Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey
La Preference Cottage, La Rue du Hucquet, St Martin
This report has been prepared by Jersey Heritage as part of its responsibility under a Service Level Agreement to provide reports and recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Environment on the architectural, historical and archaeological significance of buildings and sites.
The assessment and recommendation are made in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings. The report includes the views and advice offered by the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group.
Author of report: Roger Hills BA(Hons) MA DipBldgCons (RICS) IHBC Head of Historic Buildings
Date of report: 23rd July 2009
File ref: MN0075
Current status
Not registered.
Relevant interests of the site
The 1795 Richmond map shows a single south-facing building on the site, with its west gable to the roadside, and an area of garden around it surrounded by orchards to the north, south and east. This has been identified as La Preference Farm – from which the archway and chamfered window on the present buildings originate.
La Preference Cottage began as outbuildings added to the rear of the older farmhouse sometime in the 19th century. When the larger Victorian Gothic house (later La Preference Children’s Home) was built nearby in the second half of the 19th century, it is understood that the old farmhouse was demolished, leaving the outbuildings in place. The 1935 OS map shows a U-plan complex, apparently associated with the mid-Victorian house. Also shown is a 19th century walled garden – part of which survives.
The farm outbuildings were converted into accommodation in 1947. The major remodelling included the incorporation of a granite archway and chamfered window from the old farmhouse site, and the insertion of numerous large picture window openings. There was further conversion works in 1976 – including the addition of large dormers and further remodelling of the interior with tie beams removed and floor levels changed, a new staircase added etc.
La Preference Cottage today comprises an L-plan single-storey building with attic. The walls are likely principally constructed of granite but have a modern rendered finish. There are several large picture window openings on the front elevation of the property, and large 20th century dormers on the slate roof. The site is of little architectural or historical interest with the exception of the re-used decorative fragments from the old farmhouse site.
The stone archway on the south front has roll mouldings, a keystone with shield incised 1C 1688 RB, and unusual shoulder stones (described in Old Jersey Houses as like a Dutch girl’s cap). One explanation for this unusual shape may be that the archway began as part of a double archway and that the upturned shoulder stone originally linked to a larger adjacent carriage arch. To a degree, the archway is a concoction as there are extra base stones added below the chamfer stops. On the east gable is an 8-stone chamfered window - again presumably taken from the demolished property.
There is a walled garden to the east of the cottage of 19th century date – and would seem more likely contemporary with the Victorian Gothic house than the earlier farm. The original stone walls survive on the east and west side of the garden (with a brick gateway on the east, and later concrete block buttressing on the west side), with a shorter wall on the south side. The north wall has been demolished and rebuilt, and there are no surviving Victorian garden structures or planting features within the garden.
Advice offered by MRLAG (and others if stated)
MRLAG discussed the site at its meeting on 13th July 2009. The group recognised that the site has undergone significant alterations and modifications and that the archway is repositioned from another building. Members agreed that the buildings, and the walled garden, are of no historical or architectural interest, but were concerned that the stone archway should be protected - given that it is of such age and an iconic architectural feature in the Island. The group debated the absence of any other formal mechanism that exists to protect such fragmentary features of interest and 7 members concluded that the stone archway by itself should be registered as a BLI; 3 members advised against registration of any part of the site. Members were not in favour of registering the early chamfered window.
Jersey Heritage recommendation
La Preference Cottage is of little architectural or historical interest. The buildings do not retain their historic form and detail and their character as 19th century outbuildings has been severely compromised by 20th century remodelling.
The re-sited 16th / 17th century stone archway and chamfered window are features of heritage interest, and utmost care should be taken to ensure they are protected in any future development of the site. However, it is the view of Jersey Heritage that the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings does not provide for the registration of these re-used architectural fragments and that their future protection is more properly achieved through the planning system.
Jersey Heritage requests clarification to be provided on the applicability of the current protection regime in cases such as this.
Justification relating to criteria
The registration of La Preference Cottage, or the re-used stone archway, would not be in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings which state, “Buildings included in the Register are those which substantially retain their historic form and detail”.
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