TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT 1990

PLANNING AND LISTED BUILDING APPLICATION

FOR

LITTLE THORBENS BARN, TOOT HILL ROAD, GREENSTED, ONGAR, CM5 9LQ

HERITAGE STATEMENT

FOR

SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION

Date: Ref: 0205 - May.12

CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION Page 1

2.0 SUMMARY OF LISTING Page 1

3.0 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT Page 2

4.0 CONCLUSION Page 3

APPENDICES

LISTING STATUS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 The purpose of this Heritage Statement is to review the proposal in relation to its location within the curtilage of the Listed Building of Little Thorbens.

1.2 The application is for a single storey extension to the existing residential building at Little Thorbens Barn. The proposed extension is for additional residential accommodation.

2.0 SUMMARY OF LISTING

2.1 Little Thorbens is a Grade II Listed Building.

2.2 The historic use of the site was as a livestock/dairy farm.

2.3 The main house was listed on 11 April 1984, details of Listing attached in Appendices.

2.4 The main house dates back to the 16th century and consists of a timber frame that has been plastered under a red plain tile roof with pierced ridge tiles.

2.5 Additions to the main house include a small paned door to the crosswing and also a single storey extension to the right. Both additions were completed in the 20th century.

2.6 The building subject to the current Planning and Listed Building application was originally a farm building utilised by livestock and associated equipment.

2.7 Details obtained from the Heritage Gateway include that the building was completed in the 19th century but more than likely consisted of 18th century elements.

2.8 A survey of the farm buildings noted in the Historic Building Recording of 2006 by Essex County Council Field Archaeology Unit (ECC FAU) prior to conversion indicated that the group consisted of open shelter sheds, loose boxes and stables.

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3.0 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT

3.1 The proposals have been discussed with the Senior Listed Buildings Adviser, Ms Pippa , who confirmed her approval to the extension scheme on 15th May 2012. This approval is contained within the Planning Design and Access Statement that also accompanies this application.

3.2 In addition to the above, early draft design discussions were made with the Assistant Director (Development) Planning & Economic Development, Mr Nigel Richardson from District Council. Mr Richardson suggested that the draft extension idea A would be the way forward on making a planning application and contained within his email of 16th March 2012. The application extension has been entirely based around draft idea A. The suggested extension design and way forward is contained within the Planning Design and Access Statement.

Single Storey Extension

3.3 The external dimensions of the proposed extension are 4.52m x 4.76m. At early draft stages of the extension proposals, this was the preferred extension size by Ms Colchester as it retained a sufficient gap between the extension and the existing building to signify the historic entrance into the farmyard.

3.4 The proposed materials, scale and design of the extension are in character with the former farm buildings.

3.5 The proposed extension has a ridge and eaves height that is lower than the building that it adjoins. A gap is maintained of 2.8m from the extension to the adjacent building. The extension matches the adjacent building in terms of ridge and eaves heights and overall width to remain ‘in-keeping’ with the existing building.

3.6 The materials for the extension include featheredged painted black weatherboarding under a natural slate tiles roof with red ridge tiles, black cast iron rainwater goods, black fascia and soffit boards to match the existing in all respects. The elevation on the internal courtyard side will include black aluminium frame bi-fold doors and matching black aluminium frame glazed roof section.

3.7 The combination of a lowered ridge and eaves height, the setting back of the extension so that it is not flush in line with the end of the building that it adjoins and all the proposed materials provide a design that is sympathetic to the character of the existing buildings.

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4.0 CONCLUSION

4.1 This proposed development will maintain and enhance the historic interest of the buildings.

4.2 The proposed development is sympathetic with the character of the existing buildings

4.3 The proposed development will improve on the more recently approved courtyard changes in terms of layout.

4.4 Altogether the proposed development will assist in preserving and enhancing the existing building within the curtilage of the Listed Building.

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APPENDIX

1. Listing Status