Appendix 3: Historic Environment Character Zones Assessments for Gnosall This appendix provides an assessment of the historic environment for each of the Historic Environment Character Zones (HECZs) which lies around the villages of Gnosall and Gnosall Heath. It should be noted that the information and any recommendations contained within this appendix is subject to amendment should any new information become available. For further information regarding the Historic Environment Record (HER); Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) and designated sites please contact: Cultural Environment Team Environment & Countryside Development Services Directorate Staffordshire County Council Riverway Stafford ST16 3TJ Tel: 01785 277281/277285/277290 Email: [email protected] Staffordshire County Council August 2009 1 GHECZ 1 – Coton (HECA 33) Summary The historic landscape character of the zone is dominated by squatter enclosure with an associated dispersed settlement pattern. This historic landscape may have its origins in the medieval period, but probably mostly dates to the 16th century when Coton End is first recorded. Squatter enclosure is a rare historic landscape character type within Staffordshire and is consequently sensitive to change. There is also the potential for evidence of earlier settlement to survive either as below or above ground archaeology or within the fabric of the historic farmsteads. Also contributing significantly to the historic landscape character of the zone are the two lines of transportation. The canal, designated as a Conservation Area, remains an important feature in the landscape and whilst the tracks of the railway have been lifted its form is still prominent within the zone. Medium to large scale development within the zone will have a significant impact on the historic environment of the zone. Should development be planned within the zone it would need to address impacts upon and potential mitigation strategies for: • The sensitive historic landscape of squatter enclosure typified by small irregular fields. • The impact upon the associated small-scale scattered settlement pattern • The impact upon the Conservation Area • The impact upon below ground archaeological deposits. Early consultation with the Conservation Officer at Stafford Borough Council and the Cultural Heritage Team at Staffordshire County Council is advised. Designations (map 1) A small section of the Shropshire Union Canal Conservation Area (081) crosses the zone on an approximate north west to south east alignment. Archaeological Character (map 2) The current understanding of the later prehistoric landscape of the country suggests that it had mostly been heavily wooded until the Bronze Age. Some clearance may have begun to take place by this period to support a small scale pastoral economy when humans were settling down to farm specific landscapes. However, little archaeological work has been carried out and consequently the early history of the zone is poorly understood. 2 To the east of the zone lies the village of Gnosall, which was first recorded in Domesday Book (1086) where 12 heads of household were recorded1. It was held by a religious community which had probably been founded in the 10th century2. Historic Landscape (map 3) There appears to have been settlement at Coton since the early 14th century when four people were recorded in a tax return3. By 1680 there were five or six households with a further four being recorded at Coton End4. The historic landscape character suggests that this zone had previously been settled by squatters probably upon heathland and the placename Coton End may support this interpretation5. Coton End was first mentioned in documentary sources in the late 16th century by which time it was recorded as part of the manor of Coton; this was also the period at which heathland is recorded as being enclosed within the wider Gnosall area6. However, it is possible that squatting on the heathland had begun within the zone by the late 13th century, a period of high population, and that Coton itself has its origins as assarting upon heath or waste land7. An area of ridge and furrow was recorded from aerial photographs taken in the 1960s, which may relate to arable activity associated with Coton following assarting in the later medieval period8. The surviving Squatter Enclosure is a rare landscape within Staffordshire and as such is highly sensitive to change. It is a landscape which could benefit from enhancement and management to ensure its survival for future generations to appreciate. The historic dispersed nature of the settlement is still distinct within the landscape and three historic farmsteads survive. Two of these farmsteads, Coton Farm a small loose courtyard complex and Cross Fields Farm a dispersed cluster plan, both suggest that they developed incrementally over a over a number of years if not centuries. Both of these farmsteads lie within the hamlet of Coton and early elements may survive within these structures, which could inform the origins of the hamlet. The third farmstead, Cotton Bank Farm, has been classified as a regular courtyard plan which is the most common form in Staffordshire and is spread widely across the landscape. These forms appear to represent a deliberate 1 Staffordshire HER: PRN 02467 2 Heath 1974: 6 3 Staffordshire Historic Collections volume 7 part one (1886) viewed on http://www.british- history.ac.uk/ (17/08/2009). 4 Midgley 1958: 111 5 Horowitz 2005: 210 6 Ibid: p. 113 and p. 126 7 Assarting: processes where fields are enclosed piecemeal in an area of woodland or heathland. Assarting occurred throughout the medieval period and later, but is particularly recorded in the 12th and 13th century in Staffordshire (cf Palliser 1976: 70-76). 8 Staffordshire HER: PRN 20370; Ridge & furrow: A series of long, raised ridges separated by ditches used to prepare the ground for arable cultivation. This was a technique, characteristic of the medieval period. (Scope note reproduced from the Thesaurus of Monument Types by kind permission of English Heritage © 2009). 3 development aimed at improving agricultural productivity being taken forward by wealthy landowners at this period. A brick built barn forms part of this farmstead and it is likely that, in common with the majority of regular courtyard plan farmsteads, it post dates 17509. However, it is possible that it represents the complete re-building of an earlier farmstead. The zone is also crossed by two lines of transportation, both of which have their origins in the 19th century. The Birmingham to Liverpool Junction Canal was begun circa 1830 by the canal engineer Thomas Telford10. Fifteen years later it became part of a wider canal network known as the ‘Shropshire Canals Union’ which went onto construct the Stafford to Wellington Railway line circa 1849. By the time of its completion the railway line was leased to the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) Company11. The railway line crosses the canal to the north of the zone. The railway line closed to passengers in 1965, but survives as a substantial earthwork. The canal continues to enjoy increasing popularity among the pleasure boating fraternity and has been designated as a Conservation Area which recognises its importance to the historic landscape. Historic Assets Summary Table Survival The zone has seen little disturbance although 2 a few of the field boundaries have been removed in some areas of the squatter enclosure. There are three historic farmsteads, which on the whole have seen little change to their plan forms. Potential There are limited known historic environment 2 assets (HEAs) other than the lines of transportation and the farmsteads. There is the potential for evidence to survive in the area relating to earlier settlement either as above or below ground archaeology or within the fabric of the historic buildings. Documentation HER data 1 Diversity There are a range of HEAs from the 2 farmsteads and the historic transportation routes to the surviving historic landscape character. The date range of these assets is probably of 16th to mid 19th century date. Group Association There is likely to be an association between 3 the dispersed nature of the settlement pattern, particularly the relationship of at least two of the farmsteads, with the surviving historic field pattern. 9 Lake 2009: 19 10 Staffordshire HER: PRN 05238 11 Staffordshire HER: PRN 50655 4 Amenity Value The canal provides a sense of place within 2 the zone and is enjoyed as a public amenity. The zone would benefit from the enhancement of the historic landscape character. Sensitivity to change (to The rarity of the historic landscape character 3 housing expansion & of squatter enclosure within the county along infrastructure for SBC) with the associated dispersed settlement pattern means that the zone is particularly sensitive to large and medium scale development. The impact upon the Conservation Area would also need to be taken into account. Overall Score 15 Bibliography British History Online: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/ (viewed 17/08/2009). Edwards, B. 2009. Historic farmsteads & landscape character in Staffordshire. Unpublished report. Heath, P. 1974. ‘The Medieval Church’ in M. W. Greenslade (ed.) A History of the county of Staffordshire: volume III. Oxford University Press. Horowitz, D. 2005. The place-names of Staffordshire. Privately published. Lake, J. 2009. ‘Historic farmsteads: national context’ in B. Edwards Historic farmsteads & landscape character in Staffordshire. Unpublished report. Midgley, L. M. 1958. ‘Gnosall’ in L. M. Midgley (ed.) A History of the County of Stafford Volume IV. Oxford University Press. Palliser, D. M. (1976). The making of the English landscape: the Staffordshire landscape. Hodder & Stoughton (London). 5 . All. rights reserved. This product includesmapping licensed Survey from Ordnance withMajesty’s permission of the of Her Office Controller © copyright Crown and/or database right 2009 Licence number 100019422. Map 1: Designations 6 0019422. This product includesmapping licensed from Survey Ordnance withMajesty’s permission of the of Her Office Controller © copyright Crown and/or database All right 2009.