Contents List of Figures.................................................................................................................. 3 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................4 1.1 Background .......................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Planning Policy Framework .................................................................................. 4 1.3 Development within a Conservation Area............................................................. 4 1.4 Preparation and Survey Limitations ...................................................................... 4 1.5 Community Involvement ....................................................................................... 5 2. Summary of Special Interest ...................................................................................... 6 2.1 Special Historic Interest ........................................................................................ 6 2.2 Special Architectural Interest ................................................................................ 6 3. Site and Situation ....................................................................................................... 7 3.1 Location and Setting ............................................................................................. 7 3.2 Economic and Social Profile ................................................................................. 7 4. Historic Morphology and Archaeology........................................................................ 7 4.1 Historic Morphology .............................................................................................. 8 4.2 Archaeology.......................................................................................................... 8 5. Spatial Analysis and Built Form................................................................................ 10 5.1 Urban Structure .................................................................................................. 10 5.2 Open Space........................................................................................................ 10 5.3 Views .................................................................................................................. 10 5.4 Plan-Form, Height and Massing ......................................................................... 11 5.5 Building Density.................................................................................................. 11 5.6 Edges and Enclosure.......................................................................................... 12 6. Architecture .............................................................................................................. 13 6.1 Architectural Style............................................................................................... 13 6.2 Listed Buildings and Important Unlisted Buildings .............................................. 15 6.3 Facades.............................................................................................................. 18 6.4 Roofs .................................................................................................................. 18 6.5 Windows ............................................................................................................. 18 7. Street Scene ............................................................................................................ 20 7.1 Walls, Railings and Gates................................................................................... 20 7.2 Trees, Hedges and Green Space ....................................................................... 21 7.3 Public Realm....................................................................................................... 21 8. Damage & Deterioration........................................................................................... 23 8.1 Principal Negative Features................................................................................ 23 8.2 General Condition............................................................................................... 24 8.3 Buildings at Risk ................................................................................................. 24 8.4 Threats and Pressures ....................................................................................... 24 Taunton Deane Borough Council Page 2 of 32 February 2010 9. Recommendations ................................................................................................... 25 9.1 Boundary Changes ............................................................................................. 25 9.2 Management & Enhancement ............................................................................ 25 Appendix ....................................................................................................................... 26 Appendix A – Bibliography, Further Information and Advice...................................... 26 Appendix B – Conservation Areas: General Guidance.............................................. 26 Appendix C – Listed Buildings .................................................................................. 29 Appendix D – Important Unlisted Buildings................................................................ 29 Appendix E – Maps ……………………………………………………………………..………………...30 List of Figures Fig.1. Village Hall – a valuable community asset. Fig.2. View west from the rear of the village hall. Fig.3. View from Bathealton Court east towards the pond. Fig.4. Gate lodge and gates to Bathealton Court looking west. Fig.5. Bathealton Court, south front. Fig.6. Court Cottage, formerly a service building to Bathealton Court. Fig. 7. Church of Saint Bartholomew Fig.8. The School House. Fig.9. The former parochial school, now the village hall. Fig.10.The former smithy, now a domestic garage. Fig.11.Avis Cottages, terrace of three local authority built houses. Fig.12.Pooles and Burgess, viewed from the south. Fig.13.Graymanes Cottage (left) and Pond Cottage (right). Fig.14.Dairy House Farm, from the south. Fig.15.Stone walls at village road junction. Fig.16.Railings, Bathealton Court. Fig.17.Churchyard yew. Fig.18.Church and pylon, viewed from Bathealton Court. Fig.19.Village amenities. Fig. 20.‘Strap’ pointing - unattractive and potentially damaging to stonework. Taunton Deane Borough Council Page 3 of 32 February 2010 1. Introduction 1.1 Background A Conservation Area is an area designated by a local authority as one of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. The object of designation is not to prohibit change but to manage it in ways that maintain or strengthen the area’s special qualities. Once designated, local authorities are encouraged to undertake periodic appraisals to evaluate and record the special interest of the area and provide a framework for development control and the creation of initiatives to improve the environment. Bathealton was designated a Conservation Area by Taunton Deane Borough Council in 1993. This document represents the first full Appraisal carried out. 1.2 Planning Policy Framework Conservation Areas are designated by local authorities in fulfilment of Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Planning Policy Guidance Note 15 (PPG15) Planning and the Historic Environment (1994), highlights the need for local planning authorities to define and record the special interest, character and appearance of all Conservation Areas in their districts. A clear definition of those elements which contribute to the special architectural or historic interest of a place will also inform the local policy framework (see Taunton Deane Local Development Framework), which in accordance with The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, planning applications must be considered against. Further guidance regarding the legal implications of designation is given in Appendix B. 1.3 Development within a Conservation Area Conservation Areas give broader protection than listing individual buildings and all the elements within the Area are recognised as contributing in some way to its character. Anyone considering undertaking works to a property, or developing land that lies within a Conservation Area, is advised to contact a Conservation Officer and the responsible Area Planning Officer, at Taunton Deane Borough Council for assistance. This Appraisal will assist in the formulation of appropriate design strategies for new development, which should be fully articulated within a Design and Access Statement accompanying any planning application. CABE has produced useful guidance (see Appendix A). It is an offence to carry out unauthorised works. 1.4 Preparation and Survey Limitations This Conservation Area Appraisal was researched and written during September 2009, and revised following consultation in December 2009. It was adopted by Taunton Deane Borough Council on 11 February 2010. Taunton Deane Borough Council Page 4 of 32 February 2010 When reading or using an Appraisal, it is important to note that the document can never be fully comprehensive. For instance, some aspects of the survey information are limited to those areas which can be reasonably recorded from the highway and other publicly accessible