Sidestrand Hall Special School Heritage Statement Prepared by Alan Wright, MRICS Conservation Accredited Sidestrand V1 September 2014 1 Job No. 01-02-15-1-1007 Sidestrand Hall Special School Contents Appendix I I Environmental Record 1.0 Background 1.1 Introduction Copyright Notice 1.2 The Site This document is issued for the benefit of the party which commissioned it and only for the specific purposes connected with that 1.4 General Purpose and Scope of the Heritage statement commission. It should not be relied upon by any other party or used for any other purpose whatsoever and no liability is accepted for such use. This document contains confidential information and proprietary intellectual property. It should not be copied, distributed or 1.5 Structure of the Statement shared with third parties (in whole or in part and in any format) without our prior written consent. 2.0 Summary © NPS Property Consultants Limited - 2014 2.1 Executive Summary Report prepared by: 2.2 Summary of the Works Alan Wright - Conservation Consultant on behalf of NPS Group 3.0 Assessment of Heritage Significance Checked by: James Montgomery - Senior Associate-Architect 3.1 Significance of the Site 3.2 HER Records 3.3 Archaeology 3.4 Ways of Looking at Significance 3.5 Conservation Area Statement 3.6 Nearby Buildings 3.7 Early Maps 3.8 Information from the Environment Record 3.9 Significance 3.10 Setting 4.0 Assessment of Impact 4.1 Assessment of Impact and Mitigation 5.0 Bibliography 2 Job No. 01-02-15-1-1007 1 Background Sidestrand Hall Special School 1.0 Background Background Information 1.1 Introduction This Heritage Statement has been commissioned by Norfolk County Council Childrens Services to inform the project to build an ASD Modular Accommodation and New Science Extension, and to support the Planning Application. The Heritage Statement has been prepared in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework and Guidance (NPPG), Conservation Principles and the Policy and Guidance for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment (English Heritage 2008). Objectives: To carry out an assessment of the heritage significance To understand what the impact of the works will be To provide a strategy of mitigation to reduce the impact of the project 1.2 The Site Aerial View of School The site is in the village of Sidestrand to the South of Cromer and is presently part of the Sidestrand Hall School. The site is to the Northern end of the village, with the boundary of cliffs running down to the North sea to the North East and Cromer Road to the South West. The site is heavily wooded, with open fields to the North West and South East. The original Hall sits towards the North West of the site with the later school buildings to the middle and south. The site has been developed over the period having gone through a variety of uses, in 1886 the Hall was owned by Samuel Hoare who was an MP in Norwich in 1886, it has also been used as a Methodist holiday home before it became a special needs school in 1950. Half the site is included within the Sidestrand Conservation Area map but neither of the two interventions proposed are within the conservation area. Location Plan Location Plan 3 Job No. 01-02-15-1-1007 Sidestrand Hall Special School Listed buildings and Monuments on or around the site. From English Heritage 4 Job No. 01-02-15-1-1007 1 Background Sidestrand Hall Special School 1.3 General Purpose and Scope of the Heritage Statement The National Planning Practice Section 18a sets out: 1. Overview: historic environment The Heritage Statement has been produced to provide a greater understanding of the site as a whole, to 2. Plan making: historic environment better inform both the applicant in producing their proposals and to aid the Local Authority in determining any 3. Decision-taking: historic environment application. 4. Designated heritage assets *Further guidance on World Heritage Sites The National Planning Policy Frameworks states: 5. Non-designated heritage assets 6. Heritage consent processes Paragraph 128: In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to 7. Consultation and notification requirements for heritage related applications describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. 8. Further information on heritage and planning issues The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic The previous points have guided the production of this document. environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary. Where a site on which development is proposed includes or has the potential to In determining the significance of the site consideration should be given to site development, include heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to evidential significance, historic interest, aesthetic and communal interest. submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, field evaluation. 1.4 Structure of the Statement Paragraph 129: Local Authorities should identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset that may be affected by a proposal (including by development affecting the setting of a heritage asset) taking The statement is set out in three sections. The sections are intended to inform each other and build up a raft account of the available evidence and any necessary expertise. They should take this assessment into of knowledge and attitude towards the site in an holistic fashion, with the intention of informing the most account when considering the impact of a proposal on a heritage asset, to avoid or minimise conflict between sensitive way to treat and work with the site. the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the proposal. Assessment of Heritage Significance - Gives an understanding of why the site is significant within the Paragraph 131: In determining planning applications, local planning authorities should take account of: different ways that heritage is important to people, especially those areas that might be impacted on by the the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to development. viable uses consistent with their conservation. The positive contribution that conservation of heritage assets can make to sustainable communities Assessment of Impact - To decide what the likely impact will be on those areas where development is including their economic vitality. intended; this should look at all the potential impacts. The desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness. Mitigation Strategy - What steps will be taken to limit the impact of the development on the heritage asset. Paragraph 132: When considering the impact of a proposed development on significance …..great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation. The more important the asset, the greater the weight should be…..As heritage assets are irreplaceable, any harm or loss should require clear and convincing justification….Substantial harm to or loss of designated heritage assets of the highest significance …..grade I and II* listed buildings should be wholly exceptional. 5 Job No. 01-02-15-1-1007 1 Background Sidestrand Hall Special School Site Plan 6 Job No. 01-02-15-1-1007 2 Summary Sidestrand Hall Special School 2.0 Summary of the Works An ecological survey has been undertaken and the report found that with minimal mitigation measures no significant impacts on protected species would be expected. 2.1 Executive Summary The proposal is to provide: 1. A class base in the form of an ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) modular accommodation to the East of the site. 2. A Science class base as an extension of the later school buildings. The proposals are set out in the Planning application. This Heritage Statement should be read in conjunction with the information in the Planning Application. 2.2 Summary of the Works Taken from the Design and Access Statement The New Buildings The ASD modular accommodation building consists one class base, three group rooms, a store, a Cleaner’s store, a DDA compliant W.C, a standard W.C, and lobby/cloak area. The new Science Class base consists of one class base, a prep room, two standard W.C’s and a lobby. Appearance The proposed modular accommodation building will be Plastisol coated steel in grey with areas of cedar timber cladding, a shallow pitched Polymeric single ply membrane roof covering. The windows will be double glazed. The proposed Science class base extension will be traditional construction with a red facing brick and pitched pantile roof covering, the link with the existing building will have a flat roof with a bituminious felt covering. The doors and windows will be a grey (RAL 7015) aluminium doubled glazed sealed units. Layout Following consideration of all potential locations on the site and consultation with the School the proposed locations support the specialist requirements of the School. Landscape An arboriculturist has surveyed the site and has indicated that one tree of limited value is to be removed to the south of the proposed ASD modular accommodation. The report also stipulates that a watching brief is undertaken during the excavations for services in the vicinity of ASD modular building and for the new soakaway for the Science class base extension. 7 Job No. 01-02-15-1-1007 3 Assessment of Heritage Significance Sidestrand Hall Special School 3.0 Assessment of Heritage Significance Over time our attitude towards such assets has evolved and sensitised, this has been aided by such groups 3.1 Significance of the Site as the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and the Venice Charter, the Burra Charter together with the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage.