Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey
Haut du Mont Farm, La Rue de l’Aleval, St. Peter.
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 principles of selection for registration as set out in the interim policies for the conservation of historic buildings (1998). The report includes the views and advice offered by the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group.
The Planning and Environment Department requested on 4 April 2008 that Jersey Heritage assess the architectural, historical and other interests of Haut du Mont Farm.
Author of report: Roger Hills BA(Hons) MA DipBldgCons (RICS) IHBC Head of Historic Buildings
Date of report: 8 May 2008
File ref: PE0110
Current status
Registered as a pSSI in 1992.
Relevant interests of the site
Historic interest
Originally a farmstead (now residential), dating principally to the mid 18th / early 19th century.
Architectural interest
The main house is mid-18th century, 5-bay, 2-storey rubble granite with quoins, slate roof. The window and door openings are of dressed stone and there is a pair of dressed granite chimneystacks with dripstones. There is an inscribed datestone above the main doorway PPC SBP 1763, and a rare historic sundial on the left hand chimney. The window joinery and Victorian style barge-boarded dormers are late 20th century and there is a new building to the rear of the house.
An early 19th century extension to the right of the house is 4-bay, 2-storey, of squared rubble granite with dressed openings. There is an embossed marriage stone on the façade 18PBPYYARN09. Slate roof with brick chimneystack. The window and door joinery dates to the late 20th century.
There is an outbuilding adjoining at right angles to the main house. It is 2-storey, of rubble granite with dressed openings. A former square-headed throughway now has a flattened arch inserted in 1956, and infilled with glazing in 2000s. There is a single granite chimneystack. A conservatory was added to the gable in 2005.
Opposite the main house is a former 19th century cow stable of rubble granite with dressed openings. The garage extension was added in 2005.
The interior of the principal buildings has been successively remodelled in the 1950s/1960s and 1990s - including alterations to the layout of the rooms, the repositioning of the staircase, and the wholesale replacement of interior features such as doors, fireplaces etc.
Scenic interest / group value
The buildings have group value and retain their character as an historic farmstead set around a central yard.
Advice offered by MRLAG (and others if stated)
MRLAG considered the interests of Haut du Mont Farm at its meeting on 6 May 2008. Members discussed the surviving external interest of the buildings and the significant internal alterations that have taken place and unanimously agreed with the JH recommendation to downgrade the registration from pSSI to BLI.
Jersey Heritage recommendation
The registration of Haut du Mont Farm should be downgraded from pSSI to BLI.
Justification relating to criteria
The listing of Haut du Mont Farm as an SSI is not justified as its special interest does not extend substantially to its authentic fabric, plan form or interior features.
The registration of Haut du Mont Farm as a BLI is in accordance with the published policy guidance as follows:
· The farm buildings retain their historic form and detail, and so makes a significant and positive contribution to the architectural and historical character and appearance of Jersey;
· The farm buildings are significant for their architectural design, decoration, craftsmanship, composition and use of materials;
· The farmstead illustrates aspects of Jersey’s social, economic and cultural history;
· The farmstead is of group value and scenic interest
Attachments
Assessment form and photographs, April 2008
Location plan