Steep Settlement Character Assessment Contents Introduction 1 History of Steep Settlements 2 Ridge Common Lane and Lythe Lane 4 Dunhill 6 Stoner Hill - Cricketers Inn to Island 8 Church Road 10 Mill Lane and Ashford Lane 13 Steep Hill, Kettlebrook, Elmwood and Burntash Lanes 17 Steep Marsh 20 East of A3 23 Bedales 25 References 27 Map Legend 28
The following reports also form part of the work of the Steep Parish Plan Steering Group and are available in separate documents, either accessible through the Steep Parish Plan website www.steepparishplan.org.uk or from the Steep Parish Clerk.
Steep Parish Plan Steep Local Landscape Character Assessment Steep Buildings and Monuments Record
October 2012 Introduction This Settlement Character Assessment A short description of the history of Steep forms part of the Steep Parish Plan, provides a general introduction to the area which includes the Steep Buildings and and for each Settlement Character Area Monuments Record and the Steep Local there are separate sections about its Landscape Character Assessment. This history, the size of plots, significant Assessment is complementary to the buildings, building lines and format. Buildings and Landscape documents and Topography, green infrastructure are covered provides the basis for the Design Guidance together with highways. The key qualities included in the Parish Plan. The documents are summarised, followed by sections on are accessible through the Steep Parish managing and maintaining character. Final Plan website (www. steepparishplan.org.uk) sections cover the Steep Parish Design or from the Steep Parish Clerk. They should Guidance, incorporated in the Parish Plan be read in conjunction with each other. and Highway recommendations which will be taken forward by the Parish Council’s The Assessment is based on work Traffic Management Group as part of Action undertaken by Hampshire County Council Point Ten of the Parish Plan. (HCC) and uses an approach which helps to structure the Character Assessment in Acknowledgement - thanks are due to a form that makes it easy to understand1. Mark Wilson, Strategic Environmental A standard analysis sheet was used and Delivery Group, Hampshire County Council the Village Character Type (VCT) uses for help and support in undertaking the classification provided by HCC. Maps this Assessment. showing this material have been included. [email protected]
1 History of Steep Settlements
The early history of Steep suggests that ing incursions into the wooded landscape in there is little Mesolithic or Neolithic evi- late and post medieval times, when farming dence of settlement across much of Steep. expanded into more remote, less economi- It seems likely that the area was used for cally viable areas than in the earlier infor- activities such as grazing and hunting rather mal enclosure landscape to the north than being settled or farmed. Steep has a and east. very limited range of data from the Bronze Age. The adjacent heathland is rich in burial The fertile soils of the Upper Greensand ter- mounds and on Petersfield Heath there race have been subject to much intensive is a remarkable cluster of these mounds. arable use, particularly for hop growing in However, there is no evidence of settlement Steep Marsh. Poplar windbreaks persist giv- and farming in Steep, which suggests that ing a good indication as to where this crop the area was not intensively settled in this was once grown. The current landscape period. There is little evidence of Iron Age probably incrementally evolved from assart3 settlement, but there are important Roman to open fields to early informal enclosure villa sites at Stroud and Liss and together (typified by large fields with wavy boundaries with the finds in Steep, they suggest a Ro- in a regular pattern). man route way running diagonally across the area. This information is from Hamp- The early settlements in Steep evolved shire County Council’s historic material from from these medieval farmsteads at the their Archaeology and Historic Buildings foot of the Hangers, located close to water Records (AHBR) in map and register form2. sources. Ridge Common Lane - Soal and Aldersnapp, Dunhill, Ashford, Steep Hollow Steep’s landscape character can be divided - Steep Farm and Gardner’s in Steep Marsh into 4 broad areas of historic landscape and Tankerdale. Bill Whiteman’s The Origins types; the Hanger woodlands on the Chalk of Steep4 describes how it is likely that Scarp; the informal enclosure fieldscape these farms would have been created out on the more economically productive Upper of clearances along the line of the fertile Greensand terrace and the assart field- Upper Greensand shelf “where springs scape on the less productive parts of the emerge from beneath the chalk scarp, and terrace; the Mixed Farmland and Woodland each farm had a share of arable, pasture of the Gault clay between the slopes of and woodland.” By the 12/13th century he the Greensand Terrace and the railway and believes that Steep would have had a well The Flats, the open Greensand hills and established community with the church farmland south and east of the railway. The being built in about 1125 when Steep defining characteristic of Steep area is the became a sub-parish of East Meon. The presence of the Hangers. Evidence sug- oldest surviving dwelling in Steep is thought gests that early settlement was in farm- to be Restalls, on the east side of the steads at the foot of the Hangers represent- Church, dating (in part) from the latter years
2 of the sixteenth century. By 1600s, the also visible at Ashford Chace. Local build- local cloth making industry was prospering ing activity was on a much reduced scale and Steep had two fulling mills in opera- in most of the 20th century, with some of tion, driven by the Ashford Stream. This the large mansions being converted into was also the time of the “great rebuilding” apartments and council houses being built which saw many wooden buildings replaced at Hays Cottages and Steep Marsh. Many by stone structures. However, this period of of the former domestic service bungalows, prosperity did not last and, with the cloth- gatehouses and lodges were converted and making industry in decline, severe depres- extended for private use. In Mill Lane, in sion followed in the latter part of the 17th the 1960s and 1970s three houses - Mill century. By the 1830s, the agricultural Corner, Millfall and Millponds were built, revolution, especially land enclosures, had creating a corner of modernism in this part upset traditional rural society and created of Steep. a class of landless labourers, struggling to support their families. This led to rural By the end of the century, most building was unrest and the Parliamentary Enclosure as a result of extensions and redevelop- Acts of 1856 -66 established the final land ment of existing housing. Some infilling had pattern for Steep Marsh and Stroud and been allowed within the settlement bound- the buildings that remained are the origin ary but the pattern of development was of these settlements today. The latter part set. This continued into the 21st century of the nineteenth century saw the replace- with limited infilling along Church Road and ment of farmhouses by more elaborate Stoner Hill, but also extensive redevelop- residences and the building of large Victo- ment and extensions of domestic proper- rian mansions - Ridge Common - Collyers ties in all parts of Steep. and Stonerwood, Stoner Hill - Stoner House and Island, Steep Marsh - Coldhayes and Steep is now composed of a series of frag- Adhurst St Mary close to Sheet. This period mented settlements, widely spread across also saw development in Church Road, the Parish. The main concentration is along the Village School 1875 and the Eames Church Road, with another significant Almshouses 1882 together with villas and collection at Steep Marsh. Smaller cottages further west. In 1900, Bedales communities are in Ridge Common and School moved to Steep from Sussex with its Lythe Lanes, the Dunhurst/Dunhill corner, connections with the Arts and Crafts Move- Stoner Hill, Mill and Ashford Lanes, Steep ment. The school’s arrival in the area gave Hollow/Kettlebrook, East of the A3 at West- a new impetus to building in Church Road - mark and Bedales. domestic properties such as Little Hawsted, Row Cottage, Five Oaks and Rozel and the This Settlement Assessment has been War Memorial and Village Hall. Within the undertaken in an approximate west to Bedales grounds, the Memorial Library and east sequence. It should be read in Lupton Hall are Grade I listed – classifying conjunction, with the Buildings and Monu- them as buildings of exceptional interest on ments Record and Local Landscape a national level. The Arts and Crafts style is Character Assessment.
3 Ridge Common Lane and Lythe Lane History The area is lightly settled. The settlement together with medieval farms at Aldersnapp pattern consists of scattered medieval (Alresnape - piece of land or pasture) and origin farmsteads with a mixture of Soal (Atte Sole - home of Roger atte Sole). assarts and informal enclosure fields and Lythe may also be a Saxon farm, according piecemeal development that resulted to Whiteman. These farms suggest that from enclosure of common land along cultivated land has been carved out of the Stroud end and the eastern stretch of woodland on the edge of the settlement. Ridge Common Lane. Stonerwood House Lythe Lane rises through the centre of and Park which was developed in the 19th the area up to the Hangers, with buildings century has had a significant impact on clustered around the original farm. Ridge the appearance at the eastern end of the Common Lane runs east to west with character area. The Hangers frame the area clusters of properties, originally associated to the north and remain an unsettled with the farms but now converted to semi-natural habitat. Below the Hangers, domestic use together with more recent the area comprises a series of assarted infilling and redevelopment. fields, greens, commons and woodlands Plots, Significant Buildings, Building Lines, Format The buildings are in a variety of plots, very site of the former mansion. The Park large for Collyers - a significant Victorian by Unsworth and Triggs is listed as a Mansion but unlisted and a “peculiar house Hampshire Historic Park and Garden. of 1883 - 4”(Pevsner) and Stonerwood Park. The house (1931) by Baillie Scott and Soal Farm 14th century and 16th century Beresford is not listed and was built on the is listed Grade II, timber-framed with
4 elevations of exposed timber framework; lanes, with low walls and hedges, except for Lythe Farm 18th century and its Barn are cottages at foot of Collyers which are direct both listed Grade II as is Aldersnapp Farm on the road. Most buildings are parallel with 13th century and 19th century Grade II; the road, but several cottages are set side- Stroud Mission Church 1896 is prominent ways/angle to the road at various points. but not listed. Former farm cottages, with tile hangings, steep roofs, chimneys and the few modern Former farm cottages and more recent houses all give a traditional look and feel to developments are mostly set well back from the area emphasising its agricultural past. Topography, Green Infrastructure and Highways The Hangers dominate with below to the Traditional grazing and crops are being west, on the undulating landscape of the replaced by stables in Lythe Lane. Greensand Terrace, the assarted fields along Lythe Lane, north of Ridge Common Footpaths connect the Mission Church Lane comprising mostly fields for grazing to Stroud; others provide access from sheep or horses. Within this sector are Petersfield across the A3 to Ridge Common a series of small copses. South of Ridge Lane and Lythe Lane and the Hangers. Common Lane on the Mixed Farmland Ridge Common Lane, whilst mostly open, and Woodland area, the fields are larger has aspects of a sunken lane at its junction and open. The folds of fields and copses with Sandsbury Lane. It is now partly hide the buildings at the foot of the chalk protected by 30 mph but is still busy. A scarp of the Hangers, but Aldersnapp and speed limit for the road as a whole should Lythe Farms are both prominent. There is a be considered. small pond at the entrance to Aldersnapp. Key Qualities
Built Environment Green Infrastructure Well suited to the landscape, hidden and Mixed agriculture - grazing for sheep and subtle with buildings fitting in the folds of horses; arable crops and open fields. Good the landscape. hedge cover and woodlands.
Highways Historic Biodiversity Lythe Lane - quiet and provides good Lythe and Strawberry Hangers together, access to Hangers for walkers, cyclists Patrick’s and Sole Copse adjacent to Soal and horse riders. Ridge Common Lane Farm are classified by Natural England as is sinuous with excellent and open views Ancient Woodlands. south to the Downs.
5 Views important views out to South Downs and Undulating greensand terrace beneath back to Hangers. Open farmland with the scarp of the wooded Hangers with copses, sometimes enclosing houses. Managing & Maintaining Character
• Extensions and additions to buildings with SDNPA. in the open countryside should be • It is essential to maintain open views designed to maintain character and to the Hangers and Downs. open views. • Rationalisation of speed limits to 30 • Spread of stables in prominent mph for lanes is required and the positions would be detrimental to potential for roads to become “Quiet landscape and settings of buildings Lanes” should be pursued. and there is a need to agree guidance Design Guidance
The key design features to be recognised and respected are:
a. open views to the Downs and Hangers, folds of fields and copses in the landscape; b. the setting of the listed farms at Aldersnapp, Soal, Lythe and its barn; Stroud Mission Church; the Victorian mansion of Collyers and the 1930s Stonerwood Park and its gardens; c. small clusters of houses in period styles, being mainly the former dwellings of agricultural labourers attached to the foregoing farms. Highway Recommendations
a. Investigate rationalising speed limits and introducing “Quiet Lanes” for Ridge Common and Lythe Lanes. Dunhill History
Dunhill seems to have been a medieval by sand quarrying and overgrown by trees, hamlet - DUNIENDEHULL (Dun Hill Farm) there used to be four farmhouses.” It is according to the AHBR records. Whiteman now bisected by the Alton Road, so that agrees and suggests that “round its part is within the Bedales estate. miniature village green, now hollowed out Plots, Significant Buildings, Building Lines, Format
Irregular plots are set within spaces of styles, from the Old Farmhouse, formerly farm and cottage, with buildings set back Dunhill Farm, late 16th century Grade II part from road, within the hollow and hidden in timber frame with brick cladding and its fold of land and at all angles. Variations in Granary 18th century; Vine Cottage Grade height and elevations. Buildings are hidden II (formerly Dunannie Cottage 17th century) from the road by hedges and trees. Within thatched with exposed frame and brick infill the hamlet, some plots are open, but Vine (Former home of Jill Balcon) and Lithcot - Cottage for example has a small flint wall. within Bedales estate which dominates the bend. Buildings are detached in a variety of
Topography, Green Infrastructure and Highways
Dunhill is very much part of the Mixed Farm Alton Road and Ridge Common Lane. and Woodland area of the Lower Rother Buildings are hidden in the curve of road, Valley (as is most of Petersfield). To the within the folds of fields. There is extensive west are open fields and pastures between tree and hedge cover. There is a footpath
6 link through Bedales to Church Road but recently been introduced. However, this is Sandsbury Lane to Ridge Common Lane still a dangerous corner and residents and is no longer open. The Petersfield to Alton visitors exiting from Dunhill face the hazard Road (18th century) from Bell Hill to Stoner of speeding traffic, despite the restrictions. Hill is a very busy route. A 30mph limit has Key Qualities
Built Environment Highways Well set back from the road and hidden in Noise from A3 and speed still a problem the landscape and with tree/ hedge cover on 18th century.
7 Green Infrastructure Views Surrounded by fields on its western side Views mostly inward to the settlement, with occasional sheep and cattle grazing. except Lithcot (within Bedales has No direct pedestrian access. Good tree extensive views out to the Hangers cover within the settlement. and Downs). Managing and Maintaining Character
• Small and hidden hamlet with 2 listed traffic at this dangerous corner. buildings and former listed barn. • Warning sign possibly needed. • Any changes must respect character • Access in and out very difficult and setting of listed buildings. and hazardous. • Road is still affected by speeding Design Guidance
The key design features to be recognised and respected are:
a. views of the small hidden hamlet and farmstead and its setting within the hollow and folds of the land together with the listed buildings at Dunhill Farm and Vine Cottage. Highway Recommendations
a. Assess and monitor the impact of the speed restrictions on Alton Road and introduce appropriate warning signs if the Parish Council felt they were needed. Stoner Hill - Cricketers Inn to Island History Stoner Hill winds up the Hangers as part set within extensive landscaped gardens of the old Turnpike Road, linking Petersfield and grounds. They would have been the and Alton. At the crossroads, the pub and dominant buildings in the area and have smithy, later a garage and now commercial now been divided into apartments with premises, give a focus to the crossing additional houses built within their grounds. which is probably very old, providing Hays Cottages were built after WW2 as access via Ridge Common Lane to Stroud part of a programme of settlements for and via Church Road to Sheet and Liss. returning soldiers. Whiteman suggests that Stoner House and Island are distinctive Greenlands in Park Lane was a former Victorian and Edwardian country houses 17th century farmhouse. Plots, Significant Buildings, Building Lines, Format The pub and garage face on to the road premises. The design of the garage was behind car parks. Variety of houses, mostly commended as showing a “rare and quiet sizeable, face on to road behind hedges. approach” and illustrated in A Vision Park Lane is at an angle with cottages and of Britain, HRH Prince of Wales 1989. a former farmhouse which according to The crossroads was subject of a poem - Whiteman formerly ran through Stonerwood “Aspens” by Edward Thomas. Greenlands Park. Hays Cottages form an estate in a Grade II in Park Lane is probably 17th oval/circle looking towards a green with century; Stoner House, about 1870 by oak trees. Island and Stoner House are Sir Robert Edis, is not listed, is in Queen large houses set within landscaped gardens Anne style and converted; Island House, in and trees with infilling of large houses. William and Mary Revival style (c.1904) is Detached buildings on Stoner Hill; semi- also not listed. Both gardens are however detached and bungalows at Hays Cottages. listed in the Hampshire Record of Historic Detached houses within the Island and Gardens and the setting of these two Stoner Park. Variety of styles, no vernacular. houses is recognised by Policy H9 in the Significant buildings are The Cricketers Local Plan. and the former Garage now commercial
8 Topography, Green Infrastructure and Highways
This is the Greensand Terrace with the Road from Stoner Hill to Froxfield and is hillside leading up towards Hangers, which a significant feature, providing access up provides the setting for this area. The into the Hangers retaining a “sense of village green at Hays Cottages - an open grandeur with towering trees” (Steep Local space together with trees - provides an Landscape Character Assessment p. 12). important visual aspect of the development. Below is Ridge Farm with a small caravan Gardens with extensive tree cover at Stoner site and surrounded by grazing pasture House and Island hide the buildings from land. Stoner Hill is busy with commuter and the road and give a sense of spaciousness delivery traffic and although the new speed and enclosure to their grounds. The Byway limit (30mph) has helped slow traffic, it is Open to Traffic (BOAT 13) is the Old Coach still a problem. Key Qualities
Built Environment Mixed and diverse set of buildings but not particularly distinguished along Stoner Hill, but of high quality at both Stoner House and Island.
Highways Busy with difficult crossroads for pedestrians and cyclists as Ridge Common Lane and Church Road are not aligned and sightlines are poor. Speeding traffic is an issue and new footpath between Hays Cottages and Island needs investigation.
9 Green Infrastructure Views Extensive tree cover with hedges. Historic Enclosed by hillside and extensive tree gardens at Island and a feature of Stoner cover. Views out to the South Downs from House. To the north the Hangers, below the vantage points, including both Stoner and fields and pastures of Ridge Farm. Island Houses. Managing and Maintaining Character
• Traffic speeds and main entrance to • Island and Stoner House and their Steep - potential for possible further grounds are designated an area of slowing down of traffic by rationalising Special Housing Character Policy H9. speed limits. Under this Policy “development will • Important to keep and maintain green only be permitted that maintains the space for Hays Cottages - as a play overall character of the area and does area for children. not have a detrimental impact on it”. • Cricketers is currently (October 2012) • Both Stoner House and Island House being refurbished, which will greatly are important Country Houses, that improve its appearance and needs to need to be considered for protection. be maintained. Design Guidance
The key design features to be recognised and respected are:
a. retain commercial uses at Steep Garage and the continued use of the Cricketers Inn as a Public House and its associated visitor facilities; b. the setting of Island and Stoner House and their respective grounds, together with their status as a Special Housing Area (Local Plan Policy H9). Highway Recommendations
a. Monitor traffic speed on Stoner Hill and seek to rationalise speed limits; b. Investigate potential for footpath from Hays Cottages to Island entrance. Church Road History
All Saints’ Church is the oldest building isolated buildings. Little Hawsted (1902), on Church Road being an early medieval Foxcot (1903), Pennyfold (1905), Rozel chapelry of East Meon. Restalls (Steep (1906), Row Cottage (1911), Five Oaks Church House) on its eastern side is (1912) and Yew Tree Cottages (1913) are thought to be the oldest domestic building all important examples of the Arts and in Steep. To the west is the former Tithe Crafts Movement and a result of Bedales Barn, converted to domestic use. These staff and parents building locally. No. 2 were the earliest buildings and the Yew Tree Cottages was the former home origins of the settlement in Church Road. of Edward Thomas and his family. The Church Farm and its buildings including War Memorial (1918), Village Hall (1920) Steephurst, which became the focus for and Merries (1925) are later examples Bedales School, seems to date from the of Arts and Crafts. Post war, buildings for early 18th century. The Village School Bedales staff were built on the south side, originally stood in front of the Tithe Barn such as Barnfield Cottages (nos. 90 - 100 and it was replaced by the new school in Church Road) 1947 and there has been 1875. Eames Almshouses were completed considerable infilling, redevelopment and in 1882. Victorian villas such as Hillcroft extensions on both sides of the road in and cottages such as Rose Cottage are recent years. The latest example are the late 19th century. The arrival of Bedales Tutor Houses for Bedales being currently in 1900 meant major changes to Church built (2012) adjacent to Barnfield. Road, which until then had been a series of
10 Plots, Significant Buildings, Building Lines, Format
On the north side of Church Road there is to front, some hedging and low walls. Yew mix of Victorian, Edwardian and modern Tree Cottages (17 - 27 Church Road) are domestic scale buildings in small plots well set back, with the middle pair at the together with significant Arts and Crafts rear up a narrow passage, one the former buildings - gables, recesses, clay tile home of Edward Thomas and his family hangings, tall chimneys, low roofs. The 1913 - 1916. On the south side houses are Bedales estate on the south side has given set back with front gardens, particularly Five larger plots and a mix of mostly modern Oaks set in its own grounds. Boundaries buildings. The building line on the north are mostly hedging and low walls on north side is mostly set back with small gardens and hedging on south. Some Victorian and
11 Edwardian houses face straight on to the and Rozel Cottage, Pennyfold, Merries, road. There is no pavement on the north Little Hawsted Grade II, Row Cottage Grade side. Church Road consists of a mix of II, on north side and Foxcot, south side. building styles - solid villas at west end, The War Memorial Grade II at the corner of small Victorian terraces at east, Mill Lane and Church Road was designed Arts and Crafts cottages, modern infill by Inigo Triggs and the earliest to be and extensions. erected in Hampshire following World War I. Interspersed along the road are some The important and significant Arts and modern on the north side and a mix of Crafts houses - with connections to Bedales estate houses on south together with the include Five Oaks Grade II (18 Church unusual Headmaster’s House (50 Church Road) - vernacular by Humphrey Gimson, Road) - low, Burmese style bungalow with built by Lupton, Restalls Grade II , Rozel central chimney. Topography, Green Infrastructure and Highways
Church Road is on the Greensand Terrace Small copse at edge of former Church with a slight upwards slope west to east, Common, part of Oakhurst gives good tree with ground lower on the Bedales south cover. The Common, adjacent to the Primary side. From Island looking south, Church School and opposite the Church is a Road is a significant ridge between the popular recreation area for the school, local Hangers and the Downs. The green residents and visitors. It provides access infrastructure is provided by gardens and north via the Hangers Way to Mill Lane and tree cover within the Bedales estate. south to Petersfield. Northfield Wood is There was a small pond, previously on the being thinned and replanted as part of a corner opposite the Cricketers but it is now forestry renewal programme. Church Road over grown with trees and shrubs. There is busy, providing access to both Schools is mix of trees and hedges, plus gardens and is used by through commuter traffic fronting road. Land adjacent to Village Hall avoiding Petersfield. Mill Lane Corner can (2 acres) was previously allotments, now be dangerous because of sight lines occasionally used for grazing. Deer often in and speed. residence, enclosed by trees and hedges. Key Qualities
Built Environment Green Infrastructure Mix of styles and ages of buildings, some Trees, hedges and gardens give a sense of late Victorian and Edwardian together green and relate to surroundings of fields with modern infill. Village Hall provides an and Hangers. important focal point for the community as does the Church at its eastern end. Open Historic Biodiversity nature of road and buildings relate well to Land at crossroads could be an opportunity the surrounding countryside. to improve bio-diversity by restoring the former pond which would greatly improve Highways the entrance to Church Road. Busy road that can detract from the quality of the environment, with through commuter Views traffic together with school access and Views south to the Downs and Butser and parking along the road in mornings and to north and west to the Hangers. From evenings. It is the main entrance to the dwellings on the north side, excellent views Bedales Estate. to Hangers. Managing and Maintaining Character
The character is set by the mix of buildings, Almshouses. The potential listing of Rozel some tile hanging but there is no overall should be considered, together with an style. The Road is chacterised by the Arts assessment of other key unlisted buildings: and Crafts domestic scale of buildings, - Primary School, Alms houses, Pennyfold, together with the Medieval Church and and Merries. the Victorian cluster of the School and
12 Design Guidance
The key design features to be recognised and respected are:
a. the linear form of Church Road and its Settlement Boundary together with the size, scale, design and character of existing buildings; b. the sense of openness and spaces between buildings avoiding any tunnelling effect; c. recreational/community provision that complements the Village Hall and minimises the impact on adjoining properties; d. the scale, style and character of Church Road’s Victorian and Arts and Crafts listed buildings and the setting of significant but unlisted Arts and Crafts buildings.
Highway Recommendations
a. Investigate possible improvements to Mill Lane corner to see whether sight lines can be improved; b. Monitor traffic speeds and parking, including school traffic at peak times; c. Keep up to date and regularly review the School Travel Plans for Bedales and Steep Primary School. Mill Lane and Ashford Lane History
The settlements along Mill and Ashford Stoner Hill, but went bankrupt. Lanes were some of the earliest in Steep using the water from the Ashford stream Whiteman’s The Reputed Manor of Ashford for power. ESC FORD or Ford by the Ash Petersfield Paper No.8 1987 suggests was originally a farmstead at the foot of that Ashford Lodge was reconstructed as the Hangers. Whiteman suggests that there a gentleman’s residence in the 1820‘s, was a corn mill at the waterfall at built in cottage style of brick, stone and Mill Lane which may date from early tiles, with a regency veranda. Outbuildings medieval times. He also believes that included a gardener’s cottage in the Ashford Steep had two fulling mills, powered by the Combe and another cottage at the foot of Ashford Stream and that the dam of one Stoner Hill coach road. Fields not attached can be seen at Oakhurst Farm and that to the lodge were formed into New Farm, the site of the other may have been in the later usually called New House Farm and grounds of Ashford Chace. Little Ashford the owner built a homestead for it called Farm dates from the 17th century and is Berryfield Cottage. At Lower or Roke Farm, a box-framed building similar to others in where fields had been let to the tenant of the parish. Roke Farm is probably originally Ashford Mill, a “genteel residence” replaced saxon (at the Oak). Whiteman considers the redundant farmhouse. that the Baker family of Ashford were the biggest landowners in the parish, having Ashford Lodge suffered many years of taken possession of the estate in the mid neglect. Eventually, the estate totalling 16th century with their lands including about 206 acres and comprising New many farms further south such as Dunhill. House Farm, Berryfield Cottage (let to When the estate was sold, Moses Hoper Edward Thomas) several other cottages who acquired it early in the 19th century, and some 110 acres of woodland and championed the building of the road up the watercress beds was sold to Aubyn Bernard Hangers to replace the Old Coach Road up Rochfort Trevor-Battye, naturalist, explorer,
13 artist and editor. He pulled most of the the Laundry Cottage was reconstructed and house down and built a newer, grander substantially extended to form what is now house at New House Farm - Ashford Chace Old Ashford Manor. - designed by Unsworth and Triggs, who also laid out the grounds. Sir Thomas Horder On the ridge between the lanes are Byways bought the estate in 1924 acquiring the at the corner of Island Farm Lane, Garden new house and the remains of the Old Hill (1903) by Unsworth and Little Langleys Ashford Lodge, with their gardens and (c1912) by Farquharson above Mill Lane. adjoining land. He continued to develop In Mill Lane are Mill Cottage (1912) by the gardens until his death in 1955. The Unsworth, son and Triggs in the local estate was then sold and the mansion vernacular style and followed by the modern divided into flats. The site of the old grouping of Mill Corner (1950s), Millponds Ashford Lodge including the stables and (1964) and Millfall (c1972). Plots, Significant Buildings, Building Lines, Format
Both Lanes wind through a quiet part of Mill Cottage Grade II - an arts and crafts Steep at the foot of the Hangers with cottage by Unsworth, son and Triggs sits mostly individual houses in their own perfectly within its landscape. It is followed grounds with large plot sizes. Mill Lane at the waterfall by Millponds and Millfall descends from Church Road - Oakridge which together with Mill Corner make a - former home of John Wyndham and strong modernist statement. Roke House Oakhurst - in its own grounds and then was possibly an early farm, later rebuilt as with striking views towards the Hangers a Georgian country house. Oakhurst Farm and of the country houses set on the ridge is now being rebuilt, adjacent to the lane. between the two lanes. As it winds down Oakhurst Farm cottages are at an angle, to the stream, it is hidden and enclosed by beyond are large houses set in their own this ridge escarpment to north and by trees, grounds. On the ridge, between the lanes but with views south towards the Downs. are Garden Hill, Byways, Little Langleys,
14 Bushy Hill and Middlemarch - substantial from the lane, next the Coachhouse Grade country houses, none of which are listed. II which together with a high roadside wall Ashford Lane is a sunken lane at the foot Grade II links to Bees Cottage Grade II. of the Hangers that runs from Stoner Hill to Ashford Chace Grade II - Arts and Crafts Wheatham Hill. Individual farms and houses Manor House with its Gateway Grade II are set well back from road within gardens and Gatehouse Grade II is an important and fields, except for Bees Cottage, which collection of buildings adjacent to the is set along the Lane adjacent to the high lane with an historic garden designed by wall of Old Ashford Lodge; Berryfield faces Triggs and listed in the Hampshire Historic west with its garden sideways to the road. Gardens Register. Next door is Berryfield A variety of trees, hedges, walls and field Grade II (former homestead for New House boundaries enclose the lane. Farm) and home for Edward Thomas’s family 1906 - 9; followed by Little Ashford Farm Old Ashford Manor is set within splendid Grade II set back from the lane. grounds beside the stream but hidden Topography, Green Infrastructure and Highways Part of the Greensand Terrace below the framed by trees. Ashford Lane is sunken, chalk scarp of the Hangers to the north. with high banks and trees enclosing it These dominate Ashford Lane with Mill giving a canopy of green in summer. The Lane in the valley between the ridge to Hangers Way, links and crosses both lanes north and open fields to south. Ashford and is well used by walkers, cyclists and stream, its waterfall and bio-diversity are horse riders. It follows the stream through important features hidden within the trees the millponds to Ashford Chace providing and fields, giving a strongly rural feel to the access from Petersfield into the Hangers. area. Mill Lane is more open with views to Above is the splendid views to the downs the Hangers across fields and paddocks and beyond from the sarsen memorial to the north and beyond Oakridge and stone to Edward Thomas. Northfield Wood, pastures to the south
15 Key Qualities
Built Environment Historic Biodiversity Scattered buildings set within trees and Ashford Stream, the millponds and waterfall hedges. Interest and a variety of styles provide an important source of biodiversity with some important examples of Arts and and access via the Hangers Way. There is Crafts styles including Ashford Chace. There wide variety of birds, including Kingfishers, is a strong rural feel of manor house, farms Herons and Egrets, together with fish and and cottages. water fowl. Millham’s Copse and part of Northfield Wood are Sites of Importance Highways for Nature Conservation, together with the Relatively quiet lanes, but delivery vehicles Millponds. Bordered to the north by can be an intrusion. Used for horse riding, Ashford Hanger Site of Special Scientific cycling, walking and running and should be Interest (SSI) and National Nature Reserve considered for ‘Quiet Lane’ status. Hangers (NNR). Ashford Stream and part of Ashford Way uses both lanes and there is also Lane is a Site of Importance of Nature foot access to the Shoulder of Mutton and Conservation (SINC). Poet’s stone from Ashford Lane. Views Green Infrastructure Views north across fields and paddocks to Well wooded, with extensive tree cover. the Hangers from Mill Lane. From Ashford Fields for grazing abut Mill Lane; crop Lane, the Hangers dominate the views growing along Ashford Lane below the upwards from west to east. From parts Hangers and grazing at Ashford Farm, of Mill Lane there are views south across including geese and turkeys. meadows to the Downs. Managing and Maintaining Character
This is a quiet and rural part of Steep with which could intensify uses. These can be individual and distinctive domestic and managed, provided they are kept within farm buildings including an important Arts scale of existing developments and are well and Crafts heritage. It is an area that is designed and preserve the rural character. subject to proposals for holiday homes Design Guidance
The key design features to be recognised and respected are:
a. future developments (extensions, conversions or replacement of existing properties) should respect the scale, tranquillity and rural character of the area and the views in and out; b. recognise and respect the setting of the Listed Grade II Mill Cottage, and the modern buildings of Millponds, Millfall and Mill Corner at Ashford Stream; c. recognise and respect the setting of the listed Grade II coach-house to Old Ashford Manor with its roadside wall and Bees Cottage; Berryfield; Ashford Chace with its Gateway and Gatehouse buildings; and Little Ashford Farm. Highway Recommendations
a. Ashford Lane is a sunken lane, part of a SINC and needs to be conserved and protected, particularly the banks and corners. Possible restrictions on access should be considered, including restrictions parking at the foot of the Shoulder of Mutton; b. Mill Lane and Ashford Lane should both be considered as ‘Quiet Lanes’.
16 Steep Hill; Kettlebrook Lane; Elmwood Lane (part) and Burntash Lane (part) History
Steep Farm (1620) is probably the oldest There is a scatter of farms and cottages building and according to Whiteman, part of at Natterjacks, Venables, Elmwood and the ‘Great Rebuilding’ of that period, as was Downgate Farms (19th - 20th century). possibly the Harrow Inn (18th century) and Kettlebrook Meadows was built for Sir Alec Kettlebrook Cottages (17th century). He Guinness (1955). Both the tennis and identifies the triangular site of the Harrow cricket club houses are relatively modern. to be that of a 10th century cattle pen at The most significant development is the the junction of five roads, including Harrow A3 which provides the southern boundary Lane which went north east over the ford at and is a major barrier to movement and Kettlebrook. So it is possible that this was generates considerable noise. a very ancient part of Steep. Plots, Significant Buildings, Building Lines, Format
There is a mix of large and smaller plots, At Elmwood Lane - farm buildings set back set within an undulating landscape. Very along former Harrow Lane; Downgate Farm varied, ranging from small cottages to in own grounds with cottages set back large farms (converted) and villas. Mostly from road. Lawn Tennis and Cricket Clubs set back from road at Steep Hill, adjoining set in large grounds, framed by trees. Steep Farm and along Kettlebrook Lane. Houses in Burntash Lane are straight onto At Burntash Lane - villas and cottages set road. Variety of styles - Timber framed late close to road and some hidden by trees. medieval (16th century) farm at Steep Grade II, Downgate Farms (17th century),
17 cottages or small farmhouses such as century) and Whytton House (20th century). Kettlebrook Cottages Grade II (17th Victorian villas in Burntash. Farm cottages century) and Harrow Inn Grade II (18th at Steep and Downgate, the latter converted century); Natterjacks and Venables. Two to a single building. Modern timber clad storey villas and cottages, mostly detached house for Sir Alec Guinness at Kettlebrook in brick with tile hangings and chimneys Meadows. prominent such as the Old Vicarage (19th Topography, Green Infrastructure and Highways
There is a change in topography from roadside. There is extensive tree cover and Church Road, part of the Mixed Farmland crossing the Ashford Stream at Kettlebrook, and Woodland Area. Undulating with part of the Shipwrights Way leads from sandy soils and a mix of heathland, fields, Harrow to Steep Marsh along the former woods and ancient track of Harrow Lane. Drovers Road (Ashford Lane) linking Alice Located at the foot of escarpment from Holt Forest with Queen Elizabeth Country Steep Church and at the crossing of river Park and eventually Portsmouth and giving and crossroads of tracks and drovers’ access from Petersfield through to Liss roads, the area is bordered by A3 and and beyond. The Harrow attracts a large has intrusive noise. Ashford Stream number of visitors, as do both cricket and through from Steep Farm and Fish Farm to tennis clubs. Church Road/Steep Hill is a Kettlebrook Cottages has fish with good bio- busy commuter route and provides access diversity. Bedales Sandpit has status as a to both schools as well as being a way of Local Nature Reserve - with varied habitats avoiding Petersfield from Alton. Burntash for birds (Sand Martins used to nest there) Lane is much quieter than other roads and small animals. Sandy soils give good in Steep. The A3 is a noisy and intrusive bio-diversity. Woodlands give cover to deer. motorway standard road which considerably The Harrow has encouraged wildflowers at impacts on this area.
18 Key Qualities
Built Environment Shipwrights Way could have a significant A mix of farms (mostly converted) and impact in terms of numbers of cyclists, cottages give a strong rural feel despite riders and ramblers. the nearness of the A3 and Sheet. The character and design reflects this with tile Green Infrastructure hangings, steep roofs and chimneys, often Good and diverse tree cover, with wild hidden in the landscape and intermixed with flowers encouraged at the Harrow. The trees, hedges, water and fields. Ashford Stream is important for bio-diversity and at Kettlebrook is a significant feature Highways with dragonflies, occasional fish and Noise from A3 a constant background. interesting plants. Steep Hill/Church Road is quite busy particularly in peak hours. There is no path Views from Steep Church to the Lawn Tennis Club Views northwards to Hangers out of area and the Harrow and the possibility needs are limited by tree cover and folds in the investigation. Otherwise limited impact - landscape. To the south and east affected with lanes and paths providing an important by the A3. network connecting north and south. Managing and Maintaining Character
Provided that existing buildings are Hill - foot access to Cricket, Tennis Clubs maintained and any additions carefully and Harrow should be considered in the tested against character and setting there long term. The problem of A3 noise has to should be no problems. Church Road/Steep be tackled in the long term. Design Guidance
The key design features to be recognised and respected are:
a. the character, rural setting of Steep Cricket and Tennis Clubs and future develop- ments to be appropriate in scale; b. the setting of the listed Grade II Steep Farmhouse, Harrow Inn and Kettlebrook Cottages; c. the rural character, landscape and tree cover of the area. Highway Recommendations
a. Investigate the possibility of a footpath at Steep Hill to provide access to Cricket and Tennis Clubs.
19 Steep Marsh History This part of Steep was intensely farmed for position)” according to Whiteman and its arable crops and hops and incrementally estate is a dominant feature overlooking evolved from assart to open fields. Steep Marsh. The Oast Houses (1840s) Gardner’s Farm dates from 16th century remind us of the significant area of hop and Steep Marsh and Taylor’s Copse growing and remain prominent. Marsh Farm from 17th century. It was affected by the was a condensed milk factory in the 19th Parliamentary Inclosures of 1855 - 66, century and later bricks were made there. It which enclosed and parcelled out the is now in use for industrial purposes. Most lands. Coldhayes (1869), a Victorian development at the crossroads is 20th Mansion “which replaced Cold Hays Farm century and include some former council (the hedged round place in an exposed houses and flats. Plots, Significant Buildings, Building Lines, Format There are varied plot sizes - farms/ wide variety - timber (box) framed with brick smallholdings, Victorian Mansion, infilling - Gardner’s, Steep Marsh Farm villas, converted Oast Houses, former and Taylor’s Copse from 16th and 17th small council estate (now part Housing century. Victorian Gothic style mansion Association) - mostly within gardens or set at Coldhayes. Mostly detached houses, within fields and copses. Most buildings bungalows and cottages together with are close to road, set back within smallish former council development in small semi- front gardens and the farms/smallholdings detached terraces of houses, bungalows are set well back from the road in fields and and flats. The 3 storey Oast Houses are copses. Front boundaries mostly consist now converted. Large agricultural barn of hedges and fences. Buildings show a adjacent to Oast Houses. The Brickworks
20 comprise single storey industrial buildings. - 1520); Steep Marsh Farm Grade II (17th There are several equestrian developments century) and Taylor’s Copse (not listed) with stables. (17th century); Oast Houses (1840s); the Brickyards Industrial Estate and chicken Coldhayes Grade II* is a Victorian Mansion houses are hidden but are significant in (1869 and 1875) designed by Alfred Water- terms of impact particularly traffic. house, Gardner’s Farm Grade II (dated 1480 Topography, Green Infrastructure and Highways The settlement lies at foot of the scarp streams join the Ashford Stream within from the Hangers towards the valley of the River Rother watershed. Access to A3 Rother. It is partly within the Greensand along Pratts Lane is very difficult for traffic Terrace to the north (Coldhayes) but mostly to and from Brickyards as it is a single Mixed Farmland and Woodland. Open track with informal passing places. Speed fields growing arable crops (part of the and congestion is a problem. Significant former parkland of Coldhayes) and some damage to the verges is caused by traffic. grazing on either side of the roads. Woods Rockpits Lane to Hawkley is much quieter and copses provide extensive tree cover as is the link to Sheet. Limited public at Coldhayes and Taylor’s Copse. Several access, except by footpath from Steep Farm small pond habitats, some a legacy from to Taylor’s Copse along the stream and clay pits for brick making. Clay subsoil past the chicken sheds and either through and the run off from hangers makes the Brickyards to Steep Marsh or up to the some areas wet in winter. Several small Hangers and Wheatham Hill. Key Qualities Built Environment as part of a traffic management calming Lacks integrity and some of the new scheme. A3 noise is significant in the open development at Pratts Lane has been parts and is considered to have increased allowed to break into open countryside. since the opening of the Hindhead Tunnel. Several former bungalows developed into substantial 2 storey houses in last 20 years Green Infrastructure which has meant a loss of housing variety. Good tree cover with TPO’s at centre Mix of stables/ chicken houses in fields at at Steep Marsh Farm together with the the side of Taylor’s Copse is untidy. backcloth of trees at Coldhayes, the Hangers and Taylor’s Copse. The stream Highways through Taylor’s Copse flows into the Intrusive delivery traffic and goods vehicles Ashford Stream at Steep Farm and provides along Pratts and Elmwood Lanes and good access and bio-diversity through accessing the A3 need consideration woods and fields. Much of Steep Marsh
21 is surrounded by open fields, used for Views arable crops and grazing. There is no public Good views south to the Downs from access except on the designated footpaths. Coldhayes and Rock Pit Hollow and north to the Hangers from the centre of Historic Biodiversity Steep Marsh. Taylor’s Copse is an Ancient Woodland designated as a SINC. Managing and Maintaining Character
Any future buildings and extensions need to respect views in and out to ensure the integrity of the settlement. Traffic issues to and from the industrial estate accessing A3 need to be to be addressed. Design Guidance
The key design features to be recognised and respected are:
a. the landscape and rural character of Steep Marsh to be maintained by respecting views in and out to the Hangers, the boundaries set by existing buildings and settlements and the gaps between neighbouring communities; b. the setting of the listed Grade II*Coldhayes and its gardens, Grade II Gardner’s and Steep Marsh Farms, together with the unlisted oast houses. Highway Recommendations
a. Address traffic issues and access to the Industrial Estate from the A3, including passing places, road safety for pedestrians and riders. The single lane access on all 3 roads presents significant road safety issues, which should be investigated.
22 East of A3: Burntash Lane (part), Petersfield Golf Course, Adhurst St. Mary, Westmark History
The area between the A3 and the railway A3, railway and the A272. The construction relates to Steep Marsh and follows a of the A3 in 1992 split the farm lands and similar history of early settlement in led to the creation of the Petersfield Golf medieval times. Tankerdale Farm is one Course on adjacent land in 1997. To the of the oldest farms in Steep (early 16th south of the B2070, the open landscape century) and Burntash and Westmark are is very different from the rest of Steep with also of this period. Adhurst St. Mary was large open fields and sweeping views of the built in 1858 and its park is an important South Downs. historic landscape feature between the new Plots, Significant Buildings, Building Lines, Format
Irregular plots are set within spaces of Farm 16th century (first documented as farms and cottages, mostly set back from Westmerk) (west boundary farm) AD1504 road. Except for Westmark Farm which is - brick barn of 4 bays with double hipped adjacent to the A272, the isolated domestic roof. The Grade II 19th century Adhurst houses have a mix of walls, hedges, trees St. Mary is a large mansion, Jacobean to screen dwellings from roads. Buildings and Gothic, gabled in French Renaissance are all detached in a variety of styles and style (currently classified “at risk”) with an periods, Grade II 16th century Tankerdale historic park is a major feature, but hidden Farm, tiled and timber framed; Burntash from the road, The modern Golf Clubhouse Farmhouse Grade II 16th century, three set back from Tankerdale Lane is well bay timber framed building. Westmark hidden.
23 Topography, Green Infrastructure and Highways
The northern section is part of the Mixed close to Burntash lane. This is a wildlife Farmland and Woodland Area, the Adhurst refuge and is managed by the club. The Estate is on the Greensand Hills and golf course borders the A3 with open links southern section of the “toe” is part of and a clear brief to manage and encourage the Wealden Farmland and Heath Mosaic the heathland species to return and to that surrounds the eastern perimeter of only plant indigenous species of trees. The Petersfield. The area is mostly flat with dual carriageway of the A3 is busy, noisy sandy soils, including the golf course, with and intrusive, but has extensive protective extensive tree cover within the Adhurst planting which lessens its impact. The dual estate but open on either side of A272, with carriageway B2070 (former A3) and its views south to the Downs. The River Rother junction with the A272 is a major barrier to borders the western boundary and the easy movement. The only footpath extends Adhurst estate. The golf course has a large around Westmark and is difficult to access. pond adjoining the footpath from Sheet Key Qualities
Built Environment Mary is listed in Hampshire Historic Parks A very mixed area, isolated farms such as and Gardens Register, but there is no public Tankerdale,Burntash and West mark, com- access. The area around Westmark is mercial premises such as Hillier’s Garden described in the Landscape Assessment “it Centre by the A3 and the large estate and has well drained but easily eroded, sandy mansion of Adhurst St Mary. Individual soils, cultivated as arable farmland and for houses are strung along the A272. turf production. This combination of large arable fields and relatively sparse wood- Highways land contributes to an open landscape in Dominated by the A3 at its north/west which isolated oaks are an important visual boundary, the B2070 and A272 together feature. The only settlements consist of with the railway that bisects the area scattered farmsteads.” north/south. Views Green Infrastructure The Golf Course has views out to the The Golf Course provides an excellent wild- Downs and to the Hangers. The Adhurst life refuge and is well managed. The River estate is enclosed but there are extensive Rother has a good bio-diversity but is not views out to South Downs from A272 easily accessible. The park at Adhurst St and Westmark.
24 Managing and Maintaining Character
It is important to maintain the open character and views of this area. Adhurst St Mary should be restored, improved and conserved without compromising its setting and unique character. The Park and estate need to maintained and actively managed. Design Guidance
The key design features to be recognised and respected are:
1. the open landscape and views to the South Downs; 2. the setting of the listed Grade II Tankerdale Farm and Adhurst St Mary, its house and estate, including the need to protect and conserve the building, which is “at risk”. BEDALES History The School relocated from Haywards Heath reason for entrusting the work to a in 1899, with the purchase of Church particular architect to give us what we Farm in Church Road. According to Richard required without having to conform to a Holder’s Appendix in the official history of particular style: the intention from first and Bedales School by Wake and Denton5, the throughout, being that our buildings should founder and first Headmaster John Haden combine, with the overruling consideration Badley had “no masterplan for the build- for their purpose, a beauty and dignity of ings, but was prepared to allow them to be their own.” The early design was Arts and built as required, using architects who lived Crafts - Steephurst, Lupton Hall, Memo- locally (W.F.Unsworth) or were nominated by rial Library but by the 1950s and 1960s it others.” He quotes Badley “Each further was more utilitarian. However, the commis- addition to this first plan (the Main Block) sioning of the Olivier Theatre and Orchard was designed to meet further growth, as the Building has brought a new standard of need arose and to give greater efficiency: excellence to the estate’s buildings. and in each case there was some special Plots, Significant Buildings, Building Lines, Format
Bedales School is set within its own Other non listed buildings are:- Main Build- grounds, with a wide variety of buildings in ing 1899 - 1907 by E.P.Warren, Steephurst use for educational, residential and (18th century and 1908), Steepcot (1908) recreation uses. Main entrance to school and Fairhaven (1908) by Unsworth, Dun- in Church Road, with buildings set back hurst (1904) by Worthington. The Olivier from road. It was originally built on the site Theatre (1994) by the Oak Design Group of Church Farm 18th century and estate. and Orchard Building (2003) by Walters The most important buildings are the Arts and Cohen are significant additions to the and Crafts Memorial Library, Lupton Hall campus. and corridor which are both listed Grade I.
25 Topography, Green Infrastructure and Highways
The Bedales estate includes parts of the Bedalians have helped to shape the land- Greensand Terrace adjacent to Church scape and present students are working Road, but is mostly part of the Mixed hard, within the Outdoor Work Department, Farmland and Woodland area and it is set to preserve and enhance the grounds.” within a rural landscape, which has always Native species of wildlife have been encour- been a unique feature of the school. This aged and hedgerows and trees planted. includes orchards, playing fields, grazing Ponds and streams have been created and for sheep, horses and alpacas together farm animals are reared as organically as with open grassed areas. The School has a possible. Within the estate an access road, Landscape Strategy6 that seeks to preserve parking and footpaths wind through link- the rural quality of the school as ‘a school ing buildings and recreation areas. Path14 within a farm.’ It recognises that “the natu- leads from Church Road to Alton Road, ral environment has played an important becoming Emma’s Walk towards the farm. It part in the life of the Bedales community provides public access through the Bedales since its foundation. Generations of estate and is planted with daffodils. Key Qualities
Built Environment Highways The important Arts and Crafts Buildings in The impact of traffic on Church Road of de- a campus setting, include the Memorial livery vehicles, school set down and pick-up Library and Lupton Hall Grade 1, otherwise at peak times can be intrusive. The noise the campus is mixed with a variety of post from the A3 is a major concern to pupils. war extensions, infilling and new buildings. Some are not distinguished, however the Green Infrastructure Olivier Theatre (1996) and Orchard Building The School’s Landscape Strategy is intend- (2003) have set new standards. ed to provide the context for most elements
26 of the landscape “to underpin a coherent a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The long term direction for the protection and ponds are wildlife refuges. development of the estate.” The buildings are set within a green infrastructure in- Views cluding playing fields, meadows, orchards, There are good views out to the South woods and informal spaces. Downs from the school and distant views of the Hangers from parts of the estate. Historic Biodiversity The Sandpit adjacent to the main site is Managing and Maintaining Character
A Master Plan was prepared for the Bedales employment, residents and traffic. Future Estate in 2006 setting out a strategy for developments should take account of the development until 2015. It is important that Arts and Crafts context, the open setting of the principles are recognised in any future the school campus and the impact on the planning applications, particularly in respect surrounding neighbourhood along Church of the impact of school traffic on Church Road. The estate is part of the Strategic Road. In addition, there is a need to keep Gap between Steep and Petersfield, pro- the Plan under review and up to date. tected by the Local Plan and Joint Core Strategy. Bedales Schools are an important presence in Steep, in terms of schooling, Design Guidance
The key design features to be recognised and respected are:
a. the Adopted Site Master Plan Strategy and the Landscape Strategy and Management Plan (“A School Within a Farm” 2009) are recognised and guide future developments; b. the open landscape setting of the school campus and its Arts and Crafts heritage, recognising that new designs can complement and add to the variety, provided their quality is of the highest standard; c. the setting of the listed Grade 1 Memorial Library and Lupton Hall and that of the Orchard Building and the Olivier Theatre; d. the need to minimise the impact of school traffic on Church Road, ensuring that suitable school travel plans are implemented and kept up-to-date. References 1 page 1 Advice to communities on undertaking a Local Landscape Character Assessement - Assessing and Maintaining Local Distinctiveness HCC May 2012.
2 page 2 www3.hants.gov.uk/landscape-and-heritage/historic-environment/historic- buildings-register.htm
3 page 2 www.easthants.gov.uk/ehdc/HeritageWeb.nsf/webpages/ Landscape+Character+Assessment and the definition of assart is a “field cut out of woodland or heathland.” They form an irregular field pattern with no discernible major common boundaries within the pattern. www.hants.gov.uk/landscape/detaileddefinitions.html
4 page 2 Whiteman W.M. The Origins of Steep Petersfield Papers No. 4 Petersfield Area Historical Society
5 page 25 Wake, Roy and Denton, Penny - ‘Bedales School The First Hundred Years’ Haggerston Press 1993 Appendix One, Richard Holder, Bedales, Steep and the Arts and Crafts Movement
6 page 26 Bedales ‘A School Within a Farm,’ May 2009
27 Map Legend
28 Thanks We would like to extend our thanks to all of those who helped us with expertise and opinion in the course of our work. We are particularly grateful to Steep Parish Council (the main sponsors of this Plan), East Hampshire District Council, Hampshire County Council and Bedales School for financial support and to the South Downs National Park Authority for advice.
The following were members of the Steep Parish Plan Steering Group:
Tony Struthers (Chair) Peter Cruttenden (Secretary) Trevor Hines (Treasurer) Graham Banks Fran Box Terry Cook Linda Henderson Drake Hocking Jim MacDonald Philip Mileham Linda Munday (EHDC) Alex Patchett-Joyce James Rush Geoffrey Russell Lucy Soal (EHDC) Celia Storey Ray Street Jeremy Young