OARE CONSERVATION AREA STATEMENT COMMITTEE DRAFT December 2004 OARE CONSERVATION AREA The purpose of this Statement of the Oare Conservation Area is to identify and record those special qualities of the village that make up its architectural and historic character. This is important for providing a sound basis for local plan policies and development control decisions as well as for the formulation of proposals for the preservation or enhancement of the character or appearance of the area. The Statement contains an assessment of the Oare Conservation Area and is intended for all with an interest in the village, or those undertaking work on its buildings, landscape, streets or public spaces. It is also essential reading for anyone contemplating development within the area. By drawing attention to the distinctive features of Oare it is intended that its character will be protected and enhanced for the benefit The entrance to Oare from the north showing of this and future generations. how the combination of historic buildings, trees and landscape has a major influence on village character. The road alignment is also Oare Conservation Area was designated on 8 November 1974 to include significant in presenting a changing vista the majority of buildings within the settlement. The core of the through the village. Conservation Area is the historic development along the main road through the village and includes lanes and buildings on either side. On the western side the Conservation Area boundary is extended to include the historic park and garden and some of the surrounding landscape to Oare House. The main characteristics of Oare are: § The linear form of the historic development on either side of the Marlborough to Pewsey road § The landscape setting on the southern scarp of the Marlborough Downs § A selection of historic buildings dating from the 16 th to the early 20 th centuries and in particular the important 18 th century Oare House and its gardens § Extensive tree cover within the village, both formal and informal § Lanes and tracks bordered by hedge banks with road surfaces below natural ground level Oare is within the Parish of Wilcot, which also includes the settlements of East Stowell and Huish. There is a Conservation Area at Wilcot for which there is a separate Conservation Area Statement. Geology and topography Oare is located on the Marlborough to Pewsey road, the A345, approximately 2 miles north of Pewsey and 4 miles south of Marlborough. The village is on the northern edge of the Vale of Pewsey at a height of approximately 150 metres above sea level. Above Oare the land to the north rises steeply to form the southern scarp slope of the Marlborough Downs with a high point of 250 metres visible to the east at Giants Grave. The village itself is located on a gentle slope of upper greensand, which forms most of the floor of the Vale of Pewsey. Yew Cottage is at the western edge of the Conservation Area with a view to Giants The landscape surrounding the village is predominantly permanent or Grave to the north-east. Simple traditional semi-permanent pasture, interspersed with areas of semi-natural churchyard railings add interest to the street scene. woodland. 1 To the west the pastures form an area of parkland for Oare House. On the slopes rising up to the scarp much of the land is used for arable cultivation, the lands around the village having been used mainly for sheep grazing and arable production since enclosure in1803. North ↑ Oare Conservation Area with the listed buildings marked in red. This shows the cluster of development on both sides of the main road with lanes off to the east and west. Origins and development of the village The history of habitation in the locality can be traced back to the Iron Age with a midden at Rainscombe and hillforts on the summits of Huish Hill and Giants Grave. The settlement at the foot of the hill was known as Oare by the year 934, the date commemorated on the sign identifying the Oxpath from Maizley to Hazelwell. The name Oare is derived from the Old English word "ora", which means border or edge of a hill. All developments in the landscape reflect man's influence through time as governed by the nature and distribution of geology, terrain, water sources and soils. The pattern of settlements can often be traced back to Roman or Saxon times, or sometimes even further. Place names and documents provide evidence of Saxon activity across the Vale of Pewsey and there are direct links between Saxon settlements and The Oxpath from Maizley to Hazelwell boundaries and subsequent patterns of development. looking north. Here the quiet and secluded "green lane" is in marked contrast to the busy parallel main road. This represents a view of Oare is not mentioned in Domesday but its land may have included the scale of communication links from past some described as part of Draycot. Much of the area was probably times. woodland since Oare, like Draycot, was part of Savernake Forest until 1330. In 1227 land east of the Marlborough to Upavon road on the relatively level land north of Oare and Huish Hills was allocated to the men of Oare. The Hill grounds were probably cleared of woodland and used as sheep pasture. Rent from land in Oare was granted to Bradenstoke Priory in the late 12 th century. 2 The Priory retained the land until the dissolution of the Monasteries and thereafter the lordship descended with Wilcot Manor. Being in the same parish Oare had strong links with Wilcot but an ancient long distance north-south route also had a marked influence on the pattern of the settlement. Before techniques were invented to stabilise and maintain road surfaces the most durable routes were those following the watersheds between natural drainage systems. The most obvious routes were therefore on the chalk ridgeways as can be seen running east-west at Tan Hill Way north of the village. Links north-south across the Vale were however also part of the long distance network although in the low-lying areas travel conditions were The 16 th century Latenbury and the Old Post less favourable. The A345 is almost certainly in part based on a Saxon Office with later brick facings. Buildings route from Marlborough to Upavon. This runs down from the chalk at here at the north end of the village form the Oare then at a point south of the village west of the present day road to most densely built-up part of Oare. It is also the only part of the village with pavements. follow the line of Hare Street (near Wilcot). The route crosses the river at Manningford to rejoin high ground, again by climbing onto Bruce Down and heading towards Upavon. Minor roads to the east and west link with surrounding hamlets. The form of building in the village is closely related to this historic route, many of the farmhouses and cottages lie on either side of the main road and others near at hand on side roads. The oldest surviving buildings in Oare are the 16 th century Old Oxyard, Latenbury and The Old Post Office, all of which are close to the main road in the north-east corner of the Conservation Area. The village economy was for many centuries based on agriculture, although its importance has diminished in recent years. In 1638 there were believed to be nine farms in Oare, only one of which was larger than 100 acres. Land at Oare was nearly all held in common in 1600 but the village had been enclosed by 1803 and by then the number of th farms had been reduced to five. The overall pattern of farming appears Box Cottage, originally 17 century with a th th to have remained largely unchanged until the end of the 19 century 19 century extension, is one of the 16 listed buildings in Oare. Just to the left is the although the mixed agricultural based economy evolved from 7 metre high beech hedge that is a particular subsistence to market based. feature of this part of the main road. Oare was a relatively small settlement in the 16 th century and 17 th century development was also limited. Buildings from the 17 th century include Home Farmhouse, with an adjacent barn, and Box Cottage. Bennetts is also believed to have 17 th century origins although the house as now seen dates from 1830-40. Substantial wealth is evident in developments of the 18 th century when Oare House and the outlying Rainscombe House were built. Both properties are sizeable, of high quality and have extensive parklands, although Rainscombe House is just north of the village and outside the Conservation Area. A medieval deer park with a large central block of woodland is believed to have existed between Oare, Stowell, Draycott and Huish before 1740 which is the date of construction of Oare House. The Andrews and Dury's map of 1773 shows an avenue of trees running east of the house to the road and formal gardens to the west. Also shown was a road link from Oare to Huish passing south of the house. Oare House built in 1740 is a building of The Enclosure Award of 1803 allowed the assembly of a coherent estate high quality representing a time of around the house, including the closure of the road, and thus the considerable investment in the locality. opportunity for the development of an ornamental landscape. 3 In 1807 the Kennet and Avon Canal was opened about a mile to the south of the village and in 1862 Pewsey Railway Station was built, both facilities offering direct links with London and the west of England.