La Vielle Maison, La Rue du Vieux Moulin, Trinity added to Historic Buildings Register as a proposed Site of Special Interest

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A decision made (13.04.2006) to add La Vielle Maison, La Rue du Vieux Moulin, Trinity to the Historic Buildings Register as a proposed Site of Special Interest.

Subject:	Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Historical and Archaeological Importance: assessment of La Vielle Maison, La Rue du Vieux Moulin, Trinity.
Decision Reference:	MD-PE-2006-0044	Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written/oral	Person Giving Report (if oral):		Historic Buildings Officer
Telephone or e-mail meeting		Report File ref:		3/04/02/1/MR
Written Report Title:	Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey - assessment of La Vielle Maison, La Rue du Vieux Moulin, Trinity	Written report – Author:		Curator of Historic Buildings
Decision(s): La Vielle Maison shall be added to the Historic Buildings Register as a proposed Site of Special Interest.
Reason(s) for decision: In accordance with the strategic objective ‘to protect the best of the Island’s architectural heritage’ of the Island Plan 2002, and Policy HB1 of the Interim Policies for the Conservation of Historic Buildings La Vielle Maison, La Rue du Vieux Moulin, Trinity satisfies the published criteria for designation as a Site of Special Interest.
Action required:  Amend the Historic Buildings Register  Issue notification letter to owners  Notify J Wildbore-Hands (Architect)  Notify Development Control – Urban Section
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision:

La Vielle Maison, La Rue du Vieux Moulin, Trinity added to Historic Buildings Register as a proposed Site of Special Interest

		Item No:
		Date:

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Assessment of La Vielle Maison, La Rue du Vieux Moulin, Trinity

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is for the Minister to consider adding La Vielle Maison to the Historic Buildings Register, with regards to a key objective in the Island Plan 2002 to protect and promote Jersey’s built, cultural and archaeological heritage.

Background

This report has been prepared by the Jersey Heritage Trust as part of its responsibility under a Service Level Agreement to make assessments and to provide reports and recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Environment on the registration of buildings and sites. It incorporates the views of the Jersey Heritage Advisory Panel (JHAP) - a group established to provide independent, expert advice on matters relating to the protection of buildings and sites of cultural interest.

La Vielle Maison was not included in the 1992 Historic Buildings Register and was not added to the Register by the Jersey Building Heritage Sub-Committee during its review of registered buildings in Trinity in 2002.

In January 2006, following an enquiry from a local architectural practise the Historic Buildings Officer requested that JHT assess the architectural and historic interests of La Vielle Maison.

Discussion

La Vielle Maison embodies the substantive remains of two seventeenth century cottages.

An archaeological appraisal of the site was carried out by Dr Warwick Rodwell in 2005. An evaluation of the significance of the site was carried out by the Curator of Historic Buildings and the Historic Buildings Officer, who concluded that, based on the physical evidence and Dr Rodwell’s archaeological assessment, the building retains significant architectural, historical and archaeological merit, and as such satisfies the criteria for designation as a Site of Special Interest. These conclusions were presented for discussion by JHAP at its meeting on 13 February 2006.

Members noted that the building is in a ruined state but agreed that architectural and historical integrity of the building survives with notable original features including a decorated gable-kneeler dated 1679, two integral fireplaces with quadrant-shaped, moulded corbels and a stone-built fontaine. It was agreed that the cottage makes a significant and positive contribution to the scenic value of the area and to the architectural and historical character and appearance of Jersey.

Taking into account the rare survival of this type of seventeenth century building in Jersey, the Panel agreed that La Vielle Maison should be added to the Register as a proposed Site of Special Interest.

Recommendation

La Vielle Maison should be added to the Historic Buildings Register as a proposed Site of Special Interest.

Reason(s) for Decision

La Vielle Maison satisfies the published criteria for registration as a pSSI.

The registration of La Vielle Maison is in accordance with Interim Policy HB1 which states ‘Historic buildings which contribute positively to the distinctive character or appearance of Jersey’s built-up areas or countryside, particularly where they are of ‘group value’, will be identified and included in the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey.’

The grade of pSSI is in accordance with Interim Policy HB2 which states ‘Designation of buildings of architectural or historical importance as Sites of Special Interest will normally be limited to those whose authentic fabric, plan form, interior features or historical associations of the interior contribute to their special archaeological, architectural, artistic, cultural, historical, or traditional interest.’

Action Required

 Amend the Historic Buildings Register to include La Vielle Maison

 Issue a notification letter to the owner

 Notify Development Control - Urban Section of the decision

Written by:	Roger Hills Curator of Historic Buildings - Jersey Heritage Trust

Approved by:	Fiona Smith Historic Buildings Officer

Endorsed by:	Kevin Pilley Assistant Director

Attachments:

Location plan

An Archaeological Appraisal by Dr Warwick Rodwell

Photographs

3/04/02/01/MR

14 February 2006