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A decision made (14/08/2006) regarding Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Historical and Archaeological Importance: assessment of lavoir (douets a laver), La Blinerie, St. Clement.

Subject:	Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Historical and Archaeological Importance: assessment of lavoir (douets à laver), La Blinerie, St Clement
Decision Reference:	MD-PE-2006-0101	Exempt clause(s):		none
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written/oral	Person Giving Report (if oral):		Historic Buildings Officer/ Curator of Historic Buildings
Telephone or e-mail meeting	n/a	Report File ref:		3/04/02/01/Ministerial Reports
Written Report Title:	Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey - assessment of Lavoir (douets à laver), La Blinerie, St Clement	Written report – Author:		Curator of Historic Buildings
Decision(s): The lavoir (douets à laver), La Blinerie, St Clement shall be added to the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey 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 the lavoir (douets à laver), La Blinerie, St Clement satisfies the published criteria for registration as a proposed Site of Special Interest.
Action required:  Amend the Historic Buildings Register  Issue notification letter to owner/s  Notify Development Control – Urban Section  Add the proposal to undertake a character appraisal of Jersey lavoirs to the work schedule fro historic buildings work
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision: 14 August 2006

Historic Buildings Register - Lavoir in St. Clement.

		Item No:
		Date:

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey Assessment of lavoir (douets à laver) in La Blinerie, St Clement

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is for the Minister to consider adding the lavoir to the Historic Buildings Register, having regard to the States strategic objective ‘to protect the best of the Island’s architectural heritage’ and a key objective of 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 provide reports and recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Environment on the registration of buildings and sites. It incorporates the views of the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group (MRLAG) - a group established to provide independent, expert advice on matters relating to the protection of buildings and sites of cultural interest.

The lavoir in La Blinerie was not included in the 1992 Historic Buildings Register and was not considered for registration by the Jersey Building Heritage Sub-Committee during its review of historic buildings in St Clement in 1999.

The lavoir was subsequently identified by the Curator of Historic Buildings who carried out an assessment on 30 June 2006 ahead of discussions by the MRLAG on 10 July.

Discussion

There are nine lavoirs currently included in the Historic Buildings Register. Two are designated as SSI, six are pSSI and one is a BLI.

The lavoir at La Blinerie comprises a section of stream enclosed by random granite walls with steps on one side - an area where certain householders historically agreed to maintain a facility for the communal washing of clothes and linen. The stream flows under a granite lintel and at the entrance into the lavoir is a short granite column set into the boundary wall. The lavoir has been repaired over the years but appears to largely retain its historic fabric and plan form – although with some modern interventions relating to the discharge of water under the road.

The lavoir illustrates a significant aspect of Jersey’s social and cultural history. The structure and distinctive character of the lavoir contributes significantly to its special interest, making a positive contribution to the scenic value of La Blinerie and combining with the natural landscape to give a very strong sense of place.

Taking these factors into consideration the Curator of Historic Buildings asked MRLAG to consider whether the lavoir merits being added to the Historic Buildings Register as a proposed Site of Special Interest.

The group discussed whether significant features in Jersey’s historic landscape, such as lavoirs, should automatically be given protection as pSSIs but members concluded that each structure should be assessed on its own merits.

Members discussed the appropriate level of protection for the lavoir at La Blinerie and concluded that it should be registered as a BLI. The group further recommended that a character appraisal of lavoirs be undertaken at some point and the protection of these structures re-examined in light of this work.

Recommendation

The lavoir in La Blinerie should be added to the Historic Buildings Register as a Building of Local Interest.

A character appraisal of lavoirs should be undertaken.

Reason(s) for Decision

The lavoir satisfies the published criteria for registration.

The registration of the lavoir 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.’

Action Required

 Amend the Historic Buildings Register to include the lavoir

 Issue a notification letter to the owner

 Notify Development Control - Urban Section of the decision

 Add the proposal to undertake a character appraisal of Jersey lavoirs to the work schedule for historic buildings work

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

Approved by:	Fiona Smith Historic Buildings Officer – P&E

Endorsed by:	Kevin Pilley Assistant Director – P&E

Attachments:

 Location plan

 Registration assessment and photographs 2006

12 July 2006