Government of Jersey

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A decision made (26.10.07) to retain La Grande Maison de la Davisonnerie, Route de la Hougue Bie, St. Saviour on the Historical Building Register.

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2007-0261
Decision Summary Title :	DS - Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historic Importance in Jersey: Review of La Grande Maison de la Davisonnerie, La Route de la Hougue Bie, St Saviour		Date of Decision Summary:	16 October 2007
Decision Summary Author:	Kevin Pilley Assistant Director		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report:	Written and oral		Person Giving Oral Report:	Roger Hills, Curator of Historic Buildings
Written Report Title :	WR - Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historic Importance in Jersey: Review of La Grande Maison de la Davisonnerie, La Route de la Hougue Bie, St Saviour		Date of Written Report:	11 October 2007
Written Report Author:	Roger Hills, Curator of Historic Buildings		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance: Review of La Grande Maison de la Davisonnerie, La Route de la Hougue Bie, St Saviour
Decision(s): The Minister for Planning and Environment determined that: 1. The mid-19th century house at La Grande Maison de la Davisonnerie, La Route de la Hougue Bie, St Saviour, with its front garden and railings, fully justifies retention on the Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance as a Building of Local Interest but that; 2. The former outbuildings do not warrant retention on the Register and should be accordingly removed from it.
Reason(s) for Decision: 1. The mid-19th century house at La Grande Maison de la Davisonnerie, La Route de la Hougue Bie, St Saviour, with its front garden and railings, satisfies the criteria for registration as a Building of Local Interest; 2. The outbuildings at this site do not meet the selection criteria as their group value and individual interest has been compromised by physical alterations and the sub-division of the site. 3. The decision accords with the States Strategic Plan commitment of protecting and sympathetically managing the Island’s built heritage assets
Resource Implications: None
Action required: 1. Notify the owner 2. Notify Development Control; Update the Register.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

La Grande Maison de la Davisonnerie, Route de la Hougue Bie, St. Saviour - retention on Historical Building Register

Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey; Review of La Grande Maison de la Davisonnerie, La Route de la Hougue Bie, St. Saviour

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 4 September 2007 that the Jersey Heritage Trust undertake a review of the extent of the existing BLI registration of La Grande Maison de la Davisonnerie 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: 11 October 2007

File ref: SA0199

Relevant interests of the site

La Grande Maison de la Davisonnerie was first registered in 1992. The survey information relating to this registration refers to the house and specifies the gates, gate piers and railings, but appears to exclude the outbuildings. The house is currently on the Historic Buildings Register as a BLI.

The house is of architectural and historical interest. It dates to the mid-19th century and retains its elegant historic character and fabric. At the roadside is a low granite wall with rusticated gate piers and high quality iron railings and gates.

There are a number of outbuildings originally associated with the house:

To the west of the house, the former outbuildings have either been demolished or are in the process of redevelopment;

To the east of the house, the former stable block (now called Toneham Lodge) has been converted into residential with numerous new openings;

A small outbuilding attached at the north end of Toneham Lodge appears to incorporate part of a pre-existing 18th century building - including some quoins and a 1777 datestone;

North-east of the house is an L-plan outbuilding that has been subdivided - the northern part is in the process of redevelopment and the southern part has suffered from the insertion of a large modern opening.

Advice received (MRLAG or others)

MRLAG discussed the site at its meeting on 8 October 2007. The majority of members concluded that the small outbuilding attached at the north end of Toneham Lodge and southern part of the north-east outbuilding should be considered as part of the BLI for their group value with the house.

JHT recommendation

The mid-19th century house with its front garden and railings fully justifies the registered status as BLI.

It is proposed that the former outbuildings do not merit inclusion within the BLI for the following reasons:

· The historic character and cohesion of La Davisonnerie site as a whole has been lost as the result of sub-division, demolition and conversion.

· The original stable / carriage house (now known as Toneham Lodge) has been converted into residential with numerous new openings resulting in the loss of historic character;

· The outbuilding adjoining at the north end of Toneham Lodge has been subject to some rebuilding with areas of patchy stonework and brick, and large 20th century windows inserted into the main elevation. The interior of this building has been completely removed and the space lined out as cold storage.

· The outbuilding to the northeast of the house is of modest architectural quality and has suffered through the insertion of a large modern opening at ground level.

The BLI registration should include the house with its front garden and railings as shown on the attached plan.

Justification relating to criteria

The mid-19th century house with its front garden and railings retains its historic form and detail, and makes a significant and positive contribution to the architectural and historical character and appearance of Jersey.

It is proposed that the outbuildings do not meet the selection criteria as their group value and individual interest has been compromised by physical alterations and the sub-division of the site.

Attachments

1992 survey information

Aerial photograph of the site

Extracts from 1795 and 1935 maps

Plan showing proposed extent of BLI

Photographs, September 2007