Hamstall Ridware Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan October 2014 Hamstall Ridware Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 1 Introduction 3 2 Planning Policy Context 4 3 Summary of Significance 5 4 Location and Setting 6 5 Historic Development 9 6 Architectural Quality and Built Form 11 7 Open Space, Parks and Gardens and Trees 13 8 Assessment of Condition 15 9 Protection Offered by Designation 17 10 Maps 19 11 Introduction 20 12 Planning Policies and Guidance 21 13 Regeneration and Enhancement 26 14 Street and Traffic Management 27 15 Trees, Open Space and Green Infrastructure 28 16 Enforcement and Remediation Strategy 29 17 Appendix A - Article 4 Directions 32 18 Appendix B - The Local List 37 19 References 40 October 2014 1 Introduction 1.1 The Hamstall Ridware Conservation Area was designated in 28th February 1971 and it covers 25.8 hectares. When it was designated, a brief document called “Hamstall Ridware Conservation Area” was jointly produced by Lichfield District Council and Staffordshire County Council. This appraisal and management plan will update this document and expand on it to meet present guidelines and best practice. The purpose of this document is to provide a basis for development control and for developing proposals and initiatives for the area in the future. 1.2 This involves the review of boundaries, details of historical development, identification of townscape details, and unlisted buildings that make a positive contribution to the conservation area. It also identifies elements that detract from or erode an area’s special interest. 1.3 The NPPF requires Local Planning Authorities to take account of heritage assessments when considering the impact of a proposal on a heritage asset (in this instance the conservation area). Section 1 which is the appraisal outlines the significance of the conservation area including its special character and appearance. 1.4 Conservation areas are defined within the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as “areas of special architectural or historic interest the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”. When a conservation area is designated, the Local Authority has a duty to “draw up and publish proposals for its preservation and enhancement”. This document fulfils that duty, in particular section 2, which is the management plan. 1.5 The Conservation area was surveyed in Summer 2014. The draft document will be considered by the Council’s Cabinet on 4th November 2014 and if approved, consultation will take place during winter 2014. October 2014 3 Hamstall Ridware Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 2 Planning Policy Context 2.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which was published in March 2012 has at its heart a presumption in favour of sustainable development. The conservation of heritage assets is one of the 12 core planning principles that underpin the planning process and is key to achieving sustainable developments. 2.2 Lichfield District Council is currently writing a new Local Plan as part of the new planning system introduced by the NPPF. The Local Plan will contain policies relating to the Historic Environment and this Conservation Appraisal and Management Plan will be complimentary to the conservation policies contained within the Local Plan. 2.3 A consistency of approach to determining planning applications is at the centre of a fair system of controlling change, especially within conservation areas. Consistent decisions also lead to an improved public perception that the system is fair and, in turn there is a greater public engagement with the process. 2.4 The draft document will be considered by the Council’s Cabinet on 4th November 2014. If approved then in line with existing policies of Lichfield District Council the Hints Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan will then go through full public consultation. The legislation requires the proposals to be submitted to a public meeting therefore this document will be presented at a meeting of the parish council. All responses to the consultation will be addressed and the document amended accordingly. Following this the final document will be submitted to the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny committee before going to the Council’s Cabinet and the Full Council for final approval. 2.5 In accordance with the English Heritage document “Understanding Place: Conservation Area Designation, Appraisal and Management”, it is important to note that no appraisal can ever be completely comprehensive. If a building, feature or space is not mentioned, this should not be taken to imply that it is of no interest. Additional, more detailed, historic and archaeological information on the area can be obtained from the Historic Environment Record (HER) held at Staffordshire County Council. www.staffordshire.gov.uk/environment 4 October 2014 3 Summary of Significance 3.1 The Conservation Area of Hamstall Ridware is significant for the following reasons: There has been a settlement in this location since the early medieval period and possibly longer Its location within the Trent Valley with its associated fertile agricultural land and its proximity to the River Blithe including an important river crossing made it a strategically important and agriculturally fruitful site. There are 12 listed buildings within the conservation area including the Grade I listed Church of St Michael and All Angels and the Grade II* listed Hamstall Hall, Gatehouse at Hamstall Hall and Tower at Hamstall Hall which mean these are in the top 8 percent of all listed buildings in England. The settlement is characterised by the Hall complex and Church to the north with a linear development running to the south in a rural location surrounded by undulating, open countryside October 2014 5 Hamstall Ridware Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 4 Location and Setting 4.1 The village of Hamstall Ridware is part of what is known locally as ‘The Ridwares’ and is situated approximately 8 miles North of Lichfield and 4 miles East of Rugeley. It is bounded to the East by the River Blithe. The overall population of the village consists of roughly 320 residents. Picture 4.1 Aerial photograph of Hamstall Ridware 4.2 The topography of the land has dictated its evolution, with the earliest phases of occupation located to the north of the conservation area on an area of slightly higher ground. The topography then slopes downwards to the east towards the River which runs roughly north to south in a shallow valley and which gives rise to panoramic views across open countryside. There is a bridge over the River to the south-east which was formerly the site of a Mill. 4.3 The village is linear in form. The church acts as a landmark and is visible from many locations around the settlement. There are small focal points at the junction of Blithbury Road, Lichfield Road and Yoxall Road and also along Blithbury Road at the southern entrance to the church. 6 October 2014 4.4 For the purpose of this appraisal three types of views have been identified. These are panoramic, specific and glimpses which are explained in more detail below. All three types of views are essential to the character of Hamstall Ridware and should be taken into account when considering proposals for new development. The maintenance of these significant views would preserve Hamstall Ridware’s historic and idyllic rural character: 4.5 Panoramic views are long distance views across broad landscape vistas. These views are across rolling countryside and are predominantly seen from the Church from where fine views across almost unspoilt countryside can be seen. These views can also be seen from various points around the conservation area both towards the east across the river valley and also towards the west up to Cowley Hill and Hunger Hill. These panoramic views add to the character of the village, showing its relationship with the surrounding rural countryside. Picture 4.2 Panoramic view across the Mill Pond Picture 4.3 Panoramic view of Church and surrounding fields 4.6 Specific views are shorter views, confined to a specific locality through routes or spaces. Views in Hamstall Ridware are often framed by development which is softened by trees and vegetation both around and between houses but also behind them providing a green barrier between the built up area and open countryside. Notable views are seen from Yoxall Road, looking northwards towards the church to where the spire can be seen projecting above the tree canopy. These views are important and significantly contribute to the character of Hamstall Ridware. October 2014 7 Hamstall Ridware Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan Picture 4.4 View across field to the Church 4.7 Glimpses are intriguing glances towards intimate routes or spaces and are usually terminated by development or landscape, thus adding to the intrigue. Because of the linear nature of the settlement there are relatively few glimpse views. Parts of Hamstall Hall and its associated buildings and structures can be glimpsed from the church yard, also there are glimpses of the imposing Old Rectory from Blithbury Road. Picture 4.5 Glimpse view of the Old Rectory 8 October 2014 5 Historic Development 5.1 The name Hamstall Ridware has both Anglo-Saxon and Celtic origins suggesting an early Anglo-Saxon settlement when the Anglo-Saxon settlers lived in relative harmony with the native Celts. Hamstall in Anglo-Saxon means homestead and generally denotes an early date for the settlement, rid comes from the Celtic and means ford and wara is Anglo-Saxon for dwellers so a reasonable interpretation would be ‘dwellers of the settlement at the ford’. 5.2 There are three entries in the Doomsday book for Hamstall Ridware and at the time of the Norman Conquest the Saxon family of Asser Geun became lords of the manor and took the name de Ridware.