Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey
L’Anciennette outbuilding, La Route de L’Etacq, St Ouen
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: 20 May 2009
File ref: OU0245
Current status
Unregistered.
Relevant interests of the site (see assessment form)
Historic interest
An outbuilding, probably a stable/store, appearing to date to the 1600s.
Architectural interest
The building retains its 17th century external form with little alteration. It is single-bay, single-storey with a loft and steeply pitched roof with raised verges. The substantial walls are rendered rubble granite. The south-facing gable has a central doorway with a straight-topped lintel, above which is single loft window with 6-stone surround of 17th century pattern. There is a single small window opening on either side of building.
The interior is a single room at ground floor with a single space loft accessed via ‘modern’ stair ladder. The roof structure was not visible as the loft is lined out with boards over plastic sheeting. One feature of interest is an apparent early timber window lintel incorporated into the gable wall above the loft window.
There is a later ramshackle lean-to to the rear of the building which is not of interest.
Scenic interest / group value
The building is to the rear of the main house at L’Anciennette but its interesting front elevation can be seen from La Route de L’Etacq and makes a positive contribution to the character of the area.
Advice offered by MRLAG (and others if stated)
MRLAG discussed the building at its meeting on 11 May 2009. Members were concerned that a building surviving from the 17th century should be given maximum protection - and that an early roof structure may survive. Consequently, the group advised that the outbuilding should be listed as an SSI.
Jersey Heritage recommendation
It is agreed that particular care and consideration needs to be given to the protection of early vernacular buildings in the Island. The evidence of the fabric appears to date the outbuilding to the 17th century and it clearly merits adding to the historic buildings register. However, the interior of the outbuilding is relatively plain and the nature of the roof structure is currently unknown. Consequently, it cannot yet been proven that the special interest of the building extends to the survival of interior fabric that would confirm its listing as an SSI.
Taking this into consideration, Jersey Heritage recommend at this stage that the outbuilding be registered as a BLI - with the further recommendation that the appropriate level of protection should be reviewed if the roof structure is uncovered and shown to be of significantly early construction.
Justification relating to criteria
The registration of the outbuilding as a BLI is in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings:
- the building substantially retains its historic form and detail and so makes a significant and positive contribution to the architectural and historical identity, character and amenity of Jersey;
- the building is of architectural and historical interest as a 17th century outbuilding constructed in the vernacular tradition.
The listing of the outbuilding as an SSI is not appropriate at this stage as it has not yet been proven that its special interest extends substantially to its interior.