spg06 hinton martell conservation area

CONSERVATION AREAS IN EAST DORSET

HINTON MARTELL

East Dorset District Council Policy Planning DivisionSupplementary Planning Guidance No.6 September 2005

East Dorset District Council Policy Planning Division Supplementary Planning Guidance No.6 (September 2005)

ForewordThis document is based upon work carried out in 1994 to define the special qualities of the ConservationArea that was subsequently published as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the East DorsetLocal Plan (see paragraphs 6.118 to 6.131 and accompanying policies BUCON 1 to 4 of the EastDorset Local Plan adopted 11 January 2002).

The text and illustrations of the original publication have been revised and updated to reflect anysignificant changes that have taken place in that time since the original survey and appraisal of thearea were undertaken.

The appraisal provides guidance to those elements and characteristics that should be taken intoaccount when considering proposed developments and other works requiring consent. The informationcontained in the appraisal will be treated as a material consideration by the Local Planning Authoritywhen considering planning applications.

The revision does not extend to reviewing the boundaries of the designated area. This work will beundertaken between 2006 and 2010 in parallel with the Local Development Framework process, ascurrently programmed.

The maps used in the document are based upon the Ordnance Survey mapping currently availableto the Council.

East Dorset District Council,Furzehill, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 4HN.Tel: 01202 886201e-mail: [email protected]: www.dorsetforyou.com

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IntroductionAt the time of the Norman Conquest, HintonMartell was known as Hinetone, the village ofthe monks. A Frenchman called Eudo Martelheld it at the time of Magna Carta, who waspossibly connected to Charles Martel (theHammer), conqueror of the Saracens in 732.No visible traces of the medieval village remainother than reset stones in the Parish Church ofSt John the Evangelist, rebuilt in 1869 and its13th century font.

ScopeThe boundaries of the Conservation Area,which was designated in November 1978, aretightly drawn around the oldest part of thevillage. The boundaries generally follow fieldboundaries where they meet the village, butextend a little further to the east to include smallwell-treed paddocks at the bottom of Piper’sHill. The village street to the west of ‘Longlands’ wasnot included on account of its more opencharacter, with fewer buildings of architecturalor historic interest. The boundary was drawnon the south side of the village street in front ofHinton Cottage before turning into Emley Lane,but excluding the group of modern housesscreened by high hedging. The Conservation Area includes the largegarden to New Manor Farm House and itsadjacent paddock as this well treed areaencloses the village and screens the large portalframe barn and slurry pit to the south. To the north of St John’s Church, ‘Church Mead’was included on account of its visual

relationship with the historic Church. Othermodern dwellings to the northeast, which arescreened by boundary trees and a small copse,were excluded.

SettingThe spring-line village stands where the Chalkmeets the clay/ sandy-gravel mixture of theReading Beds. It nestles at the feet of Piper’sHill and Clay Hill, two of a line of hills that fringethe eastern side of the Allen valley. WiltshireWood and the sloping farmland to the north actas a backdrop to the buildings and createenclosure. From the public footpath above thevillage the tower of the Church forms a focalpoint. The village is introspective in character, withfew views of the Allen valley to the south andwest.

ApproachesThe village centre is one kilometre to the eastof the Cranborne road, approached by a narrowhedge-lined lane. From the lane are viewsacross open farmland to the backs of housesat the western end of the village.

The lane continues through the village, past theChurch and out at the eastern end and thenceup Piper’s Hill. From the farmland to the east,characterised by small fields enclosed byhedges, the descent from Piper’s Hill forms adramatic approach to the village. The narrow,winding lane cuts deeply through the woodedslopes as a hedge-lined leafy tunnel.

Church of St. John the Evangelist (Grade II Listed Building)

Village street south of St. John’s Church

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FormBuildings follow the village street from one endof the village to the other, facing the publichighway behind mostly short gardens. TheConservation Area comprises the eastern endof the settlement where the oldest buildings areconcentrated. A field track from the south makes a rathergrand entrance to the village street creating awide paved area with a raised circular pool andfountain in the middle. The size and formalityof the water feature appears somewhat out ofplace with the modest village character, foraround the space is a loose grouping ofdetached houses and cottages and gardenspaces.

BuildingsThe Church of St John the Evangelist standsto the northeast of the village, somewhatdetached from where the oldest dwellings aresited.

The Church has ancient origins, but the tower,nave and chancel were reconstructed in 1869.Thomas Hardy, whilst working as an architect,helped in the design and supervision of the re-building, including the incorporation of severalearly windows dating from the 14th, 15th and16th centuries.The building is constructed offlint and rubble, with ashlar dressings under atiled roof. The crenellated tower has a smallhexagonal turret on top, capped with an ogeeroof and weather vane. The traditional buildings in the conservationarea feature a variety of materials. Walls are ofcob or brick under roofs of thatch, plain claytiles or occasionally slate. Hinton Cottage,

formerly St John’s, still retains much of itsoriginal timber frame.

This 17th century thatched cottage is aparticularly good example of its type and wasfeatured in Pamela Cunnington’s influential‘How Old is Your House’ published in 1982. Thebuilding has a distinctive thatched cat-slide atthe rear enclosing an outshot that extends thelength of the building. The building stands in asmall front garden enclosed by high hedges. Old Timbers, which dates from the 17th century,has cob walls and a thatched roof that hangslow over the eaves and even lower over theoutshot on its western side. The combed wheatthatch has been laid in the traditional EastDorset style with gentle curves, wide eaves andflush ridge.

To the east, standing a little further back fromthe road behind a hedge is Old ManorFarmhouse, a symmetrical two-storey brick andtiled house dating from around 1800. The frontrange, which was re-built in the second half ofthe 19th century, retained the old tiles and stoneeaves courses, but rendered the front façade

Hinton Cottage formerly St Johns (Grade II Listed Building)

Old Timbers (Grade II Listed Building)

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in hard pebble-dash. Though not listed, thebuilding still has much character, havingdistinctive tall stacks and small first-floorcasement windows over a matching pair of baywindows having much larger sliding sashes.Centrally placed between the bays is an opentimber porch. Enclosing the village street at this point, on thesouth side, is Old Manor Farm. The former farmbuildings were substantially reconstructed in1984, but much of their basic form has beenretained and the buildings now accommodateeight dwellings, all of which are well integratedinto the village. The varied range of buildings,which are clad in traditional materials, surrounda simple, gravelled courtyard. The contrastingbuilding forms create an interesting incident inthe street scene.

To the south of the fountain, set well back fromthe highway within a large garden, stands StMary Magdalene cottage. The listed cottage,having rendered walls of cob and concrete blockunder a thatched roof, has 18th century originsbut has been much altered.

Three buildings, the former schoolhouse, shopand post office were grouped between thefountain and the Church. None of these usesremain. The late 19th century former schoolhouse ishistorically important as one of the fewremaining rural Shaftesbury schools. Half of thelisted building is used as the village hall andhalf is residential. Both halves of the buildingstand behind a rather bleak tarmacadamforecourt, not helped by utilitarian interwovenfencing.

Fountain Cottage to the southwest was oncethe village shop and bakery as well as the PostOffice. In the rear garden is a brick buildingwhich was the village bakery. Of similar date tothe school, this distinctive brick and tile houseretains much of its original character, includingtall chimneystacks, finials and gables, porch andTudor style window arches. However, its gardensetting has largely disappeared as a result of aplot severance, together with the loss of muchvegetation. Fountain Cottage is currently beingextended and the adjacent plot is awaitingdevelopment.

Old Manor Farm

St. Mary Magdalene (Grade II Listed Building)

Old School House & Village Hall (Grade II Listed Building)

Fountain Cottage

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Opposite is Vine Cottage,once the village shop.This two-storey house has a long, narrow-spanned form and is built of brick under a slateroof. It is sited close to the road, set behind ashallow frontage enclosed by low walling andiron railing. The house has chimneystacks,small casement windows facing the road and adecorative enclosed porch.

To the southeast of the fountain the entranceto the Old Rectory is marked by two simplepillars. A gravelled driveway leads to the elegantGeorgian house, mostly concealed by yews andbay trees. The two-storey house has a complexdouble pile form with projecting wings. It isconstructed of brick under plain clay tiled roofs,some gabled; others half-hipped and featuresseveral chimneys. Of early 18th origin, it has19th century additions and alterations butretains its elegant proportions and character. Itis not listed. To the west of the house is a two-storey coach-house that has been converted to formresidential accommodation. The simple brickbuilding, under a hipped slate roof, standsalongside the track leading to Clay Hill. Other significant buildings that contribute to thecharacter of the conservation area are GreenPastures and Dewlands, a pair of semi-detached cottages to the west of HintonCottage, and Meadow View to the east.

Vine Cottage, formerly the village shop

These former cottages, dating from around thelate 18th century, have chalk cob walls over apainted brick and stone plinth. They have hippedslate roofs and feature very tall chimneys. Thecottages, which were listed in 1995, are partiallyscreened from the road by high hedges. This isfortunate as the front garden of ‘Green Pastures’has been hard surfaced for car parking. Meadow View, facing the village street oppositethe entrance to Emley Lane, is a simple two-storey village house having Flemish bondbrickwork with burnt headers under a tiled roof.The symmetrical front façade has smallcasement windows and chimneystacks at theridge ends. The cottage has a small front gardenbounded by a high evergreen hedge.

Loosely grouped around the Church are anumber of recent detached dwellings, set inspacious grounds. Church Mead, to the northof the Church, is a pseudo-Georgian houseprominently sited on elevated land surroundedby lawns.

Dewlands & Green Pastures (Grade II Listed Building)

Meadow View

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Open SpacesSpacious gardens are an important feature ofthe conservation area. The spaces betweenbuildings result in a relaxed character in whichtrees, hedges and other garden vegetationproliferate. The generous garden spaces on theeastern side of the area allow natural vegetationto be retained and thus provide a physicalconnection with the surrounding landscape.These make a significant contribution to thesetting of the conservation area. The sub-division of plots, as has recentlyoccurred at Fountain Cottage, pose a threat tothis character as the characteristic linear formof the village and the spacing between buildingsbecome disrupted. Moreover, vegetation isremoved to make way for new driveways andhard-standings.

WallsBrick walls, some 1.2m in height extend alongthe street frontage outside the Church. The wallfeatures shaped stone capping. A simple ironarchway marks the entrance to the churchyard,although the lamp is missing. Half-round brickcapping occurs on walls of similar height in frontof the Old Schoolhouse. Historically, the most significant wall coincideswith part of the northern boundary of the presentRectory. A section of this high wall isconstructed in chalk cob with a tiled coping.

Trees and HedgesTrees feature prominently within theconservation area creating shelter and visuallylinking the settlement with the surroundinglandscape. There are important linear copseswithin the grounds of Piper’s Paddock, VineCottage, The Rectory and the Old Rectory tothe east of the conservation area; and in thegrounds of New Manor Farmhouse to the south. Old sycamores on the frontage of the Rectoryand a pair of old specimens in front of St MaryMagdalene Cottage help to enclose the spacearound the fountain, and the latter frame theview of the thatched cottage behind. Goodspecimens of Yews occur in the grounds of theOld Rectory and around Vine Cottage. Rural hedges, a mixture of blackthorn,hawthorn, holly, hazel, and other native speciesline the three farm tracks as they enter the

village. That in Emley Lane returns along thevillage street, screening the row of moderndetached houses behind. Another importanthigh rural hedge forms the western boundariesof Fountain Cottage and Church Meadrespectively. Clipped hedges are an important characteristicof the conservation area, contributing to thesense of cosy enclosure and informality in thevillage. Front boundary hedges extendthroughout the settlement on one side of theroad or the other and sometimes on both sides,providing a common unifying element in thestreet.

Streetscape features The absence of footpaths reinforces theinformality of the village. Grass verges in thevicinity of the Church add an element of softnessto the highway. Overhead telephone wires andassociated poles extend throughout, with aparticularly ill-sited distribution pole locatedoutside the Church. The circular pond and central sculptural fountainprovides a prominent and unique focal point,although its formality is a little at odds with thecharacter of the village. The structure, whichwas designed by students from WeymouthCollege in 1965, replaced two earlier fountains,the first of which was installed in 1875 by a MrBurt, the owner of the Witchampton Paper Mill.

It is said that when Mr Burt moved into the villagefrom Newtown, he missed the luxury of pipedwater in his house which he had experiencedin his previous house by the river. So hearranged for the springs on Piper’s Hill abovethe village to be piped to his house (and othervillage houses). However, as the supply was

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gravity fed directly from the running springs,there would be a problem if everyone turned offtheir taps at once. So an overflow was neededand the fountain was built to supply this. Thefountain continued to be gravity fed until its post-war restoration.

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Planning Policy inConservation AreasEast Dorset has many attractive villages ofspecial architectural or historic interest.

In order to protect their character andappearance, the best of these, including thehistoric centre of Wimborne Minster, have beendesignated as Conservation Areas by the DistrictCouncil under Section 69 of the Planning (ListedBuilding and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

Under this legislation additional planning controlsare exercised by the Council within designatedConservation Areas in order to preserve andenhance those apsects of character andappearance that define an areas’s specialinterest.

These include controls over the demolition ofmost unlisted buildings. An application forConservation Area Consent is needed for thedemolition of an unlisted building in aConservation Area.

The Council encourages the retention of buildingsthat make a positive contribution to the characteror appearance of a Conservation Area. Anyproposals which involve demolition of existingbuildings will be carefully assessed for theirimpact upon the character of the area. The localplanning authority will also need full details aboutwhat is proposed for the site after demolition.

Certain types of development, whichelsewhere are normally classified as permitteddevelopment (such as the insertion of dormerwindows in roof slopes, the erection of satellitedishes on walls, roofs or chimneys fronting ahighway) will require planning permission.

Guidance and application forms can be obtainedfrom the Planning and Building Control Division.

TreesTrees are an invaluable visual asset to thecharacter and setting of many ConservationAreas.

Trees in Conservation Areas may already beprotected by a Tree Preservation Order and theCourts can impose heavy fines for unauthorisedfelling or lopping.

In addition to these controls, and in recognitionof the contribution that trees can make to thecharacter and appearance of a Conservation Areaspecial provisions apply to the lopping or fellingof other trees which are not otherwise protected.Anyone wishing to fell or lop such trees needsto notify the Council in writing six weeks beforecarrying out any work.

Householders are also encouraged to seekadvice from the Department on the managementof their trees. By taking the correct action nowmature trees can be made safer and their livesextended.

New DevelopmentWhen contemplating alterations to existingbuildings or the construction of new buildingswithin a Conservation Area it is advisable to obtainthe views of your local Planning Officer at anearly stage. The Department is glad to help andthe advice is totally impartial and free of charge.

When considering applications for newdevelopment, the Council as Local PlanningAuthority takes particular care to ensure that itfits in satisfactorily with the established characterand appearance of the Conservation Area.

Positioning, massing, design and choice ofmaterials are of particular importance, as wellas the visual impact of ‘building over’ an area ofhitherto open land.

The special character of these areas stem notonly from the age, disposition and architecturalinterest of the buildings, but also from thetreatment of the spaces in between.

The presence of gardens, paddocks, soft verges,hedges and old boundary walls contribute greatlyto the individual sense of place.

Applications for new development mustdemonstrate that the proposal will harmonise withthe Conservation Area i.e. that it will preserve orenhance its character. Potential applicants arestrongly advised to seek proper professionaladvice.

Therefore when considering such applicationsthe local planning authority will pay particularattention to the following elements of the design:

1. the positioning of the building and itsrelationship with adjoining buildings, existingtrees or other features;

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2. the proposed building materials, particularlythe walls and roof, and their suitability to thearea and in relation to neighbouring buildings;

3. the proportions, mass and scale of theproposal and their relationship with the area ingeneral and adjoining buildings in particular.

4. whether the proposed development mightadversely affect existing trees, hedges or othernatural features of the site.

In some cases it may be necessary to reproducean historic style of architecture in order to matchexisting buildings. Generally, however, the Councilencourages new construction to be designed ina modern idiom provided the criteria listed aboveare applied. Poor copies or imitations ofarchitectural styles detract from the genuine olderbuildings and are normally discouraged.

Full details of any proposed development mustbe submitted, showing existing site conditionswith the proposals clearly marked. Details of theelevational treatment, including windows anddoors, will normally be required. In manyinstances the planning authority will expectdetails of hard and soft landscaping including aspecification of all the proposed materials.

Conservation Area analysisThe District Council has carried out and publisheddetailed studies of the Conservation Areas toidentify those elements which contribute towardsthe unique character of each area. Any proposalwhich has an adverse effect on these featureswill not be permitted. Proposals that can be seento enhance the Conservation Area will beencouraged.

GrantsGrants may be available from the District Counciltowards the alleviation of eyesores, or measuresthat improve the street scene, such as tree-planting, hedging or other boundary treatments.Grants or loans may also be available towardsthe repair of Listed Buildings, particularly wheresuch repairs make an impact on theConservation Area.

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Design andConservation Servicesin East DorsetConserving the best features of our environment,our historic towns, villages and countryside, isone of the most important of our planningfunctions.

Historic BuildingsOur buildings are a record of our architecturaland social history. As a society, we hold them intrust for future generations to cherish and enjoy.Investment in our architectural heritage assistslocal and regional social and economicdevelopment

The supply of buildings of the eighteenth centuryand earlier is finite; once demolished they arelost forever. Others suffer almost the same fatefrom alterations made without regard to theiroriginal design and character.

Historic buildings require special care if theircharacter, which relies upon traditional buildingmaterials and practices peculiar to each region,is not to be spoilt by insensitive alterations orinappropriate methods of repair.

Owners of Listed Buildings contemplating alteringor extending their building are advised to obtainGuidance Notes obtainable free from theDepartment.

An important function of the Design andConservation Section is to advise owners ofhistoric buildings and assist in achievingsolutions which preserves their intrinsic interest.

The Section can help seek out the right materialsfor the job and advise on the correct method ofrepair.

It can also provide advice on both the law relatingto listed buildings and sources of financialassistance.

Conservation AreasConservation Areas are groups of buildings,villages or areas of towns having specialarchitectural and townscape interest, thecharacter of which should be preserved andenhanced.

East Dorset has 17 Conservation Areas, whichrange in size and nature from small villages suchas Almer to the historic town centre of WimborneMinster.

The siting, design and materials of newdevelopment, or alterations to existing buildings,are scrutinised by the Department to ensure thatthe character of such areas are protected.

Since 1980 the Council has invested in aprogramme of environmental improvements withinthe centre of Wimborne Minster. The effect ofthese measures has been to create an attractiveplace for residents and visitors to shop and toenjoy.

AdviceFor advice on any aspect of the Council’sbuilding conservation work, the availability offinancial assistance or to discuss yourindividual building, please contact our Designand Conservation Leader Ray Bird, or hisassistant Alan Turner on 01202 886201 or e-mail:[email protected] .

Designated Conservation Areasin East Dorset

Crown Copyright. East Dorset DistrictCouncil, Furzehill, Wimborne, Dorset.Licence No.LA086096

Pentridge

Cranborne

EdmondshamWimborne St Giles

Gussage All Saints

WitchamptonHorton

Hinton Martell

Shapwick

Pamphill Rowlands Hill/ St Johns HillMapperton Almer Sturminster

Marshall

Wimborne Minster

Hampreston

West Parley

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