PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
Register of Buildings and Sites of
Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance
14 (The Eagle Tavern) Lempriere Street, St Helier
Purpose of the Report
This purpose of this report is to provide the Assistant Minister with an opportunity to determine whether to add 14 (The Eagle Tavern) Lempriere Street, St Helier to the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey.
Background
Following consideration of an assessment of this building and place by Jersey Heritage (at appendices 1-3), the Assistant Minister for Planning and Environment expressed her intent to add it to the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey on 20 October 2008 because of its particular interest.
Notice of the Assistant Minister’s intent was duly served on the owners of the building on 03 November 2008, providing them with a formal opportunity to make representations relative to the Assistant Minister’s expressed intent.
The owner of the building, Regal Developments Ltd, has submitted two representations (email of 28 October and letter of 04 November 2008) which are attached as appendix (4). He has also engaged an agent, whose additional representation is attached at appendix 5.
Discussion and recommendation
In determining whether to add this building to the Historic Buildings Register consideration should be restricted to an assessment of whether the building satisfies the criteria for registration and, in particular, whether it is of historic interest, architectural interest and/or scenic or group value.
In considering this matter, attention is drawn to the formal assessment of the building undertaken by the Minister’s professional advisers, Jersey Heritage, which does not consider the building to be of sufficient merit to warrant being added to the Register.
As part of its assessment, Jersey Heritage also had regard to the views of the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group (MRLAG) which is a group of people, drawn mainly from the Island’s professional and voluntary sectors, with expertise on Jersey’s architecture and history, established by the Minister. This Group was split on the value of this particular building, with a majority 6:5, in favour of it being added to the Register. One member of the group considers the building to be of particular townscape value, as set out in the email at appendix 6. This was not considered, by the Minister’s professional advisers, Jersey Heritage, to be sufficient to alter their recommendation.
The owner’s own representation relies largely on the assessment undertaken by Jersey Heritage such that the building is not considered to meet current criteria for registration and ought not, therefore, to be registered. The owner further adds that the changes to the building made over time weaken its contribution to the street scene. It is relevant to note, at this point, that unauthorised work has been undertaken to the exterior of the property, further undermining its contribution to the streetscene, during the time period for representations to be made. This unauthorised work was apprehended and has cased, but not before the ‘eagle feature, on the building’s Lempriere Street frontage, was removed.
The owner’s agent sets out in further detail the changes that the building has undergone which has served to erode the particular interest of the original building (at appendix 5)
Many of the other issues raised in the owner’s representations are not relevant to the assessment of whether the building ought to be registered or not and others are unfounded.
On the basis of the advice of the Minister’s professional advisers, Jersey Heritage, it is recommended that the Assistant Minister for Planning and Environment does not add 14 (The Eagle Tavern) Lempriere Street, St Helier to the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey.
Reason(s) for Decision
14 (The Eagle Tavern) Lempriere Street, St Helier does not satisfy the criteria for registration as a Building of Local Interest as set out in the Jersey Heritage report.
Legal and resource implications
None.
Action Required
- Update the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey;
- Notify the owner;
- Notify Development Control
Written by: | Kevin Pilley, Assistant Director |
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Endorsed by: | |
Attachments:
- Report of Jersey Heritage (dated 01 October 2008)
- Survey (dated 11 September 2008) and plan
- Photographs
- Owner’s representations (email of 28 October and letter of 04 November 2008);
- Owner’s agents representations (dated 01/12/08)
- Representation from Andre Ferrari (dated 02 October 2008)
File ref HE9125
Date 07/11/2008