Woollard Conservation Area Character Appraisal
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Bath and North East Somerset Planning Services Woollard Conservation Area Character Appraisal March 2008 Contents Introduction 4 Summary of Special Interest 4 Assessment of Special Interest 5 Character Analysis 12 Summary of Issues and 14 Recommended Management Proposals Planning Policy Context 15 General Guidance 15 Further Reading 16 Glossary 16 Contact Details 16 Introduction The special architectural and The appraisal identifies elements historic interest of Woollard was which contribute toward the char- recognised by its designation as a acter of the area and those that Conservation Area on 25 July 1990. detract from it. This provides a base upon which to develop proposals The Council has a duty to preserve for preservation and enhancement. and enhance the character and appearance of Conservation Areas The preparation of the statement in exercising its planning powers, also enables local residents to and to periodically reappraise the participate in the identification of boundaries. This appraisal will be a features which are important to the material consideration in the special character of the area in determination of planning which they live. applications. Summary of Special Interest The landscape setting in the A significant proportion of listed Remnants of Woollard’s industrial gently rolling hills of the Chew and other historic buildings heritage, particularly along the Valley forming the nucleus of the village River Chew, including mill ponds, sluices and weirs The River Chew and its tributary The prevalent use of local lias Candlestick Brook; both limestone with characteristic red The peaceful rural environment, attractive landscape features and clay roof tiles, laid at a steep with very little traffic or activity formerly the source of power for pitch disturbing the tranquillity of the mills area The particular contribution of the Narrow, sunken lanes creating natural landscape, especially The restrained use of road sequential views on the approach mature trees, hedgerows and markings, signage and other to Woollard, particularly from the well-tended private gardens paraphernalia south east Low stone and hedgerow plot The distinctive form of the village boundaries allowing frequent produced by the convergence of glimpses into and out of the five routes Conservation Area 4 Modern map of Woollard Assessment of Special Interest Location and Setting General Character and Plan Form The village of Woollard lies in the The Chew Valley area1 is The village of Woollard has a Chew Valley around six miles west characterised by rolling grassland nucleated form, clustered around a of the city of Bath and three miles and arable farmland which forms an staggered crossroad to the west of south of Keynsham. The village is irregular pattern of fields bounded the River Chew. The narrowness divided between two parishes: by hedgerows. and enclosure of the routes into Publow to the west and Compton Woollard contrasts with the open Dando to the east. views at the bridge over the river. The village form is largely made up of generous dwelling plots, with typically low stone or hedge boundaries affording views into well-treed gardens and glimpses of the surrounding countryside. Mature trees in gardens, along the river and in the surrounding hedgerows contribute to the rural character of the village. There is a mixture of terraced, semi-detached and detached dwellings generally built from lias limestone with red clay roof tiles. 1 Area 2 of the ‘Rural Landscapes of Bath & North East Somerset Landscape Character Assessment’ SPG which may be read in conjunction with this document. 5 Aerial photograph of Woollard showing the distinctive star-shaped layout Landscape Setting The distinct physical character of There are several weirs, ponds and Woollard is largely determined by other vestiges of the milling industry its landscape setting, nestled within in Woollard. They are of the rolling, wooded slopes of the considerable historic interest in Chew Valley. The village integrates themselves and important to the comfortably with the surrounding setting of the Conservation Area. countryside and the built form is considerably softened by trees and The ruined 18th century footbridge vegetation. It feels secluded and associated with Mill House is also tranquil, away from busy roads and within the setting of the village. This not visible from major built up formed part of an historic path from areas. This is enhanced by its Birchwood Lane to Mill House, an sunken position, framed by arable important route for workers farmland and the woodland of the travelling to the mills. river valley. The village is within the Bristol-Bath The landscape surrounding the Green Belt and the Forest of Avon. village has been managed and These designations indicate the cultivated over the centuries, and importance of the landscape setting the land form retains evidence of and help to prevent inappropriate medieval enclosures and field development. The River Chew and boundaries. Ancient hedgerows and nearby Catsley Wood, visible from tree groups contribute to the wider the bridge, are designated Sites of historic interest and appearance of Nature Conservation Importance the area, but can easily be lost denoting their significant role in through insensitive development. biodiversity conservation. The landscape setting of open countryside is essential to the rural character of the Conservation Area Of particular importance to Woollard’s setting is the meadow between the River Chew and Candlestick Brook, and remnants of several old orchards around the edge of the village. 6 Historic Development Woollard is thought to date back to Woollard’s location on the River a pre-Norman settlement clustered Chew made the settlement ideal for around a ford over the Chew. milling and the high mineral content of Candlestick Brook made it an The manor of Publow, within which excellent location for tanning Woollard lies, was for a long time leather. held by the Hungerfords, descendents of the original Norman In 1968 flooding devastated the lords. In the early 17th century the Chew Valley. Many houses were manor passed to the Pophams, who inundated as the river burst its held the land until the early 20th banks, and Woollard’s medieval century. bridge was destroyed. A plaque marks the height of the flood water. The Pophams resided at nearby Hunstrete House, although their principal residence was in Wiltshire. Throughout their estates the distinctive cast iron ‘Popham window’ can be seen. The distinctive ‘Popham’ cottages Historic map of Woollard (1885) 7 Woollard Conservation Area Hillside Mill Cottage Publow with Pensford Parish 8 Key Principal listed buildings* Unlisted buildings which contribute to the character of the Conservation Area Important views Parish boundary Existing Conservation Area *This map does not show all listed walls or curtilage listed buildings Compton Dando Parish 9 The packhorse bridge and the Tannery The centre of the village is approached by narrow lanes which meet at the crossing are important historical relicts over the River Chew Archaeological Significance Spatial Analysis Stone surviving from a medieval Woollard is set around a staggered Smallbrook Lane to the north east is river crossing forms a five ‘pronged’ crossroads adjacent an historic route to Chewton commemorative focal point for the to the bridge over the River Chew. Keynsham, avoiding the need to village, adjacent to the modern Approaching Woollard from all cross the Chew. However, this road bridge. directions the lanes gently wind has never been ‘made’. The winding downwards to this central area. roads, paths and waterways create The remains of the Tannery are Many of the older listed buildings a network of intriguing informal located in the garden of Tithe Barn. are clustered on this central paths and secluded spaces within This fell into disrepair at the end of crossroads. The River Chew enters and around the village. the 19th century and is the largest the village from the south and industrial ruin in the Chew Valley. leaves to the north east with the The buildings on Woollard Lane and parish boundary straddling the river. around the crossroads front directly on to the street, giving a sense of Of the five ‘prongs’, three routes are enclosure which contrasts with the surfaced roads leading to open views from the bridge. The neighbouring settlements; Publow banks of the Chew are for the most Lane to the west and Woollard Lane part cultivated gardens. This to the south east and north west. interaction between the private and Publow Lane also extends public space creates an intimate southwards as Mill Lane but only character. offers access to the residential development. 10 Key Views and Vistas The relatively dense grain and mature vegetation of Woollard restricts views into and out of the village although the River Chew interrupts the built form and opens up vantage points from the bridge. To the north, views are open, along the river towards the gentle slopes of the surrounding countryside. The entrance to the village along Woollard Lane from the south east reveals sequential views as the road descends, weaving between buildings set hard on to the road. Looking south towards the village from Smallbrook Lane there is a good view of the roofscape highlighting traditional clay tiles and chimney pots and the haphazard alignment of buildings. The meadow to the east of Publow Lane provides views of the dwellings along Woollard Lane, climbing down the ridge of the hill The meadows surrounding the village provide a pastoral setting which is essential to the village centre. From the Tithe to the character of the Conservation Area Barn looking northwest, tree covering shields the village and emphasises the valley location. The River Chew interrupts the built Pitched roofs with traditional clay tiles create a distinctive roofscape form and opens up vantage points from the bridge 11 Character Analysis Activity and Former Uses The River Chew was the source of Bell Farm is one of the oldest power for various industries, buildings, dating from the 15th including three mills.