CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL (Adopted October 2004)

PURPOSE OF THE CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL

This document aims to define what gives the Upnor Conservation Area its special character. This includes the historic development of the area, its architecture, the layout and setting of the buildings, streetscape and trees. It also looks at factors that threaten the historic character of the area and puts forward policies and proposals for the protection and enhancement of the historic environment. As a supplementary planning document it is intended to guide and inform residents and planners, particularly when applications for planning permission are being considered.

Summary- Characteristics of the Area

Upnor is an attractive waterside village of origin concentrated around an Elizabethan Castle surrounded by heavily wooded countryside. Key features of the area are:

• Historic associations with : the development of Upnor from the 16th to the 20th centuries is closely related to the development of the dockyard • The Waterfront: Once the principal route into Upnor this is still the most prominent public face of the village, being prominent in views from the Dockyard and St Mary’s Island • : An unusually complete artillery fortification that is unique in being the only English coastal defence ever to have “fired a shot in anger” • The village centre of Upnor: notable for its high concentration of historic buildings, many of which are listed • The village’s historic settlement pattern, with little development beyond 19th century boundaries • The distinctive local topography, particularly the gentle slope of the High Street leading down to river • Distinctive local building materials, principally yellow brick and weatherboarding for walls, slate and tile roofs • The preservation of many historic design details such as sash windows, railings, guttering and doors • High quality streetscape with traditional surfacing materials, good signage and a lack of intrusive modern road markings and signage • Attractive rural location with extensive tree cover at the village boundaries

History

The village of Upnor is thought to have developed as a direct result of the construction of the Castle, which was built between 1559 and 1567 as an artillery fortification to defend the Royal Dockyard and converted into an Ordnance Depot (powder store) in 1667. This is supposition is borne out by

1 the fact that the earliest surviving domestic buildings date from the later 17th century. As such it is a rare example of a small community that grew up to provide accommodation for workers for the . At other dockyards, such as Portsmouth and Plymouth, similar settlements have been absorbed into larger towns.

Before the construction of the castle it is likely that there was some sort of settlement in the area. A document dating to around 1200 refers to Upenore and there is a 13th century reference to Atte Nore and Uppe Nore. However, the fact that there is no medieval church or manor (the village forms part of the parish of ) suggests that this settlement must have been very small and need not have been on the site of what is now Upnor.

The village grew during the 18th century with the building of the barracks and a group of houses and cottages at the lower end of the High Street shown in a sketch of 1787. The Ordnance Depot also expanded at this time with the construction of temporary magazine and large compound for gunpowder wagons opposite the barracks by the river in 1785. A new access road for the wagons, formerly known as Powder Dumpie Hill or Powder Monkey Road, now Admiralty Road, was constructed to bypass the High Street.

The village took the form that we see today in the early 19th century. The 1838 tithe map, shows the village at roughly its present size but much more heavily settled with densely packed tenements along the High Street and at Hammond Place at the entrance to the village. 19th century censuses indicate that villagers were employed as watermen, bargemen, in the local cement works at Whitewall Creek and Lower Upnor as well as in the Ordnance Depot.

At this time the river was far more frequently used as a means of communication than today. Most visitors would have arrived by water. As a result Upnor used to be much more closely integrated with the Towns than it is today. An example of this is the , who used the land around Upnor for training purposes in from 1812 to 1820. From before 1708 until the 1820 a public ferry between Upnor and Princes Bridge at the north end of the dockyard operated until the construction of the dockyard extension in 1863 and a military ferry between Pontoon Hard and the Dockyard in the 19th and early 20th century ensured easy communication with Chatham.

Temporary pontoon bridges across the river were also built from time to time by the Royal Engineers as exercises. These were necessarily temporary structures, as they would have interrupted traffic on what was a very busy river. However, it is possible that the pontoon bridge between Pontoon Hard and Princes Bridge shown in plans for the wider refortification of the Medway in 1803 was a more permanent structure.

The first place of worship in the village was a Congregational Chapel on the north side of the High Street. The first building appears to have been a simple domestic style building built around 1850. This was replaced by a Gothic style

2 building in 1899. Upnor gained parish status in 1874 with the building of the church and vicarage of St Philip and St James in Lower Upnor.

During the 20th century further expansion took place to the south of the village with the building of Admiralty Terrace as accommodation for personnel of the Metropolitan Police Dockyards Division and 22-24 Admiralty Road as houses for the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent of Dockyard Police. The High Street was a thriving local centre during this period with a butcher’s shop (no1), general stores (no25) and post office (no 23). There were also four pubs, the Crown and Anchor (now Medway View), the Kings Head (now The Tudor Rose), The Upnor Castle (now no 19) and the Kings Arms (rebuilt but still trading).

The later 20th century has seen the village take on an almost entirely residential character with the closure of all the village shops, the loss of all but two of the pubs, the closure of the military ferry in 1959 and the closure of the Ordnance Depot. The crowded tenements to the south of the High Street and Hammond place have been replaced by modern housing.

The High Street

The High Street forms the nucleus of Upnor village and consists of a short street leading down a hill to the river. The settlement pattern is typical of a historic village centre, with densely packed houses situated on narrow plots, averaging around four metres wide, fronting directly onto the road. This results in a tightly packed and varied streetscape. Nearer the water plots tend to be wider and buildings are frequently sited with their long axis along the frontage with large front gardens giving this part of the village a more spacious feel. Historically the street had a mixed usage but is now almost entirely residential in character. There are two prominent gap sites where buildings have been demolished and not yet replaced.

1 High Street 12-18 High Street

Buildings in the street are generally of the terraced or semidetached and two storeys high, often with an attic, ranging from the late 17th to the late 20th century. The earliest buildings, dating from the late 17th to mid 18th century are timber-framed and clad in weatherboarding or render with steeply pitched

3 tiled roofs, often with dormers. Later buildings dating from the 19th century tend to be arranged in terraces and are generally of yellow brick, with redbrick dressings. Roofs are of slate, often at a low pitch with a parapet, or of the mansard type and covered with tiles. Many properties retain their cast iron guttering. Timber sash windows are the norm throughout the street. Two modern structures on the southern side of the street (nos 20 and 22) replicate the materials and detailing of the earlier structures with weatherboarded walls, steeply pitched tiled roofs and timber framed sash windows.

25-27 High Street 30-32 High Street

Most of the structures on the High Street make a positive contribution to the character of the area and a high proportion of buildings are listed. Minor structures, such as number 1, a single storey weatherboarded shed that was formerly a butcher’s shop, add variety and are thus important despite their modest nature. The King’s Arms pub, with its flamboyant mock Tudor styling, contrasts with the vernacular character of other buildings in the street. Its prominent position on the corner at the top of the street forms an important landmark on entering to the village.

The streetscape is in general simple with a cobbled street without a pavement and a welcome absence of road signs and markings. Street furniture is on the whole well designed with attractive signage and heritage style streetlights. Most buildings front directly onto the street. However, some houses have small front gardens with picket fences and numbers 9-15 feature a fine set of wrought iron railings.

To the south of the High Street are a network of narrow alley ways linking back gardens and ancillary buildings. During the 19th century this area was densely packed with cottages. Now the only dwelling in this area is Number 28 High Street, an attractive 19th century cottage hidden away from the street.

The High Street turns south at its eastern end where it meets the river and its character changes considerably. The streetscape is less formal and surfaced in gravel. Houses are larger, being of the detached or semi-detached type set within large well planted gardens bounded by brick walls facing the river. Numbers 36 and 40 High Street date from the late 18th century and feature red brick with a tiled roof behind a parapet. Windows are of the sash type and there is a central panelled front door capped by a pediment. There is an

4 attractive octagonal gazebo in the front garden of number 40 with a domed imitation lead roof and timber casement windows. This structure is a prominent landmark from both the river and the High Street and makes a significant contribution to the character of the area. Medway View, a late 19th century weatherboarded villa with sash windows, a veranda and a low-pitched slate roof also makes an important contribution to the area. The other structure in this area, Elizabeth Cottage, dates from the early 19th century. This is of historic interest as the last survivor of a group of watermens’ cottages in this area. Unfortunately it has lost most of its original external detail features.

High Street – River End 40 High Street - Gazebo

Upnor Castle

Upnor Castle was built between 1559 and 1567 as an artillery fortification protecting Chatham Dockyard. Although designed by Sir Richard Lee, the foremost military engineer of the era, military historians consider it to be of an archaic design when compared to contemporary continental fortifications. The basic design is of a stone blockhouse with corner turrets and a low V-shaped bastion projecting into the river. Gun loops were provided in the walls for artillery and further guns were mounted on the roof. A boom was strung between the Castle and the east bank of the river to protect the dockyard from 1588 and the structure was enlarged between 1599 and 1601. The defences were reinforced at the end of the 16th century with two small earthwork fortifications, known as sconces. The precise form and position of these fortifications is not known but are likely to have been temporary gun batteries that overlooked the river in the vicinity of the castle.

During the Dutch in 1667 the Guns of the Castle fired on the Dutch Fleet as it advanced up the river, unfortunately with very little success. As such is remarkable as the only English coastal defence ever to have been used in battle.

After the Dutch Raid the primary dockyard defences were moved downriver with the construction of new and more formidable defences at Cookham Wood and Gillingham forts. The castle was converted into a gun powder

5 magazine. However, it appears to have remained armed and gunners were stationed there until the early 19th century.

In 1827 the Castle was converted into a laboratory for the filling of explosive shells and was used for the storage of miscellaneous explosives until 1913, when it became a museum.

Barracks Upnor Castle - Gatehouse

Adjacent to the Castle is a barrack block built in 1718. This is of great significance as one of the earliest surviving purpose built barrack blocks in the country, the others being Hampton Court (1689) and Berwick (1717). Its significance is heightened due to its largely unaltered internal layout. In design it is typical of the Ordnance Department house style of the period, being brick built of three stories with a formal front embellished with a decorative brick plinth, quoining and parapet. Windows are of the sash type set under segmental arches.

Also associated with the castle is Upnor Castle House. This was built for the Storekeeper in charge of the castle during the mid 17th century house and had a formal garden front added in the late 18th century. It is now a private house.

The Castle, Upnor Castle House and Barracks are clearly separated from the village and form a distinct area with its own separate character that should be maintained. Physically the two areas are divided by high wall brick wall running around the site. There is little visual linkage between the village and the castle area with both the castle and the Barracks facing the river rather the street and Upnor Castle House being set well back behind the high boundary wall. Inside the Castle and Barracks area that is softer and greener in character. Gardens have been a feature of this area since at least the 19th century and there is evidence for deliberate tree planting of walnut trees for rifle stocks.

A more detailed assessment of the Castle and its environment are provided in the Upnor Castle Conservation Statement by Jonathan Coad (English Heritage 2002).

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Upnor Castle House –Front Elevation Upnor Castle House – Rear Elevation

Lower Upnor Depot

From the late 17th to the late 20th centuries the Royal Engineers Lower Upnor Depot was the site of an Ordnance Depot that stored and prepared munitions for naval ships laid up in Chatham Dockyard. As such Upnor formed an integral part of the internationally important Royal Dockyard complex and was closely linked to the dockyard functionally, as an important part of the process of repairing and building ships, physically, via the river that formerly acted as a transport link rather than the barrier it its today, and visually with views across the river to the Dockyard and Brompton Barracks. By the time that the Depot reached its peak at the end of the 19th century the Depot formed the centre of a network of Ordnance sites that extended well into the Hoo peninsular with magazine complexes in and Lodge Hill.

“The Medway Magazines” by David Evans (English Heritage 1999) and the Thematic Survey of Ordnance Yards (English Heritage 2002) offer a more detailed account of the development and significance and set the yard in its national context.

History

The Ordnance Depot was founded in 1668 and originally sited in Upnor Castle. By the mid 18th century the depot had outgrown the castle and a temporary magazine was erected to the south of the barracks. A permanent magazine, known as A Magazine, was built on the site of a former ballast wharf to the north of the Castle between 1808 and 1810. This consisted of four chambers under brick cantenary vaults, which aimed to be strong enough to withstand the explosion of the contents. Two examining rooms, which as the name suggest, were for examining gunpowder before storage was constructed between the Castle and the magazine in between 1811 and the 1840s. The ballast diggings in which these buildings were set formed a protective earth bank known as a traverse, which would contain the blast and absorb the debris of any accidental explosion. These buildings were demolished in the later part of the 20th century. A new river wall (which still exists,)and a new pier serving A Magazine (now demolished) were also built at this time. The capacity of the magazine was soon exceeded and supplemented by six floating magazines converted from old warships.

7 The development of firing guns in the mid 19th century led to the further expansion of the depot with the construction of stores for shells and laboratories for examining gunpowder and filling shells between 1857 and 1862. Further gunpowder storage was provided by the construction of B Magazine in 1857 along similar lines to A Magazine. Of these buildings B Magazine survives intact as an distinctive and character building on the waterfront and No 2 Shell Store survives in an altered form.

By the end of the 19th century it became clear that the Upnor Depot was not large enough to store all the explosives necessary and new magazines were built at Chattenden in 1877 and Lodge Hill between 1900 and 1903, both of which were connected to Upnor via a narrow gauge tramway. The Upnor depot then concentrated on filling and storing explosive shells. Further shells stores and ancillary structures were added between 1882 and 1896. An extensive narrow gauge railway network and a new pier at the north end of the site were also added during this period. The final additions to the site were a further shell store (No 5) at the extreme north of the site, an empty case store linking A and B magazines added in 1903-4 and six shell-filling rooms situated to the west of B Magazine between 1906-7. Apart from the shell filling rooms most of these structures survive.

After the construction of a large shell-filling laboratory at Lodge Hill in 1910-12 Upnor was mainly used for the storage and transfer or munitions onto ships. Later 20th century work was limited to the addition of further explosives stores to the west of B Magazine, the conversion of B Magazine into a store and the building of a pillbox and underground shelters during World War II. The site remained in use as an Ordinance Depot until 1964.

Built Form

The depot is a long linear development alongside the riverbank with rising ground behind. The buildings are informally arranged, giving the impression of being scattered among a green backdrop. From a distance B Magazine and No 5 Shell Store stand out due to their prominent riverside position, large size and the distinctive profile of their multiple roofs.

Once inside the Depot the uniform detailing of the later 19th century structures clustered at the northern end, which are solidly built with yellow brick walls red brick dressings around the windows, doors and eaves, casement windows and dogtooth ornament, give uniformity to the appearance of the Depot. There is also a stylistic similarity with other Ordnance structures in the area, notably the Magazines at Lodge Hill, and a certain family resemblance to other War Department structures of the era such as the police houses of Admiralty Terrace and the cottages associated with the Lodge Hill Depot.

Later structures consist of steel frames clad in corrugated sheeting or yellow brick and feature continuous rows of windows. These structures bear a strong resemblance to later structures in Chatham Dockyard such as the Ship and Trades Building.

8 The most interesting building is B Magazine. This is also of yellow brick consists of eight individual chambers running transversely across covered with cantenary vaults. and a gabled roof set behind a parapet. Detailing is simple and functional but of the highest quality with closely jointed rubbed brick arches over windows and doors.

B Magazine No 3 Shell Store

Roofs are clad in asbestos or corrugated iron sheeting. In many cases this is a replacement for an original covering of slate or tile.

No 5 Shell Store Traverses for early 20th century shell filling sheds

Also of interest are the traverses around the shell filling stores, which are interesting early mass concrete structures and the pier, a concrete structure post dating 1933 on the site of a more extensive late 19th century pier complex.

Later modifications include the removal of the original roof trusses and the substitution of mid 20th century flat roof and the insertion of additional windows under concrete lintels into many buildings.

Assessment of Significance

Historic: The Ordnance Depot is of historic significance as it forms an integral part of the wider military landscape surrounding Chatham dockyard. It also forms the centre of a wider complex of ordnance facilities that includes the Chattenden and Lodge Hill magazines. The site must be seen within this context rather than in isolation.

The site’s long history as an Ordnance Depot is also unique and is in contrast to the Ordnance facilities at the other principal Royal Dockyards at Portsmouth and Devonport, which were laid out in the late 18th century. The

9 adaptation of Upnor Castle into a powder store is unparalleled and is the oldest such installation of this size in Britain. The wide range of surviving buildings chart the general development of Ordnance facilities from adapted fortifications, through to specialised vaulted structures for bulk powder storage (B Magazine) to simple, lightweight buildings for the bulk storage of shells and mines.

Architectural: B magazine is of particular architectural significance. Magazines of this period are rare, and unusual design and unaltered fabric of the building add to its significance. The replication of the design of the early 19th century bombproof design of A Magazine is an unusual anachronism as military engineers had generally adopted magazines without bomb proof construction and instead relied on the traverse to contain any explosion by the time B magazine was constructed in 1857. Also of interest are the large windows in the upper walls of the magazine a detail also copied from A Magazine. Large openings seriously compromise the bombproof construction of the rest of the structure and, as magazines were not generally lit with windows the reason this feature is not clear. The unique nature of B Magazine is recognised by the recommendation for grade II* listed status.

The river wall, which is thought to be contemporary with the construction of A Magazine (1808-10), is also of significance in its own right and listed grade II. The most remarkable feature of the wall is the large painted sign forbidding anchoring in the vicinity of the Ordnance Depot. The land walls around the site, which are probably of late 19th century date, are also of significance in that they define and make an important contribution to the enclosed nature of the site and should be retained.

The traverses surrounding the sites of the 1906 shell filling rooms are also of interest as an unusual example of early concrete construction.

The other buildings in the Ordnance depot are typical of industrial structures from the period and therefore are not of outstanding architectural importance individually. However, as a group the structures are attractive buildings with good detailing that are well suited to their setting. Their appearance would be improved greatly by the reinstatement of traditional slate roof coverings.

Landscape: The Depot as a whole is highly significant in landscape terms being prominent in views from the river, the Historic Dockyard and St Mary’s Island. The depot buildings form an attractive yet unobtrusive river frontage that blends in well with the tree cover of the traverses behind. The woodland covering of the traverse behind B magazine forms a strong skyline as part of a continuous line of tree cover stretching along the river from Upper Upnor to Hoo-Saint-Werburgh.

The future of the site

It is acknowledged that the ownership and use of the Depot is likely to change in the near future and that a new use is likely to include redevelopment of the site. Conservation area status would not seek to block all redevelopment plans but rather to guide the design of new buildings and, where appropriate,

10 the reuse of existing buildings, in order to ensure that the special character of the area is preserved and enhanced.

The Council will commit to producing a development brief for Upnor and the Depot as part of the Local Development Framework process. This will give detailed guidance on future development of the Depot within the context of a vision for the as a whole. The recently adopted Medway Waterfront Renaissance Strategy already commits to the production of a planning brief for Upnor.

Admiralty Road

This area occupies a valley between High Street and Admiralty Terrace and consists of a mix of modern housing and 19th century cottages informally arranged around a gravel road. Historically this was an area of gardens on the periphery of Upnor village.

The only buildings of note are 1-4 Admiralty cottages, a terrace of early 19th century brick built cottages. These have been rebuilt during the 1980s and have lost most of their original features. Nevertheless they retain attractive tiled roofs and brick chimneys that make an important contribution to the street scene.

Admiralty Cottages Admiralty Road

The remaining houses in the road date from the late 20th century and are either semidetached or detached two-storey dwellings clad in uPVC boarding and concrete tiles. A three-storey terrace with balconies fronts the river.

While the area is not of particular architectural or historical interest it forms an important visual link between the High Street and Admiralty Terrace.

Admiralty Terrace

This terrace of houses sited on a prominent hill overlooking the village was built around 1900 as accommodation for officers of the Metropolitan Police Dockyard Division. The terrace represents a good example of housing from this era and consists of a row of flat fronted yellow brick properties enlivened by red brick surrounds around the windows and doors and flat roofed brick porches. At the ends and centre of the terrace are slightly grander houses with gable ends and bay windows for higher-ranking officers.

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Admiralty Terrace 22-24 Admiralty Road

Most properties retain many of their original features including slate roofs, panelled timber doors and timber sash windows. Each property has a small front garden bounded by original railings. The terrace forms an important landscape feature in the village due to its prominent location.

The streetscape is urban in nature, with a tarmac road and pavement with concrete kerbs. The area is enhanced by a lack of modern signs and road markings. Original street signs are attached to the end walls of the terrace.

Also of importance are 22 and 24 Admiralty Road. This pair of semidetached houses built c.1900 are larger versions of the houses making up Admiralty Terrace intended for the superintendent and deputy-superintendent of dockyard police.

The modern houses on the south side of Admiralty Road would also be included in the proposed conservation area extension. While these are not of architectural or historic interest they would be included in order to provide a logical boundary to the area and to ensure that any future development in the area is in character with the historic village centre.

Upnor Road/ Upchat Road

These roads and the green spaces surrounding them form the gateway to the Conservation Area. Of particular importance is the wood and car park adjacent to Upnor Road that allow the village to suddenly appear when approaching from the car park and allowing only a glimpse of the King’s Arms Public House when approaching from Upchat Road. The extensive tree cover along Upchat Road also makes an important contribution to the rural setting of the village.

The only buildings of note in this area are the late Victorian Church and Rectory, which are set in wooded grounds at the Junction of Upchat Road and Lower Upnor Road. This was built in 1874 to the designs of Ewan Christian and is a modest but attractive redbrick building is in a loose gothic style distinguished by some fine stained glass windows by Burne-Jones. The Vicarage is a typical large red brick Victorian house dating from 1878. Also of

12 importance is the high wall separating the Castle and the Royal Engineers’ Depot from the road. This probably dates from the 19th century and is of English bonded local stock bricks with early 20th century lamp fittings. The only other buildings in this area, Hammond Place and Elmhora House, are modern structures. Elmhora House benefits from being well screened by trees.

Upnor Road Upchat Road

Upchat Road runs along the bed of a standard gauge tramway constructed in 1875 to link the Lower Upnor Ordinance Depot with the Magazines at Chattenden and Lodge Hill. Part of the narrow gauge tramway linking this tramway with the Ordinance Depot still survives in the woods to the south of Lower Upnor Road. The original road to lower Upnor ran along the line of the current footpath to the east of Upchat Road.

Archaeology

The land around Upnor contains a variety of interesting archaeological remains. Upnor Castle is designated as Scheduled Ancient Monument and there are areas of archaeological potential round the Castle and around the Royal Engineers’ pier and the foreshore at Lower Upnor where the two sconce forts are thought to have been sited. The centre of Upnor village is of interest as the remains of lost houses may survive in the gardens of many properties. The former Ordnance land to the west of the village may be of significance as it was used for practice siege works between 1812 and c1820, the remains of which may survive underground and the Lower Upnor Depot, which includes the sites of several lost Ordnance Department buildings, including A-Magazine. There are also some remains of Second World War Defences that are of significance. These include the concrete slipways at the Arethusa Centre and the RSME Upper Upnor Depot which were built to build and maintain landing craft and were used as D-Day embarkation points in 1944. A pill box, one of a line along the Medway foreshore, also survives at Lower Upnor along with a group of what appear to be air raid shelters in the woodland behind the RSME Lower Upnor Depot. Map 5 shows the zone of archaeological interest and the approximate position of these features.

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Views

Upnor’s hill top position lends itself to a series of attractive views. On entering the village the King’s Arms Pub can be glimpsed from Upchat Road. Here the views are defined by the tree-fringed car park and high wall around Upnor Castle House, which lead the eye directly to the strong corner feature of the pub. There are also fine views down the High Street from the top of the hill. Again these are very narrow with the gable ends of houses concentrating attention on the river. Once inside the High Street the narrow nature of the road limits views to those directly up and down the street with individual buildings and their immediate neighbours being best viewed from close up. At the riverside end of the High Street views open out, with clear vistas up and down the open up and across to the east end of Admiralty Terrace. There are also views up the High Street which are narrowly defined by the sides of the houses lining this street. From Admiralty Terrace clear views are to be had across the low lying buildings of Admiralty Road to an attractive jumbled roofscape of the rear of the High Street and northwards down the river.

Some of the best views are of the village as a whole against a wooded backdrop as viewed from the Historic Dockyard and Saint Mary’s Island across the river. Here Upnor Castle and B Magazine are most prominent, though the buildings fronting the waterfront make an important contribution, as does Admiralty Terrace due to its high position. Poor quality riverfront development has damaged these views to a limited extent, as does the mooring of directly in front of the Castle.

Problems and Pressures

Upnor is remarkable in that the village centre has not been subject to the same severe development pressure that has damaged many villages in the Medway area. In particular the rural setting of the village remains intact and has not been damaged by suburban sprawl and most structures retain their historic appearance and character. However, there are areas where the character of the area has been damaged or where there is a potential conflict between demands of modern living and preserving the character of the area. These include: • The loss of historic details: particularly the replacement of traditional roof coverings with concrete tiles, the rendering of historic brick buildings and the replacement of timber sash windows with uPVC • In the past new buildings on the fringe of the area have not been in character with the village • Pressure for off-street car parking visible from the High Street. • Pressure to extend historic buildings

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New Development

As much of Upnor is already densely settled with high quality buildings there are few opportunities for new development within the conservation area.

However, the development of gap sites in the High Street area are encouraged providing the proposed structures are sympathetic to surrounding buildings in terms of scale and detailing. Planning permission has already been given for the development of all these sites. Additionally, the demolition and replacement of buildings not considered of historic or architectural importance will not be resisted provided that new development is on a modest scale that complements the form of existing buildings and preserves key views. A high quality of detail design and materials that complements the traditional buildings in the village would also be expected.

Planning Policies

1. There will be a presumption against the demolition of buildings that make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area.

2. The Council will seek to ensure that all new development respects the character and layout of the area.

3. Proposals for new buildings should respect the layout and historical form of the townscape and street scene and respect existing properties in terms of bulk scale and siting. Materials and design details should be of a high quality.

4. The Council will resist development that would intrude into, or adversely affect important views. Where possible the Council will endeavour to improve river views by encouraging sensitivity in the positioning of moorings.

5. Proposals for alterations and extension should respect the distinctive architecture style and character of the existing building in terms of bulk, height, position, size and detailed design. In some instances the overall character of a group of buildings will need to be maintained.

6. Alterations which result in the loss of chimneys, or have a detrimental effect on roofscapes, including the construction of mansard roofs and insertion of rooflights onto prominent roofs will normally be resisted.

7. Where the building is of architectural merit the Council will encourage the retention of original design features, such as railings, guttering, windows and doors, and where necessary will require the use of replica features in traditional materials in replacement of these works. Aluminium and uPVC replacement units will not normally be considered acceptable.

15 8. In new works and replacement work, the Council will require that all materials, in particular brick and tile type and associated detailing, match the original building.

9. The painting or rendering of unpainted surfaces on historic structures will not normally be acceptable.

10. The positioning of satellite dishes in prominent positions will be discouraged.

11. The provision of off-street car parking that is visible from the street will not normally be acceptable in the High Street.

12. Development on what has historically been open land on the fringes of the village will not normally be acceptable.

13. Trees and area of woodland will be further protected by the creation of additional Tree Preservation Orders where appropriate.

14. The Council will seek to preserve and enhance the attractive streetscape in the village. Proposals for new and replacement hard surfacing on roads and driveways must respect the character and appearance of the area in terms of materials and extent.

15. The retention of high quality boundary treatments such as fences, walls and railings will be encouraged. As will the fitting of high quality new railings and fences where these have been removed in the past.

16. The Council will encourage statutory undertakers to retain traditional street furniture, for example post boxes. Wherever possible the Council will ensure that replacement street lamps, bollards and other street furniture are in keeping with the character of the area in terms of design, materials and location.

17. The Council will endeavour to preserve sites and structures or archaeological or historic importance.

18. Proposals which fall within the Zone of Archaeological Potential will be dealt with according to the and Medway Structure Plan Draft SPG3, Supplementary Planning Guidance on Archaeology.

16 Article 4 Direction

Much of the historic and architectural character of the area derives from design details such as timber sash and casement windows, traditional panelled doors, from traditional materials such as slates, tiles, weatherboarding and high quality brickwork and the use of traditional boundary treatments such as railings, walls and picket fences.

The area is unusual in that there has been little in the way of inappropriate development of residential properties such as the fitting of concrete roof tiles, uPVC windows, the rendering and painting of façades or the erection of inappropriate boundary treatments in front gardens.

However, this situation is not guaranteed to continue. The area is thus in a vulnerable position where much of the historic character of the area could easily be lost. For this reason, the Council has introduced an Article 4(2) Direction. Planning permission is required for the following works to a house fronting a road, path or public open space:

• Building, altering or removing a chimney • Enlarging, improving or altering a house. This includes replacing windows, doors, and guttering and applying bargeboards • Altering a roof (including re-roofing in a different material and fitting roof-lights) • Building a porch • Laying a drive or path • Building, altering or demolishing a gate, fence, wall or railings. • Painting, rendering or pebble dashing the outside of the property (not including painting woodwork).

There is no charge for making this type of planning application. The need for planning permission for extension, conservatories and roof alterations to the rear of the property would not change. Planning permission would not be needed for like for like repairs to properties.

.

17 Appendix 1 Schedule of Buildings in the Upnor Conservation Area

High Street: 1-15, 19-27 (odds) 29 (The Tudor Rose PH) The Barracks, 2 (The Rose and Crown PH) 4-22, 28-32, 36-40, Medway View, Elizabeth Cottage Upchat Road: Upnor Castle House, Hammond Place, Elmhora House* Lower Upnor Road: Church of St Phillip and St James, The old Vicarage, Royal Engineers Lower Upnor Depot* Admiralty Road: 1-9 (odds), 2-24 (evens)*, 1-4 Admiralty Cottages, Commander’s View, Midships, Southpoint Admiralty Terrace: 1-16 (inclusive)* Upnor Castle

Appendix 2 Listed Buildings in the Upnor Conservation Area

Building Listing Description Upnor Castle I (SAM) 16th Century Fort The Barracks II* barrack block by Vanbrugh 1718 3 High Street II Early 19th century terraced house 91-21 High Street II 17th century pair of cottages 25-27 High Street II 17th century pair of cottages 12-18 High Street II Mid 18th century cottage row 30-32 High Street II 18th century cottage pair 36 High Street II Town house c.1800 40 High Street II Town House, late 18th century B Magazine II* Former naval ammunition magazine, 1856-7 Wall extending East of II Early 19th century River wall with Upnor Castle blocked openings for former powder piers Upnor Castle House II High Status mid 17th Century house with 18th century additions in a classical style.

Appendix 3 Un-Listed Buildings Making a Positive Contribution to the Conservation Area

High Street: 1, 5-15 (odd), 23, 29, 2-10, 28, 38, Medway View Lower Upnor Road: Church of St Phillip and St James, The old Vicarage Admiralty Road: 22 & 24* 1-4 Admiralty Cottages Admiralty Terrace: 1-16 (inclusive) Royal Engineers Shell Store 2, Shell Store 3, Truck Shed, Wet Lower Upnor Depot: Guncotton Store, Filled Shell Store Filled Mine Store, Detonator Store

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N

Reproduced from /based upon the Ordnance Survey M apping with the 0 Scale in metres 100 UPNOR MAP 1 BUILDING AGE DESIGNATIONS

PRE-1600 1860-1900 LISTED BUILDING

1600-1800 1900-1920 BUILDING OF HISTORIC INTEREST CONSERVATION AREA BOUNDARY

1800-1860 MODERN SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENT

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N

0 Scale in metres 100

LISTED BUILDING BUILDING WITH NO PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS

ARTICLE 4 BUILDING CONSERVATION AREA BOUNDARY

SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENT

20

N

UPNOR ROAD/ UPCHAT ROAD FORMER ORDNANCE DEPOT

CASTLE

HIGH STREET

ADMIRALTY ROAD

ADMIRALTY TERRACE

0 100 200 Scale in metres

CONSERVATION AREA BOUNDARY

TREE COVER

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Filled Mine Shell Store 5 Store (1903-4) (1903-4) N

Truck Shed (1890s)

Wet Guncotten Store (1895-6) Shell Store 3 (1882-3) Shell Store 2 (1861-2) Pier (early 20th C) Detonator Store (1895-6)

B Magazine (1856-7) Pier (mid-late 19th C)

Site of Shell Filling Rooms (1906-7) Empty Case Store (1893-1909) Site of A Magazine

Traverse for Shell stores (c.1840) River Wall (E19th C)

Site of Examining Room and Shell Stores 1 and 4

0 100 Scale in metres

UP NOR MAP 4: The Ordnance Depot

PRE-1600 1900-1920 SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENT

1600-1800 MODERN LISTED BUILDING

1800-1860 DEMOLISHED STRUCTURE CONSERVATION AREA BOUNDARY

1860-1900 SITE OF TRAMWAY

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Lower Upnor Historic Core WWII Slipway and Pill Box Possible site of Elizabethan Battery 18th/ 19th C Shipbuilding slips

WWII Bunkers Possible site of Elizabethan Battery

Former Ordnance Depot

Upnor Castle Castle Street (SAM) Historic Core Upper Upnor Historic Core

Site of Richmond Lodge Site of E19th C Siegeworks

WWII Slipway/ historic landing hard

0 Scale in metres 1000 UPNOR Map 5: Zones of Archaeological Potential Area of national importance Area thought to be of limited Area of know archaeological archaeological potential potential where clarification of Approximate position of the nature of this potential is required historic features N

Reproduced from/based upon the Ordnance Survey Mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ©Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Medway Council Licence No. 100024225, 2006

23

RSME Upper Admiralty High Street Upnor B Magazine Terrace with traverse Shell Store Upnor Depot Upnor Castle Tree lined ridge behind Barracks behind village and RSME Lower RSME Depots Upnor Depot

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