Conservation Area Appraisals in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Gayle 2011 Draft Update Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 4 1.1 The Area 4 1.2 The Appraisal 4 1.3 Summary 5 2.0 Planning Policy Framework 6 2.1 What Is a Conservation Area? 6 2.2 Benefits of Designation 7 3.0 The Special Interest 9 3.1 General 9 3.2 Summary of the Special Interest of the Gayle Conservation Area 9 4.0 Assessing Special Interest 11 4.1 Location and Setting 11 a) Location and Context 11 b) Character and Plan Form 11 c) Landscape and Setting 12 4.2 Historic Development and Archaeology 14 a) Origins and Historic Development of the Area 14 b) Archaeology 15 4.3 Key Views and Vistas 16 4.4 Character Analysis 18 a) Definition of Character Zones 18 b) Activities and Former Uses and Their Influence on Plan Form and Buildings 23 c) Quality of Buildings and Their Contribution to the Area 25 d) Audit of Heritage Assets 35 e) Traditional Building Materials, Local Details and the Public Realm 42 f) Contribution Made to the Character of the Area by Green Spaces and Its Biodiversity Value 44 g) General Condition of the Gayle Conservation Area 45 5.0 Local Generic Guidance 47 6.0 Summary of Issues 48 7.0 Useful Information, Appendices and Contact Details 49 7.1 References and Further Reading 49 7.2 Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations 50 7.3 Contacts 51 7.4 Maps of Gayle 52 2 List of Figures Figure 01: Location maps 11 Figure 02: Map regression 12 Figure 03: Landscape features 13 Figure 04: Limestone bedrock 13 Figure 05: Millpond 14 Figure 06: Archaeological features 15 Figure 07: Key views 16 Figure 08: View 1 16 Figure 09: View 2 17 Figure 10: View 3 17 Figure 11: View 4 17 Figure 12: View 5 17 Figure 13: View 6 18 Figure 14: View 7 18 Figure 15: View 8 18 Figure 16: Walled garden at East and West Cottages 19 Figure 17: Central square 19 Figure 18: Hargill 20 Figure 19: The Gaits 21 Figure 20: Former informal courtyard 21 Figure 21: Buildings fronting Gayle Beck 22 Figure 22: North end of the Wynd 23 Figure 23: Barn conversion on Marridales 25 Figure 24: Watershot masonry and protruding through-stones 26 Figure 25: Outbuilding adjoining Old Hall 27 Figure 26: East House 29 Figure 27: Methodist Chapel 29 Figure 28: Chapel House 30 Figure 29: Flags Cottage 30 Figure 30: Friar Hill 31 Figure 31: East and West Cottages 31 Figure 32: Cottage next to Rolands 32 Figure 33: Ivy House/South View 32 Figure 34: Hillhouse/Yoredale 33 Figure 35: Beck House 33 Figure 36: Duerley House 34 Figure 37: Yarn House and Mallard Cottage 34 Figure 38: Wynd House 35 Figure 39: Clints House 35 Figure 40: Force Head farmhouse and railings 36 Figure 41: Gayle Bridge 37 Figure 42: Gayle Mill 38 Figure 43: Gayle Mill Pentrough 38 Figure 44: House to southwest of Clints House 39 Figure 45: K6 telephone kiosk 40 Figure 46: Old Hall 40 Figure 47: Sandemanian Chapel 41 Figure 48: Railings at Clints House 43 Figure 49: Unusual features of local interest 43 Figure 50: Features within the public realm 44 Figure 51: Negative features 45 Figure 52: Map of 1856 54 Figure 53: Map of 1894 54 3 1.0 Introduction The historic environment provides a tangible link with our past and contributes to our sense of national, local and community identity. It also provides the character and distinctiveness that is so important to a positive sense of place. […] The historic environment is a unique, fragile and non-renewable resource which contributes to the economy, 1 1 DCLG et al. 2010, society and daily life. Once lost, it cannot be replaced . paragraphs 5, 6 & 8. 2 English Heritage 2006a & b. This document is an update of the 2001 appraisal in the current Yorkshire 3 English Heritage 2006b, Dales National Park Authority’s corporate layout. The points raised in the paragraph 3.5. previous document have been revisited and, where appropriate, extended with more detailed information. Additional points have been added in the light of current English Heritage guidance 2. However, the overall essence of the 2001 appraisal has not been altered. Changes to the boundary have not been considered. The document has been updated to coincide with a Homeowners’ Event held at Gayle Mill on 22 October 2011, which incorporates in its programme a guided walk through the conservation area. No public consultation has been carried out on this draft. Although appraisals try to cover the main aspects of a designated area, they cannot be completely comprehensive; omission of particular buildings, features or spaces should not be taken to imply that they are of no interest 3. Throughout the text, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority will be referred to as ‘we’, or ‘the Authority’. 1.1 The Area The Gayle Conservation Area was designated on 01 March 2001. It is now one of thirty-seven such designations within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. An area of 9.20 hectares encompasses the historic core of the village and an extensive part of its immediately surrounding landscape. The overall character of the place is both informal in terms of its historical development and rural due to its vernacular architecture and natural landscape setting. Gayle is a very attractive conservation area and generally in good condition (see 4.4.g). 1.2 The Appraisal Purpose. Every conservation area has a distinctive character which has been shaped over time by its natural and man-made surroundings. This appraisal is an opportunity to re-assess the Gayle Conservation Area, to evaluate and record its special interest (see 3.0-4.0). It will set out how the place has evolved, draw out the key elements of its character and quality as it is now, and define what is positive and negative, and opportunities for beneficial change. However, neither the designation nor appraisal should be seen as an end in itself, but as a step towards the preservation and enhancement of Gayle’s character and appearance, providing a basis for making sustainable decisions about its future. Conservation areas can be susceptible to incremental and dramatic change due to neglect caused by economic decline, as well as over- investment and pressure for development. Hence the appraisal aims to counteract threats which would alter what made the area attractive and unique in the first place, and to help promote positive change. The appraisal provides information about the Gayle Conservation Area for residents, the wider public and other stakeholders. However, it is always advisable to contact the local planning authority before 4 undertaking any work on listed buildings or structures within the vicinity of designated heritage assets. Scope. This appraisal is based on the original 2001 document which had been prepared at the request of Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council in order to consider whether the settlement of Gayle possessed sufficient architectural or historic interest to be designated as conservation area, following on from a public meeting held with the parish council in 1997. Additional information has been included to meet the current corporate conservation area appraisal standard. Primary sources including historical maps and aerial photographs from the Authority’s Historic Environment Record have also been included. Literature and websites which may be of further interest are listed at the back (see 7.1). Site visits were undertaken between March and October 2011. 1.3 Summary The Gayle Conservation Area at a Glance: Date of designation: 01 March 2001 see 1.1 Date of last review: none see 1.0 Location: grid ref SD 871 892 (North Yorkshire) see 4.1.a Current size: 9.20ha see 1.1 Current boundary: see map see 7.4 Changes to boundary: no see 6.0 General character: rural; informal compact cluster see 4.1.b Special interest: 1. Vernacular buildings dating from C17, some see 4.4.c of which show elements of Classical +4.4.d Architecture; buildings with an industrial past. 2. Historic core of village fairly unspoilt by see 4.1.b modern development, overall layout retained since at least mid C19. 3. Noteworthy historic features within private/ see 4.4.e public realm like late-C19 drinking fountain, graveyard to Sandemanian Chapel, large survival of cast/wrought-iron gates & railings 4. Development of settlement from agricultural see 4.2.a village with subsidiary knitting industry to + 4.4.b establishment of early water-powered textile industry 5. Several attractive views & a variety of well- see 4.3 related spaces + 4.4.a 6. Fine landscape setting & broadcasting of see 4.1.c Gayle Mill as part of 2004 BBC Restoration + 4.3.b series attracts visitors into conservation area 7. Attractive & well-kept historic environment & see 4.4.g setting provide desirable place to live for residents General condition: good see 4.4.g Scheduled monuments: 1 see 4.2.b Listed buildings: 9 see 4.4.c Listed buildings at risk: none see 4.4.d Negative factors: 1. clutter see 4.4.g 2. repair & maintenance issues 3. The Green 4. uPVC windows and doors 5 2.0 Planning Policy Framework The YDNP Authority’s policies for conservation areas, along with other related policies concerning the development and use of land, are set out in the Yorkshire Dales Local Plan 2006. The policies contained within chapter ‘10 Built heritage and the historic environment’ – which were saved in April 2009 and last until they will be replaced by the new Local Development Framework – are particularly relevant: Policy B1 – Historic landscapes Policy B2 – Scheduled Monuments and other nationally important sites Policy B3 – Other sites of archaeological significance Policy B4 – Historic parks and gardens Policy B5 – Open spaces