Property description

No 1 is a grade II listed coursed rubblestone cottage with a traditional red tile roof with brick gable stacks. The principal street (south) elevation has 4 pane high paired casement windows with timber lintels and a central panelled entrance door. At the rear of the property is a single storey projection with an enclosed lobby space that was added in the late 1990s.

Within the curtilage is a detached single room with a lean-to entrance lobby. It is roughly square in plan with a bay window set to one side. It is difficult to state when this was constructed but there appears to be structure in this rough location on the 1881 Ordnance survey maps, however it is possible that this has been built to replace an earlier building, however no record of this development has been identified. The 'schoolhouse' features a traditional fire place and chimney with flue but inadequate regular heating, poor insulation and a lack of airflow have all taken a toll on the building fabric. Both the bay window and lean-to are later additions to the building.

Historic / aesthetic / communal value

The area is characterised by varying styles of detached and terraced dwellings and converted farm buildings. In spite of infilling and growth over the years the village still retains much of the open structure and basic shape laid down in about 1300. The surrounding countryside flows into the heart of the village at numerous points and these also afford good views outward over the pleasant landscape. Immediately to the west of No 1 is a small development of six detached dwellings built on former pastoral land used for grazing sheep, horses and cattle.

Evidential value

Research of the local historical society records provided an insight into the former owners of the property. The small outbuilding in the garden had been used at various times as an office for the various businesses associated with the premises, including wood yard, funeral service, supplying milk to the village and booking office for the local bus and coach companies. But now has no obvious use.

Proposals

In early 2025 we were appointed to obtain the necessary consents to improve the condition of the outbuilding so it can be used as a work from home space and to replace windows and doors showing signs of timber deterioration. The main issues arising would be the impact of the proposals on the setting and statutorily listed surrounding buildings and the impact of the proposals on the architectural or historic character of the statutorily protected property.

It was considered that whilst developing the outbuilding would require the removal of some historical structure, resulting in 'less than substantial harm', the lean-to covered entrance lobby and bay window do not possess the same degree of architectural merit, based on quality, selection of materials, design details and aesthetic appeal. It was therefore proposed to replace these elements with choices more akin to the original fabric to enhance the aesthetic appeal yet not bely the architectural significance or intended purpose.

Guidance consulted when approaching the retrofit design

Historic England Publications
NPPF 2021
Historic Environment Records (HER)
LPA / Conservation Officer