Lumsdale Conservation Area Character Appraisal

Lumsdale Conservation Area Character Appraisal NOVEMBER 2010 LUMSDALE CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL page 1. Introduction 1 2. Summary of Special Interest 2 3. Context 4 • Location • Economic context • Statutory designations • Geology • Plan form 4. Origins & Historic Development of the Area 6 Timeline 8 5. Archaeological Interest 9 6. Architectural and Historic Quality 15 • Industrial buildings • Farm buildings • Houses • Prevalent & traditional building materials & details 7. Landscape Appraisal 28 8. Spatial Analysis 37 9. Character Areas 40 10. Negative Factors 51 11. General Condition of the Area 53 12. Problems, Pressures and Capacity for Change 56 13. Conservation Policies 57 14. Conservation Area Boundary Review 64 Sections 1-6, 8-12 & 14 prepared by Mel Morris 15. Useful Information and Contact Details 68 Conservation Appendix 1 Gazetteer of Buildings All photographs within these Appendix 2 Historic photographs (Dr. D. Holden) sections have been taken by Mel Morris Conservation © i LUMSDALE CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL List of Figures Fig. 1 Aerial Photograph Fig. 2 Statutory Designations Fig. 3 Buildings & Structures named in the Appraisal Fig. 4 1846 Tithe Map Extracts Fig. 5 1876-1880 Ordnance Survey Map (1:25”) Fig. 6 Historic Development of Lumsdale Conservation Area Fig. 7 Planning Designations Fig. 8 Trees and Woodlands Fig. 9 Spatial Analysis Fig. 10 Watercourses & Historic Footways Fig. 11 Proposed Additions & Exclusions -Conservation Area Draft Boundary September 2010 Fig. 12 Conservation Area Boundary as Approved November 2010 List of Illustrations & Acknowledgements Pl. 1 Geological map of Matlock & Tansley (BGS Special Sheet, Matlock) Pl. 2 Extract from 1767 Burdett map of Derbyshire (by permission of Local Studies Library, Matlock) Pl. 3 View of Lumsdale - early twentieth century - courtesy of Derbyshire Local Studies Libraries & www.picturethepast. org.uk Pl. 4 Extract from Sanderson’s map of Derbyshire (1835) Pl. 5 Upper Lumsdale valley - courtesy of Derbyshire Local Studies Libraries & www.picturethepast.org.uk Pl. 6 Upper Lumsdale valley - Garton’s Mill & Smithy - courtesy of Derbyshire Local Studies Libraries & www.picturethepast. org.uk Pl. 7 Ernest Bailey’s Boys Home at St. Andrew’s House ca 1904 - courtesy of Watford Museum & www.picturethepast.org.uk ii LUMSDALELUMSDALE ININ THETHE DERBYSHIREDERBYSHIRE DALESDALES FIG1FIG1 ThisThis mapmap isis reproducedreproduced fromfrom OrdnanceOrdnance SurveySurvey materimaterialalal withwithwith thethethe permissionpermissionpermission ofofof OrdnanceOrdnanceOrdnance SurveySurveySurvey ononon behalfbehalfbehalf ofofofof thethethethe ControllerControllerControllerController ofofofof HerHerHerHer Majesty'sMajesty'sMajesty'sMajesty's StationeryStationeryStationeryStationery OffiOffiOffiOfficecece (c)(c)(c) CrownCrownCrown Copyright.Copyright.Copyright. UnauthorisedUnauthorised reproductionreproduction infringesinfringes CrownCrown CopyrightCopyright andandandand maymaymaymay leadleadleadlead totototo prosecutionprosecutionprosecutionprosecution orororor civilcivilcivilcivil proceedings.proceedings.proceedings.proceedings. (100019785)(100019785)(100019785)(100019785) 2010201020102010 1. INTRODUCTION to the south-east and a broader arm to the north, extending towards the old quarries at Foxholes. The Purpose of a Conservation Area Character Appraisal To the east, the conservation area skirts the north- western side of Tansley village, known locally as A conservation area is an area of special architectural or The Knoll, and to the west it skirts the eastern historic interest the character or appearance of which it is fringes of the Hurst Farm Estate within Matlock. desirable to preserve or enhance. They are designated The southern boundary of the conservation area is under section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings contained by the A615 Alfreton Road. and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. The Council is obliged by section 71 of the same Act to formulate The routes of the various watercourses & the path and publish proposals for the preservation and that these have shaped over millennia dominate the enhancement of any parts of their area, which are landform. The steepest sections of the valleys are conservation areas. heavily wooded with naturalised woodland, evidence of coppiced and managed broadleaved The contents of this Conservation Area Appraisal woodland and some more recent nineteenth and are intended both as a guide for owners and twentieth century plantations introducing conifers occupiers of buildings within the conservation areas and parkland trees. Many trees have become and as a guide for the local planning authority. The established over the last 150 years since the heavy contents are a material consideration when industrial processes ceased, particularly in the upper determining applications for development, dealing part of the Lumsdale valley where historic with appeals or proposing works for the nineteenth century photographs show a more open preservation or enhancement of the area. and largely denuded landscape edging the brook with some young conifer plantations. This appraisal document defines and records the special architectural and historic interest of the From the public domain the area is also conservation area & identifies opportunities for characterised by a series of narrow winding lanes, enhancement. The appraisal follows the model set which meander up steep inclines, dominated by the out in English Heritage guidance (Guidance on wooded setting and punctuated by the occasional Conservation Area Appraisals 2006). picturesque group of buildings. Along these steep, winding routes, pinchpoints are created by small The Appraisal considers the historic development single storey buildings, tall boundary walls and of the settlement and its immediate environs to bridges or culverts where the lanes cross the establish how it may have changed over time. It various watercourses. The oldest footpaths & old considers the archaeology, the architecture, bridleways which run east-west in fairly straight including building materials specific to the alignments criss-cross the valleys & generally follow character of the area; the landscape; the relationship the contours. The area is distinctive for the of the buildings and spaces; the overall character; extensive network of public footpaths, which the general condition of the area and factors which provide well-trodden routes through the wooded may have a detrimental impact, or put ‘pressure’ on valleys. Many of the steepest paths are pitched in the area. A review of the Conservation Area stone or laid with paving slabs. boundary is considered and any recommendations for changes to the boundary are identified as part In the upper part of the Lumsdale valley a number of the Appraisal process. of the mills follow the steep incline along the western edge of the brook. This relationship of mill The Lumsdale Conservation Area – General buildings clinging to the edge of the ravine is quite Character exceptional. Later textile mill development was laid along the valley floor and comprised some large The northern part of the conservation area splits complexes and some mill buildings that are into two strands separated by fields used for isolated. pasture. Each strand follows a valley; that to the west follows a narrow ravine, extending north towards the source of the Bentleybrook and the old Bentleybrook quarries, incorporating the Upper & Lower Lumsdale valley, whilst the valley to the east is gentler in gradient, following the Knabhall (Tansley) Brook and splitting into two, one narrow arm running upstream, following the watercourse 1 2. SUMMARY OF SPECIAL INTEREST • An area of great natural beauty Although Lumsdale is the name adopted for the • A dense canopy of mainly native deciduous conservation area, it incorporates a much larger trees area than just Lumsdale, as it extends south & east of Lumsdale to include the various tributaries & • Short vistas with interwoven groups of brooks from separate valleys edging Tansley, which buildings of different scales and function eventually merge together at Tansley Wood Mills. create picturesque groups The routes through the valleys contain elements of • Tall, plain boundary & retaining walls line surprise, where groups of buildings emerge from the lanes in places the trees; clusters of buildings huddle alongside the roads. The backdrop of trees, often arching over • There is continuity of industrial use from the the road and providing visual containment, seventeenth and eighteenth century up to the provides a strong sense of enclosure & intimacy. late twentieth century A series of clusters of industrial buildings are The area is split into three areas of different located alongside the streams & brooks, separated character (see Figure 9). The steep and wooded by watercourses and man-made water features; landform with closed views and glimpses of the ponds, mill races & bridges. Here the development horizon, ridges of various local hills, and occasional is dense and comprises buildings ranging from long vistas to far horizons, has reinforced the single storey up to four storeys around courtyards. separate identity of each area. Their special interest There are also scattered dwellings, a few farms, a is summarised as follows: few houses (belonging to industrialists & historically occupied by them or their managers) Area 1 – Upper Lumsdale built to take advantage of the spectacular wooded gorge setting and a few blocks of terraced houses • Steep hillside & ravine

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