ENGLISH BICKNOR CONSERVATION AREA CHARACTER APPRAISAL t fflY,! • •• =- ~,,. .. A_s ----------lhi-...J1..-¥ra~_:~.·...... ,.~- ....--" ........ ..___...__ FOREST OF DEAN DISTRICT COUNCIL J. A. STEWART BA, MCD, MRTPI. DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND LEISURE SERVICES. OCTOBER 1995 ENGLISH BICKNOR No.-2302/1044 ~ - 'CONSERVATION AREA 1.,.. ~·•,,:· II •·101 I ..,, ..,, ..,, ..,, ..,, DESI NA,:ED 21st SEPTEMBER 1995. CJ lo. ~ 0 °" r...... ,.___ : .HU.,, 0 t;, I:, ~ t>. ~ ,ml>. " t>. ..,, 0 __ jk_ O. 0 ~ KEY: - • - BOUNDARY ■ USTEO BUILDINGS ~ SCHEDULED ANCIENT ~ MONUMENTS SCA1.E1~500 ISH NOTE: .., , The outalde edge ofthe boundary lne malb the e>rtent of the Conlefvetlon Arie. Introduction The Forest of Dean Local Plan (Deposit Draft) vistas along streets and between buildings; Engltsh Blcknor Is a small and relatively July 1993 proposes that the historic core of and on the extent to which traffic Intrudes and Isolated village located on an unclassified road English Blcknor should be designated as a limits the pedestrian use of spaces between (formerly B.4228) between Coleford and Conservation Area ( SEE MAP 1 ) buildings. Conservation Area designation Lydbrook. It Is set In a prominent position should be seen as the means of recognising the Importance of all these factors and within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding What Is a conservation Area 7 ensuring that conservation policy addresses Natural Beauty (AONB), and is very visible from A Conservation Area Is defined by statute as the quality of townscape In its broadest sense the surrounding countryside. The built form is "an area of special architectural or historic as well as the protection of Individual made up of several components. The focus is interest the character or appearance of which buildings." provided by the fine village Church and the it is desirable to preserve or enhance". school, both set within a former motte and This appraisal of the character of the proposed Planning Policy Guidance Note 15 - Planning bailey castle (an Ancient Monument) and English Bicknor Conservation Area is the first and the Historic Environment states: associated with a number of other attractive step In the preparation of proposals for its large buildings. To this loose nucleus is preservation and enhancement . This appraisal attached a small area of modern housing. "It is the quality and Interest of areas, rather alms to provide a clear assessment and than that of lndlVldual buildings, which should Further south the village developed In a linear definition of the special Interest of English be the prime consideration In Identifying form with several farmsteads beside the road. Blcknor, and the action needed to protect It. It Conservation Areas. There has been There has also been a small amount of Infilling Is hoped that this document will generate increasing recognition in recent years that our discussion as success Is dependant upon c~ and small groups of housing constructed In the experience of a historic area depends on much operation and goodwill between all parties who Post War years. more than the quality of Individual buildings - have an Interest in the area. Successful The proposed Conservation Area Is based on on the historic layout of properties and conservation cannot be achieved solely by the historic core of the village around the thoroughfares; ...... on characteristic materials; planning controls; there must be a broader Church and the site of the former motte and on appropriate scaling and detailing of approach where those who have an influence bailey castle, including the small group of contemporary buildings; on the quality of ...... on the character of the area are Involved in the traditional properties in the vicinity. street furniture and hard and son surfaces; on process of preservation, maintenance and enhancement. 1 The lmpUcatlons of Designation lmpUcatlons tor owners and Residents Conservation Area designation can also benefit The designation of a Conservation Area In normal circumstances, householders have property owners and occupiers. There may be Imposes specific duties on the Local Planning certain "Permitted Development" rights to carry added status to a property being located within Authority. The Authority must formulate and out minor works to their properties, such as a Conservation Area. Also the development publish proposals for the preservation and small extensions and the erection of garden controls aimed at maintaining and enhancing enhancement of the Conservation Area, and buildings. However, In many places such as the appearance of the conservation Area may submit them to public consultation. Within an AONB or a Conservation Area, these sustain or enhance the appearance of In addition, in exercising their planning powers, rights are reduced. In the case of properties within it. the Local Planning Authority must pay special householders within the proposed English attention to the desirability of preserving or Blcknor Conservation Area, "Permitted Enansh Blcknor conservation Area and enhancing the character or appearance of the Development" rights are already reduced Character Appraisal Conservation Areas. because it lies within the Wye Valley AONB, The decision to designate English Bicknor and therefore there will be few Implications for Conservation Area and adopt the English The 1mpncat1ons for the Local Authorities residents. However, some works would require Bk:knor Character Appraisal was taken by The It Is essential that all departments of bOth the the consent of the Local Planning Authority Planning and Leisure Services Committee of District and County Council understand the alter Conservation Area designation and these The Forest of Dean District Council on the 21st significance of the Conservation Area, and act Include the demolition of buildings and works September 1995. The draft version of the In coordination, In order that public works, such to trees. In addition, any new development English Bk:knor Character Appraisal had been as street works, do not damage the historic Including extensions would be expected to be the subject of widespread public consultation fabric or appearance of the area. Other of good design, appropriate to the special and various amendments had been agreed as agencies, such as the water supplier or character of the area. As with all development a result. This version of the Character telecommunications companies must also be proposals it Is advisable to seek advice from Appraisal Incorporates a map of the boundary aware and show respect to the special the planning department at an early stage. of the designated Conservation Area. art:htectural and historic character of the area. 2 The setting and Topography of the woodlands. The prominence of English village. There Is an Important grouping of Conservation Area (see Map 2) Blcknor In the landscape means that there are mature trees leading up to the school from the The older part of English Blcknor Is located on many views Into the settlement from south west, which are covered by a Tree a spur In an exposed hilltop position, with the surrounding roads, footpaths and isolated Preservation Order, and another group around Wye Valley to the north, and small valleys to properties. Views into the settlement tend to be the motte and bailey. Immediately to the east the east and west. It Is located within the Wye from a distance, but the built form of English of Blcknor House are a row of limes, an oak Valley lvea of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Blcknor, particularly the Church tower, Is very tree and a cedar. These trees, which are of is very visible from the surrounding visible from these distant vantage points amenly value are located (with the exception of countryside. Historically English Blcknor because of Its setting on a ridge which shows the cedar) Just outside the boundary of the developed il a linear form, north-south along a buldlngs against the skyline. The tree cover In Conservation Area, but are covered by a Tree hilltop, with a concentration of bulldlngs and around the vlllage Is also evident, and Preservation Order. Trees In and around the around the church and the remains 0f a motte softens the appearance of the village, Conservation Area also act as a wind break In and bailey castle. This historic core Is sited · especially In summer. this exposed location. predominantly on the hilltop with the land dr~pplng away on three sides . Co!oum wtthln the area The predominant colours are the subdued ~ natural colours of the landscape, the greens The hlltop position of English Blcknor ensures and browns of the stone, the deep that there are extensive views across the orange/brown of the clay roof tiles and dark' surrounding landscape. At almost every point grey of the slate roofs. The properties that have within the Conservation Area there are views Flg.1 English Bicknor is very ptCll'Mlent in 11M lendscape been rendered and painted white or cream are out of the settlement across the undulating Tree Coyer In and around the area particularly prominent. In the summer the tree plateau and Into the Wye Valley. The Tree cover In and around the Conservation cover ensures that the greens and browns surrounding landscape Is sparsely populated Area Is particularly significant, with many predominate. and Is characterised by open fields and mature trees softening the appearance of the 3 Q _, ....... ' -ti····· UH •·o HU D ,,.,. Long dlltance ..,_ lnwwdl tom EMllech ehowlng hlll0p pOllllon. Plonlllienoe d ..... and .. bulbm. lmmedllle WM ID dad former Mob and Balley c:allle KEY and c:hurch. f,-... an ISU ""'°""" vlllial feltunl, hldq I ·61 Church In IUfflfflel'. <) Mllnvllwalnandoutdtie ...~,t SCALE 1:2500 . The Historic Eyolutlon of the Area < see note1 > The Church and Motte and Baney castle The village of English Bicknor grew up around There have been several encroachments onto Nearby was the pound, recorded In 1725 which a Norman Castle on a spur In the centre of the the castle site including the old rectory to the is indicated on some Ordnance Survey maps.