CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL

HILSTON

EAST RIDING OF COUNCIL

NOVEMBER 2007

HILSTON

CONSERVATION AREA by English Heritage in August 2005 in APPRAISAL order to meet the current requirements of national government.

INTRODUCTION DEFINITION OF HILSTON'S

SPECIAL INTEREST The concept of Conservation Areas was established 40 years ago in the Civic The special qualities which make Amenities Act of 1967. Hilston worthy of its designation,

are to be found in its tranquil In the early 1990's some work had been dispersed visual character. To undertaken on a potential Conservation approach the settlement from the Area for Hilston, but this had not been west is to travel along one of followed through to completion. It did, ’ lovelier country lanes. however, enable the original plans to be re-evaluated and re-used as the basis of At its east end, all its properties are the current designation. to the north side of the road,

elsewhere they are all to the south In 2006 the Parish Plan included a – Admiral Storr’s Tower being too commitment to seek Conservation Area far off to make any impact on this Status for parts of Roos and Hilston, otherwise unique situation. and this designation is part of its result.

This Tower is, however, unique to

the Holderness area and has been The Town and Country Planning Act included in the Hilston 1990 defines a Conservation Area as " an Conservation Area in spite of the area of special architectural or fact that it is detached from the historic interest the character or rest of the village because of the appearance of which it is desirable to important contribution it makes to preserve or enhance ." For the the Area's special character and designation of Conservation Areas to be appearance. effective, it is important that rational and consistent judgements are made in The characters of the two ends of determining their special qualities and the village are different too. To the local distinctiveness, as well as their west, houses are well spread out value to the local community. Such and protected by tree cover; to the judgements should be based on a east, buildings tend to be closer to thorough understanding of the area in each other and far more exposed. its wider context, reached through a Due to the abundant hedges there detailed appraisal of its character. is al ways a sense of enclosure, with

a sudden and unexpected dip as This survey has been undertaken in one crosses the stream between accordance with "Guidance on Church Farm Bungalow and Ivy Conservation Area Appraisals," issued Cottages.

2 THE CHARACTER AND Constable and includes other villages APPEARANCE OF THE such as Leven, Routh, Long Riston, CONSERVATION AREA AT Great Hatfield, Withernwick, Skirlaugh, HILSTON Ellerby, West Newton, Sproatley and Humbleton. The Landscape Character This document identifies the special Assessment describes this landscape as architectural and historic interest of the being one that is dominated by the character and appearance of Hilston. influence of agricultural intensification within the Floodplain and It indicates how this should be that, as is typical of much of preserved and enhanced and will be Holderness, significant areas of useful to potential developers, residents, woodland are scarce. Those areas of businesses and to the Council in the semi-natural woodland that are present making of Development Control in this landscape are dominated by ash, decisions and environmental oak, hazel, hawthorn, elm, field maple improvements. and rowan. Fragments of wet woodland are also features of the landscape and a) TOPOGRAPHY AND ITS these are dominated by alder and willow RELEVANCE species. The fragment of ancient woodland at Bail Wood near Aldbrough The Hilston Conservation Area lies in provides an indication of the type of the ' to Coast' woodland that would have been more Landscape Character Area, as identified widespread in this landscape area in the historically. The hedgerows in this Landscape Character Assessment landscape area are typical of Holderness (ERYC, 2005). The Landscape and are dominated by hawthorn with Character Assessment describes how hazel, ash, blackthorn, elder, field maple caravan sites are prominent on the and dogwood also present. southern edge of Hornsea and the The character of the land in the Parish is northern edge of Withernsea and with typical of that found in the Plain of several other sites scattered in between, Holderness - hummocky, but generally these are a major feature of this level. This requires particular attention Character Area. In addition to these to be paid to planning applications caravan sites, a long, linear golf course is which would seek to introduce buildings present in the coastal corridor to the of more than two storeys in height. south of Hornsea. In terms of the These, whether within the Conservation undeveloped landscape, this is defined Area or at some distance from it, have as having generally low levels of the propensity to have an impact out of woodland, except at Grimston, where all proportion to more usual there is a significant area of plantation considerations of height. This is woodland. Field systems tend to be because of the way in which Holderness' large and rectilinear with smaller fields low horizon ensures that anything which located close to settlements, some of rises above it cannot help but be within which may date back to medieval times. the line of vision.

To the west of the Hilston Conservation b) SPATIAL ANALYSIS Area is the 'Central Holderness Open Farmland' Character Area. This The settlement at Hilston has evolved Landscape Character Area is made up of along a single road running east – west the area that surrounds the two parkland off the B1242 Ulrome – Withernsea Character Areas of Rise and Burton road. Originally a through-road to

3 Tunstall, its closure a few years ago due several species including Oak, Beech to the continuing coastal erosion has and Hawthorn. Just within the field in resulted in the road being little more which Admiral Storr's Tower stands is than a loop road eventually rejoining the one of a number of small ponds in the B1242 at Roos North End. village, which contributes to the local wildlife and may contain amphibians The volume of traffic passing through such as Newts, Frogs and Toads. the hamlet – though never great – must Mount Farm is opposite this pond and have been diminished because of this. the main feature of its front garden is the border next to the road consisting of a row of mature Sycamores. c) THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Further on, at Hilston Cottage, the front garden contains several mature trees and The properties in this village are, in is bordered by a Hawthorn hedge most cases, generously spaced and set in intermixed with Holly. The trees their own grounds. This has produced a include Ash, Beech, Oak and Sycamore lot of green space within the village, not and to the left of them is another pond just in the surrounding farmland, giving set back from the road. This Cottage is it a spacious feel and providing a lot one of the most wooded properties with more area for wildlife to exploit. a large front garden and adds to the feeling of the managed but natural To the east, at the edge of Hilston, St. character of the village. Margaret's Churchyard contains semi- mature Oak and Ash trees, which form a line next to the west wall of the Church. The winding road leading into Hilston past the Church is bounded on one side by a mature tall Hawthorn and Blackthorn hedge that also includes Oak and Holly.

Slightly further down the road, opposite Church Farm Bungalow, there is a pond near a small patch of gorse that has become overgrown with grass but is still View looking West down Tower boggy and provides a useful habitat. In Road front of the pond are three young Horse Chestnut trees and at right angles to this area and running under the road is an old land drain. d) TREE PRESERVATION ORDERS Continuing along the length of the village, bordering farmland, are more There are no Tree Preservation Orders Hawthorn and Blackthorn hedges, with within or close to the Conservation semi-mature and mature standard Ash Area. trees periodically spaced along its length. Behind the hedge on the far side of the road, in between Ivy Cottage and Mount Farm, a border of saplings has been planted around the field comprising

4 18th century ownership had passed to e) BOUNDARY TREATMENT Sir Christopher Sykes.

Within the village, the great majority of The old Church, dedicated to St. properties are enclosed by hedges, and Margaret, was one of the smallest Parish these, in turn, are mostly of hawthorn, Churches in Holderness. though there are examples of privet and other, less dominant species. Hilston Mount, Poulson advises (in the mid 19th century) to be " a considerable Nevertheless the greenness, which they eminence a little to the north of the village, on display, reinforces the rustic character of which is an octagonal tower of light brick, with the settlement and has a positive impact. a circular turret on its north side, surmounted by a flagstaff and vane, well known at sea as a There are also examples of post & rail at landmark. The building has a chamber above certain points, which could be described the ground floor which is inhabited as a cottage; as neutral, whereas the two examples of it has a winding staircase within the circular railings – one at each end of the village, turret. It was built by Mr Justice Storr, with introduce a suburban, and therefore a his arms and the date of erection, 1750, being disappointingly alien character. sculpted on a stone over the door.

The old house was taken down about 40 years ago. In 1783 there were only 6 houses in the village, the Admiral's, the Rector's, a poor house included. At present a good farmhouse stands near the Church and there are a few other respectable farmsteads and a few cottages."

Further research by a local resident has established that the Admiral's House referred to is probably now Mount Farm and the Rector's is Hilston Cottage. The "good farmhouse" referred to is most View looking East down Tower probably The Gables Road The Gables, now a private residence, which lies to the north of the Church f) ORIGINS AND has a core which dates from the 18th EVOLUTION century with 19th century additions, but with the front facade re-faced in In a charter dated 1272 the hamlet is commons in the mid- twentieth century, called Hildofston, then Hildeston. In the gables being of Dutch influence, and the Domesday Book the area is returned a re-build of those originally put up in as "waste and uncultivated". This would the 19th century. There are also some suggest that it may have been de- good brick and pantile farm populated as part of William I's outbuildings, these now being in Harrying of the North, when he separate ownership. To the west are a ruthlessly put down all forms of number of significant properties resistance to the newly established including Mount Farm, Glebe Farm and Norman rule. Hilston Cottage all dating from the early 18 th century, though with later additions. By the 17th century the Storr family possessed the Manor and by the late

5 The Church, dedicated to St. Margaret, have been a number of small "ladder is at least the third church on the site. settlements" (small farms or hamlets Built by Francis Johnson in 1956 –7 to formed by rectangular enclosures replace its predecessor, which had been flanking a trackway) established on the bombed in 1941, the latter had already better drained south facing slopes been rebuilt once in 1862 by J L Pearson during the later Iron Age and the for Sir Tatton Sykes, (the fourth Romano-British periods. baronet). Evidence of Anglo-Saxon and Anglo- g) ARCHAEOLOGY Scandinavian settlement and land use is provided mainly by placename evidence. The early background for the landscape It is believed that this settlement's name in which Hilston is set has much in probably dates to this period. The common with its neighbours, Roos and modern style, Hilston, had been adopted Tunstall, to the south and south-east. by 1385, but its earlier forms include Most of the immediate area around the Hildolfstun and Hilderston ; these stem village comprises well drained higher from an Anglian and Scandinavian ground between 15 and 27 metres above hybrid meaning "Hildolf's Farm". sea level; but, a small valley runs across the middle of the old ecclesiastical The origins of most modern villages and parish, and the lower land in this valley hamlets in this area probably stem from is covered with sand and gravel. The the middle and later Saxon period, when main streams run westwards, ultimately a pattern of widely spaced, but nucleated draining into the . settlements began to emerge. Hilston is a typical example. In 1066 Morcar held To the south of Hilston one of the the Manor of Hilston, which comprised earliest evidences of human activity is a four and a half carucates. possible Neolithic long barrow which is suggested by crop marks which can be seen on aerial photographs.

The Bronze Age in this area is characterised by a number of round barrows on the better drained higher ground between Hilston and Tunstall; most of these are visible as circular crop marks (ring ditches); one of these lies in the field immediately to the east of Church Farm, and a second may lie just to the north. In all some thirty round barrows are recorded on aerial Hilston Cottage photographs either as isolated burial mounds or in small groups of cemeteries of up to six barrows. By 1086 this was under the ownership of Drew de Bevriere, and was lying Iron Age activity in the area is waste and uncultivated. It later passed represented by three possible square to the Counts of Aumale. They granted barrows just to the east of Roos village. two carucates to one of their stewards and from him this estate descended to Experience from elsewhere in the Constable family. In about 1500 the Holderness suggests that there may also estate was said to comprise four houses,

6 six bovates and other land. A second north west end, all on the south side of smaller estate extending into , the road, whilst at the east end they are belonged to a cadet branch of the Ros all to the north. family. By the 17th century part of the estate had descended to a Mrs Carlisle, This means that nowhere does one whose house, at the east end of the have the sense of enclosure which, by village had five hearths and the second virtue of properties being more or less major holding was that of the Storr opposite one another, is the more usual family. This was based at the western character of a village or hamlet. end. The result of this is strong pastoral Mount Farm is thought to be a former and linear elements which pervade grooms cottage of the Storr estate, with Hilston from end to end. Hilston Cottage being the chief house on the estate after 1700.

Aerial photographs show extensive tracts of ridge and furrow cultivation surrounding the village and from this it would appear there is no evidence of previous house platforms to the north of the east-west section of Tower Road. Nor are there any obvious traces in between the surviving buildings which might have confirmed that the village was once much larger in population.

View looking West down Tower There is no documentary evidence of Road any mills at Hilston. A disused pit to the south of the village may attest to old j) BUILDINGS: gravel workings; and gravel was certainly extracted to the west at the north- i) Scale eastern end of Owstwick in the 19th century. The majority of the properties in

Hilston, certainly the more historic ones, The latest archaeological sites in the area are constructed within generous are military defences from the 20th curtilages. The houses are on the whole century. These include pill boxes, a large detached farmstead properties with ROC base, anti-tank blocks, anti-tank a minimum of two storeys. ditches, weapons pits, anti-glider blocks, bombing ranges and markers, an anti- These buildings often have later aircraft battery, a military camp, a additions and extensions to their original minefield, and beach defences - most shells. dating from World War II.

ii) Orientation

h) LAYOUT The residential properties in Hilston do

not always have, as is usually the case, an Mention has already been made of the apparent association with the road. The special character of the disposition of winding nature of Tower Road may be the settlement’s properties being, at the the significant contributing factor in

7 this. Set back in their own grounds, the wooden, on the whole the windows are properties together give a sense of the white. open space of the village. The predominant historical iii) Materials characteristic when it comes to the doors are painted wooden doors. The Brick is the predominant building doors often are housed in ornate material in Hilston for the construction casements, which are usually in white of the housing. Flat clay tiles and and therefore in keeping with the pantiles are used for roofing material. windows of the Area. The doors These materials predominate throughout themselves can vary in colour, examples the village on both the historic and more including white, green and blue. modern properties. There is a surprising lack of cobble, given the settlement's close proximity to the sea - so different vii) Chimneys from Tunstall, only a few miles to the south. The chimneys within the area on the whole have a rectangular stack. The iv) Walls pots have various forms, being red or cream in colour, and round or square in Walls are constructed predominantly in shape. The stacks have some odd red/brown clamp facing brick. There is exceptions, such as the very long and a number of rendered properties also ornate stacks on 'The Gables'. within the Area. The shades of render are all light in tone, but vary immensely in colour, with green and yellow being present amongst the more traditional whites and creams.

v) Roofs

There is a variation in roof pitch styles within the Hilston Conservation Area. There are properties, such as at the Mount Farmhouse which are multi- pitched. The majority of the properties have their roof pitches running parallel The Gables, Hilston with the street and are roofed with clay pantiles, though flat clay tiles are also present, these appearing to be the more historic for the area. k) SIGNIFICANT HISTORIC BUILDINGS vi) Windows and Doors The following buildings in the Though PVC is present in the Conservation Area were Listed when the Conservation Area, many of the village was last surveyed by the properties retain their original wooden Department of the Environment in windows, often in sash window form. 1987: Whether they are UPVC or painted and The Cottage, Hilston (II)

8 Mount Farmhouse (II) structure is of importance to the Glebe Farmhouse (II) Conservation Area due to its location Admiral Storr's Tower (II) and its re-use of some of the ruined Church's masonry within its fabric. (There are a further 14 Listed Buildings within the Parish of Roos, but only those listed above fall within the Hilston Conservation Area.)

St Margaret’s Church, looking north Mount Farmhouse, Hilston east

These buildings are highlighted because Also of interest is the 'The Gables'. of the additional visual importance they This property stands out because of its have due to their location. Planning unusual architectural character. applications which relate to them will Although unusual this is not unique and therefore be considered against the can be found in Hornsea's Old Hall, criterion that their design and detailing further up the coast, and appears to be should reflect the importance of their based on Dutch architectural styles. location. (This may also explain its ornate chimney stacks.) With the properties being set back from the roadside, often behind trees or hedges, they do not often establish BOUNDARIES themselves as focal point buildings. Those that do though are Glebe Farm, The boundaries of the Conservation when on the western approach into the Area have been drawn to include all of village and the Church of St. Margaret, the village's built environment. Although this being a focal point when travelling certain aspects – particularly some south-east after Tower Road curves modern outbuildings – are felt to detract around. from the Area’s character, they are not in sufficient quantity to jeopardise the UNLISTED BUILDINGS OF benefits of including ALL of the village INTEREST in the designation.

The main unlisted buildings of interest Two further comments need to be within the Conservation Area include St. made: Margaret's Church. The Church was re- built after being the victim of a World 1) Admiral Storr’s Tower has been War II bomb. Even though the Church included because it is such an is reasonably modern, the brick built unusual and visually significant

9 part of Hilston’s history. In attention is paid, since Hilston order to give it coherence with properties within the Conservation Area the rest of the Conservation tend to be of low average height, which Area its boundary has been would need to be respected. extended to take in not only the Tower, but also the historic location of the track to it, as Recommended Materials found on the Ordnance Survey Map of Hilston, dating from the This Appraisal has already made 1850’s. reference to Hilston's materials' character. These are red/brown clamp 2) The field to the east of Church type bricks and orange/red clay non- Farm has been included as it is interlocking pantiles. both the site of a probable Bronze Age round Barrow and To preserve the character and is one of the better preserved appearance of the Conservation Area, areas of ridge and furrow traditional timber doors and windows cultivation traces surrounding are recommended, keeping the style the village. simple as befits this rural location.

Guttering and fall-pipes should be of cast-iron though some guttering may be POLICY STATEMENT FOR THE of timber - often encountered in rural HILSTON CONSERVATION areas. AREA Thresholds should be traditional and of The East Riding of Yorkshire Council stone where Building Regulations will use its powers to protect the special permit. character of the Hilston Conservation Area. Chimneys should be included which, to reflect the character of the village, will Where the removal of trees within the need to be cylindrical, red, and Conservation Area is approved, the approximately 75cm (30") high. Council will endeavour to ensure that the Area's long term character and appearance is not thereby damaged, and that, unless there are accepted reasons to the contrary, replacement planting is agreed and undertaken.

New Developments

Within the Conservation Area properties are predominantly two storeyed and proposals for new Pasture House, Hilston developments will be expected to reflect this. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The bulk and height of new properties This Appraisal is the subject of public will also be a matter to which particular consultation with Roos Parish Council and members of the public.

10

The comments received through this The RSS will be reviewed soon and the consultation process will be taken into JSP will be incorporated into the Local account in any final published version of Development Framework, which will this document. supersede the current Local Plans in due course. This appraisal will then be used as a background document in support of PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT the relevant Development Plan Document. The principle legislation covering Conservation Areas is the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation LOCAL GENERIC GUIDANCE Areas) Act 1990 which provides the framework for designation, review and Holderness District Wide Local Plan appraisal of Conservation Areas. There Policy Env24 - Env26. are also provisions within the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Leaflet by East Riding of Yorkshire Government Policy and Guidance is set Council "What Are Conservation out in Planning Policy Guidance Note Areas?" (June 2006). 15 (PPG15) "Planning and the Historic Environment", dated September 1994, USEFUL INFORMATION AND and published by HMSO Print Centre. CONTACTS

The Planning Policy affecting Conservation Team, East Riding of Conservation Areas within the East Yorkshire Council, Customer Services, Riding is set at the regional, sub-regional County Hall, , HU17 9BA. and local level. The Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for Yorkshire and the Tel. (01482) 887700 and (01482) Humber (Adopted December 2004) 393721. deals with the historic environment in Policy N2. This is developed at the sub- E-mail Address: regional level by the Joint Structure Plan conservation.and.enforcement@eastridi (JSP) for and the ng.gov.uk East Riding of Yorkshire (Adopted June 2005) in Policy Env6. At a local level 14th NOVEMBER 2007 policies relevant to the Hilston Conservation Area are contained currently in the Holderness District DESIGNATION+ COPY Wide Local Plan (HDWLP) (adopted April 1999), Policies Env24 through to Env26. Other policies in this Plan can also affect Conservation Areas, including those dealing with new residential and commercial development, Listed Buildings and archaeology.

11

12