Westward, La Marquanderie Hill, St Brelade: Decision to determine intention to list as a Site of Special Interest

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A decision made on 13 October 2009 to determine intention to list Westward, La Marquanderie Hill, St Brelade, as a Site of Special Interest

Decision Ref:	MD-PE-2009-0167
Subject:	List of Sites of Special Interest: Westward, La Marquanderie Hill, St Brelade.
Decision Summary Title:	DS - List as Site of Special Interest: Westward, La Marquanderie Hill, St Brelade.
DS Author:	Tracey Ingle, Principal Historic Environment Advisor
DS Date:	1st October 2009	DS Status:	Public
Written Report Title:	WR – List as Site of Special Interest: Westward, La Marquanderie Hill, St Brelade.
WR Author:	Roger Hills, Head of Historic Buildings, Jersey Heritage
WR Date	29th September 2009	WR Status:	Public
Oral Rapporteur:	Roger Hills, Head of Historic Buildings, Jersey Heritage
Decision(s):	The Minister for Planning and Environment expressed his intention to List Westward, La Marquanderie Hill, St Brelade as a Site of Special Interest by reason its special interest.
Reason(s) for Decision:	The intention to List Westward, La Marquanderie Hill, St Brelade as a Site of Special Interest is in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings as follows: The special interest of the house extends substantially to its authentic fabric, plan form and interior features; The house is of special interest for its architectural design and style influenced by the Arts and Crafts tradition, this architectural interest being enhanced by the contribution the building and its gardens make to its setting, and its role as a landmark; Westward is of historical interest as it is illustrative of the more eclectic architectural fashions of the period and of Jersey society in the late 1920s.
Legal and Resource Implications:	Article 51(2)(b) of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002 enables the Minister to include on the List of Sites of Special Interest those buildings and places that the Minister is satisfied has public importance by reason of the special archaeological, architectural, artistic, historical, scientific or traditional interest that attaches to the building or place
Action required:	Serve Notice of Intent to List.
Signature:				SMT Approved? Y / N
Position:	Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different to Date Signed):

Westward, La Marquanderie Hill, St Brelade: Decision to determine intention to list as a Site of Special Interest

List of Sites of Special Interest

Westward, La Marquanderie Hill, St Brelade

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 Article 51 of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law, 2002; Policy G11 of the Jersey Island Plan, 2002; and criteria for the identification and designation of historic buildings in SPG Practice Note 9, 2008. 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: 29th September 2009

File ref: BR0097

Current status

pSSI

Relevant interests of the site (see schedule for more detail)

The house was built in 1928 and is influenced by the Arts and Crafts tradition and the more eclectic approach to architectural composition of the period. It substantially retains its 1928 external form and detailing and is notable for its prominent gabled wings and central loggia.

Aspects of the internal layout of the house and its original fittings contribute to the significance of the property – being indicative of the architectural fashions of the period and illustrative of the social standing of its occupants and Jersey society in the late 1920s. Principal features of note include the spacious hallway with its fireplace and sturdy 1920s staircase, other 1920s fireplaces, original door joinery and ceiling plaster decoration. Also of interest is the internal arrangement of a separate service wing and servant’s corridor – although the interior of the service wing, and the first floor of the house, contains no historic fittings except for the door joinery.

The extensive gardens are impressive and provide the house with a stunning setting and add to its scenic value – although the great majority of the landscaping and planting is relatively recent, being laid out since 1971.

There is an associated entrance lodge, which is contemporary with the house but with a substantial extension built circa late 1950s and mostly new windows and doors.

It is proposed that the external qualities of the house, when coupled with aspects of its 1928 interior, merits listing as an SSI – whilst recognising that the internal interest does not extend to the entire property. It would seem justified to include the gardens within the listing – given that the extent of the grounds is contemporary with the house and that they make a significant contribution to the setting and scenic value of the property. It is proposed that the entrance lodge should be excluded from the listing – whilst it has historical interest with the house, it is of modest architectural value and has been subject to alterations.

Advice offered by MRLAG (and others if stated)

The group discussed the property at its meeting on 14th September 2009. Members agreed that the house retains its external 1920s character and recognised that the interior 1920s layout and some original features and fittings survive. 2 members recommended the site should be listed as SSI. However, 9 members concluded that the surviving original interior is modest, and consequently advised that BLI would be more appropriate - to include the gardens and lodge.

Jersey Heritage recommendation

Westward and it gardens should be listed as an SSI. The former lodge should be excluded from the listing.

Justification relating to criteria

The listing of Westward as an SSI is in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings:

The special interest of the house extends substantially to its authentic fabric, plan form and interior features;

The house is of special interest for its architectural design and style influenced by the Arts and Crafts tradition, this architectural interest being enhanced by the contribution the building and its gardens make to its setting, and its role as a landmark;

Westward is of historical interest as it is illustrative of the more eclectic architectural fashions of the period and of Jersey society in the late 1920s.