Wootton Courtenay
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WOOTTON COURTENAY CONSERVATION AREA CHARACTER APPRAISAL Prepared for Exmoor National Park by John Fisher BA MA MRTPI IHBC Published by Exmoor National Park Authority © Copyright Exmoor National Park 2003 1 Contents PAGE 1 Topographic & Historic Background 4 - Location & Essential Characteristics 4 - Historic Development 4 2 The Conservation Area 5 - Background & Setting 5 - Purpose of the Character Appraisal 5 3 Archaeological Considerations 6 4 Built Environment 6 - Architectural Significance 6 - Character Areas 7 - Use of Materials - Buildings 8 - Boundary Features 9 - Ground Surfaces 9 5 Building Form & Ornament 10 6 Condition of Buildings 11 7 Historic Buildings 11 - Grade I Buildings 11 - Grade II* Listed Buildings 11 - Grade II Listed Buildings 12 - Other Key Buildings 14 8 Landscape & Trees 15 9 Detractions & Vulnerability 15 10 Key Local Factors & Guiding Principles 16 - Buildings in the Conservation Area 16 - Visual Integrity 16 - Use of Traditional Materials 17 - Historic Setting and Landscape 17 11 Important Policy Considerations 18 Bibliography and References 19 2 Following the text are: HISTORIC MAPS 1 Wootton Courtenay in its wider setting in 1760 (from Emmanuel Bowen’s Map of Somerset) 2 Tithe Map of Wootton Courtenay c.1840 3 Wootton Courtenay c.1889 (First Edition O.S.map 1:2500 scale) 4 Wootton Courtenay c.1905 (Second Edition O.S.map 1:2500 scale) APPRAISAL MAPS 5 Existing Conservation Area & Listed Buildings 6 Significant Features 7 Age of Buildings 8 Building Materials – Roofs 9 Building Materials – Walls 3 A varied building line, significant gaps with trees and differences in level help to create a historic built environment of special character. 1 TOPOGRAPHIC & HISTORIC BACKGROUND (i) Location & Essential Characteristics 1.1 Wootton Courtenay is a spacious village at the foot of a spur of the short range of mainly wooded hills extending from Tivington Common in the west to Grabbist Hill in the east. Several narrow lanes some 2- 3km. from the nearest classified roads connect the village to adjoining settlements, chief of which are Dun- ster, 6km. to the east and Minehead, 7km. to the north-east 1.2 The village has a sheltered south-facing aspect with dramatic views towards some of the higher moors, including Dunkery Beacon, which at 519m. is the highest point of Exmoor. Low traffic volumes, which is sometimes as much equestrian as vehicular, provides a pleasing sense of tranquillity and isolation. A special characteristic is the extent of stone boundary walls and areas paved or cobbled in natural stone, the latter sometimes in sections raised above the carriageway. (ii) Historic Background 1.3 The place-name derives from Anglo-Saxon wudu (a wood) and tun (a settlement or enclosure) and Courtenay derives from the family of that name who became Earls of Devon. It was first held by John de Curtenay, who died in 1274. There is also a mention in 1335 of Hugh de Courtenay, then Lord of the Manor. 1.4 Wootton Courtenay seems always to have been an agricultural settlement. From the 19th century the chief crops were wheat, barley, turnips and fruit. Nowadays farming in the locality is more pastoral, though some cereals are grown. The parish church originally dates from the 13th century, but was much al- tered in a restoration of 1866 when the upper section of the tower with saddle-back roof was added. There is a fragment of an old cross in the churchyard. A former rector, Richard Montague, became Bishop of Chich- ester in 1628. 4 Above left: Wootton Courtenay parish church has a fine approach, and an elevated setting. , and (centre) an unusual “saddleback” tower. Above right: Within the church yard are some well-preserved headstones, mainly as shown dating from the late 18th century, although there is a rare early 17th century example which is grade II listed.. 1.5 The parish population in 1871 was 392, and is currently (2001 census). A National schoolroom was erected in 1859 and enlarged in 1867, but has been closed for some years. 2 THE CONSERVATION AREA (i) Background & Setting 2.1 The present Wootton Courtenay conservation area was designated in December 1994. It includes most of the 19th century and earlier settlement which forms a loosely scattered linear pattern linked by sandstone walls. There is a focal point of development close to the T-junction, which gives the village a well-defined main centre with another concentration of cottages further south, close to a small stream flowing towards the River Avill. 2.2 Within the conservation area are five listed buildings, and three other structures (see section 7) All are grade II listed except the Parish Church which is listed grade I, and the churchyard medieval cross, is grade II*. (ii) Purpose of the Character Appraisal 2.2 The statutory definition of a conservation area is “an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.” Sec- tion 71 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Con- servation Areas) Act 1990 places a duty on local planning authorities to formulate and publish pro- posals for designated conservation areas. This re- quirement is expanded upon in Planning Policy Guidance Note 15 section 4. 2.3 An English Heritage Conservation This view from the western edge of the conservation Area Practice Note published in June 1993 area shows the dramatic landscape setting of the also states that “Local Authorities should..define village, with undulating farmland against a backdrop of open moorland. 5 that special architectural or historic character which warrants designation by means of a published detail character analysis”. Part of the purpose of such a document is to “incorporate policies in the statutory local plan...the most important (of which) will be a presumption against the loss of elements which have been identified as making a positive contribution to that special interest which warranted designation.” 2.4 A process of change within a conservation area is inevitable. The purpose of a character statement such as this is to define as clearly as possible the historic (and by implication archaeological), ar- chitectural, and natural components of the conservation area that are considered especially important and contribute most to its character. It is also intended to advise on the scope for repair or restoration where needed and to encourage improvement or removal of unsightly features. There is an emphasis upon the use of local traditional materials and methods of construction which seeks to challenge an increasing trend to- wards the use of standardised artificial substitutes. 2.5 To summarise, the principal aims of this document are intended to define: - what influences have given Wootton Courtenay its special character - what chiefly reflects this character and is most worth conserving - what has suffered damage or loss and may need reinstating - what should be considered in guiding future changes - what visual features particularly need safeguarding - what existing or potential resources may be available to maintain character and assist in enhance- ment. 2.6 Such a document is to “incorporate policies in the statutory local plan...the most important (of which) will be a presumption against the loss of elements which have been identified as making a positive contribution to that special interest which warranted designation.” 3 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE 3.1 Planning Policy Guidance Notes 15 and 16 have advised that archaeology has become a “material consideration” in the planning process. Planning authorities must now consider the balance between the need for development and the effects it has on the historic environment. 3.2 The County Sites and Monuments Record for Wootton Courtenay shows a considerable number of entries for the parish as a whole, although only three are within the conservation area. The parish also contains several historic farmsteads of which one is entirely, and another partly, within the conservation area. Both early editions of the Ordnance Survey map, published in 1889 and 1903 show a considerable number of orchard paddocks encircling much of the village. These have virtually disappeared, although within close proximity (for example at the eastern edge of the village, and at Tivington and near Timbers- combe) are several locations defined as an “Orchard of Landscape Importance” in the Exmoor National Park Local Plan. 4 BUILT ENVIRONMENT (i) Architectural Character 4.1 As the village has medieval origins, it is possible that a detailed survey of vernacular detail, roof 6 Walls and hedgerow banks are a very important visual element of the conservation area, and provide a cohesive link be- tween an otherwise loose knit settlement pattern. timbers for example, would reveal some surviving evidence of one or more former open hall houses, dating from the 15th century or earlier. The majority of cottage groups displaying characteristic local vernacular features, appear to mainly date from the 17th century. One of the best examples with characteristic front lateral stack is Bishop’s Cottages, which is not listed. Many farmsteads underwent improvement during the 19th century, and most of the stone-built agricultural and other outbuildings in the conservation area date from this period. 4.2 The settlement pattern is diverse and buildings are informally grouped, but generally quite close to the carriageway. In spite of a low density, the informality, and close-knit grouping, linked by stone walls and banks, nevertheless provides a strong sense of enclosure. This has the effect of making the outward views to surrounding moorland from the higher parts of the village all the more striking. (ii) Character Areas 4.3 The conservation area conveniently sub-divides into two separate sub-areas that have a notably distinct character. These are outlined below and shown on Map 5. 1 Main Village Centre This largely accords with the Local Plan definition of the Historic Settlement Core, and includes the parish church and other village facilities.