Airth Conservation Area Management Plan Guidance on the Responsibilities of Property Owners, Occupiers and Agents

Airth Conservation Area Management Plan Guidance on the Responsibilities of Property Owners, Occupiers and Agents Falkirk Council • Updated 2012 Contents Preface 1. The Requirement for Planning Permission in Conservation Areas 2. Historical Background to Airth Conservation Area 3. Purpose of this Design Guide 4. General Design Guidance 4.1 Historical Building Groupings 4.2 The 18th / early 19th Century Village 4.3 The later 19th / 20th Century Buildings 4.4 The 1950’s Housing Areas 5. Supplementary Advice 5.1 New Buildings/ Infill 5.2 Extensions 5.3 Sash and Case Windows 5.4 Doors 5.5 Rear Elevations Appendices Appendix 1: Map of Conservation Area Appendix 2: a. 1950’s Housing: Key to Design Guidance, Typical Original Elevations b. 1950’s Housing: Key to Design Guidance, Prohibited External Alterations Appendix 3: 1950’s Housing: Standard Door and Window Required Appendix 4: 18th/19th Century Buildings: Typical Doors Preface 1. The Requirement for 2. Historical Background Planning Permission to Airth Conservation Area in Conservation Areas Falkirk Council believes that the unique 1.1 The designation of a conservation area 2.1 The original site of the medieval burgh 2.3 Along the edges of the 1974 Conservation character of Airth Conservation Area is worthy gives any planning authority additional powers of Airth was situated in the grounds of Airth Area boundary were small groups of council of protection and enhancement and that in the to control changes in the appearance of Castle and the movement of the village houses (some now privately owned) built mainly long term this will be in the best interests of buildings and land in areas of architectural downhill to its present site took place at the in the late 1950’s and designed specifically to local people and the district as a whole. and historic importance where planning beginning of the 18th Century when Airth harmonise with and provide a setting for the permission would not normally be required. In began to develop rapidly as a seaport. The 18th century houses which form the core of It is intended that this management plan effect planning permission will be required for Mercat Cross was erected in 1697 and is the the village. Traditional features include steeply should provide practical and readily accessible any demolition, alteration to the outside of earliest reliably dated structure of the present pitched and pantiled roofs and vertically guidance to occupiers of Airth Conservation buildings including painting, replacement of village. The link between the old and new proportioned openings with sash and case Area who may be considering alterations roof coverings, rainwater goods, windows and settlements was finally severed when in 1820 timber windows sub-divided into smaller panes to their homes or businesses. The guidance doors, erection of a satellite dish, the alteration the North Church replaced the Old Parish by astragals. contains general and specific advice on a to fencing or other means of enclosure and Church (the ruins remain next to Airth Castle wide range of developments from minor 2.4 A report by the Director of Planning of work to trees. It is important always to check Hotel). The remaining building elements from external alterations to window replacement September 1984 expressed concern that some with the Council whether consent is required the 18th and early 19th Century village are and new build. occupiers of these houses were carrying out prior to carrying out any work. located around the Mercat Cross and along unsympathetic external alterations, which if The guidance was first approved by Falkirk Shore Road. The Mercat Cross itself is now a continued would erode visual amenity and District Council in 1992 and revised by Falkirk Scheduled Monument and a Category A Listed have an adverse effect on the setting of the Council in 2000 adding options for window Building. The other listed buildings from the older Conservation Area. An example of this refurbishment and replacement. original village are: was given as “sash windows being replaced Should any further advice or assistance be • 18th Century/ Category B: View Villa at by aluminium double glazed units”. The required, please do not hesitate to contact the Cross, Nos. 16 - 18 Shore Road and the recommendation was that the Conservation Falkirk Council Development Services, Captain’s House at the corner with Paul Area boundary be extended to include these tel. 01324 504715 or Drive; and houses so as to prevent intrusive external email [email protected] changes from occurring. This was approved by • early 19th Century/ Category B: Falkirk District Council. Schoolhouse (Rosebank) on the Brae, west of the cross; Category C(s): Elphinstone 2.5 In more recent times Falkirk Council has Inn, at the Cross, and Rothesay Villa , a approved two further extensions following detached house on Shore Road. consultation with the public to include the following: These buildings are shown on Appendix1: Map of the Conservation Area. • 2000: behind the Mercat Cross to the north along Main Street to include North Church 2.2 The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) and the Schoolhouse (Rosebank), both Act 1972 required planning authorities to listed buildings; and designate areas of special architectural and historic interest as Conservation Areas. It was • 2006: the west side of High Street becoming clear by the time of this legislation continuing south. that the special protection afforded through 2.6 Appendix 1 shows the current boundary to the listing of a few buildings was not in Airth Conservation Area. itself sufficient to prevent continued erosion of the 18th / early 19th Century village of Airth. Accordingly, a Conservation Area was designated in 1974 by Stirling County Council. This area consisted of the Mercat Cross, Shore Road and The Wilderness. 3. Purpose of 4. General Design Guidance this Design Guide 3.1 All the key heritage bodies are agreed 4.1 Historical Encouragement will be given to restore original about the unique character of the older parts Building Groupings window openings subsequently bricked up. of Airth and also the importance of the later Central stone or masonry mullions should not Council housing groups in reinforcing the General design guidance concerned with be removed. Conservation Area. Furthermore such heritage external building alterations and repairs is dealt Front Doors: These should also be in timber areas are often sought after as places to with separately for each component part of the traditionally framed and lined (also known as live and so have an economic as well as an Conservation Area representing the 3 distinct ledged and braced). architectural and historic value. It is therefore periods of development i.e. hoped that the residents of the Conservation NB For more detailed advice on Windows and Area will themselves wish to have their local • the 18th Century village; Doors see paras. 5.3-5.5 environment protected from unsympathetic • the 19th Century and later buildings; and External Wall Finishes: Repointing of the external alterations, most particularly to • the 1950’s housing groups. stonework should be neat along the joint windows and doors. The design advice afforded using an appropriate lime mortar to match the here has been prepared to achieve this aim. original. A wet dash render or harling 4.2 The 18th / Early 19th over random rubble may only be considered Century Village where: Listed Buildings predominate in this central • there is a historic precedent for this; part of the village. Exact like-for-like repair and • the poor condition of the stone makes replacement is therefore required both in terms further protection an absolute necessity; of appearance and of function. Such changes may also require Listed Building Consent. It • carried out to a single isolated building or is important to seek advice from the Council comprehensively to a group in a single before carrying out any works. colour; and Windows: These are the traditional weighted • the stonework, corner quoins and stone and corded sash and case type sliding window window surrounds remain as exposed stone. in painted timber. Whilst repair and restoration Stonework should not be painted or clad in should be the primary aim, where replacement artificial stone or brick. is deemed essential, this should accurately match the original in the following respects: Roof Coverings: Re-roofing will generally require the re-use of the existing clay pantiles • the sliding units visible, with the fixed and natural slates and any replacements should frame concealed behind the wall jamb; closely match the originals. • the meeting rail in the original position i.e. Chimneys: The external finish to any rebuilt creating an upper sash/main pane slightly chimney should match the walling (see External less in height than the lower one; and Wall Finishes above) Chimneys should include • the profile and dimensions of the sliding terracotta clay pots. frames and the astragals/ glazing bars (with Gutters and Downpipes: These should be “horns” extending below the meeting rail). cast-iron. Modern “slim profile” double glazing will be Front Garden Enclosure: The earliest buildings, permitted but not applied leaded patterns, adjacent to Mercat Cross, sit directly onto e.g. lattice or diamond shapes. In this context the street with no front gardens and this consideration should be given to the retention arrangement should continue. However of any original period glazing. detached villas, including those further along Shore Road, are set back behind a shallow front garden enclosed by a hedge or formal cast External wall finishes, chimneys, gutters, Windows: Traditional timber sash and case Where a comprehensive enhancement project iron railing on a stone plinth. Any replacement downpipes, and external colour: The guidance windows are the dominant style and any is proposed for a complete terrace or semi should be like-for-like.

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