Download potterne conservation area

SHALBOURNE
CONSERVATION AREA
STATEMENT
January 2003
SHALBOURNE CONSERVATION AREA
The purpose of this Statement of the Shalbourne Conservation Area is to
identify and record those special qualities of the village that make up its
architectural and historic character. This is important for providing a
sound basis for local plan policies and development control decisions as
well as for the formulation of proposals for the preservation or
enhancement of the character or appearance of the area.
The Statement contains an assessment of the Shalbourne Conservation
Area and is intended for all those with an interest in the village, or
undertaking work on its buildings, landscape, streets or public spaces.
It is also essential reading for anyone contemplating development within
the village. By drawing attention to the distinctive features of
Shalbourne, it is intended that its character will be protected and
Shalbourne from the Village Green looking enhanced for the benefit of this and future generations.
north with the Kingston Room almost hidden
in the trees. The Plough PH and the Village
Stores & Post Office provide interest and
activity and thereby add to the character of
the village.
Shalbourne Conservation Area was first designated in 1985 and includes
most of the built-up area of the village. The Conservation Area follows
the line of development that runs from The Mill to the north, along
Kingston Road to the Village Green, then rising upwards along Rivar
Road to the end of the village and approaching the foot of the scarp.
From the A338, which runs across the ridge to the north west of the
village, Shalbourne can be seen set in a tree covered rural landscape
with key buildings such as the Parish Church and Shalbourne Manor
forming village landmarks. Also visible is the network of small
paddocks and fields surrounding the village. Long distance views to the
south and east reveal the northern edge of Rivar Down and Ham Hill.
The distinctive views within the village are formed by the meandering
line of the main road through together with banks, verges and the
positioning of key buildings. The alignment of buildings is irregular
resulting in an informal character. Trees and hedges are also important
components of village character with many of the views enclosed or
framed by the buildings and landscape.
Geology and topography
Shalbourne is located in a narrow stream valley between the chalk
downland scarp slope to the south and a ridge forming the southern edge
of the Savernake Plateau landscape area. The countryside here is within
the southern part of the chalk Marlborough Downs: the subsoil is mostly
greensand with chalk and clay outcrops.
There is significant vegetation cover and, to the west, the extensive
woodland of Savernake Forest which lies on a clay and flint deposit
overlying the chalk. The mosaic of farmland and woodland gives the
landscape its intimate and enclosed character.
The village sits on the southern slope of the stream, a minor tributary of
the River Dun which it joins at Hungerford. The lowest point of the
village is at around 120 metres to the north where the stream crosses the
Shalbourne seen from the A338 showing how
the village nestles in the valley and the road and the village then follows an undulating route running
importance of the trees in the landscape. approximately south-west where the road splits and rises westwards
Inkpen Hill is in the far distance.
towards Carvers Hill Farm and south towards Rivar Hill. The high
point of the parish is at Rivar Hill, at 226 metres.
1
tri
N
↑
A typical view in the village showing the
road along the valley with high banks, tall
trees and with rooftops and chimneys giving
a visual indication of development.
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved Kennet District Council LA078328 2002
Shalbourne Conservation Area – an enlarged map is included on pages 7 & 8
Listed buildings are shown in red
Origins and development of the village
The first reference to Shalbourne is found in a Saxon Charter of 955 AD
at the time of King Eadred's bequest of the Manor of Shalbourne to
St. Mary's Winchester. In Saxon times the village was split with the
northern half located in Berkshire and the southern part in Wiltshire and
this continued as an administrative arrangement until 1895 when the
boundaries were redrawn and the whole of the village became part of
Wiltshire.
The presence of water was always an
important consideration in the location of
settlements. In Shalbourne the influence of
the stream is practical rather than visual
except at the northern end of the village.
Shalbourne takes its name from its location as a settlement on the
shallow stream with the bourne an essential source of water. The stream
is supplemented by springs at the bottom of Brook Lane and the
watercourse has had a significant influence on the layout and
development of the village. The existence of the water supply and its
use are evident to the north-west of the village at the Mill House behind
which are the former watercress beds that were in use from the 1920's
up to 1972.
2
The stream divides the parish of Shalbourne, the larger southern portion
which contains the village itself also contains the hamlets of Rivar and
Oxenwood. The significance of the administrative boundary running
through the village is not immediately apparent in the way the village
developed but becomes clearer on further investigation.
There appear to have been two planned linear villages, one on each side
of the county boundary: the Wiltshire village (West Shalbourne or
Westcourt) is arranged along a north-south street, which forks at each
end. On its east side is Manor Farm, now known as Shalbourne Manor,
and on its west side are the long rectangular crofts of the tenants
extending down to the stream. At the southern fork is the Village
Green.
Although containing remnants of earlier build
the church is essentially Victorian in
character. Its location close to the northern
edge of the village is explained by the former
Wiltshire/Berkshire boundary which bisected
Shalbourne until 1895. The lane giving
access to the church has a distinctive rural
character.
The upper part of the village (East Shalbourne or Eastcourt) seems to
have been set out along the lane leading southwards from The Mill and
maps of 1761 and 1773 depict the lane as built up on both sides with the
development then turning into Ham Road.
The principal building of this northern part of the village is the Parish
Church of St. Michael and All Angels which dates from the 12th century.
It has a 15th century tower but was substantially restored in 1873 giving
it its present appearance. In the Victorian south aisle a tablet
commemorates Shalbourne's most famous figure Jethro Tull, the
agricultural innovator and inventor who farmed in the area in the early
18th century. In 1704 Jethro Tull took over a farm which his great
uncle, also Jethro Tull, had created in the east of the parish. The farm,
named Prosperous, became the centre of his activities but lies outside
the Conservation Area.
To the north-west of the village is the main route from Burbage to
Hungerford, the A338, which runs along the top of the escarpment and
bypasses the village. This was described in Ogilby's map of 1675 as
part of the great road from Salisbury to Oxford, a long stretch of which,
from Hungerford to Collingbourne Ducis, was turnpiked in 1772. The
existence of this road reduces the amount of through traffic and
contributes to the relatively unspoilt character of the road through the
village.
Another significant factor in the development of Shalbourne relates to
land ownership. The 1843 Tithe Map shows that much of the village
was owned by Anthony Kingston of Manor Farm or the Marquis of
Ailesbury as part of the Ailesbury Estate.
The earliest surviving domestic buildings in Shalbourne are Shalbourne
Cottage, on Rivar Road and Westcourt Farm, of 14th century origin.
Further development in the 16th and 17th centuries within the village,
along Rivar Road, Burr Lane and Ham Road established the structure of
the village and this continued in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Although an important historic building
Manor Farm, now Shalbourne Manor, has
only a limited influence on village character.
Here it is seen from a public footpath to the
east of the village.
Up until the end of the 19th century Shalbourne was essentially a rural
community but there is evidence that tradesmen from Hungerford then
came to live in the village. Apart from agriculture there were other rural
based industrial and commercial activities appearing in the village and
amongst those recorded are harness and rope making, blacksmithing and
broom making. In addition there were activities to serve the transport
industry including a wheelwright. Visual evidence of these earlier
activities is rare and information comes mostly from written sources.
3
The Kingston Room (1843), now the Parish Hall, was built to provide
bible education to children of the poor and remained in use until 1897.
The present school was built in 1873. A large part of the Ailesbury
Estate was sold in 1929 providing the opportunity for individual
purchase of dwellings in the village.
Infilling along the village streets took place throughout the 19th century
with a significant further building after the Second World War and up to
the end of the 20th century. Recent changes include the redevelopment
of previously used sites such as the former garage on Rivar Road and
the outbuildings to Manor Farm.
The layout of development in the centre of
Shalbourne is informal; sometimes close to
the road, as here at Ivy House, or otherwise
set back behind banks and hedges.
Shalbourne in 1901 showing the similarity with the village as found today. Many of the
buildings shown on this map are now listed as of special architectural or historic interest
Looking south towards the school is the arch
effect of the trees so often seen in the village.
The building provides a visual stop to the
vista and this emphasises its importance in
the street scene. It is also important in
maintaining activity.
The historical background included here is intended to describe briefly
the way the village has developed and the influence this had on its
present day character. A complete account of the History of Shalbourne
is available in Shalbourne to the Millennium, which includes a wide
range of maps, photographs and documentary extracts and provides a
remarkable insight into the evolution and life of the village.
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Archaeological significance
A number of prehistoric artefacts have been located in the northern
portion of the Conservation Area. To the north east of Shalbourne two
blade cores and several struck flints dating to the mesolithic have been
unearthed. In addition a neolithic flint scraper was unearthed near Mill
Race, east of the stream. Flint tools and a polished axe were found at
Shalbourne school and, at the Vicarage, a variety of tools were
recovered including an additional polished flint axe. Several RomanoBritish coins have also been recovered at both the church and Mill
House.
The 16th century 'Little Court' on Rivar Road,
one of the many listed buildings in the
Conservation Area. Here the original details
of the building have been maintained, the
timber frame and local red brick providing a
reminder of the earlier character of the
village.
The 995AD reference to Shalbourne records the village as
Scealdeburnan and several finds of a similar date have been discovered
south east of Shalbourne Mill, including brooches, pins and a buckle.
The village is also recorded in Domesday as 'aldebourne' and a number
of earthworks to the south of the village, noted on aerial photography,
are likely to have come from the Medieval period. Indeed, excavations
undertaken in 1994 at Baverstock Farm revealed a series of ditches and
a number of pits containing 12th/13th century pottery.
Architectural and historic character
Some 30 or so buildings in the Conservation Area are listed as of special
architectural or historic interest and these are shown on the map.
Listing is from time to time updated and a check with the District
Council will reveal any changes. In addition there are a significant
number of unlisted historic buildings and most of these are important to
the character of the village.
Early buildings in Shalbourne are for the most part timber frame and
brick with thatch roofs and this tradition runs through several centuries.
In addition to the modest cottages Shalbourne has a number of
distinguished buildings, in particular Shalbourne Manor, previously
Manor Farm, which is a stone and flint building, and Shalbourne House,
a brick and slate building dating from the 18th century. Another of the
prominent buildings is the Mill House built of brick with a clay tile roof,
externally 19th century in character but with earlier origins. At the other
end of the village is the Parish Hall, formerly The Kingston Room, a
19th century building of ashlar and slate.
'The Grove' presents an 18th century
appearance to the road although it is believed
to have 17th century origins. The use of
patterned brick and clay roof tiles is a
common feature in Shalbourne.
This
building
also
makes
an
important
contribution to the village scene.
Shalbourne Cottage at Rivar Road is said to date from the 15th century
with Shalbourne Manor Farmhouse, Cruck House, Number 24 and Little
Court dating from the 16th century. A significant number of cottages
survive from the 17th century and these would have given the village
much of the character that it still retains today. Examples of 18th century
development are Shalbourne House and Numbers 25 and 28, together
with the stables and store at Manor Farm and the barn at Baverstock
Farm on Rivar Road.
The relationship between the buildings and the road varies throughout
the village. In some places the buildings are set back and are often
hidden by high hedges or trees, whereas other buildings front onto the
street and are therefore much more prominent. This is most evident at
the southern end of the village where The Plough and the former
Bakery, together with the Parish Hall and Shalbourne Stores and Post
Office define the space.
5
The character of Shalbourne is best recognised walking through the
village where the various elements can be readily appreciated. From the
north the beginning of the built up area occurs at the stream with
The Mill and associated outbuildings clearly visible close to the road.
From this low point the road swings and climbs gently with banks, trees
and shrub cover the most evident and buildings set back. On the
right-hand side is a two-storey cottage, patterned brick and slate roof
with iron casement windows.
Arriving in the village from the north the
curved alignment of the road is immediately
apparent as is the interest created by not
being able to see around the corner – a
common occurrence in Shalbourne.
On the western side a narrow track leads to the Parish Church but this is
only evident from the roadside sign. The road continues to climb to its
junction with Ham Road and, turning east, the historic buildings close to
the highway form an attractive scene.
Travelling south the high banks continue but here the trees are taller and
more noticeable. From this point the village street has a footpath on the
western side, relatively narrow and with limestone sett kerbs.
A prominent building here is the Old Post Office noticeable because of
its gable to the street front. Past the Old Post Office the road bends
right with the side elevation of Foxbury appearing in the direct view.
This end wall disguises the importance of the property which is late
Victorian with a patterned steep pitch tile roof and steep gables and is
particularly evident from the south.
As the road swings right past The Grove the village school appears in
the direct view framed by trees on either side and beyond the school the
hillsides of the scarp appearing in the distance. Just before the school
and set back is South Lodge, a new building of red brick and thatch,
clearly designed to reflect the village character. From the school the
road drops away retaining this distinctive character of high banks, trees
and hedges and with occasional glimpses of the houses. The change in
level to the west of the village is identified by the low position of Brook
Cottage where the thatch is only just evident above the hedgeline.
As the road continues the houses become more evident and to the west
is a significant group of listed buildings. On the east side the setting of
Primrose Cottage, which is 19th century, red brick, with a slate roof, is
enhanced by the low wall and railings fronting the street. Further along
and past the late 20th century housing development of The Barracks is
the former Methodist Chapel, now converted to residential use.
Just to the east is The Rowens a sizeable new house which has replaced
the former outbuildings of Manor Farm. South from The Rowens is
another important group of tall trees leading to the Parish Hall and
onwards to the Village Green. As Kingston Road approaches the Green
the character of the area is influenced by the activities of the Shalbourne
Stores and Post Office and The Plough PH.
A significant number of historic buildings in
the Conservation Area are unlisted but clearly
are important to village character. Here at
Primrose Cottage, with Anvil Cottage
beyond, the architectural details adds further
interest to the street scene and create local
distinctiveness.
At this point is Rivar Road which rises south-east and the character of
this part of the village is again formed by banks and mature trees. Some
particularly fine oaks create a tunnel effect, before the ground levels out
towards the southern end of the village where ash trees also overhang
the road. Earlier buildings tend to be close to the edge of the road with
later development set back. Within this area the timber and corrugated
iron structures on the north side of the road provide an interesting link
with past village activities.
6
Shalbourne Conservation Area - northern part
Nort h
↑
Key
Conservation Area
Boundary
Listed Building
Significant unlisted
buildings and walls
Significant trees
Significant
verges /hedges /banks
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved Kennet District Council LA078328 2002
The base map used in this report is the latest available – recent changes within
the village may not be shown.
7
Shalbourne Conservation Area - southern part
Nort h
↑
Key
Conservation Area
Boundary
Listed Building
Significant unlisted
buildings and walls
Significant trees
Significant
verges /hedges /banks
© Crown copyright.
All rights reserved
Kennet District Council
LA078328 2002
The base map used in this report is the latest available – recent changes within
the village may not be shown.
8
Building materials and details
All of the early buildings in Shalbourne are of timber frame, with a later
introduction of brick, using the locally available materials of the time.
Brickmaking has taken place over a considerable period in the locality
and at the beginning of the 19th century there were eight brickworks
identified close to the village. Just beyond, additional brickworks could
be found in the vicinity of Great Bedwyn and Wilton. Evidence from a
Savernake Estate sale of 1929 shows that the brickworks at Dodsdown
(Wilton) was an extensive operation covering some 29 acres and with
kilns capable of producing over 20,000 bricks at each firing.
Apart from the Parish Church there is little use of stone, the exceptions
being Shalbourne Manor, which is stone and flint, and the Parish Hall,
which is ashlar limestone.
Red local brick and clay tile are much in
evidence, as are thatched roofs, either in long
straw or combed wheat reed. Brickwork is
often decorative and overburnt (blue) bricks
are sometimes used to provide patterning.
The thatch tradition in Shalbourne is long straw, and this still remains,
although there are properties with combed wheat reed, including several
recently built houses. Roof coverings on some of the 17th and 18th
century buildings are handmade plain clay tiles with Welsh slate
appearing on the 19th century buildings. Brick chimney-stacks are
distinctive features in the village.
Windows and doors on buildings before the last part of the 20th century
were traditionally painted timber. For the most part the historic
buildings in Shalbourne appear to retain their original fenestration and
this adds significantly to the quality and character of the village.
Local identity is created by specific features and details and the gates to
Shalbourne Manor are an example of this. Mention has already been
made of the railings fronting Primrose Cottage but elsewhere the use of
such features is limited. The sign for The Plough on the Village Green
is another notable feature.
The presence of economic and other activity contributes to the vitality
of the village and the character of the Conservation Area. Today
Shalbourne is mainly residential but retains its school, and has a village
shop and post office, and public house. All need to be maintained as
essential components of the village.
Landscape setting and the contribution made by green spaces and
trees
By the early medieval period the present day settlement pattern had
been established along the road that followed the watercourse. Other
influences on the landscape were the enclosure acts of 1800 which
brought an end to the strip field structure and increasing mobility.
Approached from the north the location of Shalbourne in the valley is
most evident. Dropping down the hill from the Burbage to Hungerford
Road (A338) the village is largely hidden among the trees but with
rooftops and chimneys beginning to appear. In the far distance looking
south Rivar Down and Ham Hill provide the backdrop to the long view.
The character formed by the landscape and
trees is best seen in Rivar Road, although it
does occur elsewhere. The way in which the
road cuts through the hillside and the tree
cover are distinctive and provide a real sense
of place.
As the road crosses the stream and rises from the Mill House it is cut
into the hillside. The character of the village is therefore influenced by
the high banks, hedges and trees that in some cases almost hide the
development.
9
The stream is a significant landscape feature but is not apparent within
the village. The predominant character is formed by extensive tree
cover set in an undulated landscape and with the buildings dispersed
between.
The importance of the landscape setting is most clearly seen from the
footpaths and especially from the footpath that runs from the Primary
School to the Church on the western side of the village, although once
again the existence of the stream is only identified by the line of trees.
The Parish Church sits behind later development and is unusual in that it
is completely hidden from the main route through the village, although
this is explained by early emergence of two settlements each side of the
Footpaths in the village are both useful and county boundary. Access is via a "country lane" which then opens to
picturesque. Here the link between the provide a setting for the Church. The Church is in a wooded setting
church and the school allows glimpses across with mature lime, ash, sycamore, horse chestnut and yew within, and
to the other side of the valley.
around, the churchyard.
Shalbourne has little in the way of open space within the centre of the
village, the exception being the Village Green to the southern end. The
Green itself is in the fork defined by Burr Lane and Rivar Road and
provides a setting for the buildings along those roads. This gives
prominence to The Plough and the Parish Hall, together with Manor
Cottage. Looking from the south the trees in the grounds of Shalbourne
Manor are especially fine and in the summer months completely hide
the building. Within this area are a number of mature trees and those
towards the north-western end of Rivar Road frame the picture of the
village.
Leaving the centre of the village and travelling south-east Rivar Road is
at a considerably lower level than the surrounding land and once again
there are a number of fine trees that frame the view. This is emphasised
by the way the road rises up with the contained view opening out at a
height of around 140 metres in the vicinity of Ropewind Farm.
The high quality of the landscape is confirmed by its designation within
the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Problems and eyesores
The public view of Shalbourne is notable for the quality of the
landscape setting and the number and location of fine trees. Banks and
hedges tend to hide buildings and activity and visual eyesores are few.
For the most part the trees and hedges through the village are
indigenous species and this emphasises the incongruous appearance of
the line of conifers on the north side of Rivar Road.
One minor visual detraction is the setting of the Primary School. At
present the picture is of a broken road surface with obtrusive refuse bins
and white painted fencing, especially evident because of the position of
the school in relation to the road alignment.
One of the few untidy sights in the village.
The former wall and railings around the
Kingston Room have been replaced by
tarmac and steel posts – scope for
enhancement and an opportunity to improve
safety.
The area to the south of The Kingston Room is at present dominated by
the road surfacing with damaged bollards to the east side. Attempts
have been made to define this area with road markings but these are not
visually successful. The former quality of the area is evident from early
photographs where the setting of The Kingston Room was once
enhanced by a low wall and railings.
10
On the Village Green there are a number of unco-ordinated signs: the
fingerposts and pub sign are of some quality but later signs, refuse bins
etc. tend to spoil the close-up view.
In recent years there have been a number of changes to traditional
buildings in the village in the form of alterations and extensions. When
a historic building is extended there is considerable merit in retaining
the visual appearance of the original form. This requires that any
addition should not be disguised as part of the main structure but should
read as an extension, albeit constructed of sympathetic materials, details
and scale.
Changes occur in both the built form and in
uses. Here the former Methodist Chapel of
1911 has been converted to residential use
but its former character has been maintained,
thus providing a link with the past history of
the village.
There has been considerable building activity within the village in
recent years in the form of house extensions and new houses with a
tendency for the introduction of a tidy appearance. A balance needs to
be kept between functional need and local rural character and the use of
items such as block paving for paths and driveways and the tight
clipping of verges should be discouraged.
Preservation and enhancement
Preservation and enhancement of the character of the Conservation Area
requires co-operation from all those who have an interest in the village
either as owners, occupiers, the District and Parish Councils and other
service providers. Owners and occupiers of land and buildings have the
ability to enhance the area through their direct activities, some of which
may require planning permission or listed building or conservation area
consent.
The District Council is responsible for planning control, and
preservation of the character of the Conservation Area is a statutory
duty. Work undertaken by those providing electricity and telephone
supplies can affect the quality of the environment, as can works carried
out within the highway.
Preservation of existing character
It is the aim of the District Council that the character and appearance of
the Shalbourne Conservation Area should be preserved and there are
various ways in which this can be achieved. The following list is not
exhaustive but is intended as a guide to the type of work that would
contribute to maintaining the quality of the village.
The careful maintenance of historic buildings
is an essential requirement if the character of
the village is to be preserved. Attention to
detail and protection of original elements are
basic requirements. The Doves has been
rethatched since this photograph was taken.
Action by the District Council:
ƒ Applications for planning permission and conservation area consent
to be assessed with reference to this character appraisal.
ƒ Advice to be made available to owners of historic buildings, listed
and unlisted, to encourage good standards of maintenance and repair
and the retention of original materials and details. The retention of
original timber doors and windows is especially significant because
of the visual importance of these in the street views.
ƒ Contact to be maintained with the County Council as Highway
Authority concerning works within the Conservation Area and in
particular the protection of the many banks and verges that
contribute so much to the quality of the village. The size, style and
location of road signs, and the introduction of road markings, should
be considered with particular care.
11
ƒ
Proposals for indigenous tree and hedge planting to be encouraged
to reinforce and, in the long term, strengthen the quality of the
landscape.
Action by owners:
ƒ Look carefully at desired changes to buildings and surroundings and
view the proposal in context. Where construction work is involved
take particular care in the choice of materials.
ƒ Where undertaking works to doors and windows on traditional
buildings retain the original wherever possible or copy existing
styles and details.
ƒ Consider all extensions as complementary to the existing building
and design in keeping.
ƒ Prepare a strategy for the maintenance of trees, shrubs and hedges to
ensure long term survival and, where appropriate, identify sites for
replacement tree planting.
This section of wall fronting the Mill is now
in need of attention. The problem of erosion
has been exacerbated by the use of the wrong
sort of mortar for repair.
Lime mortar
should always be used on historic brickwork
for practical and aesthetic reasons.
Where areas or features in the Shalbourne Conservation Area are out of
keeping with the character of the village it will be desirable to seek
improvements or undertake replacements. Any such work should
reflect the intrinsic character of Shalbourne and utilise materials and
details that fit the rural scene:
ƒ
At the School - relocation of refuse bins with tidying of the surface
of the lane and repainting the white fencing to a darker colour.
ƒ
At The Kingston Room - examine options to recreate the character
once formed by the low wall and railings. This could also help
highway and pedestrian safety.
ƒ
The Green - look at all signs with a view to removing any that are
redundant or replacing where desirable to improve their siting or
appearance.
The list identifies the scope for improvement but timescales are not
determined. The District Council will give consideration to encouraging
implementation when resources permit.
Areas of potential change
The 'Limits of Development' outlined in the Kennet District Local Plan
indicate that expansion of the existing built-up area will be resisted.
The line follows closely the line of the Conservation Area but there are
minor differences.
Economic and social changes are likely to continue to bring about
pressure for development or redevelopment. To maintain the character
of Shalbourne it will be important to ensure that building extensions are
kept subservient to the principal building concerned, and that the form,
scale and style of any new building is kept in context. It will also be
Maps of Shalbourne indicate that a number of important to ensure that spaces between buildings are retained.
barns and other agricultural buildings have
disappeared in recent years or been converted
to other uses. Here in Rivar Road these
timber and corrugated iron structures are a
reminder of village history. Where possible
such buildings should be kept and reused
rather than simply replaced.
Redundant farm buildings and workshops in rural areas are in
considerable demand for residential conversion. Where existing
employment activity exists it should be maintained with new
employment uses considered for suitable premises. Efforts to reduce
outward commuting will help to maintain the character of the area.
12
Within the village there is little scope for major change with the
exception of the area around Ropewind Farm. It is possible to see this
as the next place to be subject to development pressure and guidelines
should be established.
The main considerations should be to ensure the retention of mature
trees, the retention and reuse of traditional buildings and a limit on
density. Buildings should reflect local character with suburban features
and layouts avoided. It may also be appropriate to ensure that any
development that does take place is in the form of a designed group with
sufficient space maintained around to retain village character.
Notes on extensions to traditional buildings
Here at the top of Rivar Road a number of There are some useful guidelines on house extensions that can be
new dwellings have been built in recent applied here:
years. The future of Ropewind Farm may be
seen as a development opportunity – if this ƒ All extensions should be in scale and character with the building to
which they are added and should not dominate;
does occur there should be an appraisal of the
existing buildings on the site as the starting ƒ Particular care should be taken to ensure that the original character
point for any change.
of traditional buildings is maintained with extensions on major
elevations set back from the existing and with roof lines lower;
ƒ Plan forms should be narrow to reflect local tradition and roof
pitches should relate closely to those of the existing building;
ƒ Window proportions should relate to those of the principal building
and should generally be set back within the reveals;
ƒ It is not always necessary to copy roofing materials, particularly
thatch, provided that a traditional clay tile or natural slate is used.
This can help maintain the character of historic buildings by
following a long established building tradition.
ƒ Garages are not always easily assimilated into village scenes and
prominent locations and double doors should be avoided. Driveway
finishes should be rural in character.
In all cases the relationship with adjacent buildings and spaces needs to
be considered. Also relevant is the need to comply with Building
Regulations.
Extensions to dwellings can be seen
throughout Shalbourne but are most evident
on both sides of Ham Road where the
buildings front directly onto the street.
Efforts have been made to build in keeping
but more could be done to protect village
character.
The planning context
The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
places a duty on local planning authorities to determine which parts of
their area are "Areas of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, the
The practice of extending a listed building
along the exact line of the original and character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance"
attempts to merge rooflines distort the and to designate them as Conservation Areas.
character of the original. Extensions need to
be seen as subservient. Where historic
details, such as windows, are copied they
should be exact with the windows set back in
the reveals as on the original structure.
The Act, and Government advice given in Planning Policy Guidance
Note 15, Planning and the Historic Environment, states that the local
planning authority should formulate and publish proposals for the
preservation and enhancement of all Conservation Areas and this
assessment, published as the Shalbourne Conservation Area Statement,
is part of the process.
This Conservation Area Statement was adopted by the Council as
Supplementary Planning Guidance on 21 January 2003. SPG provides
additional information on the interpretation and implementation of
policies and proposals contained in a Local Plan.
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Consultation procedures, consistent with the advice contained at
paragraph 4.7 of PPG15 – Planning and the Historic Environment, have
been undertaken during the preparation of this Statement. Paragraph
3.16 of PPG12 – Development Plans, also states that adequate
consultation is a requirement for adoption of SPG. The Council
considers that the consultation undertaken meets the obligations for
consultations set out in PPG12.
The Replacement Kennet Local Plan (March 2001) is at an advanced
stage of preparation having been subject to two stages of Deposit and a
Public Local Inquiry.
This SPG provides detailed background
information for the interpretation of policies contained in the
Replacement Local Plan, particularly Policies HH5 and HH6.
In addition, the guidance will be relevant to the application of Policies
PD1, HC5, HC22, HC32a, ED9, ED11a, ED11b, ED26, AT28, NR5,
HH8, HH9, and HH12.
The Conservation Area is complex and, although priority has been given
to highlighting significant features, omission of items from the text or
from the illustrations should not be regarded as an indication that they
are unimportant in conservation or planning terms.
Summary and Conclusions
Summary
The major change that has taken place in Shalbourne since the
Conservation Area was first designated in 1985 is the continued
reduction in farming activity to be replaced by a largely residential
population. Accompanying this has been investment in the repair,
alteration and extension of many houses and cottages in the village
together with the construction of a number of new ones. The
predominant new construction is of high value buildings with their
accompanying large plots and provision for cars. A number of existing
dwellings have likewise been upgraded.
This view of the centre of Shalbourne clearly
shows the quality and character of the village
and demonstrates that the area is of
considerable architectural and historic
interest.
All this has taken place within a well defined physical structure and
landscape and with only limited effect on the visual character of the
village. Trees, hedges, banks and walls together with the positioning of
buildings means that the attractive informality of Shalbourne has been
maintained.
The village has a high proportion of historic buildings, not all of which
are listed. It also has a limited number of village facilities and thus
outward commuting is significant. Traffic in the village is less
noticeable than in many other settlements with the nearby A338
functioning as the bypass. Traffic speeds in parts of the village are
reduced by the twisting alignment of the roads which provides a limited
traffic calming function.
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Conclusions
The potential for development or redevelopment in the village is
limited, but continued demands for alterations and extensions to existing
buildings can be expected.
The character of the village can be adversely affected by changes to
existing buildings especially buildings of historic interest. It is
important to recognise, and work with, the form and grain of the village
taking into account historic boundaries and overall density.
The implications of all proposed changes need to be assessed in context,
taking the wider view of buildings and their settings. Erosion of
character occurs through the application of standard solutions, and the
use of inappropriate standard building components: this should be
avoided where possible.
Conservation activity requires both a broad
view and attention to detail. Although the
Manor is not a key visual part of the village
its status is identified by the entrance, itself a
distinctive feature.
Trees, verges and other landscape features are important but can be
vulnerable to change.
Positive action will need to be made to protect the various elements that
make up the special character of the village to ensure its long-term
survival for the benefit of existing and future residents, businesses and
visitors. Conservation Area legislation is designed to protect the special
quality of historic towns and villages. The information in this Statement
has been produced to assist this process and provide guidance for the
future.
Oxenwood
The Parish of Shalbourne includes the hamlet of Oxenwood, which is a
separate designated Conservation Area, and for which there is an
accompanying Statement.
Bibliography: The Victoria County History
R S Barron –The Geology of Wiltshire 1976
John Chandler – Marlborough and Eastern Wiltshire 2001
Kennet District Council – Landscape Assessment and
Landscape Conservation Strategy 2001
Shalbourne to the Millennium – Shalbourne History Project 1999
The assistance of the Archaeology Section Wiltshire County
Council is gratefully acknowledged.
January 2003
This leaflet is one in a series of Conservation Area Statements and Guidance Notes produced by Kennet
District Council. For an up to date list, or if you require further information or advice, please contact:
The Conservation Section, Planning Services Group
Kennet District Council, Browfort, Bath Road, Devizes SN10 2AT
℡ 01380 724911
www.kennet.gov.uk
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