Chacewater Conservation Area Appraisal March 2010 This Conservation Area Appraisal was commissioned by Carrick District Council. At the Carrick Cabinet meeting on 17 March 2009 Members resolved to recommend to the Joint Implementation Executive that the Chacewater Conservation Area Appraisal be adopted. It was subsequently endorsed by Cornwall Council as a material consideration within the emerging Cornwall Council Local Development Framework on 24 April 2010. The recommended changes to the boundaries of Chacewater Conservation Area were authorised by Cornwall Council and came into effect on 24 April 2010. Contents 1. Statement of the special interest of the conservation area 1 2. Introduction 3 2.1 Background 3 2.2 Planning policy context 3 2.3 Purpose of the appraisal 5 2.4 Community involvement 5 3. The Chacewater Conservation Area 7 3.1 Designation 7 3.2 Geographic location & setting 7 3.3 Activities 7 4. Evolution of the area 9 4.1 Archaeological significance and potential 9 4.2 Historical development 10 5. Landscape character 13 5.1 Landscape and settlement edges 13 5.2 Topography 14 5.3 Geology 14 5.4 Views and vistas 16 5.5 Trees 16 5.6 Planting and green spaces 17 5.7 Biodiversity 17 6. Spatial analysis 19 6.1 Layout and spaces 19 6.2 Relationship of buildings to spaces 20 6.3 Landmarks, focal points and connections 21 March 2010 CHACEWATER CONSERVATION AREA CHARACTER APPRAISAL Chacewater DTP.indd 4 10/12/2008 10:17:56 7. Streetscape character 22 10. Issues 43 7.1 Public spaces 22 10.1 Definition of issues 43 7.2 Signage and Street furniture 22 10.2 Conservation area boundary review 43 7.3 Lighting 22 10.3 Education and information 43 7.4 Paving 24 10.4 Buildings-at-risk 43 7.5 Boundary treatments 25 10.5 Alterations to buildings 43 7.6 Traffic and parking 25 10.6 New development 44 7.7 Pedestrians and movement 25 10.7 Uses/vitality 44 10.8 Locally listed buildings 45 8. The buildings of the conservation area 27 10.9 Enforcement 45 10.10 Highways and traffic management 45 8.1 Building types 27 10.11 Archaeological potential 45 8.2 Building form 28 10.12 Enhancement potential 46 8.3 Building uses 28 10.13 Trees 46 8.4 Listed buildings 29 10.14 Sustainable development 46 8.5 Locally listed buildings 30 8.6 Positive buildings 30 8.7 Building materials 30 Appendices: 8.8 Local details 31 Appendix 1 Historical development of Chacewater 49 9. Character Areas 37 Appendix 2 Maps: 54 9.1 Summary of character areas 37 9.2 Character Area 1: High Street / Fore Street 37 Map 1 Character areas ecological designations 55 9.3 Character Area 2: South side 37 Map 2 Townscape appraisal map 56 9.4 Character Area 3: The east end 39 9.5 Character Area 4: Riverside 40 Appendix 3 References 57 March 2010 CHACEWATER CONSERVATION AREA CHARACTER APPRAISAL Chacewater DTP.indd 5 10/12/2008 10:17:56 Chapter 1 STATEMENT OF THE SPECIAL INTEREST OF THE CONSERVATION AREA March 2010 CHACEWATER CONSERVATION AREA CHARACTER APPRAISAL Chacewater DTP.indd 8 10/12/2008 10:17:56 1 Chapter 1 STATEMENT OF THE SPECIAL INTEREST OF THE CONSERVATION AREA 1.1 Chacewater lies in mid-west Cornwall on 1.5 The late 19th century saw a severe the old turnpike road from Truro to Redruth about decline in copper mining and the development midway between the two and, equally, about of Chacewater effectively ceased even though a midway between the north and south coasts of the demand for arsenic led to a brief revival of mining county. The village occupies a narrow valley near from the early 20th century until the 1940s. the head of the River Carnon, which here runs from north to south, at its junction with another valley to 1.6 Today, although Chacewater has become the west. something of a dormitory for commuters to Truro, it retains a strong sense of community largely 1.2 The valleys serve to contain the settlement unaffected by the pursuit of tourism that has within an agricultural landscape that is little changed so much of Cornwall for ever. changed from post-mediaeval times. Small pastoral fields, defined by ancient Cornish hedges The principal features are: and punctuated by mature trees, imply a timeless setting. • A defining location in the cleft of two valleys • A context of industrial heritage 1.3 Immediately to the west, however, the • A planned High Street with continuous landscape becomes a disturbed scrubland dotted frontages with the remains of industry which, in the mid-to- • The contrast of less formal areas to north and late 19th century, was one of the most prosperous south places in the world. The winning of tin, then copper • The consistent use of local stone and latterly arsenic, gained the area an international • The landmark church of St Paul reputation for an industry that developed many • Survival of other significant buildings, such as Chacewater Primary School world ‘firsts’ in extractive technologies. the Methodist Chapel, the Passmore Edwards Literary Institute and the Primary School 1.4 Chacewater, once part of a hunting estate, became the property of the Boscawen family in 1335 and it descended through the family of Viscount Falmouth. The settlement did not develop until the 17th century when it evolved to serve the neighbouring agricultural and mining economies. Initially, it was divided between the parishes of Kenwyn and Kea until 1837 when it had grown sufficiently to become a parish in its own right. Anticipating this, a new church had been built to the south of the village in 1828. Planned layout of the High Street Stone walls and granite gate posts March 2010 CHACEWATER CONSERVATION AREA CHARACTER APPRAISAL Chacewater DTP.indd 1 10/12/2008 10:18:06 2 Chapter 2 INTRODUCTION March 2010 CHACEWATER CONSERVATION AREA CHARACTER APPRAISAL Chacewater DTP.indd 2 10/12/2008 10:18:06 3 Chapter 2 INTRODUCTION 2.1 Background 2.2 Planning policy context 2.2.3 Further, more detailed, information is provided in the Management Plan. 2.1.1 This Conservation Area Appraisal was 2.2.1 Conservation Areas are ‘areas of written by The Conservation Studio on behalf of architectural or historic interest the character or 2.2.4 As well as receiving statutory protection, Carrick District Council. It is the first Character appearance of which it is desirable to preserve conservation areas are protected by regional, Appraisal of the Chacewater Conservation Area. or enhance’ (Section 69 of the Act). They are county and local planning policies. Relevant It was prepared in June 2007 and revised in protected under the Planning (Listed Buildings policies include: August 2008 following a process of community and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (The Act). engagement organised in accordance with Local Planning Authorities are required by the • Regional Planning Guidance for the South the District Council’s Strategy of Community Act to identify the parts of their area that should West (RPG10) (published September 2001), Involvement. This Character Appraisal forms the be designated as conservation areas and to Policy EN3: The Historic Environment foundation for the accompanying Conservation formulate and publish proposals to preserve or Area Management Plan, which was endorsed enhance them. Local authorities must submit • The Draft South West Regional Spatial by Cornwall Council on the 24 April 2010. proposals for the protection and enhancement of Strategy, Policy ENV1 Protecting and conservation areas for consideration at a public Enhancing the Region’s Natural and Historic meeting within the relevant area. They must also Environment, and Policy ENV5 Historic have regard to any views expressed by people Environment attending the meeting. • The Cornwall Structure Plan (adopted September 2004), Policy 1. Principles for 2.2.2 Broadly, the effects of designation are: Sustainable Development, and Policy 2. • Conservation Area Consent must be obtained Character Areas, Design and Environmental from the local planning authority or Secretary Protection of State prior to the substantial or total • Carrick District-Wide Local Plan (adopted demolition of any building or structure within a April 1998), Retained Policy 4D, Policy 4F, conservation area, with some exceptions Policy 4Q, Policy 4R, Policy 4W and Policy • The local planning authority must consider the 4XA desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the conservation 2.2.5 In addition to the conservation area, area when considering applications for change Chacewater is within the Cornwall and West in conservation areas; Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, • Permitted development rights are slightly which is subject to other policy protection. It is different in conservation areas also adjacent to the area designated in Carrick’s • Permission is required from the planning Local Plan as an Area of Great Historical Value, authority to lop, top or fell a tree over a certain which is subject to further policy protection. size Passmore Edwards Literary Institute March 2010 CHACEWATER CONSERVATION AREA CHARACTER APPRAISAL Chacewater DTP.indd 3 10/12/2008 10:18:09 4 Chapter 2 7172 6 10 12 Track Meadow 14 Springs 7 5 7361 20 FB 4 Chacewater Kenwith 6359 NORTH 1559 HILL 4 BM 65.20m 67.8m Greenbank 11 Track kenwith 13 Trenessa 27 60.9m 16 Eckla Vue NORTH 22 Hether HillsideCornwall Council HILL 28 lee Glenh 8652 aven North Hill 9 1 Tre-Bron House 7753 Bremar 20 Brewery Estrella Ct 2 FB 3 32 Chacewater Conservation Area 27 5 Pine 4 6751 Riverside 1 Chymeneth 35 View 17 5950 THE TERRACE 32 Kerley Chapel View 33 2 House vean y 1 Melbur Rose 19 3 Tre FB sco Character Area Map 46 45 3 5 18 Carn Lea Seasons 1 t Try-Golva