architectural heritage assessment...shd lands’, ashford, co. wicklow’ and drawings, produced by...

ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT

PROPOSED BOUNDARY REALIGNMENT, DAWN COTTAGE, BALLINAHINCH, ASHFORD (RPS 19-01)

as a consequence of a SHD in the vicinity

March 2020

M

MOLLOY & ASSOCIATES CONSERVATION AR C H I TEC T S

MARLAY • PROBY SQUARE • BLACKROCK • CO. DUBLIN • IRELAND

T 0353-1-2694612 F 0353-1-2608883 E [email protected]

M

mailto:[email protected]

Molloy & Associates│ March 2020 2

AHA │ PROPOSED BOUNDARY REALIGNMENT OF DAWN COTTAGE

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 BRIEF CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS

3.0 BRIEF DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION

4.0 ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT

5.0 CONCLUDING STATEMENT

This document was prepared by:

Maol Íosa Molloy

B.Arch., BSc.Arch., MUBC, Dip.Arb., MRIAI, RIBA, MCI.Arb. Grade 1 Conservation Architect



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report was prepared by Molloy&Associates Conservation Architects, on behalf of the

applicants Ardstone Homes Ltd. in relation to a residential development (SHD) in the vicinity of

Dawn Cottage, a protected structure (RPS 19-01), arising in required modifications to its front

boundary.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of the report

This report is written in response to concerns raised by Wicklow County Council in respect of the

proposed realignment of the boundary of a protected structure, Dawn Cottage. Communications with

the Heritage Officer in December 2019, January 2020 and March 2020 have taken place, with the

design team response tailored to address her concerns.

1.3 Design team inputs

In response to the Council’s request to elaborate on proposals, the following inputs are attached to the

wider submission from key consultants:

Expanded planting design by Kevin Fitzpatrick Landscape Architecture, including a revised plan

showing the extent of proposed and temporary works; extent of replacement planting;

composition of planting (species, specification, sizes, planting details and spacing) as contained

in a planting schedule on the plan

An arborist report entitled ‘An Arboricultural Assessment of the Tree Vegetation on the ‘Ashford

SHD Lands’, Ashford, Co. Wicklow’ and drawings, produced by Arborist Associates Ltd.

2.0 BRIEF CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS

2.1 Description of enclosing road network

The cottage is positioned at the junction of the R763 and R764, having a stream to the east side of the

R764.

Recent road works at the junction have introduced road crossings and new surfaces, none of which has

presented an impact for the character of the cottage.



P1 Access from Ashford Village, south of the cottage, towards its boundary at the junction between the two roads.

P2 Footpath on the opposing (east) side of the R764 to the cottage

P3 View from the north, towards the same junction



P4 View from the north; note cottage entrance to the west and stream to the east

2.2 Brief description of the front boundary of Dawn Cottage

Dawn Cottage is described as a ‘white-washed, five-bay, single storey cottage with a heavy batter and

buttresses at the ends of the façade. Thick thatch on the roof’ in the Record of Protected Structures. The

cottage is visible from the road. Its front boundary aligned with the R764 is wholly vegetative in origin,

forming a densely planted ditch incorporating a semi-mature hedge. A variety of trees are planted inside

the boundary. The cottage is accessed through 20th century gate piers and flanking rendered blockwork

walls, with the driveway rising to meet the cottage’s entrance.

P5 Detailed view of boundary at junction, due north



P6 Detailed view of boundary at junction, due south

P7 Cottage, as visible from the road

P8 20th century gated entrance



P9 Flanking entrance wall and gate pier to south. The wall will be minimally treated as part of the proposed works.

P10 Entrance driveway, which will remain unchanged by the proposal

P11 Internal view of garden and hedged boundary, together with trees impacted by the development



3.0 BRIEF DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION

The proposed development seeks to construct a footpath aligned with the western boundary of the

R764, which will require removal of a strip of land from within the cottage’s property. The development

will require removal of the existing embankment and its hedging and trees, with minor modifications to

the contemporary entrance. In removing a naturally formed boundary having the capacity for regrowth,

the proposal will not arise in irreversible removal of building fabric contributing to the character of the

protected structure.

4.0 ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT

An impact assessment of the proposed realignment of the front boundary of Dawn Cottage arising from

the proposed SHD of lands in the vicinity, reviews the existing character of Dawn Cottage as informed by

its front boundary and enclosing road network. It has examined the composition of the boundary and

reviewed the appropriateness of the proposed treatment of the boundary realignment.

The proposal seeks to remove a natural boundary with the intention of replacing it with a similar

arrangement that will appear visually unchanged on completion. It could be held that the boundary’s

existing character visually informs a passive enclosure to the cottage, but has scope for change as

proposed as it will essentially be replicated to ensure consistency with the existing arrangement. Physical

impacts will be minimised in the localised cutting back of the embankment and its vegetation in the

opposing direction of the cottage.

Proposed modifications of non-original gate piers and flanking walls are minimal, and being executed to

contemporary fabric, will not present an impact for the protected structure.

Detailed methodologies for temporary access and hoarding will be agreed in due course.

On the whole, the proposal is not deemed to introduce an adverse impact as the character of the entire

composition will remain as existing on completion and into maturity.

5.0 CONCLUDING STATEMENT

On assessment of the existing character of the front garden and entrance of Dawn Cottage in context

with the proposals, it is found that the range of likely architectural heritage impacts anticipated as arising

from the proposed development are on the whole, benign, and will not detract from the character of the

protected structure or its urban context.

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