Selmeston Conservation Area

Selmeston Conservation Area Selmeston Village Wealden District Council has designated part of Selmeston village as a Conservation Area - an area of special architectural or historic interest - so that its character and appearance may be preserved and enhanced. This booklet explains why the designation has been made and what it implies for residents and landowners in the area. Introduction Selmeston village, positioned just beyond the foot of the Sussex Downs, is a relatively small linear village and is primarily residential in nature. The village consists almost entirely of frontage development extending northwards from the A27. The tracks leading from the crossroads at Selmeston Church give access to the residential properties of Little Bells and Green House to the east and Sherrington Manor some way to the west. The historic core of the village can be considered to be the area immediately to the north of and including the Parish Church of St Mary. In this locality, the listed buildings date from the 17th Century and the Church, although mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1085, is of a 14th Century style but was largely reconstructed in 1867. Sherrington Manor also dates from around the 17th Century. Selmeston Church Appraisal In order to determine the boundary of the Conservation Area, a study was made of the features which contribute to the special character of the village: 1. Listed Buildings: There are 14 buildings in the village included on the Statutory List of Buildings of Architectural or Historic Interest, all of which are listed as Grade II. The oldest building in Selmeston is the Parish Church which is of a 14th Century style, but much of the structure was rebuilt in 1867 and very little of the original building now remains. The Church also has a well preserved Lych Gate. The other listed buildings in the village date from the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries. As well as being significant in their own right, a number of these buildings make an important contribution to the general appearance and character of the village by reason of their coherent “group value”. There are a number of other notable buildings which, although not listed, are important features which contribute to the character of the village. 2. Trees: There are several important individual trees and tree groupings in Selmeston, some of which are protected by Tree Preservation Order. A particularly visually important area is the bank of mature trees on the eastern side of the main street where the road dips down towards the Parish Church to the north. There is also significant tree cover around and on both sides of the crossroads at the Parish Church. 3. Walls and Hedgerows: Many of the boundary walls and hedgerows, sometimes atop banks, are important to the character of Selmeston. The dense Yew hedge at The Old Vicarage is particularly notable. 4. Views: There are a number of pleasant views in the village, but probably the most attractive is that from the main street looking south towards the Parish Church, The Old Vicarage and Selmeston House. The view from a similar position looking north with Rose Cottage in the forground also embraces many principal character features. 5. Other Features: The grassy roadside banks themselves contribute to the rural character, being most in evidence where the land rises from the road north of the Parish Church. Other important features include the low wrought iron fence in the front garden of The Vicarage. The Conservation Area On the basis of the “Visual Appraisal”, the District Council considers that the Conservation Area should encompass the following elements: 1. St Mary’s Church, the Lych Gate, the Churchyard and its setting. 2. The area opposite the Parish Church, including The Old Vicarage and Selmeston House. 3. The listed buildings and other attractive buildings which characterise the area north of the Parish Church. 4. The significant tree cover located to the south of the Church. These principal elements, as a whole, contribute to the special historic character of Selmeston and form the basis of the designated Conservation Area as shown within this report. The setting of a Conservation Area is equally as important as the elements contained within it. Therefore, particular regard will be paid to the relationship of adjacent areas to the special character of the Conservation Area. Protection of Buildings and Trees Within a Conservation Area the following controls apply in addition to the normal planning controls: 1. Conservation Area Consent is normally required from the District Council for the demolition (or partial demolition) of buildings in a Conservation Area. The demolition of a listed building requires listed building consent. 2. Six weeks notice must normally be given to the District Council of any intention to top, lop, cut down or uproot any trees in a Conservation Area. During this time, it is open to the Council to serve a Tree Preservation Order. 3. Planning applications which, in the opinion of the Council, would affect the character or appearance of the Conservation Area must be publicised and opportunity must be given for public comment. Enhancement The immediate aim of the District Council in designating a Conservation Area is to afford protection under current legislation to an area within the village considered to be of special architectural or historic interest, and specifically to the buildings within that area. However, following designation, consideration will be given to possible schemes for the preservation and enhancement of the Conservation Area. Any such proposals would be subject to prior public consultation. The Old Cottage Planning Policies The District Council has approved a number of planning policies to help in determining planning applications in Conservation Areas. There is a presumption against development proposals which would not preserve or enhance the character or appearance of such Areas. Any development proposals should respect the historic settlement pattern as well as the layout, character and setting of existing buildings. Accordingly, particular regard will be paid to the scale, height, form, grouping, density, materials and detailing, including boundary treatment, of proposals. Even in a Conservation Area many small extensions and alterations do not require planning permission, although works to listed buildings may well still require listed building consent. Owners are advised to contact the Planning Department to ascertain whether their proposals need statutory approval. Householders and builders are encouraged to take special care to ensure that their proposals are in keeping with the character and appearance of the area. Advice on the design of proposals is available from the Planning Department. Further Information For further advice and information please contact: District Planning Officer Wealden District Council Pine Grove Crowborough East Sussex TN6 1DH Telephone (01892) 653311.

Load more