Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance: Assessment of Les Ruisseaux, La Rue de la Vallee, Trinity
This report has been prepared by the Jersey Heritage Trust as part of its responsibility under a Service Level Agreement to provide reports and recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Environment on the registration of historic buildings and sites.
The Planning and Environment Department requested on 6 June 2007 that the Jersey Heritage Trust assess the architectural, historical and other interests of Les Ruisseaux ahead of discussions with the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group.
Author of report: Roger Hills BA(Hons) MA DipBldgCons (RICS) IHBC Curator of Historic Buildings
Date of report: 17 July 2007
File ref: TR0214
Relevant interests of the site (also see assessment form)
Les Ruisseaux dates to the 1890s with C20 alterations. The house is of traditional design - being 5-bay, 2-storey with granite walls, brick dressings to openings and a slate roof. All later additions and alterations to the building have been carried out sympathetically and as a consequence the house retains an historic appearance and character and is of scenic value.
Advice received (MRLAG or others)
MRLAG considered the registration of Les Ruisseaux at its meeting on 9 July 2007. Members agreed that the house is of scenic value and is a continuation of the traditional 5-bay granite house typical in Jersey. Members agreed that the house presents an historic character with later works sympathetic to the original, but it was debated whether the building is of sufficient architectural and historical interest for inclusion on the Register. The group reached a split decision with 3 members voting against registration and 8 members voting for registration as a BLI.
JHT recommendation
The fragmented appearance of the granite walls suggests that the building was intended to be rendered. The window openings also appear to have been modified or rebuilt over the years - some openings appear to be dressed with 19th century red-brown bricks patterned with burnt headers whilst others are of a uniform and later looking orange brick. All have cement sills and the windows themselves are relatively recent replacements. The brick chimneys also appear to have been rebuilt in the 20th century. There is a late 20th century extension on the west side and the 2-storey ‘dower’ has also undergone some rebuilding as shown by the variation in masonry work on the gable.
Taking the age of the building and the above factors into consideration it is recommended that Les Ruisseaux falls short of inclusion on the Register. Although of scenic value and with later works and alterations sympathetic to the original, it is proposed that the house does not have sufficient historical and architectural interest to meet the criteria for registration.
Justification relating to criteria
It is proposed that Les Ruisseaux does not satisfy the published criteria for registration in that the building does not sufficiently retain its historic form and detail.
It is proposed that the registration of Les Ruisseaux would not satisfy Para. 5.7 of the Interim Policies that states ‘After the middle of the 19th century, because of the greatly increased numbers of buildings constructed, and the much larger proportion which has survived, greater selectivity will be necessary’
Attachments
- Assessment form and photographs
- Location plan
Board of Trustees
Chairman: Jurat John de Veulle OBE Vice-Chairman: Philip Le Brocq
Rowland Anthony, Geoffrey Crill, Connétable Simon Crowcroft, Blair Gould, Clive Jones, Deputy Carolyn Labey, Paul Nicolle, Jane Stubbs,
Jonathan Voak
gov.je