The Crafts Council, 44A Pentonville Road, London, N1 9BY DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT including a Heritage Status Assessment August 2017 AOC AOC Architecture DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT Contents Introduction Site Claremont Hall 1.0 HERITAGE STATUS ASSESSMENT Address 44a Pentonville Road Islington 1.1 Introduction London, N1 9BY 1.2 Historic significance of Claremont Hall in the immediate locality 1.3 Architectural and townscape description Client Crafts Council 1.4 Current proposals Address 44a Pentonville road 1.5 Conclusions Islington London, N1 9BY 2.0 DESIGN PROCESS Contact Andy McGlynn, Development Director Tel. 0207 806 2520 2.1 Original Brief Email [email protected] 2.2 Assessment .1 Physical context Agent AOC Architecture Ltd .2 Historical context Address 24-28 Pritchards Road .3 Planning and policy context London, E2 9AP 2.3 Involvement: a shared conversation Contact Martha Rawlinson, Architectural Assistant 2.4 Evaluation Tel. 02077399950 Email [email protected] 3.0 DESIGN PROPOSAL 3.1 Use 3.2 Amount 3.3 Layout 3.4 Scale 3.5 Appearance (incl. hard landscape) 3.6 Site boundaries 3.7 Accessibility 3.8 Sustainability 4.0 APPENDIX 4.1 Structural Engineers Drawing AOC Architecture Ltd. The Crafts Counci 24-28 Pritchards Road, London, E2 9AP Design & Access Statement tel. 0207 739 9950 2 www.theaoc.co.uk [email protected] DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT Introduction This is a Design and Access Statement in support of a formal planning application for consent to make external and internal modifications to Claremont Hall, a Grade 2 listed building, including: 1. Removal of modern non-compliant access ramps, steps and balustrading in forecourt and construction of new pre-cast concrete sloping and stepped access. 2. Removal of material along rear external passage and raising of floor level to create sloped level access path. 3. External doorway to passage raised in height to accord with new level access way. 4. Interior works to remove modern (1991) partitions, suspended ceiling, and raised floor to reveal original hardwood parquet flooring. The Statement demonstrates how the proposals have emerged through a thorough design process: • developing the brief • understanding the physical, historical and policy context • deriving clear design principles • developing high quality design proposals in response Applications for major development, as defined in article 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure (England) Order 2015 require a Design and Access Statement to be produced and submitted. Birdseye view of Claremont Hall in context In line with the National Planning Policy Framework, this statement demonstrates AOC’s commitment to delivering the highest quality of design, and explains the design and access principles that have informed the development. Claremont Hall is a converted chapel located on Pentonville Road, which forms part of the London Inner Ring Road, and sits on the boundary of the London congestion charge zone. The site is well serviced by Angel tube station on the Northern line, and several major bus routes. Pedestrian access to the site is via a set of black painted wrought iron gates, visitors pass through a sloped forecourt before ascending to the main entrance on a raised terrace. This terrace is currently accessed either via a set of steps, or a non-compliant ramp configuration. The two storey building is set back from the busy main road, and the existing entrance comprises a black painted timber door and a glazed lobby area. The Crafts Council at Claremont Hall in January 2017 AOC Architecture Ltd. The Crafts Counci 24-28 Pritchards Road, London, E2 9AP Design & Access Statement tel. 0207 739 9950 3 www.theaoc.co.uk [email protected] DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT Heritage Status Assessment Heritage Status Assessment HERITAGE STATEMENT FOR CLAREMONT HALL, 44A PENTONVILLE ROAD, LONDON 1.1 INTRODUCTION Abstract AOC were commissioned to develop plans for Claremont Hall in January 2017. Research and site visits for this PPS5 Statement were carried out during January and February 2017. Paragraph 128 of the NPPF states that: “In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any This statement is written to inform the Planning Authority and the Planning process. This statement has followed a heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should beproportionate number of steps in order to analyse significance and is written with reference to Planning Policy Statement 5: to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their “Regional and local planning authorities should ensure that they have evidence about the historic environment significance.” “Regional and local planning authorities should ensure that they have evidence about the historic environment and heritage assets in their area and that this is publicly documented. The level of detail of the evidence should be proportionate and sufficient to inform adequately the plan-making process.” In order to meet this requirement, this Design and Access Statement includes a Heritage Statement, prepared to proportionate and sufficient to inform adequately the plan-making process.” inform and accompany the proposals affecting the heritage assets detailed within. Paragraph 126 states; “Local planning authorities should set out in their Local Plan a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of 1.2 HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF CLAREMONT HALL IN THE IMMEDIATE LOCALITY the historic environment1, including heritage assets most at risk through neglect, decay or other threats. In doing so, Claremont Hall is grade II listed as a building of special architectural or historic interest and was built in the early they should recognise that heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource and conserve them in a manner appropriate to nineteenth century, as a chapel their significance. In developing this strategy, local planning authorities should take into account: . Although the perimeter wall dates from then - and is marked with a stone saying ‘1666’ - most of the remaining original building is concealed, as the facade was built in the mid-eigtheenth century, and the wings were added at • the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses a later date. consistent with their conservation • the wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits that conservation of the historic environment can 1842-19521842-1952 Ordnance Ordnance Survey London Survey London In the late nineteenth century, we are told, the building was in use as a private preparatory school for boys. bring • the desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness; and In 1915 Langley Hall became the new home of the Actors’ Orphanage, for children of theatrical parents where one opportunities to draw on the contribution made by the historic environment to the character of a place” or both parents had died. Noel Coward was as its President and visited on a number of occasions. The Orphanage stayed on the site until 1938 before the children were evacuated to America during the Blitz. Claremont Hall on Pentonville Road, London is grade II listed as a building of special architectural or historic stayed on the site until 1938 before the children were evacuated to America during the Blitz. interest and was built in the early nineteenth century, as a chapel. It opened for worship in 1819 and is considered In the 1940s Langley Hall was used as the RAF Group HQ of Bomber Command and the flat-roofed “Bunker’ was to be the most ambitious and architecturally significant non-conformist chapel of the early C19 in the Borough of In the 1940s Langley Hall was used as the RAF Group HQ of Bomber Command and the flat-roofed “Bunker’ was built. In 1955 the Ministry of Transport Road Research department were based in the building, for a short period. Islington. Over the last two centuries the building has been through many modifications and changes of use. In built. In 1955 the Ministry of Transport Road Research department were based in the building, for a short period. the 1890’s it was used as a Mission Station, then from the 1960’s as a commercial showroom for dental equipment, Following many years of dereliction, Bucks County Council purchased the building in the early 1970s and converted before being opened to the public by the Crafts Council as a gallery space from 1991 to 2006. Following many years of dereliction, Bucks County Council purchased the building in the early 1970s and converted it for use as a college, residential home and day centre. However, in 1972 the interior was gutted by fire. Since then Langley Hall has been used for a variety of educational uses, with minor adaptations made to the building to create Any enhancement of this building is to be welcomed for the positive effect it will have on the historic surroundings Langley Hall has been used for a variety of educational uses, with minor adaptations made to the building to create the most appropriate learning environments. and setting of this Grade II listed building. This report is written to form the basis of discussions surrounding the the most appropriate learning environments. continued use of the Hall and the surrounding land within its curtilage. 1.1 INTRODUCTION TO HERITAGE STATEMENT AOC were commissioned to develop plans for The Crafts Council’s “Common Place for Craft” in December 2016. Research and site visits for this statement were carried out between January and March 2017. 1893-18961893-1896 Ordnance Ordnance Survey London Survey London This statement is written to inform the Planning Authority and the Planning process. This statement has followed a 1893-1896 Ordnance Survey London number of steps in order to analyse significance and is written with reference to Part 12 of the NPPF.