with associated access, landscaping and public open space (all matters except means of access reserved for subsequent approval). LOCATION: Land off Frolesworth Road, Broughton Astley (Harborough District) APPLICANT: David Wilson Homes. MAIN ISSUES: Housing land availability in the 5 year period and locational policies. RECOMMENDATION: Objection, because there is not overriding need for the development in this location. Circulation Under Local Issues Alert Procedure Mr. W. Liquorish JP, CC Officer to Contact Mr. D. Szymanski (Tel: 0116 3057050) E-Mail: [email protected] 2 2009/0157/03 – continued PART B – MAIN REPORT Background 1. The officers of the County Planning Authority consider Harborough District Council should be advised of the CPAs views on the proposals subject of this report in the context of strategic planning policies for the area. As the East Midlands Regional Plan has been published, this has resulted in the deletion of the remaining Structure Plan policies. Therefore comments would be made in this context. A separate consultation has been carried out with the CPA in regard of the appropriate developer contributions towards services and infrastructure arising from this proposal. Description of Proposal 2. The application relates to land situated to the east of Frolesworth Road adjoining the south of Broughton Astley. This is one of two applications submitted by David Wilson Homes on Greenfield land at Broughton Astley. The other application (ref. 2009/0156/03) is located to the west of the village and is considered elsewhere on this agenda. The application site is approximately 6.2 hectares of land currently in agricultural use. To the north the site is bound by residential properties on the southern edge of Broughton Astley. To the east it is bound by a small brook, west by the Frolesworth Road and Mill Farm and to the south by open countryside. To the west of Frolesworth Road lies a recreation ground. There is an existing farm (Mill Farm) which would separate part of the development from Frolesworth Road. 3. The planning application is seeking outline planning permission for the erection of 175 dwellings, with all other matters except access to be agreed at the reserved matters stage. Access to the site is proposed to be gained from a roundabout off the Frolesworth Road to the west of the site. Public footpaths W58 and W60 cross southern and northern parts of the site respectively, with W61 running along the northern boundary. It is proposed to retain these along their definitive lines. The application proposes a variety of dwellings from 1- bedroom apartments to 5-bedroom houses. It is proposed 30% of these would be affordable houses. 4. The applicant acknowledges that the application site lies outside the limits to development of Broughton Astley. However, it considers that there are other material considerations which mean that the application should be looked upon favourably. These include the lack of a proven 5 year supply of land as required paragraph 54 of PPS3, and, the provision of much needed affordable housing to address a manifest shortfall in the District. The application proposes a number of ‘local play areas’ for children to play in, however, given the proximity to the recreation ground, the applicant does not intend to provide any playing pitches. 5. The application site was submitted for consideration in the Housing and Employment Development Plan Document in 2006. There have been delays to the production of the DPDs due to the review of the RSS. The District Council is seeking advice from the government prior to consulting on a second version of its Core Strategy in-light of eco-town proposals. DC&REG BOARD 23/04/2009 3 2009/0157/03 – continued DC&REG BOARD 23/04/2009 4 2009/0157/03 – continued 6. The applicant submitted a desk based Archaeological Assessment with the application which indicates that the site has remained largely unchanged since the 1880s. This concluded that the application site lies within an area of moderate archaeological potential. There is documentary evidence relating to a post-medieval windmill and earthworks related top a field system. Geophysical surveys show anomalies in the south eastern part of the site, in the perceived location of the windmill. The report concludes that the site has moderate archaeological potential. 7. An Ecological Assessment has been submitted with the planning application. This concludes that the site has limited potential to provide a habitat for protected species, but the trees and hedgerows are of local importance and should be retained where possible. It is also proposed to provide a buffer zone of 8m to the stream on the eastern boundary of the site which is a wildlife corridor. 8. The applicant states that the proposed development has been designed to minimise its visual impact in the landscape. This would be achieved by including new planting within the scheme and by retaining existing trees and hedgerows on the site boundaries and running through the site. The Landscape/Visual Assessment concludes that when complete, the proposed development would have a ‘slightly adverse’ visual impact, with the worst impact from houses immediately surrounding the site boundary. The application proposes built form between one and two and a half storeys high. In general terms the applicant states that the development has been built to avoid a car-dominated street scene whilst ensuring an excellent level of overlooking on pedestrian and cycle routes. 9. The applicant has submitted a Transport Assessment with the application. This concludes that there should be no overriding objection to the development of the site in transport terms. It concludes that there are regular bus services to Leicester, Lutterworth and Rugby and that bus services are within easy walking distance and provide a viable alternative to the private car. The site is also within adequate walking distance of the village centre, local schools and employment areas. The proposed development would require the provision of a roundabout and an extension to the 30mph speed limit. 10. A Flood Risk Assessment indicates that a small section of the western part of the site may be within the flood plain. The applicant is proposing a surface water balancing feature to the north of the site to deal with run-off. No dwellings would be located on the part of the site within the floodplain and it is proposed to maintain an 8 metre easement to the brook. Planning Policy 11. National Planning Policy Guidance relevant to the application is set out in PPS 1 (Delivering Sustainable Development); PPS 3: (Housing), PPS 7 (Sustainable Development in Rural Areas), PPG 13 (Transport) and PPS25 (Development and Flood Risk). The Development Plan in this instance is made up of the East Midlands Regional Plan (EMRP) adopted in March 2009 and the Harborough District Local Plan (HDLP) adopted in April 2001. 12. The built development would be located on agricultural fields designated open countryside on the Harborough Local Plan Proposals Map. Policy EV/5 of the DC&REG BOARD 23/04/2009 5 2009/0157/03 – continued Local Plan sets out general considerations and criteria for assessing development proposals in the countryside. There are no specific land uses encouraged or precluded, however, the policy makes it clear that development will be strictly controlled. 13. The East Midlands Regional Plan was published in March 2009 and provides new figures for the provision of dwellings in Leicestershire. These figures assume primacy as they supersede those in the Harborough District Local Plan and the remaining structure plan policies have been deleted with the adoption of the EMRP. Policy 13A requires Harborough District to provide 350 dwellings per year between 2006 – 2026 (7,000 over the plan period). Policy 14 requires that 33% of the dwellings provided in Leicester and Leicestershire are affordable houses. 14. The relevant policies in these documents are set out in Appendix A attached to this report. Assessment of Proposal 15. This application has to be assessed in the light of the relevant national, strategic and local plan policies (see Appendix). It should be determined in accordance with the development plan unless there are material considerations that would indicate otherwise. The fundamental issue in this case relates to the provision for strategic housing requirements in the District, including the required 5-year supply of deliverable housing land and the release of a greenfield site Housing land requirements 16. PPS 3 states that for sites to be considered deliverable they must be available, suitable and achievable within a five year period. The 350 dwelling per year requirement of Policy 13A of the EMRP, means that the District must be able to demonstrate sufficient sites to accommodate 1,750 dwellings over a 5 year period, to conform with the requirements of PPS3. The EMRP states that Districts can test higher figures through their LDF. 17. The applicant has provided an analysis of Harborough’s housing requirements. Between 2001 and 2008 the emerging RSS required the District to complete 2,580 dwellings. It actually completed 2,749 with 586 of those in the last financial year. The applicant’s assessment concludes that on the basis of emerging RSS figures that the District should provide an additional 1,911 dwellings over the next 5 years to 2013, when considering targets and completions from the previous seven years. The applicant confirms that the most recent Annual Monitoring Report identifies potential completions of 1,519 for the next five years, leaving a shortfall of 392.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Leicestershire Sustainable Community Strategy
    LEICESTERSHIRE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY STRATEGY FINAL DRAFT MARCH 2008 1 Introduction I am pleased to present our Sustainable Community Strategy to you on behalf of Leicestershire Together, the Local Strategic Partnership for Leicestershire. Leicestershire Together includes all of the organisations and partnerships that deliver public services in Leicestershire, and we seek to improve the quality of life and of public services in the County. This draft Sustainable Community Strategy proposes priorities for improvement in Leicestershire over the next 5 years. These are largely based upon two draft evidence base reports ‘This is Leicestershire’ and ‘Places in Leicestershire’. The structure of the new Sustainable Community Strategy is quite different to that of the previous Community Strategy in that it focuses on what we are going to do rather than how we are going to do it. Our second Local Area Agreement (LAA2) is the key delivery framework for the strategy (the ‘how’ bit) – and more details on the LAA can be found later in this document. The challenge that faces us now is to deliver the ambitions outlined in this Strategy, making a real and measurable difference to the lives of Leicestershire people. David Parsons Chair, Leicestershire Together Contact details: Telephone: 0116 305 6977/8137 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.leicestershiretogether.org Write to us: Policy Team, Chief Executives Department, Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8RA 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Leicestershire Together Leicestershire Together is the Local Strategic Partnership for Leicestershire and includes all of the organisations and partnerships that deliver public services in the County. Our aim is to improve the quality of life for the people of Leicestershire and make Leicestershire the best possible place to live and work for everyone.
    [Show full text]
  • Reviews Pp.193-202
    Reviews Peter Walker, James II and the Three Questions: Religious Toleration and the Landed Classes, 1687–1688 (Oxford and Berne, Peter Lang, 2010), 223 × 149mm, xxx + 310pp, ISBN 978-3-03911-927-1; ISSN 1661-1985 (pbk), £42. This book is based on the author’s Ph.D. thesis at Leicester University. It examines the attempt by the Catholic, James II, to repeal laws which discriminated against his co-religionists by packing Parliament with his supporters. In the winter of 1677–78, James ordered the lords lieutenants to canvas the gentry of their respective counties with three questions: would they consent to the repeal of the Test Act and the penal laws; would they support candidates who wished to abolish them; and would they accept the Declaration of Indulgence which granted general religious toleration. The author analyses the returns in detail and argues that they failed to garner the King any real support, but he also notes that many of those who responded negatively to the first two questions also answered positively to the third. He argues that this indicates more support for general toleration than has previously been allowed. Chapter 8 on the Leicestershire returns will be of most interest to readers of this journal. The county’s lord lieutenant was Theophilus Hastings, earl of Huntingdon, an appointee of James and pro-Crown despite being a Protestant. The returns contain replies from 27 of the counties landed gentry, whose responses roughly correspond to the national pattern. Only a fifth of the Protestant gentry in the county supported the King, even excluding those who failed to respond.
    [Show full text]
  • The Brambles the Square | Frolesworth | Lutterworth | Leicestershire | LE17 5EQ
    The Brambles The Square | Frolesworth | Lutterworth | Leicestershire | LE17 5EQ The Brambles Cover.indd 3 20/12/2018 12:36 THE BRAMBLES A fabulous extended five bedroom home situated on a 0.23 acre plot with glorious views of the Leicestershire countryside on the outskirts of this popular village. The Brambles Cover.indd 4 20/12/2018 12:36 The Brambles was acquired by our present owners as a renovation project and has been extended considerably from its original façade to provide five double bedrooms, a family bathroom and a master with en-suite, whilst the versatile ground floor offers an open plan kitchen/dining/family room, sitting room, study, utility room, boot room and cloakroom. There is off road parking for several vehicles and an envious plot of 0.23 acres with outstanding views across the neighbouring countryside. The property also has the benefit of some significant outbuildings including a music studio, which could easily be adapted to create a work from home office. The house benefits from gas central heating, with modern underfloor heating on the ground floor and double-glazed windows afford some super views from the rear elevation. The property is offered for sale with no onward chain and internal inspection is strongly recommended. The Brambles Pages.indd 1 20/12/2018 12:35 The Brambles Pages.indd 2 20/12/2018 12:35 Accommodation Summary Ground Floor There is a traditional entrance door with travertine tiles and underfloor heating, a staircase that rises to the first floor and doors that lead to the sitting room, kitchen/dining/family room and study.
    [Show full text]
  • Hawthorne Lodge
    Hawthorne Lodge Frolesworth Lane, Broughton Astley Offers based on £915,000 INTRODUCTION The Sutton Lodge barn development forms a quadrant of four luxury barn conversions located in beautiful South Leicestershire open countryside. The property is accessed via a private road with each barn sitting in substantial grounds with beautiful views from all aspects. SITUATION The development offers potential purchasers the opportunity to choose a barn that best suits their lifestyle and individual needs. The Sutton Lodge development offers the rare opportunity to own a totally individual barn conversion finished to the highest standard using traditional materials with a contemporary finish. HAWTHORNE LODGE Hawthorne Lodge sits at the bottom right of the quadrant in the stunning Sutton Lodge Barn development. The dwelling enjoys spacious living accommodation covering approximately 3200 sqft with a unique selection of four bedrooms with two en-suite shower rooms and main four piece family bathroom. The layout of this particular barn conversion follows the more traditional genre of a conversion remaining as one long dwelling and offers generous living accommodation across two levels. The Hawthorne has the benefit of a spectacular fully integrated dining kitchen with a separate utility room located at one end of the property with the living rooms further along at the other end enjoying views through multiple floor to ceiling windows overlooking the beautiful lawns to the rear and paved frontage. The Hawthorne also has the added benefit of detached double garaging to the rear with either an office or further living accommodation situated above. This property enjoys uninterrupted countryside views and on the first floor of the property you will discover a practical layout offering bedroom accommodation with bathrooms at both ends of the property.
    [Show full text]
  • Harborough District Council Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment 2015 Update Site Assessment Companion Guide
    Harborough District Council Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment 2015 Update Site Assessment Companion Guide Broughton Astley Lutterworth Market Harborough Locations adjoining the Leicester Urban Area May 2016 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................. 4 A/BA/HSG/01 – Land off Dunton Road, Broughton Astley .......................................................................................... 5 A/BA/HSG/07 – Land West of Mill Farm, Broughton Astley ........................................................................................ 6 A/BA/HSG/08 - Land adjacent to land south of Crowfoot Way, Broughton Astley ..................................................... 7 A/BA/HSG/10 – Agricultural land off Frolesworth Road (North), Broughton Astley ................................................... 8 A/BA/HSG/12 – Land north of Dunton Road (south), Broughton Astley ..................................................................... 9 A/BA/HSG/13 – Land north of Dunton Road, Broughton Astley ............................................................................... 10 A/BA/HSG/14 – Land at Station Farm, Broughton Astley .......................................................................................... 11 A/BA/HSG/17 – Land at Elms Farm, Broughton Astley .............................................................................................. 12 A/BA/HSG/18 – Land at 34 Sutton
    [Show full text]
  • Minerals and Waste Issues Document
    LEICESTERSHIRE MINERALS AND WASTE LOCAL PLAN Issues Document November 2013 Contents CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................1 MINERALS AND WASTE LOCAL PLAN ..............................................................................................................1 CURRENT LOCAL DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENTS ...............................................................................................1 THE SCOPE AND NATURE OF THIS DOCUMENT ..............................................................................................3 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?.....................................................................................................................................3 2. WHY ARE THE MINERALS AND WASTE CORE STRATEGIES BEING REVIEWED? .....................................................................................................................................................4 3. SPATIAL CHARACTERISTICS, SPATIAL VISION AND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................................................7 SPATIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COUNTY.................................................................................................7 SPATIAL VISION..............................................................................................................................................11 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................11
    [Show full text]
  • HARBOROUGH DISTRICT COUNCIL OPEN SPACE/SPORT and RECREATIONAL FACILITIES and ASSESSMENT of LOCAL NEEDS FINAL REPORT by PMP In
    HARBOROUGH DISTRICT COUNCIL OPEN SPACE/SPORT AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL NEEDS FINAL REPORT BY PMP in association with Donaldsons JUNE 2004 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Executive Summary What is the aim of this open space, sport and recreation study? The study aims to provide a clear picture of existing and future needs for open space, sport and recreation in Harborough and the current ability to meet those needs in terms of quality, quantity and accessibility. The study sets local standards based on assessments of local needs, demographics and audits of existing open spaces. It is the basis for addressing quantitative and qualitative deficiencies through the planning process and should form the basis of the development of an open space strategy for Harborough DC. Scope of the open space and sport and recreation study The study includes all open space and recreation types identified within the latest Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 (Planning for Open Space Sport and Recreation, July 2002) and its Companion Guide (September 2002). These include parks and gardens, natural and semi-natural areas, green corridors, amenity greenspace, provision for children and young people, outdoor sports facilities, allotments, cemeteries and churchyards and civic spaces. The study also considers the provision of sport and indoor recreation facilities. What is the need for the study of open space, sport and recreation? A local assessment of open space and open space needs will enable the Council to: • plan positively, creatively and effectively in identifying priority areas for improvement and to target appropriate types of open space required • ensure an adequate provision of high quality, accessible open space to meet the needs of community • ensure any accessible funding is invested in the right places where there is the most need • conduct S106 negations with developers from a position of knowledge with evidence to support.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 82 – 1988
    TRANSACTIONS OF THE LEICESTER LITERARY & PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY Tower Karst in Southern China Nuclear Test Verification East Midlands Airport S. C. Mason Dartington Chemistry and Society Lower Lias at Catthorpe Volume 82 August 1988 ISSN 0141 - 3511 TRANSACTIONS OF THE LEICESTER LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY VOLUME 82 August 1988 CONTENTS THE SCIENCE OF VERIFICATION 1 Presidential Address by M.A. Khan DARTINGTON - A UTOPIAN COMMUNITY 3 D. Davis THE CONCEPTION AND OPERATION OF THE EAST MIDLANDS AIRPORT 7 E. Dyer MOLECULES AND ME - CHEMISTRY AND SOCIETY 9 R. Malpas THE LAST OF THE AMATEURS; S. C. MASON, CBE, DIRECTOR OF 15 EDUCATION FOR LEICESTERSHIRE, 1947-71 D.K. Jones THE TOWER KARST OF SOUTHERN CHINA 1 7 A.C. Waltham THE LOWER LIAS AT CATTHORPE, SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE 21 D.M. Blake and R.G. Clements PRESIDENT'S REPORT, 1987-88 27 PROGRAMME FOR 146th SESSION 28 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GEOLOGY SECTION 29 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SECTION 30 MEMBERSHIP LIST 1987-88 33 Cover picture: Tower karst on the Li River, Guangxi, China. © Copyright: The Leicester Literary and Philosophical Sodety, 1988 Published by the Leicester Lit,erary and Philosophical Society, c/o Leicestershire Museums Service, 96 New Walk, Leicester LE1 6TD Transactions of the Leicester Literary & Philosophical Society Volume 82, 1988 THE SCIENCE OF VERIFICATION Presidential Address by Dr M, A, Khan delivered on 5th October 1987 The "verification" of the title refers to In 1963, the Limited Test Ban Treaty that of a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (NTBT), (LTBT) was signed by 120 nations (but one of the most urgent and difficult excluding France) prohibiting nuclear diplomatic issues of the day.
    [Show full text]
  • Leicestershire County Council
    2015 Leicestershire County Council Consultation Statement Consultation Statement 1.0 Consultation Statement 1.1 As the first stage in the production of the Minerals and Waste Local Plan, the County Council published the following documents in November 2013: Leicestershire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Issues Document; Leicestershire Minerals and Waste Local Plan Review - Sustainability Appraisal incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment: Scoping Report. 1.2. The bodies with contact details listed in Appendix 1 were consulted by email or letter with a request for any comments to be provided by 24th January 2014. The documents, together with a summary leaflet and a response form, were made available on the County’s website (www.leics.gov.uk). The consultation exercise was also publicised by means of an advertisement placed in local newspapers. 1.3. A total of 70 groups and individuals responded to the Minerals and Waste Issues Consultation document. 28 of the responses were from councils (3 from District Councils; 12 from Parish Councils; 6 from adjoining Councils; and 7 from other councils), 12 from industry (7 from mineral companies and 5 from waste companies), 9 from statutory consultees, 2 from County Council Departments, 14 from other organisations, 2 from landowners and 3 from private individuals. A list of those who responded is set out in Table 1 below. 1 Consultation Statement Table 1: Respondents to the Issues consultation document Parish/Town Other Councils/ Industry Public Bodies Other Councils Meetings Blaby P.C. Charnwood Acorn Coal Authority British B.C. Recyclers Mountaineering Council Broughton Astley Hinckley & Air Products English Bowline P.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Accompanying Note
    Rural Economy Planning Toolkit Companion Document Instructions for Using the Toolkit Useful Context Information Produced by: Funded by: Rural Economic Development Planning Toolkit This document explains how to use the toolkit in greater detail and sets out some of the broader context relevant to the development of the toolkit. Its sections are: Instructions for Using the Toolkit Economic Development Context The Emerging National Framework for Planning and Development The assessment of planning applications for rural economic development: designated sites and key issues for Leicestershire authorities What makes a good rural economic development planning proposal? Case Studies Parish Broadband Speeds The Distribution and Contribution of Rural Estates within Leicestershire Attractions in Leicester and Leicestershire Instructions - Using the Toolkit The toolkit is in the form of an interactive PDF document. Most of the text is locked, and you cannot change it. Throughout the toolkit, though, comments, information and responses are asked for, and boxes you can type in are provided. You are also asked to select 'traffic lights' – red, amber or green. It is important to understand that, if you start with a blank copy of the toolkit, the first thing you should do is save it with a different name using the 'Save as Copy' command in Acrobat Reader. This means you have now created a version of the toolkit for the particular project you are working on, and still have the blank copy of the toolkit for another time. Let's assume you have saved your copy of the PDF file as 'Project.pdf' – every time you save again you will save all of the additions and traffic light choices you have made.
    [Show full text]
  • Leicestershire
    552 LUTTERWORTH, LEICESTERSHIRE. [KELLY'S The Wycliffe Memorial, erected in 1897 to comma- partly applied to the erection of buildings for the ele­ uwrate the 6oth year of the reign of Her late Majesty mentary schools on a portion of the glebe land adjoining Queen Victoria, at the junction of Coventry and Hinck- the churchyard and given by the Rev. F. C. Alder son, ley roads, is an obelisk of Aberdeen granite, 30 feet in rector 1893-1908; the rest of the funds, with the pro­ height. The Police Station, for the hundred of Guth- ceeds from the sale of Shawell farm and Elkington's laxton, in Market street, was erected in 1842; a court charity, were employed principally in the foundation of room and residence for the superintendent were added a grammar school for 30 boarders and 30 day scholars, in 1909. The Literary Institute, now used chiefly as Two almsmen are also maintained out of tbe endow­ a news-room, was erected near the church gates in ment funds in accordance with Sherrier's will and by r876; adjoining is the station and engine house of the further schemes framed in r894 and 18g8. The charities Fire Brigade, which is under the control of the Parish were up to rgog distributed to the poor of this parish Council. on St. Thomas' day. A new scheme was passed by the Parr's Bank Limited and the United Counties Banking Charity Commissioners and Board of Education by which Co. Limited have branches here. it was transferred to the Leicestershire County Council The Wycliffe Foundry Co.
    [Show full text]
  • The Origins of Leicestershire: Churches, Territories, and Landscape
    The origins of Leicestershire: churches, territories, and landscape Graham Jones Introduction Neat parcelling-out of the landscape need In the decades since our introduction to not be Danish. Like the open fields, it may be Glanville Jones’s ‘multiple estate’ (Jones 1961) older.4 and John Blair’s minster parish (Blair 1988),1 Rather than ‘Where are the minsters?’ attempts to identify Leicestershire’s earliest better to ask ‘What territories were served by churches and pre-hundredal structures have minsters?’ Can they be identified and their mainly concentrated on area studies.2 Blair extents estimated?5 Can they be categorised? himself notes how some ‘relatively settled’ Sub-kingdoms, provinces, folk territories, and areas such as Leicestershire ‘still seem very regiones (Bassett 1993; Hooke 1998) are thin’ in their number of minsters, asking ‘whether not easily distinguished from each other and the contrast is simply in the surviving sources’ from hundreds and wapentakes. Moreover, (Blair 2005, 152, 315-6). While the national a network of minsters, monastic or secular, and regional pictures remain incomplete,3 with neatly dovetailing parochiæ, will not alone uncertainty clings to the shape of religious reveal the ancient devotional landscape. provision before and after the Augustinian Places of religious or ritual resort came in many mission, the process of Christianisation, the guises. What became Leicestershire had a extent of Danish colonisation, the impact of richly varied religious geography as this study reforms, and the emergence of the parochial shows, but we should expect it from continental network. This ramifies back and forth with evidence. In southern Germany, for example, secular matters: cultural identity, nucleation, churches were first built at fords or crossroads, manorialisation, and here the existence of hilltops, burial barrows, or springs for baptism, Leicestershire itself.
    [Show full text]