Warren Farm, Beaumont, St Peter: Intention to Retain on the Register of Building of Local Interest

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A decision made on 13 October 2009 to determine intention to retain Warren Farm, Beaumont, St Peter on the Register of Buildings of Local Interest.

Decision Ref:	MD–PE–2009-0166
Subject:	Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey: Warren Farm, Beaumont, St. Peter
Decision Summary Title:	DS - Register as Building of Local Interest: Warren Farm, Beaumont, St. Peter
DS Author:	Kevin Pilley
DS Date:	13 October 2009	DS Status:	Public
Written Report Title:	WR – Register as Building of Local Interest: Warren Farm, Beaumont, St. Peter
WR Author:	Roger Hills, Head of Historic Buildings, Jersey Heritage
WR Date	25th September 2009	WR Status:	Public
Oral Rapporteur:	Roger Hills, Head of Historic Buildings, Jersey Heritage
Decision(s):	The Minister for Planning and Environment determined his intention to retain on the Register of Buildings of Local Interest Warren Farm, Beaumont, St. Peter.
Reason(s) for Decision:	Whilst of modest architectural interest, the house has an unusual layout and architectural appearance, and that there was a majority view that the building be retained on the Register by the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group.
Legal and Resource Implications:	The inclusion of buildings and places in the Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey is consistent with the purposes of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002.
Action required:	Serve Notice of Intent to retain on the Register
Signature:
Position:	Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different to Date Signed):	13 October 2009

Warren Farm, Beaumont, St Peter: Intention to Retain on the Register of Building of Local Interest

Warren Farm, Beaumont, St Peter

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: 25th September 2009

File ref: PE0119

Current status

BLI

Relevant interests of the site (see assessment form)

Historic interest

The historical interest of the house is limited to it being part of a late 19th century farm, probably built after the new Beaumont road was constructed. The building was constructed circa 1872-3 - it is not recorded on the 1871 census and the Land Registry shows the house was first sold in 1874. Subsequent census records show the occupants as farmers.

Architectural interest

The farmhouse is of modest architectural interest, constructed of painted stone rubble with simple brickwork used for dressings and chimneys, and an economically spaced slated roof. The arrangement of windows seems less then generous for a Victorian farmhouse of this period – the openings being widely spaced and the original windows of squat proportions. The style and period of window varies in different parts of the house: sash windows with slim glazing bars to the north front seemingly original; upper floor casements of a later date; and lower floor windows certainly a post-1920 insertion.

The house has an unusual layout – being built up against a steep incline – with a single-storey front (north) elevation, and a 2-storey rear (south) elevation. The original arrangement appears to have been upper floor accommodation with a doorway on the north front (with storage loft with loading door above), and ground floor storage with a large central doorway on the south front. The ground floor has since been converted to residential and the main entrance door relocated to the south with a pair of new window openings inserted.

Earlier extensions shown on a 1920 photograph have since been demolished and there is a later 20th century single-storey extension to the west.

Scenic interest / group value

The ‘cottage’ roadside elevations are of some scenic value.

Advice offered by MRLAG (and others if stated)

MRLAG discussed the property at its meeting on 14th September 2009. Members discussed the unusual layout of the original building - with accommodation on the first floor and storage above and below, and noted the unusual use of minimal fenestration and plain expanses of wall. 5 members were in favour of retaining the house as a BLI; 4 members argued that it should be removed from the register; 2 members remained unsure.

Jersey Heritage recommendation

Warren Farm should be removed from the Register.

Justification relating to criteria

The historical interest of the house is limited to it being part of a late 19th century farm. Its architectural quality is modest, and it is proposed that the house does not make a major contribution to local character and identity. As such, it would appear that Warren Farm does not merit registration.