Contents
List of Figures...... 2
1. Introduction ...... 3 1.1 Background...... 3 1.2 Planning Policy Framework...... 3 1.3 Development Within a Conservation Area ...... 3 1.4 Preparation and Survey Limitations ...... 3 1.5 Community Involvement ...... 4 1.6 Acknowledgement…...... 4
2. Summary of Special Interest ...... 5 2.1 Special Historic Interest ...... 5 2.2 Special Architectural Interest ...... 5
3. Site and Situation ...... 6 3.1 Location and Setting ...... 6 3.2 Economic and Social Profile ...... 6
4. Historic Morphology and Archaeology...... 7 4.1 Historic Morphology ...... 7 4.2 Archaeology...... 8
5. Spatial Analysis and Built Form...... 9 5.1 Urban Structure...... 9 5.2 Open Space...... 9 5.3 Views ...... 10 5.4 Plan-Form, Height and Massing ...... 10 5.5 Building Density ...... 11 5.6 Edges and Enclosure...... 11
6. Architecture ...... 13 6.1 Architectural Style...... 13 6.2 Listed Buildings and Important Unlisted Buildings ...... 14 6.3 Facades...... 14 6.4 Roofs ...... 15 6.5 Windows ...... 16
7. Street Scene ...... 17 7.1 Walls, Railings and Gates...... 17 7.2 Trees, Hedges and Green Space ...... 17 7.3 Public Realm...... 18
8. Damage & Deterioration...... 20 8.1 Principal Negative Features...... 20 8.2 General Condition...... 21 8.3 Buildings at Risk ...... 21
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8.4 Threats and Pressures ...... 21
9. Recommendations ...... 23 9.1 Boundary Changes ...... 23 9.2 Management & Enhancement ...... 233
Appendices ...... 24 Appendix A – Bibliography, Further Information and Advice...... 24 Appendix B – Conservation Areas: General Guidance...... 25 Appendix C – Listed Buildings ...... 277 Appendix D – Important Unlisted Buildings...... 277 Appendix E – Maps………….…………………………………………………………….. 27
List of Figures
Fig.1: Church and the Ashbrittle Yew. Fig.2: Former school, now the Village Hall Fig.3: The Ashbrittle Yew - planted on top of a possible Bronze Age burial mound. Fig.4: The green, open to north but enclosed at south end. Fig.5: Open area north of Court Fig.6: Typical housing east side of green, looking east. Fig.7: Modern bungalow with garaging set in large individual plot. Fig.8: Closely spaced houses along principal road looking west. Fig.9: Less dense settlement, south west of the green. Fig.10: Rowcliffe Cottages, typical of vernacular cottages in the village. Fig.11: Greywells House. c.1875. Fig.12: Court Place Farm – late-19th-century ‘makeover’ of 15th-century hall house. Fig.13: Removed render reveals construction materials at The Old House. Fig.14: Slate hanging, the slate roof has been sealed with bituminous paint. Fig.15: Thatched roof at Myrtle Cottage. Fig.16: Mixture of PVCu and timber windows at Parson’s Cottage/Galilee. Fig.17: Typical stone walls and hedges marking front boundaries Fig.18: The Ashbrittle Yew. Fig.19: Solar lamp housed in sculpture. Fig.20: Spring south of the green. Fig.21: Erosion caused by vehicles on western edge of the green. Fig.22: Garages on south end of the green. Fig.23: Pedestal tomb - in urgent need of remedial attention.
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1. Introduction
1.1 Background A Conservation Area is an area designated by a local authority as one of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. The object of designation is not to prohibit change but to manage it in ways that maintain or strengthen the area’s special qualities. Once designated, the Local Authority in encouraged to undertake periodic appraisals to evaluate and record the special interest of the area and provide a framework for development control and the creation of initiatives to improve the area.
Ashbrittle Conservation Area was designated by Taunton Deane Borough Council in 1993. The area was last reviewed in 2005 and public consultation was carried out but the Appraisal and proposed boundary revision were not adopted. This Appraisal updates and incorporates elements, including the proposed boundary changes, of the 2005 review.
1.2 Planning Policy Framework Conservation Areas are designated by Local Authorities in fulfilment of Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Planning Policy Guidance Note 15 (PPG15) Planning and the Historic Environment (1994) highlights the need for Local Planning Authorities to define and record the special interest, character and appearance of all Conservation Areas in their districts. A clear definition of those elements which contribute to the special architectural or historic interest of a place will also inform the local policy framework (see Taunton Deane Local Development Framework), which in accordance with The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, planning applications must be considered against. Further guidance regarding the legal implications of designation is given in Appendix B.
1.3 Development within a Conservation Area Conservation Areas give broader protection than listing individual buildings and all the elements within the area are recognised as contributing in some degree to its character. Anyone considering undertaking works to a property, or developing land that lies within a Conservation Area is advised to contact a Conservation Officer and the responsible Development Management Officer at Taunton Deane Borough Council for assistance. This Appraisal will assist in the formulation of appropriate design strategies for new development, which should be fully articulated within a Design and Access Statement accompanying any planning application. CABE has produced useful guidance (see Appendix A). It is an offence to carry out unauthorised works.
1.4 Preparation and Survey Limitations This document is a revision of the Appraisal carried out in 2005 and was researched and written during March 2009, and revised following consultation in
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October 2009. It was adopted by Taunton Deane Borough Council on 11 February 2010.
When reading or using this Appraisal, it is important to note that it can never be fully comprehensive. For instance, some aspects of the survey information are limited to those areas which can be reasonably recorded from the public highway and other accessible land. Failure to mention any particular building, feature or space should not be taken to imply that it is of no significance and irrelevant in the consideration of a planning application.
1.5 Community Involvement Consultation was carried out in 2005, which included an open meeting at the village hall. The draft appraisal has been available on the Taunton Deane Borough Council website since this date. Given the extent of the consultation previously carried out and the minor revisions proposed it was decided to publicise the 2009 Appraisal through liaison with the Parish Council. Information was posted to each individual address and a notice published in the Parish News. A copy of the draft appraisal was lodged with the Parish Council and a further copy with a comments sheet made available in the church. A notice was also placed on the parish notice board.
1.6 Acknowledgement The author of this report is indebted to Charles Doble for his invaluable comments and assistance.
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2. Summary of Special Interest
2.1 Special Historic Interest The origins of the remote hilltop village of Ashbrittle go back further than recorded history. The relatively flat and elevated area of land occupied by the present churchyard with its chalybeate spring of water would have made this site attractive to early settlement. The Church, spring and ancient yew, suggest that this was an ancient sacred site, perhaps dating back 3,000 years.
After the Norman Conquest the parish was in the hands of the Count of Mortain. It subsequently passed to the Seynclairs (St Clair) and the Sydenhams. In 1568 the parish, together with the Lordship of the Manor and Advowson (the right to appoint the Rector), was acquired by John Doble of Combe Sydenham, whose family, together with the that of the Quickes and Nutcombes of Clayhanger, have been associated with the village ever since. Primarily, Ashbrittle has always been an agricultural community. Since the early 20th-century the importance of farming in the area has declined but the character of this isolated rural village survives, altered but essentially intact.
2.2 Special Architectural Interest Much of the special architectural interest is derived from the grouping of buildings and their relationship within this rural setting, rather than from the quality of individual dwellings. The majority of the buildings in Ashbrittle have the appearance of dating to the 19th-century, although many have earlier origins which, externally at least, are masked by later alterations. While the number of listed buildings is small, many buildings in the village retain features of historic interest.
Fig.1: Church and the Ashbrittle Yew.
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3. Site and Situation
3.1 Location and Setting Ashbrittle is located some 12km west of Wellington, making it the most westerly settlement in Taunton Deane Borough. Situated at 185m above sea level, the village commands extensive views over the surrounding uplands, particularly to the south and east, with tracts of open rolling landscape made up of fields, hedgerows, scrub and woodland spreading over the hilltops.
3.2 Economic and Social Profile Until relatively recently the economy of the village would have been dependent on agriculture, with the majority of the population either directly engaged in farming or in allied trades. In 1831 the parish had a population of 579. This had more than halved by 1901, although the village still boasted: the Church; school; post office; public house; Sunday school; smithy; a general stores; butchers; and bakery.
One hundred years later the total population has remained at just over 200, but all but the Church have vanished, along with the rural trades which operated out of the cottages. Farming has continued, but the majority of the village population are no longer directly involved in agriculture. Court Place Farm, home to the Ashbrittle Stud and (outside of the Conservation Area), Green & Carter Ltd, who export water powered pumps throughout the world, are the two centres of economic activity in Ashbrittle.
Fig.2: Former school, now the Village Hall.
Although village life has changed greatly, by virtue of its remoteness, Ashbrittle has remained very much a community with its own independent identity. Social activities are concentrated on the Church and Village Hall, and a number of events are organised by Ashbrittle Arts Group. The fair, reported in 1868 as taking place on 25th February, presumably on the ‘green’, is no longer held.
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4. Historic Morphology and Archaeology
4.1 Historic Morphology
Medieval Development Despite the presence of the ancient Yew in the churchyard, the name Ashbrittle is most likely derived from the Old English word Aisse meaning ‘ash tree’. The brittle element comes from the personal name Bretel, who held the land at the time of the Norman Conquest from the Count of Mortain. It subsequently passed to the Seynclairs and the Sydenhams. Physical evidence of these early phases of settlement remains to be discovered. The two earliest extant buildings in the village: the Church of St John the Baptist; and Court Place, were both in existence in the 15th-century. The church certainly has earlier origins, at least as far back as the 11th-century. Early Sydenham family records show that Court Place was used as an administrative centre during the visits of their agent John Doble.
While there is little discernible evidence to suggest a regular planned settlement, it is likely that by the end of the Medieval period the current pattern of a loosely nucleated village centred on the church to the west and on Court Place to the east, had been formed.
Post Medieval and Modern Development During the 19th-century century village life and administration moved from being controlled and influenced by remote forces to that of a local and village based landowner.
Church reform led to resident clergy and in 1827 a fine an elegant rectory was built on Glebe land to the west (and outside) of the Conservation Area. In the mid to late-19th-century, much of the village was under the ownership of the Rector, Reverend Charles Penrose Quicke, whose influence shaped the settlement as it is today. Quicke pulled down many unsightly ‘slum tenements’ that encroached upon the Churchyard, refaced many of the buildings and built the Village School (now the village hall). He also closed the three public houses in the village, together with a further “off licence” at the Old Parsonage, and imposed covenants on many village dwellings preventing their use as public houses.
Court Place and its farm were acquired from the Nutcombe family in the late-19th- century by John Rowcliffe, a successful lawyer from Stogumber who acted for many of the County families. Rowcliffe built for his workforce the row of cottages east of the ‘green’ that bear his name.
Other development appears to have arisen in a more piecemeal fashion and some of the cottages which ostensibly date from the 19th-century will have been rebuilt on earlier plots and may retain fabric from their predecessors. Some land, such as west of Ivy Cottage and west of the Village Hall, has remained vacant and in terms of numbers of dwellings, as well as population, it is likely that the village has shrunk in comparison with its mid-19th-century heyday.
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The origins of the ‘green’ and whether this has traditionally been an open space is unclear. The 1840 Tithe Map shows a large building on the southern part known as the ‘Six Bells Inn’. By the late-19th-century this had disappeared, presumably as a result of pressure from the Reverend Quicke. It is possible that the northern part of the ‘green’ was also at one time occupied by a building. Subsequent development has, however, largely respected this open area.
In terms of new building, the later 20th-century has had little effect on the settlement pattern. A small number of individual larger scale dwellings have been constructed on new plots, not always sensitively sited, towards the fringes of the village.
4.2 Archaeology The whole of the Conservation Area is designated by Somerset County Council as an Area of High Archaeological Potential. Archaeological investigation has to date been centred on the Church. The most notable feature in the churchyard, the Ashbrittle Yew, sits atop a mound that must be earlier, or at least contemporary, with the tree itself, which is thought to be up to 3,000 years old. The area is likely to have been attractive to human habitation due to the springs which rise here. The Church is reputedly built directly over a spring that rises under the altar, which again suggests a sacred site of early origin. A geophysical survey carried out at the Church in 2004, failed to provide conclusive evidence for the earliest phases of the church site. An archaeological feature which remains visible, however, is the octagonal shaft of a medieval cross, sited outside the Church porch. Locally known as the ‘Lantern Post’, it is of Ham Hill stone, about 1.5m high with a modern cross-head.
Fig.3: The Ashbrittle Yew - planted atop of a possible Bronze Age burial mound.
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5. Spatial Analysis and Built Form
5.1 Urban Structure The triangular green forms the centre of the settlement and is bounded to the north by the principal road, which runs through the village on an east-west axis. Whilst there is a fairly regular line of cottages north of the road, the bulk of the village is to the south. Here the other two sides of the green are delimited by a narrow lane which loops downhill at the Village Hall and round and back, up past Rowcliffe Cottages. To the south-east of these cottages is the complex of farm buildings at Court Place. West of the green, beyond the Village Hall, the Church stands in isolation, while there is a cluster of dwellings north of The Old Parsonage, bordered by Rectory Road, which marks the western extent of the settlement.
5.2 Open Space The green at the centre of the village is also the principal open space and is visually and spatially important in defining the settlement’s form. Although used by villagers, it is unusual in being in individual and private ownership. The southern part is enclosed by low stone walls forming small garden plots which appear long established. Irrespective of its past use, the green is now the key open space in the village. To the south of the green, stone walls bound a small car park, for the use of nearby residents.
Fig.4: The green, open to north but enclosed at south end.
The open space north of Court Place, comprising a grassy central island and verges, is also an important feature. This marks the eastern edge of the village and is defined by traditional barns (now dwellings). Low natural stone walls, backed by hedgerows and to the north, a copse of mature trees (Fig.5) are particular features.
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Fig.5: Open area north of Court Place.
The churchyard provides an attractive, well treed space but was reduced in size with the building of The Old Vicarage in 1966. It is more open to the south and the surprisingly few grave markers, the closely grazed grass and views of the countryside beyond add to this feeling.
5.3 Views There are excellent views to the south across the surrounding upland landscape from the churchyard, the southern edge of the village green, and from the gate on the corner where Rectory Road turns to the west. There are also important views into the village at both ends, as well as out across open countryside to the east (Map 2, Appendix E).
5.4 Plan-Form, Height and Massing Traditional two-storey terrace cottages with gabled roofs and side chimney stacks are the predominant house-plan within the village. While there is some variation, including larger detached houses and more humble dwellings which have been ‘over extended’ or amalgamated to form one, none are over two-storeys in height. There are also three modern bungalows within the village.
Fig.6: Typical housing east side of green, looking east.
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Fig.7: Modern bungalow with garaging set in large individual plot.
5.5 Building Density The area immediately to the north of the green typically has terraced cottages facing the road and set forward in quite small plots. Rowcliffe Cottages, which once served Court Place Farm, are tightly grouped with the former agricultural buildings. A further group is north east of The Old Parsonage, which may have originally have been service buildings to the house. The area south and west of the green has a low building density and it is likely that this has long been the case. Given that some cottages appear to have recently been merged together, building density was greater in the past.
Excluding the buildings converted to dwellings at Court Place Farm and north of The Old Parsonage, 20th-century domestic buildings tend to be larger, set back further from the road and centred within their own large individual plots.
Fig.8: Closely spaced houses along principal road looking west.
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Fig.9: Less dense settlement, south west of the green.
5.6 Edges and Enclosure Low stone walls enclosing small garden plots are a feature of the village, especially south of the green. The walls are often backed by taller hedges, which also occur on their own. There are no pavements or kerbstones within the village. The grass edges of the north part of the green are not enclosed or demarcated except by widely spaced trees around the perimeter. Generally, those buildings converted to dwellings, or still in other uses, are less likely to be enclosed.
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6. Architecture
6.1 Architectural Style In terms of architectural style, the 19th-century made the biggest impact on Ashbrittle. Externally, most of the houses and cottages in the village appear to date from this period, although they many may have earlier origins.
The majority of the houses in Ashbrittle are very much in the vernacular tradition and are typically plain fronted, rendered rubble stone cottages with gabled, or occasionally hipped, roofs. Architectural pretension is largely absent, although the later timber work on the porches at The Old House and Greenways represent rare decorative flourishes.
Fig.10: Rowcliffe Cottages, late 19th-century farm workers’ housing typical of the village.
The three highest status, and earliest, buildings in the village, Court Place, The Old Parsonage and the Church were all subjected to extensive 19th-century alterations and remodelling.
There are two buildings which undoubtedly belong almost wholly to the 19th- century: the former School (now Village Hall) (Fig.2); and Greywells House (Fig. 11). Both are by J Frank Cotterell, who also renovated the Church, and are in the prevailing gothic style of the period. The School, constructed in 1875 has suffered from later alterations, notably the removal of a chimney stack and an unsightly extension of 1937. Externally, Greywells House is intact and presents an unselfconsciously decorative and slightly incongruous sight within its rural setting; exhibiting an exceptional and accomplished myriad use of materials not matched elsewhere in the Borough.
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Fig.11: Greywells House, built c.1875.
In terms of housing, the mid-late-20th-century additions have a neutral impact on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. Most, however, occupy key spaces and for this reason it is proposed to include them in the Conservation Area. The conversion works to the farm buildings at Court Place Farm have the main, been sensitively carried out.
Fig.12: Court Place Farm – late-19th-century ‘makeover’ of a 15th-century hall house.
6.2 Listed Buildings and Important Unlisted Buildings Ashbrittle has four listed buildings and three unlisted buildings of potential historic or architectural interest identified by this Appraisal. These are set out in Appendices C and D and identified on Map 2, Appendix E.
6.3 Facades The principal building material in the village is the red/grey sandstone rubble sourced from nearby quarries on the Devon/Somerset border. For dwellings the stone is usually rendered and coloured white/cream. Ham Hill stone is used sparingly for dressings on some later or high status buildings and left exposed. There may also be some limited use of cob, although this is not immediately apparent beneath the render. The remoteness of the village and
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difficulty of transportation has meant that brick is used sparingly, mainly for openings and chimney stacks. Slate hanging is a notable feature of the village on exposed elevations and can be seen used to good effect at The Old Parsonage and Church Cottage, while early photographs show that the practice was once wide spread.
Fig.13: Removed render reveals construction materials at The Old House.
Fig.14: Slate hanging, the slate roof has been sealed with bituminous paint.
6.4 Roofs Slate, originally from nearby Tracebridge quarry, is the ubiquitous roofing material, but examples of double roman ‘Bridgwater Pattern’ clay or profiled concrete roof tiles are also common. Myrtle Cottage is the only thatched property in the village, although the pitch of some of the cottage roofs suggests that there could formerly have been more.
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Fig.15: Thatched roof at Myrtle Cottage.
6.5 Windows The introduction of PVCu replacement windows to unlisted historic buildings has been widespread. Good example of side-hung, multiple-light, traditional painted timber casement windows do, however, survive within the Conservation Area.
Fig.16: Mixture of PVCu and timber windows at Parson’s Cottage/Galilee.
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7. Street Scene
7.1 Walls, Railings and Gates Low stone walls, often backed by hedges, are a distinctive feature of Ashbrittle. The walls are typically around 1m high but in some cases, such as along the east boundary of Greywells House and on Rectory Road, the walls reach double the usual height. North of Court Place and between the Old Rectory and the Church there are examples of drystone walls laid in a herring-bone pattern.
Fig.17: Typical stone walls and hedges marking front boundaries
Iron railings are not characteristic within the Conservation Area. The railings at Greywells House are in-keeping with the building, while those at Manley House are less successful. Ashbrittle is, however, largely free of the modern non-traditional boundary enclosures which have blighted other historic villages, although there is ‘paddock style’ post and rail fencing in the fields outside the Conservation Area.
7.2 Trees, Hedges and Green Space Small trees, shrubs and hedgerows in gardens, positively reinforce the village's rural street scene, but there are trees in the village landscape that are particularly important. The mature tree cover in the churchyard makes a dramatic backdrop to the centre of the village and includes one of the most famous trees in England, the ancient Ashbrittle Yew (Fig.18). An impressive copper beech, standing north of the Village Hall, in the front garden of Greywells House is important in the street scene, as is the copse east of Ashmore Ridge.
The village is surrounded by countryside, but the two key areas of green space within the settlement are ‘the green’, which has been subjected to some recent intrusion by garages on the south east side (Fig.22), and the churchyard.
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Fig.18: The Ashbrittle Yew.
7.3 Public Realm
Groundscape The roads within Ashbrittle are all tarmac with no pavements running alongside. As would be expected, with the exception of the area around the Church, the footpaths within the village are not surfaced. The road junction north of Court Place has three islands of grass creating an informal traffic roundabout.
Wirescape Transmission poles and overhead power and telephone lines are present throughout the village. The effect of these is quite intrusive.
Lighting There is no street lighting in the village but solar lamps, housed in two 2m high Ham Hill stone sculptures, were installed near the Village Hall for the Millennium celebrations (Fig.19).
Street Furniture With the exception of the street signage and the log seats on the green, street furniture is confined to the churchyard and Village Hall. The churchyard has three high quality items which make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area: a plaque marking the Ashbrittle Yew supported by a cast bronze stand of interwoven broadleaf stems; and two carved modern oak benches depicting the Yew and the church yard cross. The Village Hall has the more prosaic K6 telephone kiosk, post box, and two notice boards.
Other Features To the south of the common there is a spring piped into a square stone bowl (Fig.20). This formed the village’s sole supply of water until the coming of the ‘mains’ supply in the 1950s.
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Fig.19: Solar lamp housed in sculpture.
Fig.20: Spring south of the green.
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8. Damage & Deterioration
8.1 Principal Negative Features Features which are considered to have a negative impact upon the character and appearance of the Conservation Area include:
• PVCu replacement windows throughout the village;
• erosion of the edges of the north and west sides of the green caused by cars parking (Fig.21);
• blocks of garages and small sheds prominently located on the south east part of the green (Fig.22);
• lack of landscaping in front of the double garage at Hawthorns in a prominent position at western entrance to village (Fig.7);
• roof mounted solar panel on Manley House;
• prominently mounted satellite television dishes;
• the long, low, timber clad building south east of the Village Hall;
• transmission poles and overhead wires.
Fig.21: Erosion caused by vehicles on western edge of the green.
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Fig.22: Garages on south end of the green.
8.2 General Condition Buildings within the Conservation Area are generally in good condition and well maintained. Many houses show signs of having undergone recent ‘improvement’ not all of which has added to the character or appearance of the Conservation Area. Some buildings would benefit from general maintenance, for example the Village Hall which has vegetation growing from the chimney.
8.3 Buildings at Risk The pedestal tomb in the churchyard, south of the Church porch, is in poor condition and in urgent need of repair. This monument to the Morse family is the only noteworthy example in the churchyard and probably dates to the early 19th- century. It is not listed but is of historic interest and should be repaired.
Fig.23: Pedestal tomb - in urgent need of remedial attention.
While not ‘at risk’, the agricultural buildings to the north of The Old House are good examples of their type and should not be allowed to deteriorate further.
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8.4 Threats and Pressures Its small size and loosely nucleated settlement pattern make Ashbrittle especially sensitive to any additional development. The greatest immediate threat, however, is caused by the incremental erosion of its character by the over-restoration and over-extension of the cottages and damaging and inappropriate additions to historic buildings, notably PVCu windows.
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9. Recommendations
9.1 Boundary Changes Following adoption on 11 February 2010, the boundary of the Conservation Area has been amended order to encompass all the areas of land within the village that contribute to Ashbrittle’s special character. Some of the areas incorporate recent buildings which, while of limited or no historic interest in their own right, occupy these key sites. Following this assessment all the dwellings within the village are included in the Conservation Area, which will help safeguard the special interest of Ashbrittle as a whole.
The revision is depicted on Map 1 Appendix E. The principal inclusions are:
• the western end of the village to include the historic and later buildings north of The Old Parsonage;
• Greenway Farmhouse;
• traditional agricultural buildings at end of the track between Greywells and the Old House.
• the open space north of Court Place;
• area south of the Green;
• the parcel of land now occupied by The Old Vicarage, which was formerly part of the churchyard.
9.2 Management & Enhancement Through positive proactive management and focused and appropriate enhancement works, the character and appearance of the Conservation Area may be both preserved and enhanced for the future. Analysis contained within this appraisal should assist in both the formulation and evaluation of development proposals thus helping to ensure that objectives are partially achieved through everyday planning. More broadly the following potential enhancements may be identified. Implementation will depend entirely upon opportunity, priorities and funding, and may involve either the public or private sectors.
• The ‘undergrounding’ of overhead wires.
• Scheme for the re-introduction of traditional timber windows.
• Appropriate control of erosion and incursion on the green.
• Article 4 Direction (see Appendix B) to prevent the introduction of further PVCu windows and doors.
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Appendix A – Bibliography, Further Information and Advice
Sources Consulted • Ashbrittle Arts (2001): Ashbrittle: at the Millennium. • Ashbrittle Parish website. • Department of the Environment (1984): List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (35th list). • Doble, C (1999): The Ashbrittle Yew. Taunton Deane Borough Council. • Pevsner, N. (1958): The Buildings of England: South and West Somerset. • Somerset Historic Environment Record. • Somerset Vernacular Architecture Group (unpublished report: Court Place). • Thorn, C & F (eds) (1980): Domesday Book: Somerset. Phillimore.
Legislation, Guidance and Policy: • Town and Country Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. • The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2008. • Taunton Deane Borough Council Local Plan 2004. • Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment. 1994. (www.communities.gov.uk). • DETR Circular 01/2001. 2001. (www.communities.gov.uk). • Guidance on the Management of Conservation Areas. English Heritage 2005. (www.english-heritage.org.uk) • Guidance on Conservation Area Appraisals. English Heritage 2005.
Design • Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development. ODPM 2005. (www.communities.gov.uk). • Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing. DCLG 2006. (www.communities.gov.uk). • Design and Access Statements: How to write, read and use them. CABE 2006. (www.cabe.org.uk). • By Design. Urban Design in the Planning System. Towards Better Practice. CABE/DETR 2000. (see www.cabe.org.uk).
Further Enquires Enquiries regarding this Appraisal and for advice should be addressed to: Conservation Officer Taunton Deane Borough Council The Deane House Belvedere Road Taunton TA1 1HE Tel: 01823 356356
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Appendix B – Conservation Areas: General Guidance
What is a Conservation Area? A Conservation Area is defined as: 'an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance'. - Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Taunton Deane has 41 Conservation Areas which have been designated to cover the most historically and architecturally important and interesting parts of the Borough's towns and villages.
Various factors contribute to the special character of a Conservation Area. These include: the quality of buildings, the historic layout of roads, paths and boundaries, boundary treatments and patterns of enclosure, characteristic building and paving materials, uses and associations, the quality of the public realm and contribution made by trees and green spaces. A strong 'sense of place' is often associated with Conservation Areas. It is the function of Conservation Area Appraisals to assess and evaluate 'character' as a means of assisting the planning process.
Owning and Developing Land and Property within a Conservation Area PPG15 Planning and the Historic Environment, provides a principal point of general guidance on the Conservation Areas. In order to assist in the preservation and enhancement of Conservation Areas various additional planning controls exist within them:
The substantial demolition of unlisted buildings and structures requires Conservation Area Consent. Proposals will not normally be looked upon favourably where affected buildings or structures are deemed to make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area. An approved scheme for redevelopment will normally be required before consent to demolish will be granted. Exceptions to the rule include:
• Small buildings of less than 115 cubic metres. • Walls, fences and railings less than one metre high abutting to highway (including footpaths and bridleways) or less than two metres elsewhere. • Agricultural and forestry buildings erected since 1914. • Certain buildings used for industry.
Where demolition is being considered early consultation with local Planning and Conservation Officers should be sought. It is a criminal offence to carry out unauthorised works.
Within a Conservation Area permitted development rights are subject to some restriction. Planning Permission will be required for:
• Insertion of a dormer window or other alteration to the roof. • Positioning of a satellite dish or antennae in certain locations. • Application of stone, artificial stone, plastic or timber cladding.
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• The installation, alteration or replacement of a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe, in certain locations. • Certain development on land between a wall forming a side elevation of the dwellinghouse and the boundary of its curtilage. • Rear extensions of more than one storey and side extensions.
Further restrictions may be applied by the Local Authority or Secretary of State through use of ‘Article 4’ designations where a good case can be made (e.g. covering aspects such as change of windows).
High standards of design are expected for new development within Conservation Areas. Sensitive proposals which pay special regard to prevailing patterns of height, massing, articulation, use of materials and enclosure will be encouraged and have been given renewed emphasis in new statutory guidance notes PPS1 and PPS3. Early consultation should be sought with local Development Control and Conservation Officers.
Various types of advertisement including those which are illuminated will require Advertisement Consent. Advertisements must be sympathetic to the character and appearance of the area.
All trees and shrubs with trunks 75mm or more in diameter at 1.2 metres above ground level are protected from felling, lopping and pruning. Six weeks' written notice must be provided to the Borough Council's Tree Officer in each instance during which time a Tree Preservation Order may be served.
Implications for the Local Authority The 1990 Act makes it a duty for Local Authorities to:
• In exercising their planning powers, pay special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of a Conservation Area. • Formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of the Conservation Area. • Review designations from time to time.
The Government’s Best Value initiative (Indicator BV219b) also requires the production of Appraisals and Management Strategies, and places an onus upon Local Authorities to consult the public during their production.
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Appendix C – Listed Buildings
Below is a table of the principal listed Buildings within the Conservation Area. For further information on these buildings see the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, the TDBC website or Somerset Historic Environment Record.
Please note: The table does not include ancillary structures or those within the curtilage of named buildings. These are also covered by the listing. Names of properties given below are those recorded at the time of listing and thus under which they are officially listed. It is possible that some names may have changed. This does not affect the listing itself.
Somerset HER Address Grade Date listed Reference No. Church of St John the Baptist II* 25 January 1956 40001 Court Place Farmhouse II 22 March 2000 16775 Barn 10m North of Court Place II 26 March 1984 40002 Farmhouse The Old Parsonage II 25 January 1956 40003
Appendix D – Important Unlisted Buildings
Below is a table of notable unlisted buildings within the Conservation Area (it does not include all those which may be considered to make a ‘positive’ contribution to character and appearance). These are buildings or structures which, whilst perhaps not of special interest in the national context, are nevertheless of local interest by nature of their date, design, materials, historical association, etc. This is not a statutory designation and confers no protection, but does highlight the importance of a building for general planning purposes. It is quite possible that some of these buildings may be of listable quality though they have previously been overlooked.
Address Notes Greywells House Late-19th-century gothic revival house of good quality. Greenways Possibly dating to the 18th-century or earlier, at one time known as the New Inn. Myrtle Cottage Thatched dwelling possibly 18th-century or earlier.
Appendix E – Maps
Map 1 – Conservation Area Boundaries. Map 2 – Character Appraisal.
Taunton Deane Borough Council Page 27 of 31 February 2010
Taunton Deane Borough Council Page 30 of 31 February 2010