Burton Latimer Conservation Area Appraisal

Burton Latimer Conservation Area Appraisal

Contents

1 Introduction 4 2 Summary of Recommendations 5 3 The Planning Policy Context 7 4 Local Generic Guidance 7 5 Community Involvement 8 6 Summary of Special Interest 9 7 Summary of Issues 11 8 Landscape Setting 12 9 Location and Context 14 10 Archaeology 16 11 The Origins and Historical Development 17 12 Character Areas 20 13 General Character and Plan Form 21 14 Interrelationship of Spaces 22 15 Former Uses and their Influence 23 16 Key Views and Vistas 25 17 Green Spaces 29 18 Local Details 33 19 The Qualities of Individual Buildings 37 20 The Qualities of Individual Buildings 46 21 Negative Factors 57 22 Neutral Areas 60 23 General Condition 61 24 Problems and Pressures 62 25 Suggested Boundary Changes 64 26 Management Proposals 65 27 New Development 69 28 Appendices 71

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1 Introduction

1.1 Burton Latimer Conservation Area was established on the 18th March 1981. Burton Latimer lies to the south of Kettering, geographically separated from the town by the A14 trunk road and Barton Seagrave. It has recently experienced rapid growth and although the town has already met its housing quota set by the North Northamptonshire Core Spatial Strategy, it is likely that developers will continue to see Burton Latimer as an attractive location to invest. It is in the light of this pressure to develop that the Borough Council decided to undertake a review of the existing Conservation Area in order to ensure any future development is high quality and appropriate in its context.

1.2 It should be noted that this document is not intended to be completely comprehensive and the omission of any particular building, feature or space should not be taken to imply that it is of no particular interest.

1.3 You can get the information in this document in large print or braille.

1.4 If English is not your first language and you need help in translating this document please contact customer services on 01536 410333.

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2 Summary of Recommendations

2.1 The Burton Latimer Conservation Area should be extended to include three character areas:

2.2 Church Street

2.3 The High Street

2.4 The Industrial Core

2.5 The proposed boundary is indicated on the map:

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2.6 The character areas are indicated on the map:

2.7 A full appraisal of the Conservation Area, including the new boundaries and character areas, has been undertaken to provide a comprehensive understanding of the area's special interest.

2.8 A management plan is to be introduced (see Management Proposals) in order to ensure that future development preserves and enhances the Conservation Area.

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3 The Planning Policy Context

3.1 This appraisal has been undertaken using guidance drawn up by English Heritage in their document ‘Guidance on Conservation Area Appraisals’.

3.2 The 1990 Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act defines a Conservation Area as ‘an area of architectural or historic interest the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’. The act requires local planning authorities to conduct appraisals for areas that deserve such status and to review these areas periodically. English Heritage recommends that these reviews are carried out every five years to capture any changes in the defined areas.

3.3 National Policy on Conservation Areas is set out in PPG15 (Planning and the Historic Environment). This document contains the government’s vision for the historic environment and the role the planning system plays in attempting to turn this vision into reality. The vision of the government is that ‘there should be effective protection for all aspects of the historic environment. The physical survivals of our past are to be valued and protected for their own sake, as a central part of our cultural heritage and our sense of national identity.’ This review sets out to identify whether there is a need to protect additional historic areas of Burton Latimer and what their value is to the local area.

3.4 At a local level the recently adopted North Northamptonshire Core Spatial Strategy seeks to 'conserve and enhance the landscape character,historic landscape, designated built environmental assets and their settings, and biodiversity of the environment, making reference to the Environmental Character Assessment and Green Infrastructure Strategy.’ The notion that historic character should be conserved or enhanced is the driving force behind the Burton Latimer Conservation Area Review. 4 Local Generic Guidance

4.1 Due to the adoption of the North Northamptonshire Core Spatial Strategy there are no development plan policies contained in the document that offer specific planning guidance for Burton Latimer. It is the intention of this document to offer detailed management proposals for the Conservation Area. However, there is a degree of generic guidance offered by the Core Spatial Strategy.

4.2 Policy 1 of the North Northamptonshire Core Spatial strategy states: To achieve greater

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self-sufficiency for North Northamptonshire as a whole, development will be principally directed towards the urban core, focused on the three Growth Towns of Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough. The smaller towns of Burton Latimer, Desborough, Higham Ferrers, Irthlingborough, Rothwell and Rushden will provide secondary focal points for development within this urban core. The emphasis will be on regeneration of the town centres, through environmental improvements and new mixed use developments, incorporating cultural activities and tourism facilities, in order to provide jobs and services, deliver economic prosperity and support the self sufficiency of the network of centres.

4.3 Policy 10 of the North Northamptonshire Core Spatial Strategy (June 2008) states: In the period 2001-2021 700 net additional dwellings should be provided in Burton Latimer. This provision will be reviewed in the light of progress with the delivery of associated infrastructure and employment as required by Policies 6 and 8 in the Core Spatial Strategy.

4.4 Policy 13 of the North Northamptonshire Core Spatial strategy states: Development should meet the needs of residents and businesses without compromising the ability of future generations to enjoy the same quality of life that the present generation aspires to. Development should be of a high standard of design, architecture and landscaping, respecting and enhancing the character of its surroundings and in accordance with the Environmental Character of the area. Development should create a strong sense of place by strengthening the distinctive historic and cultural qualities and townscape of the towns and villages through its design, landscaping and use of public art.

4.5 In addition to the three policies above contained in the Core Spatial Strategy relevant to the Conservation Area the following saved policy from the 1995 Local Plan offers guidance. It relates to Burton Latimer as a whole, not just the Conservation Area: Policy B2 (Environmental Improvements) states that provision will be made for the implementation of environmental improvement schemes for sites in Burton Latimer.

4.6 The above policies provide general guidance regarding development within the Conservation Area. There is also national and regional planning policy that shapes development within such areas, but for site specific advice the section 'Management Proposals' outlines plans for the Conservation Area only. 5 Community Involvement

5.1 The production of this document has involved the community from the outset. In the beginning two local Burton Latimer websites were contacted by Kettering Borough Council – the Heritage Society and Burton Latimer Online – in order to advertise the appraisal. Development Officers from Kettering Borough Council conducted an initial walkabout of the Conservation Area and surrounding streets.

5.2 Once this initial walkabout had been completed, the results were used to hold an informal ‘information gathering’ session at John Yeoman’s Hall in Burton Latimer. A Development Officer attended a parish council meeting; notices were posted throughout the town and on the above mentioned internet sites to advertise the event. The event proved to be successful and a lot of relevant information such as key dates, facts and figures and widely held opinions were collected. This information provided the impetus for this document.

5.3 Kettering Borough Council will consult on the draft document in order to make any necessary changes before it is officially adopted.

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6 Summary of Special Interest

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6.1 The settlement of Burton Latimer remained a predominantly agricultural village until the 19th century. However, this was not the only source of employment, as the areas surrounding Burton Latimer have historically been used for ironstone quarrying. The road from Kettering to Higham Ferrers became a turnpike road in the 18th century and was later designated part of the London to Carlisle A6 trunk road. In the early 19th century an industrial focus was provided to the village with a corn mill, carpet factory and a carpet mill. Later in the century a rail link to the settlement was provided and the process of industrialisation began. The main industries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were the boot and shoe industry, clothing manufacturing and ironstone quarrying. One of the key features about Burton Latimer is that it retained its village character at the core and urbanisation appeared to occur around the periphery of the settlement.

6.2 The area around Church Street appears to be the earliest surviving village settlement and there is a particular character to this area in terms of the age and form of buildings and the uniformity of materials used. The linear form of the settlement is centred on St. Mary’s Church and this provides a focal point for the historic village. From the north this creates an idyllic picturesque gateway to the village, where groups of buildings along with trees and the wider landscape create a real sense of place. Whilst traditional properties are to be found elsewhere in the town, it is the concentration and sense of completeness of the old village which creates such a strong and attractive setting.

6.3 This area is characterised by the building materials used, with many buildings that have walls constructed of limestone or ironstone and Welsh slate roofs. A large number of the buildings are 18th century, although the Manor House dates back to the 17th. Another characteristic of this area is the stone buildings which abut the highway and there are many good examples of stone boundary walls. The general quality of the area is enhanced by a number of existing mature trees and hedges.

6.4 The High Street and the role this historic turnpike has played in the development of Burton Latimer is central to its character. It has a distinct character when compared with the Church Street and Industrial Core character areas. The High Street has more of a narrative than the other two areas and it tells a story of the phases of Burton Latimer's development and the design and architecture employed. The general character of the area is that of a busy, but narrow, transport corridor that has been altered over centuries by economic forces. The function of the High Street is not solely that of movement as it offers a variety of uses for both pedestrians and vehicle users. Buildings hint to the High Street's past as a collection of farmhouses along a coaching route that were slowly replaced in order to meet the needs of a growing population and to provide the services expected by the residents of a small town. Therefore, it is not possible to define the character of the High Street by one building type, a single building material or a distinct period in history. The character of the High Street may have been eroded over time as it has grappled with development, but it is this very process that gives the area its interest.

6.5 In the 19th and early 20th century the growth of Burton Latimer was fuelled primarily by the shoe and clothing industries. The factories were located to the west of the existing village and the housing that was required to accommodate the related workforce was constructed in close proximity, producing the mainly Victorian terraced streets of Duke Street, Finedon Street, Alexandra Street, Spencer Street and parts of Station Road and Pioneer Avenue. Many of the shoe and clothing factories constructed have since been demolished, but there are a few remaining examples.

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7 Summary of Issues

7.1 The issues facing Burton Latimer are summarised in the following six sections:

7.2 Development Pressure: Up until the latter part of 2008 there was immense pressure from developers to secure sites in and around Burton Latimer to provide housing and business premises. For many reasons Burton Latimer has proved to be a particularly popular place in which to develop, but this has led to the development of some sites in a way that has diminished the quality of the existing Conservation Area and the historical centre which surrounds it.

7.3 Dilution of Character and History: As sites within and outside of the original Conservation Area have been redeveloped the link with the character and history of the area has been broken. This is more apparent along the High Street and the Industrial Core where old factory buildings have been demolished to make way for modern housing, but the original Conservation Area has not escaped either. Church View is a particularly obvious example. It is an area with high quality, modern housing where the existing trees have been protected, but the houses do not reflect the local vernacular. However, there is virtually no reference to this site having ever been the Rectory and its grounds and, as such, the link to Burton Latimer's past has been completely broken.

7.4 Traffic Levels: Traffic is not a new problem in Burton Latimer and it is not only problematic in Conservation Areas. Growth of Kettering Borough is likely to increase traffic across the area and it is felt that the Kettering East Urban Extension may cause more traffic to use Church Street. The extra traffic generated is unlikely to be problematic in itself, but when coupled with the fact that the majority of the historic housing along Church Street was built without foundations that can adequately withstand the impact of modern traffic, the concern of its impact soon becomes apparent. Additionally, the High Street has been widened in the past to cope with increasing traffic. The character of the High Street has thus been changed and in order to cope with any future increases in traffic similar proposals may be necessary. The removal of further historic buildings along the High Street soon erodes the character of the area.

7.5 Modern Materials within the Conservation Area: Many of the historic and listed buildings within Church Street have been reasonably well conserved and so it is along the High Street and the Industrial Core where modern materials have had the greatest impact. Buildings along the High Street have been altered in order to provide premises that are perceived to be suitable for modern use, such as Lloyd's Pharmacy, or simply to provide extra space, such as the Britannia Club. In the Industrial Core many buildings have been altered with the installation of uPVC windows or the slate roofs have been replaced by modern roof tiles.

7.6 Need for Redevelopment: Based on the Burton Latimer Extensive Urban Survey there is a need to redevelop parts of the High Street. The buildings that would benefit most from redevelopment are some of the late 20th century buildings that, although welcomed when first constructed, paid little attention to the historic character and plan form of the High Street.

7.7 Parking: There is a need to provide parking for the High Street in order to entice shoppers to use the services of the businesses and maintain a viable and vibrant heart in Burton Latimer. However, any proposed parking schemes must provide the necessary space whilst not detracting from the character of the Conservation Area. In the Industrial Core the pressure for residents parking is obvious to see and this is an issue that the residents are keen to see improved.

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8 Landscape Setting

8.1 Lying at the heart of Northamptonshire, the Central Northamptonshire Plateau and Valley is a varied and complex area of high plateau farmlands separated by undulating valleys. The plateau tops are sparsely settled and retain a remote character with wide views over the surrounding landscape possible from their fringes and it is this landscape that forms the natural setting for Burton Latimer. The area is typified by large, irregular fieldscapes, isolated farmsteads and with few remaining examples of deserted medieval villages or ridge and furrow earthworks. The geography of the area has influenced the development of Burton Latimer and growth has traditionally been in a westerly direction, partly due to the amount of quarrying undertaken to the east of Cranford Road.

8.2 The towns in the surrounding area are well settled and retain a more intimate, small scale character typical of Church Street in Burton Latimer. A number of the county’s major towns fringe the area and exert a strong influence over the local landscape. However, despite the proximity of these major settlements, much of the landscape has retained a quiet, rural character.

8.3 To the west of Burton Latimer town is the River Ise and its flood plain. To the north and south the area is classified as rolling ironstone valleys. To the east, Burton Wold is identified as a clay plateau. The area to the south west is referred to as large modern fields in the River Nene Green Infrastructure Assessment. Some of the field boundaries were removed in an extensive process during the 1960’s and 1970’s to increase average field size necessary for more intensive agricultural practises.

8.4 The area surrounding Burton Latimer has been widely quarried for ironstone and the area was intensively mined up until 1920 when local ironstone supplies were exhausted. Some small scale quarrying continued up until 1965, but by the 1920's quarrying had removed most of the existing evidence of the ridge and furrow farming method. Some examples still survive today, but these are not within close proximity to the Conservation Area.

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8.5 The spire of St. Mary’s Church is the most striking physical feature of the Conservation Area. It gives the area surrounding Church Street its rural character and charm and defines the appearance of one of the three individual character areas. The open spaces and gaps within the built area are punctuated by mature trees which again enforce the sense of nature that is very apparent around Church Street. Buildings around the Church were historically two stories and built of stone and additions over the last century have followed this pattern. The low heights of the buildings within the Conservation Area maintain the views towards the church spire and maintain the overall character of the area.

8.6 Agricultural heritage is maintained by the open fields that serve as entry points to the Conservation Area, including the fields along Cranford Road and surrounding Burton Latimer Hall, farmland around Wold Road and the wooded areas behind Church Street and the cemetery.

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9 Location and Context

9.1 Burton Latimer is referred to as one of the three ‘A6 Towns’ within the Borough of Kettering. It is located to the southeast of Kettering town and it is separated from Kettering and Barton Seagrave by the A14 link road. The town therefore benefits from good communications with Kettering and the surrounding area, the port town of Felixstowe on the east coast and the M1 and M6 motorways at the centre of the country.

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9.2 Evidence of some sort of settlement can be found dating back as far as the Bronze Age and artefacts recovered during excavations around 2005 for the wind farm at Burton Wold prove that the area was occupied in the late Iron Age/early Roman period.

9.3 Burton Latimer historically had two manor houses and thus two Lords. The first of these manors, the Plessy, was situated to the immediate west of St Mary’s Church. This was rebuilt in 1704 and still stands today. The second manor house is now referred to as Burton Latimer Hall. This was the property of the Latimer manor and it is situated at the entrance to the town on the road from Kettering.

9.4 Until the 1800’s Burton was predominantly rural, with employment based on local agriculture, weaving and working in the North Mill. The nature of employment then started to change to one based on industry and commerce. Agriculture has shaped Burton and many former farmhouses still continue to be used for residential use, although a large proportion of the farmland has since been developed.

9.5 The North Mill has been used as a mill since the 18th century for various products before the manufacture of breakfast cereal began in 1932. The site continues to provide employment as the manufacturing and corporate headquarters of Weetabix, the largest employer in Burton Latimer.

9.6 In 1857 the arrival of the railway in Burton Latimer led to the gradual transformation of the rural village into a small industrial town, fuelled by the growth of the new boot and shoe and clothing industries. By the early twentieth century a large percentage of the workforce were employed in the boot and shoe industry. Unfortunately this success could not continue and towards the end of the twentieth century, due to the rise of cheap foreign imports, shoe and clothing manufacturing no longer provided any significant employment in the town. However, it cannot be denied that its growth and subsequent decline has shaped the urban environment.

9.7 The town currently finds itself in an enviable position, providing more jobs than the town has residents. Weetabix, on the site of the former North Mill, is an enormous manufacturing complex that provides employment for people not only from Burton Latimer and Kettering, but for residents even further afield. Add to this the vast Morrison’s distribution centre, sited for its proximity to the A14, and it becomes apparent how many employment opportunities exist in the town.

9.8 Burton lies at the heart of Northamptonshire and is surrounded by very attractive countryside. The River Ise runs alongside the western edge and to the east is the Burton Wold wind farm and further agricultural land which is undeveloped as far as Great Addington and the River Nene.

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10 Archaeology

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10.1 Despite there being no scheduled ancient monuments, Burton Latimer has a rich archaeological history. During the excavations for Burton Wold Wind Farm evidence of a Bronze Age settlement was discovered.

10.2 The Romans also left their mark on the town. There is evidence of a Roman road to the west of the modern High Street along with a Roman settlement to the south-east of present day Burton Latimer.

10.3 Burton Latimer is particularly rich in terms of its industrial archaeology. The town lies on the Northampton sand ironstone bed, an oolitic ironstone from the Jurassic period, running from Lincoln in the north to Towcester in the south. Ironstone has been worked in Burton for centuries, but it was not until the opening of the mainline railway in 1857 and the branch railway in 1866 that quarrying ironstone on a grand scale became feasible, as it could now be transported away to centres of iron production.

10.4 The first exploiter of iron ore in the industrial age seems to have been The Glendon Iron Ore Company, who had blast furnaces at Finedon. The Glendon Iron Ore Company quarries in Burton were a rectangular block of land immediately to the east of Cranford Road, just north of the present day Bird Street, and an area to the east of Kettering Road. These quarries are said to have been worked from 1872 onwards. The picture above was taken around 1890 and is typical of the mines of the time.

10.5 Many local companies quarried areas around Burton Latimer up until the final quarry, operated by Richard Thomas and Baldwin’s, closed in 1965. This quarry was situated to the east of the present location of the A6 and this quarry is typical of many sites that surround Burton. Historic maps show the extent to which the area was quarried and it partly helps to explain the growth of the town. It appears that most of the land to the east of Wold Road and Cranford Road may have been quarried and this has encouraged the growth of the town along High Street and has prevented any growth to the east of these streets (with the exception being Bird Street). 11 The Origins and Historical Development

11.1 The historical growth of Burton centres on St. Mary’s Church and Church Street. As various maps and studies show this growth has given the Conservation Area its character today. Growth was traditionally at the periphery and most of the modern day developments in the town are true to this, although Church View and Heath Way are exceptions to this trend.

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11.2 * Epoch 1. Date range: 1843-1893

11.3 * Epoch 2. Date range: 1891-1912

11.4 * Epoch 3. Date range: 1904-1939

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11.5 * Epoch 4. Date range: 1919-1943

11.6 * Epoch 5. Date range: 1945-1980

11.7 * Epoch 6. Date range: Present Day

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12 Character Areas

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12.1 The character areas in Burton Latimer have been formed throughout the centuries by the continual process of construction, demolition and further construction. This process is not unusual in many of the UK’s urban Conservation Areas. As such, the area boundaries have a complex relationship and are inevitably subjective. However, in Burton Latimer the experience of each area is distinct when walking or driving through it.

12.2 There are three distinct character areas in the recently reviewed Conservation Area; Church Street, The High Street (18th century turnpike) and The Industrial Core.

12.3 Church Street: Church Street takes on the role of the historic heart of Burton Latimer. It is the original Conservation Area and it has a distinct character. It is dominated by the spire of St Mary’s Church and the noticeable characteristics include stone buildings that abut the highway, the predominance of traditional local materials and a distinct sense of greenery and open space to the rear of the properties.

12.4 However, there are exceptions to this over-riding character, including 13-23 Woodcock Street and 43-53 Meeting Lane, which are groups of brick terraces that relate more to the Industrial Core than their respective locations around Church Street. They are examples of the type of development that was typically concentrated to the west of the High Street and not in or around Church street. One of the interesting things about these terraces is that there were so few built in and around Church Street, which confirms that the main phase of growth in the late 19th and early 20th century took place to the west of the High Street.

12.5 The High Street: The High Street is worthy of inclusion for two reasons. Firstly, there are a significant amount of buildings which positively contribute to the character of the area, although some distinctive historic buildings have been demolished. Additionally, the High Street is a historically important point of communication. It became a turnpike road in the 18th century, it formed part of the London to Carlisle road and it was later designated part of the A6 trunk road. The High Street is a mix of building styles and so there is no single dominant architectural style; the character of this area is definable in terms of the space and how it interacts with the highway.

12.6 The Industrial Core: This character area is worthy of inclusion due to its historical significance in the development of Burton Latimer. This area is to the west of the High Street and along Station Road. It is recognisable by the residential properties which are typical red-brick Victorian terraced houses. The area is high density and would traditionally have been interspersed with factories from the boot, shoe and clothing industries. Although many of these premises have since been demolished, several good examples have been converted for residential use, such as the Fredrick Wallis built factory on Alexandra Street (currently Langham Industrial Controls and apartments to the rear) and 9 Alexandra Street, historically known as Sunhill Works. 13 General Character and Plan Form

13.1 Part of Burton Latimer's character is derived from its agricultural beginnings. Until the arrival of the railway the town was a collection of ironstone and limestone farmhouses constructed fronting the highway along Church Street in a linear form. Many of its historical buildings are constructed of locally quarried Northamptonshire limestone and ironstone, which is an intrinsic quality of the character of the area. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries residential growth occurred at opposing ends of Church Street, along the High Street and at various other points which branch off the High Street – such as Duke Street. The character of these areas is

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more urban in nature, featuring many red-brick terraced houses with rear outhouses.

13.2 Church Street: A significant feature that contributes to the plan form of the Conservation Area and surroundings is the amount of existing open space and agricultural land so close to the original core. The land to the rear of the Manor House and St. Mary’s Church, as well as the cemetery, gives a very attractive rural character to this part of the Conservation Area. In addition, the grazing land surrounding Burton Hall and the farm to the east of Cranford road confirm this rural nature and give clues to the agricultural heritage of Burton Latimer.

13.3 The High Street: The High Street has developed in a linear form with buildings abutting the highway. To allow servicing to the developing commercial enterprises and to provide additional accommodation yards were formed to the rear of the High Street frontages. As in common with many historic small towns, Burton Latimer's growth has not been due to one single factor. Agriculture and industry have obviously played their part, as has the introduction of the railway, but the location of Burton Latimer along an important communication link has shaped both the town and the High Street. Historically, the road was much narrower and the building line would mostly have followed the edge of the highway. This form has been partly eroded in the name of progress, but in comparison to many modern High Streets, this tight urban form is still very much in evidence.

13.4 The Industrial Core: The areas of Burton Latimer that were developed in the late 19th and early 20th century have a typically Victorian urban form by way of a grid pattern, with tightly-packed, high density, red-brick terraced workers’ houses, interspersed with factories. These factories required a continuous supply of locally available labour and without this demand there would have been little need for workers’ housing on such a scale. The urban form in this location is characteristic of many English industrial towns and cities of the period.

13.5 It was the arrival of the railway and the rapid growth of the shoe and clothing industries which led to the expansion of the town in this manner. This period of growth resulted in a formal, grid-like street pattern, which is particularly apparent on Duke Street, Alexandra Street, Spencer Street and Finedon Street. Narrow plots and long, linear rear gardens typify this form of development. 14 Interrelationship of Spaces

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14.1 Church Street: Church Street has two distinct spatial relationships. The historic agricultural layout and spaces are characterised by relatively dense development abutting the highway, with gaps between properties being approximately no more than the width of a traditional farm gate. This is especially characteristic of the area to the east of St Mary's Church. The modern infill development does not tend to respect this street pattern, as it consists of standalone dwellings set back in large, regular plots. However, these plots are important in terms of the green spaces and the rural feeling of this area (see Green Spaces).

14.2 High Street: This rural character is typified by Church Street, but as you approach the High Street the built environment becomes denser – although the majority of the historic buildings still lack the height typical of other historic centres. Visually, the differences are obvious – there are fewer gaps between buildings and fewer trees in the High Street than there are in and around Church Street. Historically the High Street developed in a very similar manner to Church Street, but due to its role as the commercial and transport centre of Burton Latimer, the character of the High Street was affected more by development pressures. Along the High Street the development trends are easily recognisable and the character so typical in Church Street makes way for buildings that no longer abut the highway, or are constructed of stone. Open space is less apparent and the connection to the surrounding countryside is lost. However, even though the ubiquitous road widening schemes of last century have led to the removal of several buildings which fronted the High Street, it still retains its traditional narrow carriageway width and its continuous street frontage at the northern end..

14.3 Industrial Core: During the 19th and early 20th century the majority of development that took place in Burton Latimer was to the west of the High Street and the growth was due to the rapidly expanding shoe and clothing industries. This period of growth left a distinguishable mark on the town and represents the third obvious character area in the Conservation Area. The factories were built on vacant plots and soon Victorian terraces and the associated tightly-packed grid-patterned streets sprung up, such as Alexandra Street, Duke Street and Finedon Street. The terraces and factories were constructed of red brick and a restricted number of materials used. The appearance of the area is thus very uniform. 15 Former Uses and their Influence

15.1 Church Street: Some of the current residential buildings on Church Street were previously used as agricultural buildings. The existing residential properties were traditionally used as farmhouses and farm workers dwellings with agricultural land to the rear. This characteristic is most obvious on the 1803 Burton Latimer enclosure map (see enclosure map). Properties on High Street also traditionally had farmland to the rear, but this form has been eroded on High Street due to development over the last two centuries. Church Street is the only area of Burton Latimer where the agricultural character remains predominant.

15.2 To the north of Church Street is the former Rectory site. It now has more recent development upon the site and although the mature trees have been retained, it does not reflect the traditional vernacular of the surrounding area. Therefore, it is no longer appropriate to include Church View within the Conservation Area.

15.3 The immediate area to the south is St Mary’s Church, graveyard and Burton Latimer cemetery. The peaceful, open, green nature of this area is desirable to preserve. Many of the more mature trees in the Conservation Area are located in and around the church and the cemetery and they reinforce the rural, leafy character of the area.

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15.4 High Street: The High Street of Burton Latimer has a variety of buildings which illustrate the town’s developmental history. The High Street has an interesting history and the 1803 Enclosure Map shows that a clear linear built-form had already been developed along this former stage-coach route. The map shows that at this stage some of the buildings along the High Street were still farmhouses, but the dense layout of these buildings suggests some of these buildings were already being used for retail purposes or, as in the case of the Wagon & Horses on Kettering Road and the Red Cow Inn on the High Street, as coaching inns. 35-37 High Street was formerly the Red Cow Inn, one of the coaching inns on the High Street, and in 1956 this building was converted from a public house into two separate retail units. It has been used by various retailers over the last fifty years, but it has now been demolished to make way for a modern development.

15.5 The coaching inns owed their existence to the Kettering to Higham Ferrers turnpike road and the High Street of Burton Latimer benefited from being on this route. In addition, this route formed part of the London to Carlisle road which has since been designated as the A6. This road proved to be the economic link that spurred the development of the High Street and has helped to define the appearance of this area. In the 20th century some of the buildings were demolished along the High Street in order to widen the road to cope with modern traffic levels. However, although the area has changed over time, it still retains the character expected of a High Street on a historical line of communication. In fact, this transport link is evident in the modern period, as several of the sites which front the High Street have been and are still in use as car dealerships, obviously choosing to locate on High Street to take advantage of passing trade.

15.6 The Industrial Core: The inclusion of the industrial core in the Conservation Area is due to the role that the boot, shoe and clothing industries had in the rapid growth of Burton Latimer in the 19th and early 20th century. The factories were located in close proximity to the workers housing and a distinctly Victorian street pattern emerged – terraced properties interspersed with factories linked to the respective industries. A significant amount of these factories have since been demolished, but the urban character of the area is still apparent, with narrow streets featuring red-brick terraced houses. Some factories still exist and have been converted for residential use, whereas others have been demolished but the original sites are clearly identifiable.

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16 Key Views and Vistas

16.1 There are many important views in and out of the Conservation Area, but none more so than the views towards the spire of St Mary’s Church. The spire is visible from the majority of the Conservation Area and it denotes the historical heart of Burton Latimer.

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16.2 Church Street: Some of the best views of the spire are along Church Street; eastwards from the war memorial and westwards from the junction of Cranford Road and Wold Road. In addition, virtually any location within the cemetery looking towards the spire offers a view that is not only attractive, but confirms just how much open space is fundamental to the character of the historic centre of Burton Latimer.

16.3 High Street: There are several key vistas along the High Street and none more so than from and towards the War Memorial. In addition, views from Kettering Road eastwards look out on open space which again reinforces Burton Latimer's relationship with the surrounding countryside.

16.4 The Industrial Core: Views in and around the third character area, typified by Victorian terraced residential streets, do not look out towards open countryside, but the traditional buildings delineate the street as well as framing the vistas along Duke Street, Alexandra Street and several others identified on the map below.

16.5 Due to the quality of all of the views within the Conservation Area they are best summarised on a map and identified photographically:

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16.6 Clockwise from top right-hand corner: 1. East along Church Street, 2. War Memorial, 3. North along Kettering Road, 4. View from Church Street towards Dolittle, High Street, 5. View along Church Street from the War Memorial, 6. Nutcracker Cottage, Meeting Lane.

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17 Green Spaces

17.1 Conservation Areas are living environments, which are inevitably subject to change and evolution. Urban green space provides many environmental and social services that contribute to the quality of life in towns. For example, open green areas are useful for formal and informal recreation, the value of which is unquantifiable. Trees make a significant contribution to the character of historic Burton Latimer and their sensitive management is critical.

17.2 There are significant mature trees surrounding St Mary's Church, the Manor House and Church Street. The remaining trees that influence the Conservation Area are located sporadically throughout the town including an impressive Beech tree that is situated in front of 90 High Street.

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17.3 Trees play an important role in the gaps between houses along Church Street, as do the vistas out towards open countryside beyond. Trees in Conservation Areas are protected by law, but special consideration should still be given to such trees so they are not harmed. New development needs to recognise this by siting development away from existing tree root systems and protecting trees by adopting appropriate British Standards, e.g. BS5837.

17.4 Another location which forms important open space within the Conservation Area is the cemetery. There are numerous mature trees and impressive views out towards open countryside, giving the cemetery the tranquil character expected of such a solemn location.

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17.5 The green spaces in the Conservation Area consist of the open areas between houses and other smaller incidental spaces such as highways verges. These are valuable resources and should generally be protected from inappropriate development. This being the case, it is important to embed the maintenance and enhancement of the natural environment at the heart of the Conservation Area. A well designed and sensitively implemented scheme can make a positive contribution, whilst a poor scheme may result in significant environmental damage.

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18 Local Details

18.1 There are two distinct groups of traditional materials used within Burton Latimer's Conservation Area which define the detail of the local properties. The properties in and around Church Street typically have ironstone, limestone or coursed rubble stone walls and thatched roofs, although much of this has been replaced by modern roofing materials. In the area referred to as the industrial core the materials used are typically red bricks and Welsh slate for the roof. Properties in both areas traditionally had wooden window frames, but some of this detailing has been eroded in the industrial core, as modern materials have been used to replace traditional windows in many properties. Along the High Street there is no single identity and both groups of materials are visible, along with more modern materials.

18.2 Many of the buildings within the Conservation Area are fairly modest and do not tend to have ornate features. It is the materials used within the construction that identify the properties

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local character along with the simple elegance of their design. There are still some individual details that are distinctly local and are worthy of mention. One of the noticeable details across the the Conservation Area is the use of datestones. Several buildings around Church Street have such details and in the Industrial Core the datestones have been placed in between small rows of terraces, identifying their year of construction and the name of the group of terraces. Many of the local details are covered in depth in the previous section, but there are some that still warrant further attention.

18.3 Stone boundary walls are an obvious characteristic of Burton Latimer and one does not have to walk far to find one. There are stone boundary walls along Church Street and the High Street and it is typical in Burton Latimer for these walls to have been constructed at the edge of a highway. There is a mix of low stone walls (one metre high) and high stone walls (approximately two metres high). The quality of materials used in the traditional stone walls along the highway adds to the character of the area.

18.4 Duke Street, Alexandra Street and Spencer Street have groups of terraced properties with detailing specific to each group, such as a decorative string course (examples can be seen at 6, 8 and 10 Alexandra Street, although there are numerous others) or the original bay windows, such as the pavilion style lead-roofed bays at 11 and 13 Alexandra Street. There are still remaining examples of traditional street signs, such as Duke Street and Alexandra street, and many of the terraced properties have name stones identifying the row of terraces and when constructed.

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19 The Qualities of Individual Buildings

19.1 9 Alexandra Street, Sunhill Works:

This site consists of a two storey detached house and a three storey former factory building to the rear, served by a narrow yard along the south side of the plot. The building was constructed prior to 1899 and by the 1920's it was used as a heel factory and leather warehouse. The house is more ornate than its neighbours and presumably was the home of the proprietor. The existing factory is a three storey red-brick building that retains the original window openings with windows suitable for this property.

19.2 44-48 Alexandra Street: This former shoe factory dates back to approximately 1899 and it is a modest two storey building at the rear of a small house on the west side of Alexandra Street. The building occupies the width of two house plots and there is a chimney stack on the north gable. The property has recently been converted into residential use as apartments.

19.3 10 Church Street:

St Mary's Old School House. This stone built Victorian school has now been converted into a residential dwelling. It is interesting in its construction as the majority of these schools were built of brick, whereas this particular school follows the same Victorian design principles, but is built from materials more typical of Burton Latimer. The direct street frontage appears quite modest, retaining its original window openings with modern timber windows along the ground floor and less successful first floor modern dormers directly above. The bulk of the building is to the rear and is only visible, although prominent given

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its scale and elevated position, when viewed from the west.

19.4 Manor House, Church Street (Grade II Listed):

The Manor House is set back from Church Street with trees partially screening the views of the property. It is a tall two storey house dated 1704 which has been enlarged and altered during the 20th century. It is constructed of coursed limestone rubble with ironstone decoration. It has a steeply-pitched thatched roof with coped gables and two stone chimney stacks that sit on the ridge. The central projecting wing was added in the 1920's. Most of the windows have wooden lintels and, interestingly, one first floor window retains leaded panes. It is the mature trees, visible from Church Street, which make a more significant contribution to the Conservation Area than the property itself.

19.5 Manor Lodge, 12 Church Street:

A turn of the 20th century lodge to the Manor House, possibly replacing an earlier building. It appears to be influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement of the same period with its rendered first floor, barge boards and string course detail.

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19.6 Church of St. Mary's (Grade I Listed):

The parish church is of 12th century Norman origin. It has been altered, improved and restored over the years. It was enlarged and a tower was added in the 13th century. In the 15th century a porch was added, and the tower and spire were rebuilt. It is another coursed limestone rubble building along Church Street, although it is obviously strikingly different to the residential properties and far more impressive when viewed from every direction. It forms the heart of the Church Street character area along with the Manor House. The limestone walls have some decorative ironstone banding. There is a steeply-pitched 19th century graduated stone slate roof to the chancel, but the other roofs are concealed by parapets and not visible. The spire is the most prominent feature within the Conservation Area and is visible from the countryside around. The spire was a way finder to indicate the position of the Church within the wider landscape as well as being an easily recognisable symbol identifying the use of the building. The low church yard wall is an important feature in this location enclosing the graveyard and Church.

19.7 Fernbank, Church Street:

A substantial family house of character that was originally a three-storey 17th Century farmhouse. It is situated in Church Lane to the east of St Mary's Church. It was extensively altered in the late 19th century and more recently a front entrance with crenellations was added. The grounds extend to about 2 acres and are a particular feature of this property, although the main contribution made to the surrounding area is a one metre high stone boundary wall that forms part of the boundary leading towards the cemetery.

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19.8 16 Church Street (Grade II Listed):

A late 17th or early 18th century constructed two storey house. It was built of a combination of coursed limestone and ironstone. It has a 20th century tiled roof that replaced the original thatch. Each gable end has a brick chimney. The eaves line has been raised and each gable end has the original parapet with coping stones. These coping stones are supported by shaped kneelers (shaped stone blocks). This has been overlaid by the current roof. Unfortunately, the ground floor shop window mentioned in the list description is now blocked off, but this does not detract from the quality of the building within the streetscene. The entrance is on the right gable end, rather than the street. There is a smaller addition to the left-hand gable. This property abuts the highway. There is also a stone boundary wall on two sides of the property which is particularly prominent within the street.

19.9 24 Church Street (Grade II Listed):

This early 18th century dwelling was constructed of coursed squared limestone with ironstone dressings to front and coursed limestone rubble to rear. It has a steeply-pitched slate roof that was originally thatched, with two brick chimneys. The property is a two storey building with an attic and the gable end facing the street. This dwelling has raised quoins and decorative ironstone banding, ironstone window surrounds with over-sized keystone detail. There is a shaped stone panel in the gable which may have once been the datestone, but the date is now illegible. The ground floor has four casement windows with keystones above, whereas the first floor has two windows. There is an early 20th century dormer in the rear slope of the roof and a small modern yellow brick addition to the right of the property.

19.10 26 Church Street (Grade II Listed): An 18th century 2 storey cottage constructed of coursed limestone and ironstone rubble. The property is a two storey building with a 20th century interlocking tile roof. All opening are supported by timber lintels. It is not particularly visible from

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the street as it is located to the rear of 24, but the link between the two buildings is important.

19.11 30 Church Street (Grade II Listed):

This is an early 18th century constructed house and attached outbuilding built of coursed limestone rubble with ironstone details. It has a Welsh slate roof which originally would have been thatched. It is a typical Northamptonshire two storey building, which is long and low. It has quoins and first floor banding. As with many properties which have been converted from thatch to Welsh slate the eaves have been heightened. It has moulded brick eaves, coped gables and shaped kneelers. The chimneys are stone and are probably not original. The door and its position is a 20th century alteration - the original blocked doorway is to the right. All of the openings have timber lintels, which is similar to 26. The outbuilding to the right is now a garage and interestingly it is earlier in origin that the house and features a datestone with the inscription BH/1729.

19.12 Olde Victoria Public House: Formerly the Horse and Groom public house, this building is of limestone construction with ironstone detail. There are two bay windows on the ground floor and the first floor windows appear historic. It has a small single storey extension to the east and has a reasonably sized beer garden to the rear. It represents one of the last remaining buildings along Bakehouse Lane that is true to the original street pattern. As such, the building does feel slightly isolated after losing its original context. The building now has a prominence within the streetscene that was never originally intended.

19.13 45 Church Street:

Number 45 has been a post office, bakery and shop at various times throughout its history. The building has an elevated position within the street scene. There is still a postbox at the front of the property which is encased in the attractive stone wall. This boundary wall still retains the traditional stone steps that lead up to the entrance. The property is constructed with limestone on the ground floor and ironstone on the first floor. Alterations have been carried out to the property and it now has a 20th century roof and windows.

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19.14 51 Church Street (Grade II* Listed): Reputedly one of the oldest buildings in Burton Latimer, this former school building is one of the few remaining examples of a thatched roof property in the town. It is popularly known as the Jacobean House. The most notable feature of the building is a shaped ashlar gable with finials and inscription above the front door. Over the centuries this has been used as a school in various guises and it was converted to a house in 1972. The building was constructed in 1622 and in the 19th century numerous alterations were carried out to the building. The building is set back from the highway and is in an elevated position because of the camber at this part of Church Street.

19.15 60 Church Street (Grade II Listed):

The property is set back from the highway and views of it are partially obscured by two large mature trees. Known as 'The Laurels', it was originally a farmhouse and in the early 19th century this building was remodelled. It is constructed of coursed limestone rubble with ironstone decoration. The original thatched roof has been removed and it has been replaced with 20th century interlocking concrete tiles. The building has three chimneys, two brick-built probably from the 19th century remodelling and one stone, which may be original. It has an interesting plan form that is derived from its numerous phases of alteration and remodelling. It is a three storey, high status building with an eaves

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dormer and adjacent gable, giving it an almost baronial appearance.

19.16 61 Church Street (Grade II Listed): Dated 1859 this house was constructed with coursed limestone rubble with ashlar dressings and a slate roof. It is one and a half storey building which is prominent in views when approaching from the west along Church Street. Unlike many of the typical Northamptonshire buildings the 19th century detail of the eaves dormers is of particular note. It forms an important group of buildings along with the Jacobean House.

19.17 63 and 65 Church Street (65 is Grade II Listed): 63 and 65 form an important pairing. 65 is a 17th century cottage that has been altered. It is built from coursed limestone rubble with ironstone quoins and some rough ironstone banding. The original thatched roof was probably replaced by Welsh slate in the 19th century. This is likely to have been when the eaves were raised and the building became two storey, rather than one and a half storeys. This property now has a 20th century tiled roof. 63 appears to be a 19th century cottage, which despite the limestone construction and ironstone banding, does not reflect the Burton Latimer traditional vernacular. It has a steep roof with barge boards and eaves dormer, which echoes number 61.

19.18 67-71 Church Street:

This group of three stone cottages is particularly attractive within this location, but unfortunately some of the historic detailing has been removed, such as the replacement of the original windows and doors with modern uPVC versions. These three properties are double fronted which sets them apart from the other terraces, which are the more traditional two-up, two-down.

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19.19 73 Church Street (Grade II Listed):

Beech House is either a late 18th or early 19th century dwelling (shown on map of 1803). It is entirely constructed of ironstone with some limestone providing decoration to the door surround. It has a large gable to the east which abuts the highway. The principal range is set back from the highway behind a set of iron railings, indicating that this was a building of higher status. The windows are traditional 8 pane timber sash windows.

19.20 79 Church Street (Grade II Listed): An 18th century house that has had a third storey added in the 19th century. It was also re-windowed during this time. The building itself was constructed from coursed limestone rubble (with ironstone banding to original build), and a slate

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roof. All six casement windows on the principle elevation are beneath timber lintels.

19.21 101 Church Street and barns to the north (Grade II Listed):

This house dates from the 18th century or possibly earlier. Its roof has been raised to accommodate the installation of a Welsh slate roof, which probably replaced thatch. This alteration along with the replacement of the windows occurred in the late 19th century. Limestone rubble with ironstone quoins and banding have been used to construct this property. All openings have timber lintels. There is a lower 19th century outbuilding to the east which appears to have an oven projection on the street frontage. There are a group of outbuildings to the rear which are stables, implement sheds and a barn. Although only visible in glimpses from the Conservation Area, these buildings are an important indication of the historic agricultural use of this area.

19.22 Burton Latimer Methodist Church, Duke Street:

One of the more notable buildings on Duke Street. A particularly feature of this building is that it still retains the original crittal windows. The building is a typical single-roomed Methodist chapel constructed in red brick with a slate roof. It appears to be contemporary with the surrounding terraces and was built to serve the new influx of workers required by the shoe and clothing industries.

19.23 31 Duke Street: Westfield House dates back to 1899 which is the same year the Methodist Church was constructed. It is a higher status building than the surrounding terraced properties and it has retained its original wooden sash windows. The external decoration of the property is derived from the use of permanent polychromy by way of ironstone banding within the limestone construction and the use of ironstone in the quoin detail.

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19.24 17 and 19 Finedon Road:

This was once the police station in Burton Latimer and it retains its original character, although it is now two residential properties. It is a typical early 20th century municipal building. The lower central gable which would have been the police station is flanked by two two-storey gables which were the police houses. All windows and doors have been replaced, although the original door to the police station has now been replaced by a window.

19.25 14-24 Finedon Road: Known as ‘Caroline Terrace’, these residential properties were constructed in the 1800’s. Caroline Terrace is the row of stone cottages on the west side between the corners of Finedon Street and Rosebery Street. These buildings are notable as they are a stone terrace rather than the more typical red brick associated with this period of development. Much of the uniform character has been lost through the insertion of various styles of inappropriate modern windows.

19.26 34 and 36 Finedon Street:

This impressive and prominent building in Finedon Street was last used as the Burton Latimer branch of the Wellingborough Working Mens Club. The building is two converted terraces and its status has been lifted by the introduction of the two ground floor bay windows and the raised parapet towards the eastern elevation of the building. It is currently in a poor state of repair, but still retains its intrinsic character.

20 The Qualities of Individual Buildings

20.1 26 High Street: Currently used as a Chinese restaurant this modest building is thought to have been used as a factory for Wards Clothing Company. It is an interesting building as it is one of the few former factories that was constructed of stone and not of red brick. The left-hand side of the building has three ornate arches and, although not particularly visible from the High Street, are definitely a feature of the building that are desirable to preserve.

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20.2 27 High Street: Osbourne House was named after an ironstone contractor in Burton Latimer, although ironically the building is not built of ironstone. It still retains its original windows and Welsh slate roof. It forms the left-hand side of the gateway to Church Street and is possibly deserving of Listed Building status. The building has three very distinct parts and appears to have been separate dwellings in the past. The striking bay windows are a 20th century addition.

20.3 Rosebank, 29 High Street: A long, detached stone house to the north of 31-33 High Street. It is a limestone building with 20th century additions such as modern roof tiles, chimney and windows. One of the ground floor lintels retains its keystone detail. The property is set back from the building line and is unusual as it does not abut the highway.

20.4 The rear of 29 High Street:

A two-storey L-plan factory that is attached to the rear of number 29. Based on map evidence it was built before 1884. It was possibly used for the manufacture of clothing. The building is currently vacant and a new use for it is being sought. David James built this factory on the High Street for the manufacture of clothing circa 1874. Wallis & Linnell then used it for the same purpose c1885 to c1930. As in common with other industrial properties of the time within Burton Latimer this building is constructed of red brick. However, there are stone panels remaining on the ground floor, suggesting that there may have been an earlier building on the site. It retains its first floor projecting external access. The views of this building from Church Street are particularly important.

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20.5 32 High Street (Grade II Listed):

Dolittle: This house was constructed in the mid 18th century and is particularly striking due to its orientation and surviving thatched roof. It closes views from Church Street. It has walls constructed of coursed limestone rubble with ironstone banding. The ironstone detail including quoins and window surrounds are of particular merit.

20.6 31-33 High Street: Kushboo Indian restaurant is one of the more notable and high status buildings on the High Street. This shop was built for David James in 1858. It became known as Pagoda House and was actually two shops with the doors in the centre and living accommodation at the rear. The building is a Jacobean influenced Victorian property with tower and ornamental gable. It is striking by its red brick and three storey construction and is a visible landmark on the High Street. The red brick extension to the rear (facing north) has a particularly fine brick door case.

20.7 44 High Street (Grade II Listed): This dwelling is set well back from the highway, indicating its higher status compared to the surrounding agricultural buildings. It was probably

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erected in the late 18th century and has had later alterations. Also a good indication of its high status is the coursed ironstone rubble construction with no use of limestone, except for the string course. The ironstone lintels are a particularly attractive detail of this property.

20.8 90 High Street:

Currently used as the town council chambers with the heritage centre above, this building was once the residence of Frederick Walter Preston, an important figure in the town from the 1870’s until his death in 1913. Its external appearance is characterised by white painted stone walls to the principal elevation, with limestone and ironstone visible in the secondary elevations. Originally a modest cottage, the property was remodelled in the late 19th century. The modern sash windows are a valiant attempt to replicated the original timber sash windows.

20.9 93 High Street (Grade II Listed):

Hilly Farmhouse was probably erected in the early 18th century, with later additions to left and right. It is constructed in coursed limestone rubble with ironstone bands. Its Collyweston slate roof is of particular note, given this roof covering is more typically associated with the north of the Borough. Unusually for Burton Latimer Hilly Farmhouse stands in its own grounds rather than abutting the highway. The view from the street is restricted by the two metre high boundary wall, which is an important feature in this part of the Conservation Area.

20.10 90a (etc) High Street: These two stone buildings are currently used as a bar and restaurant, but they are mentioned here for the quality of the stone work and the way in which they reinforce the character of historic Burton Latimer. The buildings are constructed of Limestone with Ironstone banding. There are few windows in the High Street elevation which gives the building a lower status than the surrounding buildings. Its appearance is therefore more agricultural than many along the High Street.

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20.11 94 High Street: Known in Burton Latimer by the present owner’s name, the Barclays Bank building was not always used as a bank. It was built in 1897 as a coffee house in order to provide an alternative meeting place to the working men’s clubs. By 1918 it was known as the Palace Café. It became a Barclays Bank branch in the 1920s and from about 1959 to 1975 the premises were shared with the Post Office. In 2007 the whole building then returned to Barclays. With its tile hanging and rendered ground floor it is a rare example of Arts and Crafts influence in the town.

20.12 96 High Street:

The Electric Palace cinema was built circa 1914. It was bought by Alfred Watts in 1924 and was owned by his family until it closed in the early 1960s. The Electric Palace has since been unsuccessfully reopened twice. The impressive entrance arch on the High Street still remains although the original building to the rear of Barclays Bank is now accessed from the gardens on High Street. It is currently used as a restaurant with a clean and modern front elevation, but unfortunately it does not retain many of the original features.

20.13 St Mary’s School, High Street: This double-gabled building with link wing presents an austere face of to the highway. Materials used in its construction, red brick and slate, are

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typical of this building type and also gives it an architectural relationship with the industrial core. It is a building that dates from the turn of the 20th century and it previously had an impressive iron railing fence to the front, but this has unfortunately been removed.

20.14 111 High Street (Grade II Listed):

Meads Dairy was constructed as a house in the early 18th century and now incorporates a shopfront - an important feature that details the commercial history and significance of this locality within the Conservation Area. External walls were built of limestone rubble with ironstone bands (street elevation painted). It now has a slate roof which was built directly over a thatched roof, remnants of which are still visible in the roof space. At the time of writing the property has uPVC insert windows. However, it is planned to replace them with more sensitive timber casements. The gable end has a datestone, but no longer legible.

20.15 117 High Street:

This is a good example of traditional shop front, although it is not the original shopfront. Its most recent use was as 'Granddad's Toys’, a retail premises with a small workshop and store for handmade toys. It is a red brick building which has an architectural relationship with the industrial core, highlighting the phased development of the High Street. Previously the shop was used as a post office.

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20.16 149 High Street: In between the Band Club and Sainsbury’s an old stone house bears the datestone 'A.A. 1833'. It was built as the first Wesleyan Chapel. A.A. is the initials for Abraham Ambler, one of the residents of Burton Latimer. This building was used for services until the present chapel was built in Duke Street in 1890. The old chapel was then converted into a residential dwelling.

20.17 159 High Street: The principle elevation is dressed stone and has coursed ironstone gable elevations. It is the northern double-gable elevation which is most prominent in the Conservation Area and is visible from a considerable distance when viewed from the north. It is believed that this double-gabled building used to be a house for poor children. This building in Burton Latimer was referred to as ‘The Cottage Homes’. Cottage Homes were used nationwide during the 19th century to house poor children, so the use of this building is not unusual. It used

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to have a fire escape which was sited on the north side of the house and served the two upper floors. Each floor had a balcony serving two windows, and each balcony had a common spiral staircase to the ground. The four original Georgian sash windows were replaced with pairs of French window doors. Some of the changes to the stonework and mismatching of lintels can be still seen. It remained in situ until 1950 when concerns about its maintenance and possible domestic burglary necessitated its removal. The present small balconies on the north side now have railings with scroll shaped cast iron balusters originally on the staircase.

20.18 163-165 High Street: ‘The New Cottage Homes’ were constructed as a semi-detached pair of houses in order to replace the old 'Cottage Homes' (159 High Street above) to the north of this site. They still retain the original brickwork and Rosemary roof tiles and all of the windows have been replaced with poor modern equivalents. Initially, only one of the ‘New Homes’ was used, probably 163 as being the nearest to the old building. Surprisingly, it was 1915 before an internal doorway was made to connect the two new houses. The girls were to occupy the New Homes and the boys the Old Home. This arrangement continuing until October 1919 when with declining numbers of children it was decided to use only the New Homes, and all the staff from then on also lived there.

20.19 172 High Street (Grade II Listed): Crofter's Cottage is a modest early 18th century dwelling. It has coursed limestone rubble walls that feature some ironstone banding to left gable end when viewing the building from the High Street. A 20th century interlocking concrete tile roof replaced the original thatch and in order to do so the eaves were raised. It is a two storey property which has unfortunately had its character eroded by the addition of modern uPVC doors and windows. However, it still makes an important contribution to the street scene. The small addition to right presents a blank wall to street, which is a characteristic of this Conservation Area.

20.20 178 High Street: The Britannia Club: The stone over the entrance reads: "established 1894". This building was opened in 1899 and since then its front has been extended forward to provide more space. To the right of the property once stood the Salvation Army building, but this has since been demolished so that the Britannia Club could be extended. The building is referred to elsewhere in this document as not making a positive impact upon the Conservation Area. This tells only part of the story, as historic photos of the building show that the original gable end facing the High Street was once particularly impressive. It is unfortunately the modern extensions which detract from the quality of this once great building and prevent it from being as visually striking in this locality as it once was.

20.21 2 Kettering Road: This corner plot used to be a shop. It is a Northamptonshire stone building now referred to as Bakehouse Cottage. The entrance to Kettering Road has been removed and the corner amended. It still holds a prominent position in what is the entrance to Bakehouse Lane.

20.22 6 Kettering Road: Next door to 2 Kettering Road is probably the best example of a stone building that still retains its original wooden shop front. This property is a good indication of just how important the historic turnpike has been in the development of both the High Street and Burton Latimer.

20.23 17 Kettering Road: This property is referred to as 'Spring Gardens Barn' and although the dwelling is virtually invisible in terms of its impact upon the street scene, there is an impressive stone archway that is very prominent and important to the character of this part of Kettering Road. In addition, there is a stone barn with ironstone banding and a significant gable facing

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the highway.

20.24 24 Kettering Road: The Wagon and Horses: this building is extremely important to the history of Burton Latimer as it was one of the coaching inns so crucial in the towns development. It has London Stock brick window detailing, ironstone banding, the original wooden windows and it appears that the building may have been shortened. The building has been altered recently in order to bring it back into use as a public house - its original intended use.

20.25 73 Kettering Road (Grade II Listed), The Yews: This is a mid 18th century property constructed from coursed rubble with ironstone bands and a slate roof. It is now used as residential care home. The double gable (one of which is rendered) fronts Kettering Road, with the principle elevation only visible in glimpses when approached from the south. Given the window proportions it is likely that the 20th century sash windows have replaced the original casement windows. The gateway to the property is an important feature in the streetscene and is also an indicator of the status of this property.

20.26 75 Kettering Road (Grade II Listed): As with 73 Kettering Road this farmhouse has a gable end facing the street. It was constructed in the 17th century as two separate builds, linked and altered in the late 18th century. It is built of the locally characteristic limestone with ironstone detailing, a slate roof and coped gables. The first floor windows have wooden lintels, whereas the rest are ironstone. There is a particularly fine stable block opposite.

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20.27 1 Meeting Lane, The Thatchers: Constructed of coursed limestone with dressed limestone quoins and window surrounds. A porch has been removed from the principle entrance, which now allows the building's proportions to be appreciated. It forms a gateway into Church Street with Osborne House. The six pane sash windows are unlikely to be original, but they are an appropriate form for such a visually important property. The building has the original street plaque attached to its principle elevation.

20.28 Baptist Church, Meeting Lane (Grade II Listed): The most notable feature of this building constructed in 1744 is its Collyweston stone slate roof which is normally found in the north of the Borough. The gable end to the street is characteristic of this building type, but also reflects the character found along Church Street. The building is visually striking as it is constructed from ironstone, rather than it being used purely for decorative purposes. The two boot scrapers to the front of the building are an interesting surviving feature. The adjacent meeting room is also of note, including its large timber windows. The Baptist Church, meeting room and 23 Meeting Lane form an important group.

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20.29 14 Meeting Lane (Grade II Listed):

Nutcracker Cottage dates from the 17th century. It is constructed from semi-coursed rubble stone which is now painted. The 20th century concrete interlocking tile roof replaced the original thatched roof. It has two low storeys and retains its historic board door and three-light window in the stone and brick lean-to addition to left. It also retains the canted bay window with small-paned casement openings and small single-light window with wooden lintel above and, to right of ground floor, a 3-light casement window with wooden lintel.

20.30 23 Meeting Lane:

A painted brick building that pre-dates 1893. It is an interesting end-terrace, as the gable end has become the principle elevation. Architecturally it appears to be associated with the adjacent Baptist Church and meeting rooms. There is a plaque on the front gable which has sadly been painted over, rendering it illegible. The building retains its original windows.

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20.31 The Workshop, Meeting Lane:

The importance of this building is easily missed, given its location behind a modern brick building and adjacent to a mid 20th century industrial unit. It is of stone construction and the north-west stone elevation is the more prominent when viewed from the Conservation Area. However, the two storey south-east elevation, with its rendered stone and original windows, should not be overlooked. It appears to have single storey storage units added to this elevation, but the original form of the building is retained behind this addition.

20.32 9 Station Road (Grade II Listed): A 17th century property that has been extensively altered. It is an interesting survival from this period. It appears to have once been a group of farm buildings, reflecting this area's historic agricultural links prior to the 19th century industrialisation. The property itself is typical of the Northamptonshire vernacular from this period, although it appears to have lost many of its original features, including medieval windows referred to in the list description. 21 Negative Factors

21.1 The Junction between Cranford Road, Church Street and Wold Road has been identified during public consultation as an area requiring improvement. Public realm improvements would benefit this area as it is currently a wide, awkward expanse of tarmac that detracts from the quality of the surrounding properties. During consultation there were several suggestions made as to how the area could be improved, such as a small roundabout, green space, a memorial or piece of public art in order to break up the current surface treatment.

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21.2 Although not included within the Conservation Area, the large blank gable end and wall of the 20th century shopping arcade at the entrance to Churchill Way makes a negative impact upon the Conservation Area. As part of the Burton Latimer Extensive Urban Survey the supermarket on the corner of Churchill Way and the High Street was identified as a site for possible improvement. By adding a welcoming entrance to this store on what is currently a blank elevation the visual impact on street would be greatly improved (Please see Burton Latimer EUS).

21.3 The corner of 12 Latimer Close: The combination of the differing building sizes, (proximity of two storey against one storey) the positions of the buildings and the blank gable do not create a well-designed space. The presence of the mature tree adds visual amenity although the use of the space for parking illustrates an unintended outcome of the design. The residential building detracts from The Dukes Arms which, apart from being a reasonably attractive public house, has a long history within the town. The single storey building fronting the High Street is a poor example of late 20th century architecture, which has no relationship within its context.

21.4 Burton Latimer Health Centre, High Street. This building does not demonstrate any reference to its setting and location and it has been set back from the highway, breaking the regular building form of the High Street. This set-back and the amount of open space around the building and the adjacent library breaks the traditional dense street pattern, leaving a notable negative space. It is a single storey building which uses materials that are not local to the area. It is currently empty and has been identified by several studies as a site that has redevelopment potential.

21.5 Burton Latimer Library is similar in appearance to the Health Centre next door. It is a single storey, 20th century constructed library that breaks the building line along the High Street, due to it being set back from the highway. Again, other studies conducted by Kettering

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Borough Council have indicated that this building is unsuitable for its setting and a new development could vastly improve the visual appeal of this area.

21.6 The Britannia Club has its history is intertwined with the history of Burton Latimer. It is an attractive building due to the use of traditional materials and its location within the street. However, modern additions to the frontage facing the High Street have diminished the quality of this once great building and any attempts to return this building to its former glory would be welcomed.

21.7 The former Burton Latimer branch of the Wellingborough Working Mens Club on Finedon Street is an impressive and prominent building but it is currently in a poor state of repair. If the building were to be refurbished, it would improve the appearance of Finedon Street. The car park that serves this building weakens the corner of the two streets. Its current state, with a broken wall, is unattractive. A suitable development on this site would be welcomed. At the very least improvements to the appearance to this car park should be undertaken.

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22 Neutral Areas

22.1 There is always an element of subjectivity when dealing with the built environment and none more so when labelling neutral or negative areas within a Conservation Area. There is

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relatively little that could be described as neutral in the area surrounding Church Street - this label is more applicable to certain areas along the High Street and streets to the west.

22.2 The former Tanners Cars site on Kettering Road currently stands empty. The quality of the building is of a reasonably high level, given that it was used solely as a car showroom. The architecture is inoffensive, but the current site does not make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area as it is unused. The building could be brought back into use with small modifications and as such it may then have a positive impact upon the Conservation Area.

22.3 The three storey modern building on the corner of Piggotts Lane does not make a positive impact on the Conservation Area. The choice of materials has attempted to use appropriate materials and the building line of the High Street has been acknowledged. However, there is not a tradition of three storey buildings of this density along the High Street and so for this reason it can be labelled as a neutral building. It is a modern and well maintained building, but its design just does not enhance the character of this area.

22.4 Coles Close is a modern residential area that has been constructed on the former site of Coles factory. The dwellings are attractive, but the street pattern does not follow the typical Victorian grid layout that is typical of this area and the houses do not make reference to the traditional terraced housing that is so abundant in the vicinity. For this reason the square bounded by the High Street, Newman Street, Spencer Street and Piggotts Lane does not positively contribute to the Conservation Area. 23 General Condition

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23.1 Church Street and its surroundings are in good condition. Most properties have been well maintained and only a handful of few buildings have been altered by using modern materials or unsympathetic extensions. Recent development in this area has, by and large, tended to be designed in keeping with the character of the area, thus not detracting from the overall quality. Only a few properties have replaced the traditional wooden windows with modern uPVC versions and most historic properties now have tiled or slate roofs, as opposed to thatch.

23.2 The High Street has experienced the most change of all three character areas. Highway improvements during the 20th century led to the widening of the main road through Burton Latimer. Certain buildings were removed in order to facilitate this, such as 'Rock Terrace' which dated from 1881. They stood on the corner of what is now Pioneer Avenue and the High Street and they were some of the first properties in Burton Latimer to be built of brick as opposed to stone.

23.3 The changing face of the High Street illustrates the combination of traditional and modern development, e.g. Sainsbury's supermarket, the Health Centre and the library. In seeking to apply a test of whether to preserve or enhance, proposed development will need to take account of local historic traditions and incorporate suitably high quality materials, learning lessons from the past.

23.4 The centre is not devoid of economic activity as there is a variety of retail activities from individual businesses to national retailers. Also, for a small town Burton Latimer is spoilt for choice in terms of local restaurants, cafés, takeaways and pubs and so the area appears vibrant and active. However, there are still some units that are available and certain sites that could be sensitively redeveloped to improve the retail or leisure offer of the town.

23.5 In the Industrial Core west of the High Street the buildings are in a good state of repair, but unfortunately the traditional details have been lost on many properties, such as the wooden window frames and doors and slate roofs. Some additions detract from the traditional rhythm of the terraces. The problems caused by parking so typical of many terraced streets is evident in this area. Overall there is no noticeable evidence of large scale decline or neglect but there are some individual buildings that require small scale repairs. 24 Problems and Pressures

24.1 The problems and pressures on the Conservation Area include the following:

24.2 Modern properties along the High Street that do not make full use of the whole site or indeed their setting.

24.3 Inappropriate windows and doors on many of the unlisted historic buildings tend to detract from their quality and character.

24.4 Currently the High Street experiences a high amount of traffic and there are few established pedestrian crossings along the High Street. At the initial consultation event local residents expressed their concerns about the level of traffic that passes through Church Street.

24.5 There is a loss of sense of enclosure, which is characteristic of the north of the High Street, due to public car park to the rear of the library and both the library and Health Centre being set back from the highway.

24.6 Some modern shopfronts are eroding the historic character of the area. Poor quality

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shopfronts and an abundance of traffic related signage was apparent, but recent work undertaken by Kettering Borough Council has led to the removal of some of the unnecessary signs. Further work has been commissioned by Kettering Borough Council to help improve the shopfronts of some of the historic buildings in the town. Only a handful of properties need to be improved in order to greatly improve the appearance of the area.

24.7 Where there has been a loss of original architectural details and the inappropriate use of modern materials it has visually undermined the character of the area. Many of the unlisted, and some of the listed buildings in the Conservation Area, have been adversely affected by the use of inappropriate modern materials or details. Common faults include the replacement of original timber sash windows with uPVC or aluminium, the loss of original panelled front doors and their replacement with stained hardwood or uPVC and the replacement of stone slate or Welsh slate roofs with concrete tiles.

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25 Suggested Boundary Changes

25.1 The two following maps indicate the original Conservation Area boundary and the proposed boundary identified:

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26 Management Proposals

26.1 Additions and Alterations: There will be a presumption against additions and alterations to buildings which adversely affect their character and appearance or that of the Conservation

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Area.

26.2 Developers should ensure that additions or alterations to existing buildings have a positive effect on their character and that of the Conservation Area. The Council will ensure that all additions and alterations are sympathetic to the existing building in scale, proportion, materials and detailing.

26.3 Where alterations or additions are proposed the Council will require a Design and Access statement to be submitted in detail. It should include an analysis of the contribution made by the existing building to the character of the immediate streetscape and the wider Conservation Area and of the preservation or enhancement of that character by the proposed alterations or additions.

26.4 Conservation Area Consent: There will be a presumption in favour of retaining buildings which make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of the Conservation Area. This will include buildings of contextual or group value.

26.5 Where the demolition of a building which makes little or no contribution to the character of the Conservation Area is proposed the Council will expect the developer to justify demolition in terms of the character of the Conservation Area and submit detailed plans for redevelopment. Where appropriate, these should preserve or enhance the character of the Conservation Area. In the absence of satisfactory proposals consent for demolition will not be granted. The demolition of any historic boundary walls will not be allowed without significant justification.

26.6 Recording: Where consent is granted for significant demolition the Council will expect an accurate archive record to be made prior to the commencement of any works. This will include photographs and/or where appropriate, measured survey drawings and will be provided at the expense of the applicant.

26.7 Change of Use: The Council will not permit changes of use to buildings where the new use would adversely affect their character and appearance or that of the Conservation Area.

26.8 Signage: Signage must be designed to suit the proportions, design and materials of the host building and the immediate streetscape. Overscaled, unsympathetic and visually intrusive signage will not be allowed.

26.9 Advertisements: The Burton Latimer Shopfront Guide and the application of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) Regulations provide guidelines in order to manage the suitability and quality of adverts and shopfronts.

26.10 Repair and Maintenance: The Council will encourage owners to keep their property in good repair. The Council may use its statutory powers to secure the preservation of threatened buildings in the Conservation Area. In the case of a statutorily listed building these powers include Urgent Works and Repairs Notices and, as a last resort, compulsory acquisition. The Council also has the power to secure the preservation of unlisted buildings where it is important for maintaining the character or appearance of the Conservation Area. The Council will provide guidance on the repair and maintenance of traditional buildings in the Conservation Area. In addition, the Section 215 notices can be issued to owners of land and properties where their poor appearance negatively impacts the quality of the area and the lives of its residents.

26.11 New Uses for Vacant Buildings: The Council will actively encourage beneficial and creative new uses for vacant buildings, where these respect the character of the building and

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the Conservation Area. Where buildings are unoccupied and await a long term use, appropriate temporary uses will be encouraged. Such uses should not require significant internal or external alterations, particularly where these would reduce the flexibility of the building in the future.

26.12 The Design of New Development: The Council will expect all new development to achieve a satisfactory relationship with its surroundings, demonstrating a regard for the character of the immediate street scene and the wider conservation area. Permission for new development will only be granted where it preserves or enhances the character of the Conservation Area as a whole.

26.13 Existing buildings which are unsympathetic to the character of the Conservation Area will not be regarded as a valid precedent for further uncharacteristic development.

26.14 Key Design Principles:

26.15 (a) Within the High Street new development must follow the building line at back of pavement and maintain a continuous street frontage. Dominant elements or features which project beyond the building line will not be permitted. Along the High Street development that recreates historic yards will be welcome.

26.16 (b) The plan form and architectural treatment of new development should complement the historic and architectural character of the Conservation Area. In particular, principal elevations must always front the street. Along Church Street gable ends facing the street are a feature and so will be considered as part of suitable new development.

26.17 (c) New development will be required to reflect the building heights which characterise the Conservation Area. This will limit new buildings to a maximum of three storeys and two in the case of Church Street.

26.18 (d) The roof forms and roof lines of new buildings must complement the roof forms and roof lines of the adjoining and/or surrounding buildings. Flat roofs and angular roofs that are not typical of the historic character of the area will not be welcomed.

26.19 (e) Window openings in new buildings should be designed to respect the proportions of neighbouring buildings. The use of traditional features may be appropriate. Windows should be appropriate in size – large expanses of glass are not typical within the Conservation Area, other than shop frontages.

26.20 (f) Local identity should be reinforced through the use of materials traditionally employed in the area, principally red-brick and slate in the Industrial Core. Along Church Street limestone and ironstone should dominate, whereas along the High Street either material is acceptable. New stone buildings should be constructed with the appropriate use of mortar. All building materials should be of high quality.

26.21 (g) Restrained architectural detail of high quality and which contributes to scale, proportion and legibility will be encouraged. Indiscriminate, fussy and arbitrary use of applied features or detail will be resisted.

26.22 (h) Parking or servicing areas should be concealed behind built frontages of appropriate scale. Car park or service entrances should be carefully designed to mitigate any adverse visual impact on the local street scene.

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26.23 (i) The creation of private landscaped spaces fronting the highway will be resisted.

26.24 (j) New buildings must preserve views and vistas characteristic of the Conservation Area and respect the setting of key historic landmarks. The creation of new landmarks will be discouraged. New development should respect the form, setting and appearance of historic buildings.

26.25 (k) New buildings should be accessible to all users, including people with disabilities. Where specialised access is required it must be treated as integral to the design and should be included in any Design and Access statement.

26.26 Vacant Sites: The redevelopment of vacant or gap sites within the Conservation Area is a priority. The Council will encourage early discussion of development proposals and provide guidance for significant sites.

26.27 Development in the Conservation Area Setting: New development in the setting of the Conservation Area must preserve or enhance characteristic views within, from and into the area.

26.28 Street surfacing: If new paving schemes are proposed the design and materials should provide a simple, neutral and subordinate foreground which relates well to the surrounding buildings. Paving that is attractive, durable and sustainable should be used throughout the Conservation Area. Work should always be carried out to the highest standards.

26.29 Street Furniture: New street furniture, including street lighting columns, should be simple and functional, reflecting the character of the Conservation Area. Care should be taken to avoid spurious ‘heritage’. Any additions must be justified and restricted to essential items. New features within the public realm should be carefully sited to avoid intrusion on views, vistas and the settings of buildings.

26.30 Clutter: A co-ordinated effort should be made to avoid street clutter through good design and careful siting. Where possible signs and equipment should be fixed to lighting columns, buildings or other existing structures. Advice will be given by the Council for the siting of larger items such as telephone kiosks and pay and display machines, which ideally will be sited at the back of the footpath.

26.31 Planting: The hard urban character of the High Street and the Industrial Core presents little opportunity for tree planting or soft landscaping. Street trees are not a traditional feature of the area. However, trees are a key feature of Church Street, but new planting should be kept to a minimum and restricted to appropriate native species. The emphasis is to preserve the current level or vegetation – not to dramatically increase or decrease it.

26.32 Article 4: Consideration will be given to an Article 4 directive for any historical buildings or groups of buildings that are desirable to preserve. This legal status offers more protection to the appearance of a building than Conservation Area status would otherwise offer.

26.33 Developers’ Contributions: Developers will be expected to contribute to the improvement of the public realm where appropriate.

26.34 Bakehouse Lane: This has become fragmented due to redevelopment and the street no longer follows the original plan form, thus eroding the historic character of the area. Potentially, any new build that is sympathetic to its surroundings and replicates the historic plan form would

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be welcome. 27 New Development

27.1 Within the Church Street character area there are likely to be few opportunities for development, as increasing the density of this area would be contrary to the open, rural appearance of this locality. Principal concerns for any new development are the scale of the new building, the appropriateness of its overall mass and its relationship to its context. It should fit with the rural context and relate to the established grain of development by respecting the street pattern and built form (see map in appendices). The use of materials matching in appearance or complementary to those that are historically dominant, such as ironstone, limestone and Welsh slate would be suitable. Within these criteria, new development should aim to achieve creative design solutions, whether contemporary or traditional in style, so long as the rural character is maintained. There are two obvious sites along Church Street that have previously been developed. These gap sites are between 34-46 Church Street and 46-60 Church Street. Any redevelopment of either of these sites must include the retention of the trees.

27.2 The Car Park to the front of The Olde Victoria: Historic photographs of Church Street demonstrate that several modest stone cottages used to be sited on what is now the car park.

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If an alternative location for the car park can be found this site could offer potential for sensitive redevelopment. For example, an appropriate public realm scheme that creates an attractive frontage for the Olde Victoria pub, allowing the Olde Victoria to be the centrepiece of a small public space. Alternatively, the car park could be redeveloped for some sensitively designed low status stone cottages that follow the traditional street pattern of Church Street.

27.3 The former Tanners Cars site, Kettering Road: Any proposed retail and/or residential redevelopment may help to increase the active frontage along Kettering Road and achieve a suitable redevelopment of a prominent site. There is a variety of potential uses for this site, but whatever is chosen must complement the character of the area and consider the advice contained within this appraisal.

27.4 The corner of Pioneer Avenue and Kettering Road: This site is currently in use as a car retailer. If this site were to become vacant a suitable corner development that makes full use of this prominent site would be welcomed. A small, suitably designed retail or commercial unit at ground floor level with residential accommodation above may be appropriate. The design must take into account the surrounding character and compliment the appearance of the properties on Pioneer Avenue.

27.5 35-39 High Street: This site was formerly the Red Cow Inn, a Coaching Inn that was important to the history of Burton Latimer. Although any new development cannot replicate the historical significance of the building, care must be taken to ensure that any new development is appropriate for this site, in terms of scale, form and character. Well designed ground floor commercial use, replicating the active frontage that previously existed on this site, would be considered. Residential development above the ground floor and to the rear is appropriate.

27.6 Land and gardens on the corner of Churchill Way/High Street: An area that has been identified by the Burton Latimer Urban Design Framework as an area to be redeveloped. The size of the site mean that many uses are suitable, but any redevelopment must preserve 90 High Street. There is no uniform character to the area due to the variety of building styles surrounding the site. However, any redevelopment of this site must be high quality and offer an attractive public space for the residents of Burton Latimer.

27.7 St Mary's Primary School: Reinstatement of the iron railings to the front of this impressive historic school building will improve its appearance within the streetscene. Funding may be sought from a variety of sources.

27.8 The Library and former Health Centre: Another site that has been referred to in the

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Burton Latimer Urban Design Framework. A suitable and high quality design for redevelopment of this area could improve this part of the High Street. The design must not detract from 149 High Street.

27.9 Sainsbury's Supermarket: The expanse of tarmac at the front of this store lacks suitable landscaping. To soften this in the short term the planting of new trees and shrubs, especially along the highway, would be welcome. The supermarket set to the rear of the site does not retain the character of buildings abutting the highway. Any plans to redevelop the site in the long term should look at reintroducing some form of street frontage.

27.10 Land next to 59 Duke Street: A corner plot that is currently a garden, but is likely to have previously had terraced housing on it at some stage. It currently represents a very open frontage that is uncharacteristic of this area. A suitably designed corner property would help to define the street by enhancing the enclosed form and nature of this street.

27.11 Land next to 81 Alexandra Street: Another corner plot that would benefit from an appropriately designed residential building that is in-keeping with the terraced character of the surrounding properties.

27.12 Burton Latimer Working Mens Club, Finedon Street:

This impressive building could be returned to its former glory with a suitable use. To further enhance the area the redevelopment of the car park with a high quality building, which considers the surrounding character as described in this document, would help to improve the street frontage. A design that takes its influence from neighbouring terraced properties is more likely to be considered in a positive light.

28 Appendices

28.1 This document has been prepared with the help of the people of Burton Latimer and special mention must be given to the Burton Latimer Heritage Society. They have offered both information and material in order to help to complete this document. Their website is an invaluable source of information about Burton Latimer and it can be found at: www.burtonlatimer.info

28.2 Another helpful website full of interesting information on Burton Latimer that deserves mention here is: www.burtonlatimer.org

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