Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance: Assessment of La Cotte Cottage, Portelet Common, St. Brelade
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 in June 2007 that the Jersey Heritage Trust assess the architectural, historical and other interests of La Cotte Cottage 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: BR0361
Relevant interests of the site (also see assessment form)
La Cotte Cottage was used as a house from the late 19th century until the last tenant vacated in 2001, but the building was originally constructed as a military magazine store - part of La Cotte Battery. Also surviving on site is the paved granite gun platform. La Cotte Battery was built as part of a programme of increased fortification of Jersey's coast in response to the threat of French invasion in the 18th century and is of special historic, architectural and archaeological significance.
Advice received (MRLAG or others)
Information on the history of the site was provided by the current owners, the National Trust for Jersey.
MRLAG considered the registration of the site at its meeting on 9 July 2007. Members unanimously agreed that the site is of special interest as part of the 18th century / early 19th century island-wide network of fortifications and meets the criteria for listing as an SSI.
JHT recommendation
It is recommended that the Minister for Planning and Environment add La Cotte Battery - incorporating the former magazine store now known as La Cotte Cottage and the paved gun platform - to the Historic Buildings Register as a pSSI for its special architectural, historical and archaeological interests.
The battery is located within the boundary of the existing SSI for Portelet, in an area already defined as having archaeological, historical and architectural interest. It is therefore recommended that the Minister approve the serving of the Intention to List Notice in accord with the requirements of the Law to enable the existing SSI schedule to be amended to specifically include La Cotte Battery.
Justification relating to criteria
The special interest of La Cotte Battery, as defined and assessed relative to the published criteria for selection, justifies its inclusion on the List of Sites of Special Interest in accordance with the provisions and purposes of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002.
Attachments
Assessment form and photographs
Location plan
Information supplied by the National Trust for Jersey