Elmwood, La Grande Route de St Jean, St John: Notice of Intent to add to the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey as a Building of Local Interest

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A decision made on 14 September 2009 to determine intention to add Elmwood, La Grande Route de St Jean, St John to the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey as a Building of Local Interest

Decision Ref:	MD–PE–2009-0155
Subject:	Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey: Elmwood, La Grande Route de St Jean, St John.
Decision Summary Title:	DS - Register as Building of Local Interest: Elmwood, La Grande Route de St Jean, St John.
DS Author:	Tracey Ingle, Principal Historic Environment Advisor
DS Date:	4th August 2009	DS Status:	Public
Written Report Title:	WR – Register as Building of Local Interest: Elmwood, La Grande Route de St Jean, St John.
WR Author:	Roger Hills, Head of Historic Buildings, Jersey Heritage
WR Date	29th April 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 Register as Building of Local Interest Elmwood, La Grande Route de St Jean, St John for its particular local interest.
Reason(s) for Decision:	The intention to Register as Building of Local Interest Elmwood, La Grande Route de St Jean, St John is in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings as follows: Historic interest: Elmwood is a former farmstead, pre-1849, that comprises a farmhouse with dower wings and front garden, with associated regular courtyard of outbuildings adjoining and detached pigsties. Architectural interest: The property substantially retains its historic farmstead layout. The former farmhouse is 2-storey, 3-bay with a pitched slate roof with pair of slim chimneystacks with stucco façade with scored ashlar and rusticated quoin strips. The central doorway has a transom light and margin lights - but there are replacement doors and windows throughout. The rear of the house has arched stair window and there is a small arched attic window to the gable. The gable and rear walls are of rubble granite with dressed openings. Dower wings to south and north. There is a detached pigsty on the west of the site - of rubble granite with dressed stonework to the doorways and feeding chutes, and a lean-to slate roof. Ranges of 2-storey granite outbuildings form a courtyard adjoining to the rear of the house. The historic character of these outbuildings has been eroded by the addition of numerous new window and door openings, the insertion of large velux windows and a comprehensive replacement throughout of historic window and door fittings with PVC or late C20 timber versions. The south side of the courtyard also has a partially remodelled outbuilding with a 20th century bay window, and the former throughway has been blocked. Scenic interest / group value: The former farmhouse makes a positive scenic contribution to La Grande Route de St Jean.
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 Register
Signature:				SMT Approved? Y / N
Position:	Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different to Date Signed):

Elmwood, La Grande Route de St Jean, St John: Notice of Intent to add to the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey as a Building of Local Interest

Elmwood, La Grande Route de St Jean, St John

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: 20 May 2009

File ref: JN0146

Current status

The group of buildings that comprise the former farmstead are currently registered as BLI.

Relevant interests of the site (see schedule)

Historic interest

Elmwood is a former farmstead, pre-1849, that comprises a farmhouse with dower wings and front garden, with associated regular courtyard of outbuildings adjoining to the west, and detached pigsties. The property is shown on the 1849 Le Gros Map under the ownership of the Dallain family.

Architectural interest

The property substantially retains its historic farmstead layout - the only significant demolition being that of a range of buildings south of the pigsty, that are shown on the 1935 OS map.

The former farmhouse is 2-storey, 3-bay with a pitched slate roof with pair of slim chimneystacks. There is a stucco façade with scored ashlar and rusticated quoin strips. The central doorway has a transom light and margin lights - but there are replacement doors and windows throughout. The rear of the house has arched stair window and there is a small arched attic window to the gable. The gable and rear walls are of rubble granite with dressed openings. Dower wings to south and north.

There is a detached pigsty on the west of the site - of rubble granite with dressed stonework to the doorways and feeding chutes, and a lean-to slate roof.

Ranges of 2-storey granite outbuildings form a courtyard adjoining to the rear of the house. The historic character of these outbuildings has been eroded by the addition of numerous new window and door openings, the insertion of large velux windows and a comprehensive replacement throughout of historic window and door fittings with PVC or late C20 timber versions. The south side of the courtyard also ahs a partially remodelled outbuilding with a 20th century bay window, and the former throughway has been blocked

Scenic interest / group value

The former farmhouse makes a positive scenic contribution to La Grande Route de St Jean.

Advice offered by MRLAG (and others if stated)

MRLAG discussed the property at its meeting on 11 May 2009. Members were unanimous that the farmhouse and detached pigsties retain their external character and merit being maintained as BLI. The group debated whether the courtyard of outbuildings merits BLI for their group value or whether their interest had been eroded by 20th century alterations. 10 members advised that the BLI should be restricted to the former farmhouse (including dower wings) and the detached pigsty. 2 members advised that the entire farmstead should be retained as BLI.

Jersey Heritage recommendation

The former farmhouse (including its dower wings and front garden) and the detached pigsty should be maintained as BLI. The other parts of the site should be excluded from the BLI registration.

Justification relating to criteria

The registration of the former farmhouse (including its dower wings and front garden) and the detached pigsty as BLI is in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings as these elements substantially retain their historic form and detail and so make a significant and positive contribution to the architectural and historical identity, character and amenity of Jersey.

The registration of the remaining outbuildings is not in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings as the external character of these buildings has been altered and they no longer retain their historic form and detail.