Object

New, Revised and Small Sites

Representation ID: 17487

Received: 29/11/2018

Respondent: Prof Murray Gray

Representation Summary:

The development of site GNLP2121 would more than double the size of Wortwell village and have a detrimental impact on the "separation of the two distinctly separate parts of the settlement, and allowing the open countryside to filter into the village and preserving to a significant extent the setting of the listed buildings" (SNC Senior Conservation and Design Officer), in relation to planning appeal on 2017/2080).

Full text:

I wish to object to site GNLP2121 on two main grounds. Firstly, at a density of 25units/ha, the 13.75ha of this field could produce around 330 dwellings more than doubling the size of the village. This is in addition to the 3 sites already proposed by this landowner all of which are contiguous with the 13.75ha. Secondly, I would refer you to an email from SNC's Senior Conservation and Design Officer, in relation to planning application 2017/2080 which was refused on appeal earlier this year and which relates to part of site GNLP2121. It makes the case for retaining the historic separation of the two parts of the village and the openness of the area between the Bell pub and the historic farmhouse and farm building known as Say's Farm. The latter are Listed Buildings and it is important to retain their historic setting. For these reasons, I object to the allocation of site GNLP2121.

Email text from SNC Senior Conservation and Design Officer
The site lies at the edge of the south part of Wortwell opposite Say's Farm and its former barns (now called Tyrells barn) which are both grade II listed https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1157452 & https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1050805 . The farmhouse has a broad elevation facing west and has some good interior features of historic interest, indicating that it was relatively high status as a farm house.
The historic setting of the buildings would have been open countryside, as indicated on the C19 OS map below. Development has since occurred to the south of the farmhouse, connecting the farm buildings to the south part of the settlement. To the north, visible linear development has taken place along the High Road.
Importantly however, the gap between the listed Bell Inn, C18 house and now pub https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1050801 , and the farmhouse complex, has remained undeveloped along Low Road, retaining the separation of the two distinctly separate parts of the settlement, and allowing the open countryside to filter into the village and preserving to a significant extent the setting of the listed buildings. The historic footpath from the north end of the barn buildings to the rear of the pub is still maintained, and preserves an historic connection between the historic buildings across a field.

Late C19 OS Map
Discussion on proposal
The addition of a further dwelling on the opposite side of the Low Road to the listed buildings will reduce how they are viewed within the setting of open countryside in terms of views in the approaches along Low Road. The gap provides an historically important separation between two distinct parts of the settlement as well as providing the setting for the listed buildings. An addition of a dwelling will erode this gap.
Conclusion
I therefore consider that the proposed new dwelling on this site will result in harm to the setting of the listed buildings through further reducing how they are viewed within an area of open countryside, and also affect the important preserved gap of open countryside between the two distinct parts of the settlement. Being outline, there is insufficient detail to determine more exactly the level of harm of any building on the immediate setting of the adjacent listed buildings, however the principal of building on this site can be considered to result in a level of harm when considering the planning balance.