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The Elmley Castle Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan was adopted by Wychavon District Council as a document for planning purposes on x. Minutes of the Executive Board meeting of xxx refers.
Wychavon District Council Planning Services Civic Centre Queen Elizabeth Drive Pershore Worcestershire WR10 1PT
Tel. 01386 565000 www.wychavon.gov.uk
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PART 1. CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL
1 INTRODUCTION
What is a Conservation Area Appraisal? Planning Policy Framework
2 SUMMARY OF SPECIAL INTEREST
3 ASSESSING SPECIAL INTEREST
Location & Landscape Setting Archaeology & Historical Development Spatial Analysis Key Views & Vistas
4 CHARACTER ANALYSIS
General Character Buildings Materials Boundaries Natural Environment Local Details
5 THREATS & VULNERABILITIES Threats Neutral Areas
NOTE
Appraisal Map
PART 2. MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS
1 IINTRODUCTION 2 THREATS & ACTIONS 3 NOTES 4 ARTICLE 4(2) DIRECTIONS
APPENDIX 01 Statement of Community Involvement
APPENDIX 02 Sources & Further Information
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PART 1. ELMLEY CASTLE CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL
1. INTRODUCTION
What is a Conservation Area? The South Worcestershire Development Plan
1.1 (SWDP), in accordance with the National Planning
Conservation areas were introduced in 1967 by the Policy Framework (NPPF), contains Historic Civic Amenities Act as a response to the perception Environment policies that set out a positive strategy of the increasing erosion of historic areas through for protecting and managing the historic inappropriate new development. environment.
1.2 See SWDP 6 and SWDP 24. Under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the statutory The NPPF sets out national policy regarding the definition of a conservation area is an ‘area of protection and enhancement of the historic special architectural or historic interest, the environment, which plays an important role in the character of which it is desirable to preserve or delivery of sustainable development.
enhance’. A conservation area may include historic
town or village centres, historic parks and sites of See paragraphs 184-202 for policies relating industrial or transport interest, such as canals. to the historic environment.
Conservation area designation creates a framework 1.5 within which the local authority is able to safeguard Wychavon’s Residential Design Guide the character and appearance of an area. Supplementary Planning Document (2010) is relevant in the assessment of development What is the purpose of this appraisal? proposals within conservation areas. 1.3 A conservation area appraisal outlines the history of What are the benefits of designation? an area and identifies and explains what makes it 1.6 special. It recognises the contribution that individual Historic areas make an important contribution to buildings make to the historic townscape, together the quality of life in local communities. They are a with spaces between and around buildings, street link to the past that provides a sense of continuity patterns, trees, views and other elements such as and familiarity in a rapidly changing world. Change ground surfaces and boundary treatments. is inevitable but should not be harmful.
This appraisal provides guidance on how the 1.7 preservation or enhancement of the conservation Broadly the effects of designation are: areas character or appearance can be achieved. The requirement in legislation, national and local planning polices to conserve and The Elmley Castle Conservation Area was designated enhance the historic environment; in November 1969 and amended on 25 July 1996 Control over the substantial or total with the inclusion of “Waverley” and its grounds. demolition of unlisted buildings or The boundary was reviewed in April 2019 during the structures; preparation of this appraisal. Control over works to trees; Some types of advertisements will require Planning Policy Framework consent to be displayed; 1.4 Restriction on the types of development This appraisal should be read in conjunction with which can be carried out without the need the South Worcestershire Development Plan (2016), for planning permission (Permitted and national planning policy as set out in the Development Rights) National Planning Policy Framework (revised July 2018). 3
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2. SUMMARY OF SPECIAL INTEREST The number and quality of historic buildings 2.1 and survival of historic fabric and detailing, Elmley Castle has considerable architectural and including the use of traditional materials historic interest, with over a thousand years of settlement history and a range of historic buildings. The contribution of the natural environment in trees, gardens, open spaces, grass verges 2.2 and hedges The character of the conservation area of Elmley Castle is that of a small quiet, rural village, comprising mainly The conservation area boundary is drawn to reflect this residential uses in an historic framework of buildings special interest. set along a principal wide main street and historic lanes. Its remoteness from main roads, the presence of historic farm buildings within the village and its close 3. ASSESSING SPECIAL INTEREST relationship with the surrounding countryside are key contributors to its rural character. Views of Bredon Location & Setting Hill, with its wooded slopes, are seen throughout most 3.1 of the village. The village’s setting also encompasses Elmley Castle is one of a ring of villages around the the remains of the Norman castle and the deerpark lower slopes of Bredon Hill, an outlier of the Cotswold which are a key part of the history and development of Hills. It is about 6km south west of Evesham and about the settlement. 5km south east of Pershore. To the north-west is the village of Bricklehampton and to the south east, the 2.3 hamlet of Kersoe. th Elmley Castle expanded in the 20 century with new housing, but the majority of this is grouped together 3.2 between Netherton Road and Mill Lane, and Elmley Castle is on the north side of Bredon Hill Parkwood, leaving the historic core of the village with a underneath the steep north scarp slope. retained sense of historic character and connection Bredon Hill is the largest of the Cotswold outliers and it with its agricultural setting despite the overall increase is capped with oolitic limestone. Beneath this are in the size of the village. layers of softer clay rock known as the lias layers. Bredon Hill is known for having a number of springs 2.4 created as a result of the impermeable layers of clay The conservation area is focused on the historic core of forcing water out. Some of Elmley Castle’s properties the village. use spring water supplies. The springs may partly account for the area’s early settlement. The special interest of Elmley Castle that justifies its designation as a conservation area includes:
Its long history, still evident in the layout of the village and its buildings and its relationship with the deerpark and remains of the castle
Its strong rural village character evident in surviving agricultural buildings and through the connection between the settlement and its surrounding landscape setting frequently visible throughout the village
The survival of the historic form and identity of the village, evident in buildings, plots and Landscape surrounding Elmley castle looking towards village layout Bredon Hill
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is typified by a nucleated pattern of expanded rural villages which are surrounded by large arable fields. There is a notable contrast between the concentrations of dwellings and farmsteads in the villages and the relatively unsettled land between them.1
Fields to the south of Elmley Castle
The deerpark that sits between the conservation area and the remains of the castle
3.5 An unnamed tributary of the River Avon runs through the village alongside Hill Lane and Main Street.
To the rear of St Mary's Church
3.3 Bredon Hill and Elmley Castle lie within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is also locally designated as an Area of Great Landscape Value. The village lies at a point at which the landscape character changes between the wooded hills of the northern scarp of Bredon Hill and the open rolling landscape of the principal village farmlands to the north.
3.4 The castle and the deerpark are on the immediate boundary of the conservation area, within an area of wooded landscape with a steeply undulating topography. The typical characteristics of this type of landscape in Worcestershire are large blocks of ancient woodland forming an interlocking pattern with surrounding hedged fields. Beyond its lower slopes, Bredon Hill is virtually unsettled with a lack of roads and large land parcels with field boundaries having low landscape significance. Elmley Castle lies below this in a landscape characterised by an open rolling lowland topography. In Worcestershire, this form of landscape 1 Worcestershire County Council Landscape Character Assessment 5
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Aerial photographs of the Elmley Castle earthworks in the wider landscape setting of the conservation area.. Photos reproduced courtesy of Paul R. Davis 6
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Archaeology 3.10 3.6 There are several Scheduled Ancient Monuments Elmley Castle and its surrounding area is rich in within the wider area. The castle is scheduled and so is archaeology. Definite evidence for use and occupation a moated site between the castle and Kersoe (to the of Bredon Hill begins in the Bronze Age (c2100 – east of the village). Within the village, there is a 700BC) and a twin Beaker burial has been discovered scheduled wayside cross at the junction of Main Street near the site of Kemerton Camp. with Bricklehampton Road and Netherton Lane. The cross is constructed of a shell-rich limestone and has a 3.7 17th century head and sundial. The socket stone and During the period of the Iron Age (c700BC – 43AD), the shaft date from the 14th century. area of north Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and part of the West Midlands was occupied by the Dobunni tribe and they created a number of hillforts including Bredon Hill, Kemerton Camp, Conderton Camp and Elmley. They are thought to have been built around the same time in about 200 BC and Brian Hoggard suggests this “indicates not only a fairly large population but also a strong group sense of the need to defend the territory”.2
3.8 Elmley hillfort was chosen by the Normans as the site of a castle and it took advantage of the existing Iron Age defences although the castle’s bailey cuts across one of the hillfort’s ditches.3
3.9 There is a record of a deserted settlement on the slope between the current village and the castle. It is described as a Holloway and there are at least 12 house platforms on the slope of the hill leading to the castle.4 There is a suggestion that this may predate the planned village, but much of this evidence may have been eradicated as a result of the deerpark being used The wayside cross at the Northern end of the village as a Home Guard training ground in the 20th century. Historical Development 3.11 The origins and history of the current village of Elmley Castle are closely related to the development and ownership of the castle and the subsequent country estate, Park House. The castle was in ruins by the mid 16th century and is now visible as extensive earthworks within the setting of the conservation area. However, there is little visible reminder of Park House which was demolished in the early 1960s.
3.12 The castle at Elmley lies about 1 km to the south of the current village, it is in alignment with the main street Slopes of the earthwork remains of the castle of the village south past the church. It is on a spur on
2 the lower slopes of Bredon Hill and construction Bredon Hill Brian Hoggard (1999) commenced in 1080. The founder was Urse D’Abitot, 3 Bredon Hill Brian Hoggard (1999) 4 the Norman Sheriff of Worcestershire. The inner bailey Monument WSM15466 Worcestershire HER 7
Elmley Castle DRAFT ONLY measured 150m by 100m and was defended by deep 3.16 ditches, high ramparts and a stone wall and there was In 1254 William de Beauchamp obtained a Royal a rectangular keep.5 The outer bailey was extensive charter granting Elmley Castle a weekly market on and is thought to have contained amongst other things Wednesdays and an annual fair on the feast of St a chapel, barns, dovecote, fishponds, kitchen and Laurence, the 10 and 11 August.8 The granting of a bakehouse.6 market probably accounts for the width of Main Street at its southern end near the church. 3.13 The Normans built their castle on the site of an Iron 3.17 Age hillfort, but there was also a Saxon village As well as the village church of St Mary the Virgin, the predating their arrival. In the 8th century the village Beauchamp family had a chapel within the castle. In was called Elm-laeh which means a clearing in an elm 1308 Guy de Beauchamp founded a chantry there of wood. The first reference to a village is in a Saxon eight chaplains and four clerks. 9 Two buildings in the charter of 780AD when King Offa of Mercia granted village on the east side of Main Street near the church two manentes of land at Elmley to the Bishop of were part of the chantry. They are known as The Old Worcester. College and The Village Hall.
3.14 Between 1130 and 1140 the manor of and castle passed to the Beauchamps, the heirs by marriage of Urse D’Abitot, who also owned the Norman castle at Worcester. Elmley became their chief seat and the architectural and historic character of the village and its surroundings owes much to their influence.
3.15 The Beauchamps created a deerpark between the castle and the current village. In about 1234 Walter de Beauchamp received a gift of ten does and three bucks from the king for stocking his park at Elmley and this The Old College and The Village Hall may indicate the date of its enclosure and creation. The park was enlarged in about 1480 by the addition of The former was originally the rectory of the College part of the manor of Court Close and records exist of warden and the chantry priests and dates largely from 7 the names of various park keepers and warreners. the 16th and 17th centuries. The Village Hall which was another collegiate building has some existing fabric dating from the 14th century foundation but is predominantly 16th century in date. On his death in 1616, William Savage was described as seised of “the chantry of Elmley called Le College” and from 1616 the wardenship was incorporated in the manor and had the same descent.
3.18 In 1298 there were two mills at Elmley Castle, one a water-mill and one a windmill. The mill pond at the
The deerpark at Elmley Castle end of Mill Lane in the village still exists and although the mill was demolished, the Old Mill House survives. The hill to the west of the village is known as Windmill Hill and is recorded on the Historic Environment
5 Bredon Hill, Brian Hoggard (1999) 8 Victoria County History and Bredon Hill. Brian Hoggard 6 Bredon Hill, Brian Hoggard (1999) 1999 7 Victoria County History 9 Victoria County History 8
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Record as the site of a medieval windmill.10 The site of In 1702 it was entirely remodelled with the arms of the the castle mill was said still to be seen near the ruins of E being infilled with brick additions. At the same time the castle.11 the principal south front was also refaced in brick and large sash windows were substituted for the original stone mullioned openings. The finest feature of the house was stated to be the entrance hall with Queen Anne plasterwork on the ceiling and an oak staircase with twisted balusters.13 William Savage received Queen Elizabeth I at Park House, where she spent a night in 1575.
Mill Pond at the end of Mill Lane
3.19 The castle fell into decline principally after the Beauchamps gained the Earldom of Warwick through marriage in 1268 and made their new acquisition their chief seat. Although the castle was repaired periodically, there are repeated reports of the castle being in a poor condition at times in the 14th and throughout the 15th centuries. In 1500 the castle was still habitable, but by 1545 it was noted that only one tower remained standing and that stone from the castle was being conveyed to Pershore to mend the Historic photos of Park House (now demolished) date river bridge. unknown. Depicted is the main entrance to the house as well as ornate plasterwork and a vast wooden staircase 3.20 After the male line of the Warwicks died out in the 15th 3.22 century, the manor eventually came into the King’s Another building in the village associated with the hands and in 1544 the manor, lordship, castle and park manor is the former barn on Netherton Lane now was acquired from the King by Christopher Savage. known as The Long House. It is listed at grade II and The Savage family had been park keepers from the late the list description says that it is reputed to have been 15th century and this began their association with the the “great barn of the Manor of Elmley Castle”. village that lasted until the early 19th century.12
3.21 Park House was the mansion the Savages built at Elmley Castle following their acquisition of the manor. It was located much closer to the village than the castle, to the west of the church and immediately to the south of the current Parkwood housing estate. It was a large stone Elizabethan house, originally E shaped in plan, and of two storeys with gabled attics.
10 Monument reference on HER WSM11239 The Long House 11 Victoria County History (1924) 12 Bredon Hill and its Villages RH Lloyd (1967) 13 Victoria County History 9
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3.23 3.25 The earliest remaining houses in the village date from There has been fairly substantial new residential the 16th and 17th centuries. Park Cottage, opposite the development in the village in the 20th and 21st century, collegiate buildings, and the Old Police Station date owing to further growth in the population. Detached from the 16th century and most of the other timber houses have been built along a section of Hill Lane and framed cottages are from the 17th century. an estate on part of the grounds of Park House. However, the majority of the new housing is slightly separated from the historic core of the village, between Mill Lane and the Netherton Road. Development on the fringes of the village has allowed the historic core of Elmley to remain largely intact, and it retains much of its rural character.
Spatial Analysis 3.26 Elmley Castle has a main axis running north – south, aligned with the castle to the south. It is a broad straight street with the brook running along its eastern side. At its northern end it meets at a T junction with, to the west, the road leading to Bricklehampton, and to the east, the road leading to Netherton and Hinton- Park Cottage on the corner of Main Street and Hill Lane on-the-Green. At its southern end, Main Street widens slightly, perhaps to accommodate the 13th century 3.24 market. The plan form suggests a planned village, The village continued to expand throughout the 18th th possibly dating from the Norman occupation of the and 19 centuries. There is a former farm within the castle. village, the farmhouse and associated outbuildings are still apparent though no longer in agricultural use. The Manor Farm complex dates to the 18th century. During the 18th and 19th centuries, agricultural occupations dominated, and historic mapping shows orchards behind Hill Lane and Main Street, as well as between Netherton Lane and Mill Lane in addition to agricultural fields.
Other occupations present in the village during the 19th century include a smithy in Main Street, a sawmill close to what is now Parkwood, a Corn Mill at the end of Mill Lane a gravel pit behind Main Street and a number of public houses.
Looking south west along Main Street In the 19th century, a school was built in the village as was a new vicarage, set in large grounds to the east of 3.27 the church. Additional houses were also built, such as There are 3 further lanes leading off Main Street, 2 at Brook House in Main Street. A shop and a police the southern end and one in the middle, Mill Lane, station were housed in old village houses. The which is a no through route leading east to the Corn population in 1801 was 296, 385 in 1851 and 303 in Mill. Hill Lane at the south west end of Main Street is 1901.14 also a no through route, which, after heading west,
goes through a right angle turn to lead up Bredon Hill.
The last lane, leading east through a narrow gap
between the Old College and The Cloisters is the road to Ashton-under-Hill past the hamlet of Kersoe. 14 Bredon Hill and its villages RH Lloyd (1967) 10
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3.29 Main Street is one of the principal defining spaces of Elmley Castle, being a wide straight thoroughfare on an alignment with the castle. The brook, grass verge and line of trees run alongside on the east. The Recreation Ground is another significant space within the conservation area, bounded by Mill Lane which only has buildings on the northern side, meaning this area of the village feels quite open and exposed in stark contrast to the tight, built up grain of Main Street. Views of Bredon Hill are afforded from here and the openness is emphasises by the lack of boundary features other than a grassy bank to between the playing field and both Mill and Kersoe Lanes.
The narrow gap between the Old College and The Cloisters, road leading to Ashton-under-Hill
3.28 Historic buildings line Main Street. At the southern end they are built directly onto the street and abut eachother in small plots. The northern end of Main The widest point of Main Street at the southern end Street has larger plots and later buildings and on the east side, they are set behind the brook, grassy verge 3.30 and front gardens. The early cottages on Netherton Although on the boundary of the conservation area, Lane, and Hill Lane are small dwellings, usually in fairly the deerpark is also a significant space. It was enclosed th modestly sized plots and, with a couple of exceptions, in the 13 century and has had a parkland character they address the street with their principal front for over 700 years. The deerpark is a spatial reminder elevation. The cottages on the southwestern side of of the connection between the village and the castle Bricklehampton Road are more tightly grouped and and the current village’s presumed origins as a planned one has its gable end on the street edge. Norman settlement.
3.31 A number of later historic houses in Elmley Castle are set within large plots and while the full extent of some of these may not be publically visible, the lack of interruption by buildings and presence of planting contributes to a sense of spaciousness within the built up street frontage. These spaces, which are most often gardens, also provide the setting of many of Elmley Castle’s historic buildings.
3.32 The preservation of the spaces that remain is essential Road to Bricklehampton at the north of the village to preserving the character of the conservation area. 11
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Key Views & Vistas 3.33 Bredon Hill The slopes and summit of Bredon Hill feature in many of the key views within the conservation area, with the hill rising steeply to the south west of the village. It is particularly clear across the playing field looking south and south west and from areas along Hill Lane.
Looking towards The Old Post Office from Kersoe Lane, across the Recreation Ground
Bredon Hill in the background from the recreation ground
From the Recreation Ground the Church tower is visible beyond the boundary wall of Church House and Bredon Hill again beyond the Church
3.35 Main Street Taken from Hill Lane looking towards Bredon Hill Long range views are possible from various points along Main Street, due to the road being long and 3.34 broad as well as very straight. From Main Street it is Recreation Ground also possible to obtain views along adjoining lanes, The wide, open expanse of the Recreation Ground through into the Recreation Ground and along a allows significant views of more than just Bredon Hill; number of private driveways. from various points around the field dynamic views are allowed of many of the historic properties along Mill Lane as well as towards the Church and Church House. Although the playing field is slightly separated from the core of the village along Main Street/Hill Lane, the views allowed from it to other parts of the conservation area allow a sense of connection to be retained.
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are possible from higher vantage points such as on Bredon Hill, any views of Elmley from the surrounding landscape allow the village to be appreciated in its rural hinterland.
3.37 Looking north along Main Street, the grassy junction with Bricklehampton Road and Netherton Lane and the village cross are the focal point. Blucks Farm to the south east of the junction is also a focal point for views when moving along Main Street and Netherton Lane.
Looking south west along Main Street, Park Cottage just visible in the distance
The grassy junction with Bricklehampton Road, Netherton Lane and Main Street
3.38 The glimpses into the mill pond and of the countryside at the end of Mill Lane, as well as views of surrounding
Gateway through to the Recreation Ground from Main countryside from the churchyard are also part of the Street special character and appearance of the conservation area.
Looking towards Park Cottage and the Church, Main Street
3.36 View from beside the church into countryside Views into the conservation area are limited due to the surrounding topography and the presence of a 3.39 significant level of mature trees/planting on the The preservation of these key views is essential to the outskirts of the village. However, views into the village character of the conservation area. 13
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Extract from 1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map 1843-1893
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4 CHARACTER ANALYSIS Houses
General 4.6 Early houses In the conservation area these are principally small 4.1 timber framed cottages dating from the 16th and 17th The character of the Elmley Castle Conservation Area is centuries, although there are stone buildings of the that of a small, quiet, rural village, comprising mainly same period or earlier such as The Cloisters and, a few residential uses in an historic framework of buildings which originally had non-residential uses, such as the set along a principal wide main street and historic Old Smithy and the Village Hall. The cottages are one lanes. Its remoteness from main roads, the presence and a half or two small storeys and have squared of historic farm buildings within the village and its close panels in the Worcestershire framing tradition with relationship with the surrounding countryside are key infill panels of brick or plaster, usually painted white. contributors to its rural character. Views of Bredon Hill, Most of the cottages are detached and many have with its wooded slopes, are seen throughout the substantial stone and brick gable end chimney stacks. village. The village’s setting also encompasses the remains of the Norman castle and the deerpark which are important in the history of the settlement. The prominence of historic buildings, together with areas of open space, gardens, trees and grass verges, give it the sense of an historic rural village
4.2 Notably, modern intrusion in the form of street lighting and obtrusive road signage is minimal within the conservation area.
Buildings 4.3 There is a range of building periods within the conservation area. Most share basic common design characteristics of the local vernacular, including: Limited spans/plan depths dictated by historic building construction methods; A simple main rectangular plan form, sometimes with a rear wing and, in many cases; Carefully arranged fenestration on principal elevations 16th Century Old Police House
4.4 Some of the buildings in the conservation area are listed for their special architectural or historic interest and the list descriptions note groupings which are considered to have a collective impact. This includes a “picturesque” group on Hill Lane and groupings on the east and west sides of Main Street.
4.5 The most prevalent building type in the conservation area is houses.
16th Century Village Hall, Main Street 15
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17th Century Bridge Cottage 17th Century Cowper Cottage 4.7 The roofs are steeply pitched, some with a thatched covering often with eyebrow dormers. The rest have clay tile roofs occasionally with small dormer windows low on the roof or gablet dormers breaking through the eaves. Fenestration is simple small casements, either of painted timber or metal. Doors are typically boarded and are only occasionally embellished with later simple open porches or door hoods. Many of the early cottages are set hard on the street edge.
17th Century Elm Cottage
17th Century Plough Cottage
17th Century Grooms Cottage
17th Century Old Post Office 16
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17th Century Ivy Cottage 17th Century Green Oak Cottage,
4.9 Houses from the 18th century The conservation area contains a few houses from the 18th century and these reflect the growing influence of Classical forms of architecture in their design. These have formal principal elevations of local stone or brick with carefully arranged fenestration of cross casements or casements placed around a central timber panelled front door, often with a simple canopy above it. They are two storeys, and in one case plus attic storey. Roofs are fairly steep double pitches (only the Old Vicarage has a hipped roof) with a clay tile covering, sometimes with a dentilled brick eaves detail. 17th Century Brookside Cottage There are no fascia boards. Most are set behind small front gardens.
17th Century Mill Cottage
4.8 18th Century Manor Farm House Green Oak Cottage on Mill Lane dates to the 17th century; however, the cottage suffered extensive fire damage in September 2009. It has subsequently been reinstated, inevitably some of the historic fabric was lost and had to be replaced, but where this was necessary traditional materials have been utilised to replace details such as windows, timber framing and thatch in the style of what was previously there. 17
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18th Century The Old Vicarage 19th Century Brook House
4.11 Blucks Farm is of plainer brickwork, but also has stone dressings with hood moulds over its two light pointed arch timber casement windows and prominent, though plain, bargeboards. It has elaborate ridge mounted brick chimneystacks. Church House is the former vicarage designed by James Rowley of Walsall dating to 1875-6. It is of banded brick, with timber sash windows but is fairly plain. All have a gabled roof form clad in clay tile and are of two storeys and they are mainly set in large plots.
18th Century The Old Mill
4.10 Houses from the 19th century The earlier 19th century houses in the conservation area have a similar character and design to the later 18th century houses, (local brick with regular casement fenestration around a central front door). The later 19th century houses show the growing influence of the Gothic style of architecture. Brook House on Main Street has stone dressings, patterned and diaper brick work with blue and white headers. It has decorative timber bargeboards, grouped single light casements 19th Century Blucks Farm with pointed arch heads, bay windows and pronounced gable end chimney stacks.
19th Century Church House 18
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4.12 Modern Houses restorations, by Ewan Christian in the 1860s and There are several 20th century houses within the Frederick Preedy in 1878. The church is well known for conservation area. With perhaps a few exceptions its 17th century monuments of the Savage family and they are not typical of the historic houses, for instance the first Earl of Coventry. through being single storey, having deeper plan forms, irregular or wide horizontal emphasis, fenestration, attached garages, wide tarmacked drives or through use of non-local or untraditional materials such as timber cladding and shingles or reconstituted stone.
A number of 20th century houses are set back from the road, in contrast to many of the historic properties, with small gardens to their front or long driveways.
St Mary's Church
4.14 Elmley First School The village school is a mid-Victorian brick building with pretty carved timber bargeboards and a date stone in the gable of 1868. It was designed by James Rowley of Walsall and paid for by Lady Pakington.
Other Building Types
4.13 St Mary’s Church The church dates from various periods with the earliest surviving fabric likely to be the herringbone masonry of the chancel c1100 and the west tower where the two lower stages date from the 13th century. The north porch, transept and north aisle date from the 15th – 16th centuries and have a castellated parapet. The church is built of lias stone with Cotswold stone quoins Elmley First School and upper parts and a clay tile roof. It underwent two 19
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4.15 Public House There is one remaining public house in the village, The Queen Elizabeth Arms at the southern end of Main Street. It has the nucleus of a timber frame and dates from the 17th century.
[Insert Picture]
4.16 Farm Buildings There have been a number of farms within the village historically, though none are still in use as active farms. Surviving former farm buildings largely consist of farmhouses, such as Manor Farm House and Blucks Farm, and barns, including the Long House and Farm Court, both now in residential use. There are still some Manor Barns, now partially converted to residential use with outbuildings that retain some non-residential uses such some modern additions, the farm range to the right remains as Manor Barns on Main Street and on Bricklehampton in ancillary use currently Road.
All the former farm buildings within the conservation area serve as a tangible reminder of the rural farming origins of Elmley Castle. Agriculture was pivotal in the development of the settlement and the subsequent wealth derived from this has produced many of the historic buildings that still survive today.
The Long House, now converted to residential use but formerly an agricultural barn associated with Blucks Farm
Farm Court, now in use as a residential home, has taken on a distinctly more domestic character as a result of its conversion. Arguably it is more difficult to read as a set of former farm buildings
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Elmley Castle Settlement Development
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Listed Buildings Lane. There are some stone houses and cottages in 4.17 Main Street. Many of the buildings on Main Street and throughout the conservation area are ‘listed’ for their architectural or historic interest. Other buildings and structures attached to, or forming part of the curtilage of, these identified buildings and pre-dating 1st July 1948 are also listed by association. While the aim of the listed building legislation is to preserve these buildings for their own sake, any changes affecting them will also be considered in terms of the effect on the conservation area.
4.18 The Council’s Heritage Team should be contacted for advice on whether a building or structure is listed by association ("curtilage listed") before any works are carried out as the summary above is not exhaustive.
Unlisted Buildings 4.19 There are other buildings, which, while not ‘listed’, have qualities of age, style and materials that are locally important and which make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area.
Materials Square timber-framing common within the conservation 4.20 area Part of the character of the Elmley Castle Conservation Area comes from the materials used in its buildings and boundaries. The earliest residential buildings are generally timber framed with thatch or tiled roofs and the church is built of local lias stone. From the 18th century onwards brick is more common, reflecting the increasing availability of materials from further afield and changing architectural fashions.
The retention and continued use of the traditional materials found throughout the village, is important in preserving the character and appearance of the conservation area.
4.21 Walls Early buildings in the conservation area are predominantly timber framed with walls of square framing and infill panels in either plaster or brick, usually painted white. A number of the timber framed cottages and buildings sit on plinth walls of lias stone. Local lias stone is used for a number of buildings, particularly the church and the Old Vicarage in Hill Local lias stone used for walling of some buildings 22
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4.22 The 18th and 19th century buildings in the conservation area are brick, usually of the rich orange/red characteristic of the locality, although the brickwork of King’s Leigh is painted and Magnolia View and Oakrich Cottage have rendered elevations.
Roofs are mainly common roofs (simple double pitches) although the Old Vicarage is a hipped roof and there are a couple of cottages with half hipped roofs. Some of the early cottages have small gabled dormers set low on the roof slope or in a gablet form breaking through the eaves line. The dormer windows dating from the conversion of the Manor Farm outbuildings to residential use are not typical of the historic form of dormer. The later 19th century houses have gables. Rooflights are largely absent.
The continued use of historic roofing materials adds to the special interest and character of the conservation area.
Typical 18th and 19th century brick work
4.23 Roofs The timber framed buildings either have thatched roofs or are roofed in plain clay tile, of the red/brown hue characteristic of the area. The 18th, 19th and 20th century buildings have tiled roofs although some of the historic houses have been reroofed in modern machine tiles.
Farm Court, the dormer windows not typical of the historic form of dormer
4.24 Windows The predominant form of window in the conservation area is casements, usually timber, but sometimes metal. There are also cross casements and, from a later period, double hung vertically sliding painted timber sash windows. Historically the windows are
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Elmley Castle single-glazed. The materials used for windows are 4.26 characteristic of their respective periods of buildings. Doors Many of the doors within the conservation area are painted or stained timber, though their designs vary. Most are of simple design, some are almost flush with the wall, some are recessed slightly, some have porches and occasionally some have canopies above.
As with windows in the conservation area, doors are vulnerable to loss from modern replacements. In Elmley although a number of doors have already been replaced, their replacements are largely timber, in keeping with the predominant materials used in Elmley Castle Conservation Area.
4.27 Many private drives are surfaced in loose gravel, which gives a soft textured surface finish appropriate to a rural village conservation area.
4.25
A few windows in the Elmley Castle conservation area have been lost to modern replacements. Modern windows, whether in new materials, changed design and opening or additional features such as trickle vents are rarely able to replicate the detail and intricacy of traditional windows, often harming the character or appearance of the conservation area. 24
Elmley Castle
Boundaries 4.28 4.27 In addition to stone walling, a number of properties A number of dwellinghouses are set directly onto the within the conservation area have utilised willow street and so there are no built form boundary fencing in combination with a low stone boundary wall. treatments. Where they do exist, the predominant The nature of willow fencing means that there are gaps form is dry stone walls built of the local lias with a between branches, which in addition to being a terminal capping of stone on edge. Some stone walls traditional material suited for use in a rural settlement; are set in mortar and there is a formal dressed stone it also has the effect of preventing the narrow village wall with four stone pillars (the end ones surmounted lanes from developing a sense of being too enclosed. by ball finials) and elaborate wrought iron gates marking the Main Street entrance to the Playing Field.
Some boundaries incorporate multiple boundary materials such as drystone walling and willow fencing
4.29 There are also historic metal railings outside Manor Farmhouse and marking the corner of the Netherton Lane with Main Street. Untypically, there are also a Stone boundary walls throughout the conservation area small number of red brick boundary walls. 25
Elmley Castle
4.30 Many properties have hedges as well as walls marking their boundaries with the street, which gives the street view a soft planted character despite the presence of stone boundary walls. Vehicular entrance gates are often a timber 5 bar field gate which is visually permeable. Close boarded gates are rare. Pedestrian gates are timber or metal garden gates, fitting to a village character.
Some properties only have hedging forming their boundary, often with a small gate inserted Variety of vehicular and pedestrian access gates
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Public Realm Natural Environment 4.31 4.32 Distinctive features of the public realm make a positive In addition to the built form in the village, the natural contribution to the unique character of Elmley Castle environment makes a significant contribution to the Conservation Area. character and appearance of the Elmley Castle Conservation Area. The most prominent public realm features at Elmley Castle are the red telephone box and the post box. Set Significant features include verges, tress and hedging, against a dry stone wall, both are well maintained- open space such as gardens and fields, and water having been freshly painted recently. Telephone boxes features for example streams and ponds. These in particular are important to the social history of the prominent features in the village contribute much to village and would have once been the main telephone its small, rural settlement character. The retention of for most village residents. all elements of the natural environment is essential to the preservation of the character of the conservation area.
4.33 Verges There are grass verges to the roadways throughout the conservation area. In Main Street and Hill Lane the brook runs through the verges, which contributes to a sense of tranquillity in contrast with the increasingly busy Main Street and reinforcing the village’s rural character. The grass verge in Main Street also contains a row of mature trees.
There are also some kerb stones of granite setts within the conservation area that are locally distinctive, and should be endeavoured to be retained where possible.
Stream alongside Main Street and Hill Lane
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4.34 Gardens & Fields Usually less apparent, but just as important, are private gardens and fields behind the street frontages. These remain largely undeveloped and continue in use as gardens and amenity space. The school also has a play ground behind its building. While their full extent may not be entirely publicly visible, the lack of interruption by buildings and presence of planting contributes to an impression of openness appreciated from glimpses over boundaries and between buildings. Many of these green spaces are also important to the setting of historic buildings.
The Recreation Ground is the only large open public space within the conservation area, and it provides an important green setting to a number of historic buildings. The field is also lined with a number of substantial trees, which contribute significantly to the rural character of the village.
4.35 Trees & Hedges Trees can play an important role in defining the character of an area and its landscape setting, whether they provide visually stimulating focal points or if they soften views. There are hedges and trees on the road boundaries to many properties within Elmley Castle Conservation Area, a number of these have significant visual amenity.
It is also worth noting that, although within the setting of the conservation area, there are a number of significant veteran trees that survive within Elmley Castle Deerpark. This includes a number of Oaks that are thought to be at least 500 years old, possibly older.
All trees over a certain size are protected in the conservation area. Written notification must be given Mature trees along Main Street to the Council before carrying out any works to these trees. Some trees are individually protected by Tree Preservation Orders and consent is needed from the Council before any works to them are carried out.
Our Landscape Team can advise on which trees are protected, the type of works which would need to be notified or need consent, the procedures and the likelihood of getting consent for the works.
Example of hedging in the conservation area 28
Elmley Castle
4.36 Water Features Local Details Located adjacent to The Old Mill and Mill Cottage is the 4.37 Mill Pond and a smaller pond to the rear of Mill There are local building details and other features in Cottage, formerly associated with the now lost Corn the Elmley Castle conservation area which contribute Mill. Both ponds were historically joined as one but distinctly to its character and special interest and have since become separated. Though the mill pond which are important to retain. These include: and former mill buildings no longer share a functional relationship, they remain visually connected and that Casement windows they still survive relatively intact is important as a reminder of a former industry within the village. Roofs of thatch or clay tile
Timber frame construction with white painted infill panels
Kerb stones of granite setts
Boundary walls in the local lias stone
The K6 red telephone box in Main Street
Large gable end chimney stacks in stone and brick
The brook running in a stone lined ditch in Main Street
Mill Pond Grass verges and planted boundary features There is another pond partially within the conservation including trees area, to the south of the church. The entirety of the pond is located within the Locally Listed Historic Deerpark, which is designated for its association with the estate of Elmley Park House and the Castle. Although the historic house has been lost, and the castle survives only in the form of earthworks, this landscape is considered significant and where features such as this pool and remnants of structures survive it is important for them to be retained.
Pond adjacent to St Mary's Church 29
Elmley Castle
5 THREATS AND VULNERABILITIES 5.2 The purpose of highlighting these vulnerabilities is not 5.1 necessarily to aim at the re-development of existing Elmley Castle retains much of tis historic form and features, but to guard against the impact of these fabric, however, there are some instances were past features from becoming too dominant, either through development or alterations have led to the erosion of future additions or alterations or by setting precedents the character and appearance of the conservation for future development within the conservation area. area. However, the Council welcomes the opportunity of
discussing the scope for improving these features. Threats
Elmley Castle has seen much 20th century development 5.3 and is sensitive to further change. The appraisal has The Management Proposals at Section 2 consider how highlighted the following problems and pressures in these issues might be addressed to ensure the the Elmley Castle Conservation Area, many of which continuing preservation and enhancement of the compromise or detract from its character and character and appearance of the conservation area. appearance.
These threats include: Neutral Areas 5.4 There are some parts of the conservation area which, Incremental erosion of architectural details This is a result of cumulative small changes, such as in their present form, neither enhance nor detract insertion of rooflights and replacement of from its character or appearance. windows, doors and roof coverings with different We will be careful, however, to guard against these materials or designs, which detrimentally alters the properties and areas becoming too dominant through character and significance of individual buildings future additions or alterations. and the area as a whole.
New development NOTE Some developments have better integrated into Although it is intended that this appraisal should the historic environment than others. Many exhibit highlight significant features of the conservation area design characteristics that are quite different to which are important to its character or appearance, the established characteristics of the area, omission of a particular feature should not be taken as intruding on the established rural character. an indication that it is without merit and unimportant
in conservation and planning terms. Property Maintenance
Though the condition of the majority of buildings
within the conservation area is good, carrying out
routine maintenance is essential in ensuring the
longevity of important historic buildings. The
surroundings of a listed building, such as a car park
or hardstanding and boundary treatments, can be just as important in maintaining its character and appearance.
Loss or replacement of boundary treatments The loss of characteristic boundary features such as stone walling or hedging can be detrimental to the overall character and appearance of the conservation area. Equally as damaging in some cases is the replacement of boundary treatments such as stone walling with out of character close boarded or timber panelled fences and occasionally brick walls.
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Elmley Castle
Action PART 2. MANAGEMENT We will: PROPOSALS Seek improvements to buildings where opportunities arise through development 1 INTRODUCTION proposals Assess new development proposals against the What are these Management Proposals for? Elmley Castle Conservation Area Character 1.1 Appraisal in addition to our Local Plan Policies These management proposals are a mid- to long-term (SWDP) on conservation areas and design and our strategy for preserving and enhancing the Elmley Residential Design Guide SPD. Castle conservation area, addressing the issues arising from the appraisal. 3. Property maintenance Although at present the condition of most buildings 1.2 within the Elmley Castle Conservation Area is good, These proposals are prepared in accordance with our this can quickly deteriorate when regular maintenance duty under Section 71 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and repairs are not carried out. There is therefore, an and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to formulate and ever present risk of harm to the character and publish proposals for the preservation and appearance of the conservation area through a enhancement of our conservation areas. cumulative lack of maintenance.
Action 2 THREATS & ACTIONS We will:
1. Incremental erosion of architectural details Advise owners/occupiers of buildings of A few buildings have been adversely affected by the appropriate repair where opportunities arise use of modern materials or replacement of historic Seek retention of historic fabric where possible, doors and windows with poor quality substitutes such and encourage the use of traditional materials as uPVC or stained timber characteristic to the area
Action 4. Loss of traditional boundary treatments We will: The loss of traditional materials used in boundary
features undermines the quality of the historic Seek retention of historic fabric where environment. opportunities arise through development proposals Action We will: Address unauthorised works to buildings through enforcement action where appropriate, in Seek to retain characteristic boundary features and accordance with our Enforcement Policy traditional materials where opportunities arise through development proposals and in discussion Continue to regularly monitor the conservation with owners area and consider the need for Article 4(2) Consider the need for Article 4(2) Directions to Directions as necessary bring such works under planning control
2. Intrusion & quality of new development 5. Loss of gardens and natural environment The character of the conservation area is vulnerable to As important to the character and appearance of the continued encroachment of new development. This is conservation area, the natural environment broadly both in the form of new dwellings, conversion of speaking is continually under threat from development existing structures and through additions or alterations and incremental changes. Though Elmley Castle has to existing buildings. retained much of its tree presence and high quality
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Elmley Castle private gardens, it is important to highlight the risk Window & Door Replacements their potential loss poses. Window and door replacements are often the most serious threat to the appearance of our conservation Action areas and can even affect the value of properties. We will: The replacement of timber windows in particular with Encourage the maintenance and replanting of PVCu is likely to result in several problems: trees/hedging Assess any proposals for the development of The material cannot reproduce profiles and gardens thoroughly against the Elmley Castle detailing of traditional joinery Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Local The variety can destroy the visual harmony of the Plan Polices on conservation areas and listed street scene buildings The material is not as easy and economic to repair as timber 3 NOTES It does not have the biodegradable qualities of timber when redundant, creating an environmental land fill hazard. Trees All trees are protected in the conservation area. Other Repairs Written notification must be given to the Council There are a number of other repair works that can before carrying out any tree works within the have a detrimental impact on the character and designated area. Some trees are individually protected appearance of the conservation area, including: by Tree Preservation Orders and consent is needed from the Council before any works to them are carried Alterations to roofing materials out. Inappropriate repointing techniques or materials Painting, rendering or cladding brickwork Our landscape team can provide further advice on Removal of decorative architectural features such protected trees, the type of works which would need as stone or window surrounds to be notified or need consent, the procedures and the Installing modern plastic rainwater gutters and likelihood of getting consent for the works. The downpipes contribution of individual trees to the character and appearance of the conservation area will be a factor in the consideration of a notification or application. 4 ARTICLE 4(2) DIRECTIONS Scheduled Ancient Monuments These are protected by law. Consent is needed from What is an Article 4(2) Direction? the Secretary of State for any works affecting a 2.1 monument. An article 4(2) Direction is an Order that the District Council can make to provide long-term protection Satellite Dishes against unsympathetic alterations to unlisted Although satellite dishes are not particularly evident, dwellinghouses alterations to unlisted dwellinghouses where they do occur they can undermine the character in conservation areas by restricting certain “permitted and appearance of the area. development” rights. This means that certain alterations that formerly did not require planning Design Codes permission would need permission in the future, Any future proposals should have regard to the design although there is currently no fee for such an principles, design codes and specific advice for application required under a Direction. A Direction conservation areas contained in the adopted would only apply to elevations or parts of a property Residential Design Guide Supplementary Planning which front public roads, rights of way or public open Document. spaces. It would not normally affect the rear of the property or the rear garden, and does not affect interior alterations. 34
Elmley Castle
Why consider them for Elmley Castle? 2.2 The conservation area at Elmley Castle has been designated in recognition of its special architectural and historic interest and a desire to preserve its character and appearance.
2.3 Although some alterations to all types of buildings can be controlled in a conservation area by planning permission, changes can still take place to unlisted dwellings and their sites that can damage the character and appearance of the conservation area, but which are “permitted development”, i.e. they do not require planning permission.
2.4 There are many buildings in the Elmley Castle Conservation Area which, although not listed, have qualities of age, style and materials which are locally distinct and which make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area. That many of these properties retain much of their original character and appearance is to the credit of those owners who have carefully preserved them. There is, however, no guarantee as to their future and these properties are vulnerable to future change.
2.5 The Management Proposals for Elmley Castle Conservation Area include the discussion of implementing an Article 4(2) Direction. This does not mean that the works included would not be allowed. It means that planning permission would be required to carry out specified changes in the future. We would assess to see whether what was proposed would harm the character or appearance of the conservation area. If not, permission would usually be granted. There would be no planning fee for any application required solely as a result of a Direction.
2.6 Those properties potentially affected would be separately consulted and all views expressed would be taken into account in making the decision on whether to proceed with the Direction.
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Elmley Castle
APPENDIX 01 Consultation Statement of Community Involvement 1.5 The consultation period began on ……. and ended on ……. 2019 Introduction
1.1 Consultation was by: This statement is a summary of community A public meeting held at …………. on the evening of involvement and public consultation undertaken by …… 2019 Wychavon District Council in respect of the Elmley Publication of the draft appraisal, management Castle conservation area Appraisal and Management proposals & proposed conservation area boundary Proposals and proposed changes to the Elmley Castle changes on the Wychavon District Council website, conservation area boundary. accompanied by an electronic feedback form
Placing of the same documents for public Background inspection during the consultation period at: 1.2 - Planning Reception, Wychavon District A report to the Council’s Planning Committee on …… Council, Civic Centre, Pershore 2019 explains the reasons for preparing a character Letters to Elmley Castle residents affected by the appraisal and management plan for the Elmley Castle review of the conservation area, Elmley Castle Conservation Area. Specifically, the character appraisal Parish Council, Worcestershire Archaeology, and plan is drafted in accordance with the Historic England, Worcestershire County Council requirements on Wychavon District Council imposed by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, to: Consultees 1.6 keep its conservation areas under review; The following were consulted on the draft appraisal and management plan: prepare policies and proposals for the preservation and enhancement of the character or appearance Elmley Castle Parish Council of its conservation areas; and District Council Member for Elmley Castle and Somerville Ward pay special attention to the desirability of Elmley Castle residents affected by the preserving or enhancing the character or conservation area review appearance of the conservation area in exercising Worcestershire County Archaeology its planning functions. Worcestershire County Council Historic England 1.3 The preparation and publication of a conservation area Publicity character appraisal and management proposals is a key 1.7 step in the Council fulfilling these duties. Notice of the public meeting and consultation was given by way of: Community Involvement 1.4 Posters placed in Elmley Castle village Community involvement has taken the form of: Letters to residents affected by the conservation area review on …….2019 briefing sessions with the Elmley Castle Parish A public meeting held at …….. on …. 2019 Council and District Council Member for Elmley Full details on the Wychavon DC website during Castle and Somerville Ward the consultation period letters to residents affected by the review of the Notice placed with the documents at the Civic Elmley Castle Conservation Area on …… , informing Centre, Pershore public library and on the Council's them of the public meeting and consultation website period Information forwarded to consultees a public meeting at …………..on the evening of ……. 2019 36
Elmley Castle
APPENDIX 02 The following websites contain information Sources & Further Information relating to conservation areas:
Sources Wychavon District Council at www.wychavon.gov.uk A lad from Elmley John Eaton (1997) Historic England at: The Elmley I knew: Elmley Castle 1930-1934. Reg https://historicengland.org.uk/ Bury (1989)
Bredon Hill and its Villages. R H Lloyd (1967)
Bredon Hill A Guide to its Archaeology, History, Folklore and Villages. Brian Hoggard (2nd revised edtn 1999)
Historic England: "Pastscape"
The Buildings of England: Worcestershire Alan Brooks and Nikolaus Pevsner (2007)
The Castle at Elmley. David Phillips (2001)
Victoria County History A history of the County of Worcester volume 3 (1924)
Website: www.bredonhillview.co.uk
Worcestershire Landscape Character Assessment, Worcestershire County Council, 1999
Further Information For further guidance and information please contact:
The Heritage Section Planning & Infrastructure Wychavon District Council Civic Centre Queen Elizabeth Drive Pershore Worcs. WR10 1PT
Tel. 01386 565565 email: [email protected] web: www.wychavon.gov.uk
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