Government of Jersey

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A decision made (18/05/2007) regarding: List as Site of Special Interest: Wesley Chapel, 13-17 Wesley Street, St. Helier.

Subject:	List as Site of Special Interest: Wesley Chapel, 13-17 Wesley Street,St. Helier, Jersey
Decision ref:	MD-PE-2007-0078	Exempt clause(s):		None, but some attachments exempt
Type of report:	Written and oral	Report file ref:		HE1658
Person giving report (if oral): Principal Historic Buildings Advisor
Written report – author: Historic Buildings Officer
Written Report Title: List as Site of Special Interest: Wesley Chapel, 13-17 Wesley Street,St. Helier
Decision(s): The Minister for Planning and Environment confirmed the Listing of Wesley Chapel, 13-17 Wesley Street,St. Helier as a Site of Special Interest on the basis of its particular intersets as set out and defined in the attached schedule
Reason(s) for decision: The decision gives statutory effect to that made on 19 January 2007 and affords appropriate protection to the special interest of the site in accord with States objectives.
Action required: · Notify owner · Notify Development Control · Amend the List and the Register
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision: 18 May 2007

Wesley Chapel, 13-17 Wesley Street, St. Helier - list as Site of Special Interest

		Item No:
		Date:

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

List of Sites of Special Interest: Wesley Chapel, 13-17 Wesley Street, St Helier

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is for the Minister to confirm the Listing of Wesley Chapel, 13-17 Wesley Street, St Helier as a Site of Special interest

Background

Wesley Chapel was included in the first Register published in 1992 and was confirmed as a BLI by the Jersey Building Heritage Sub-Committee during a review of St Helier registrations in 2002. Following a re-appraisal by MRLAG and the JHT in December 2006 the building was upgraded to pSSI in January 2007.

A Notice of Intention to List the site as an SSI was issued to the owner of the site on 9 March 2007: by request an extension to the 28 days requirement to make representations to the Listing was agreed. A letter objecting to the Listing of the former chapel, sent on behalf of the building’s owners, was received on 1 May 2007 (attached). In summary the basis of the objection is:

· Dilapidated condition of the building

· Diminished architectural value

· Poor quality location and setting

· The chapel is not unique

· Previous committee decision not to upgrade

· Change in status decreases value and prohibits development potential

· Additional burden on the owner to maintain the building

Discussion

In response to the objections raised, the following comments are made:

Condition of the building/ architectural value

The condition of a building can affect its significance, however, although in need of maintenance, Wesley Chapel is not considered to be at risk at this time. The building was assessed on behalf of the Department by Brian Morton (Structural Engineer) in 2004 who concluded ‘…I am quite happy that the structure as a whole has a clean bill of health…’ (letter attached). The building is not considered to have suffered any severe degradation since that report was prepared, and any effect of its condition on the architectural and historical values of the former chapel will have been taken into account during the assessments undertaken in 2006/7 by the Curator of Historic Buildings, Members of MRLAG and officers of the department.

Townscape and setting

In terms of the wider setting of the building there are undoubtedly some unsympathetic recent developments in close proximity to the chapel, however these are not considered to impact on the setting of the building to such an extent that its contribution to the townscape as a landmark building is seriously diminished. Indeed, the recent St Helier Urban Character Appraisal (Willie Miller Urban Design (2005) p.164) in its character assessment of the town centre core specifically refers to the tightly framed views defined by narrow streets and notes the ‘…examples of dramatic axial views terminating at landmark buildings most notably:…Beresford/Peter Street to the old Wesley Street Church.’

Thematic review

The need for a thematic survey of the Island’s non-conformist churches and chapels has long been recognised and work is in progress; research has been undertaken by Jeremy Lake of English Heritage and his report ‘Methodist Chapels in Jersey: History and Context’ is currently in draft form. It should be made clear however that the purpose of thematic assessment is not necessarily to cherry pick only the best of a certain building type for protection. It is to inform a wider understanding of the broader contexts in relation to the common cultural objectives and physical circumstances which influenced the development of a certain building type; the intrinsic merits of individual buildings within any thematic group are related both to its association with that ‘use’ and are also site specific and should be considered against the criteria for selection of registered buildings.

Previous decision

Advice has been sought from the Solicitor General on the matter of the previous Committee’s decision not to upgrade Wesley Chapel and her response is attached. In summary the SG has advised that provided the correct procedures are followed the Minister is entitled, and obliged, to reach his own conclusion on the basis of the merits of the building.

Development potential

The matters of value and development potential of the property are not relevant to its architectural and historic significance and would be taken into account through the formal development control process should an application be submitted.

Maintenance burden

The burden of maintenance of the building on the owner is not considered to be worsened by its Listing as an SSI. Under the auspices of the Planning and Building Law (2002) the Minister is empowered to take certain actions in relation to dangerous buildings, however none of these actions are specific to Registered or Listed buildings but relate to all buildings.

It is considered that the substance of the representation made is not sufficient to outweigh the need to protect the special interest of this site.

Recommendation

Having regard to all material considerations it is recommended that the Minister confirms the Listing of Wesley Chapel, 13-17 Wesley Street, St Helier as a Site of Special Interest on the basis of its particular interests as set out and defined in the attached schedule.

Reason(s) for Decision

The decision is based on a consideration of all material factors, including the representation made, and serves to give statutory effect to that made on 19 January 2007 by affording appropriate protection to the special interest of the site in accord with States objectives.

Action Required

 Notify owner

 Notify Development Control

 Amend the List and the Register

Written by:	Fiona Smith Historic Buildings Officer

Approved by:	Janet Dore Principal Historic Buildings Advisor

Endorsed by:	Kevin Pilley Assistant Director

Attachments: Amended schedule – (permitted activities specified)

Letter – Jenners, dated 30 April 2007 (exempt 3.2.1(b))

Letter – The Morton Partnership Ltd dated 21 September 2004

File Note – Solicitor General dated 3 May 2007 (exempt 3.2.1(a)(v))

File ref HE1658

Date 20/04/2007