List of Sites of Special Interest
Greencourt, Green Street, St. Helier.
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 Article 51 of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law, 2002; Policy G11 of the Jersey Island Plan, 2002; and the principles of selection for designation as a site of special interest 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 in June 2008 that Jersey Heritage assess the architectural, historical and other interests of Greencourt.
Author of report: Roger Hills BA(Hons) MA DipBldgCons (RICS) IHBC Head of Historic Buildings
Date of report: 22 July 2008
File ref: HE1026
Current status
First registered in 1992; pSSI.
Relevant interests of the site (also see schedule)
Historic interest
International-style house, 1934. Greencourt was designed by architect Arthur B Grayson, and is one of the best examples of International-style architecture in Jersey.
Architectural interest
The house is set within gardens and approached through a pair of specially designed gates and pillars. It has an interesting asymmetrical composition characterised by geometric shapes and the use of different surface textures and materials - plain rendering and painted weather-boarding combining with large areas of painted brickwork.
The house retains its innovative early 1930s form and character with many features illustrative of the period and architectural style. The entrance is notable for its cantilevered canopy and carefully designed door with geometric patterned moulding and aeroplane handle.
There is a variety of metal framed windows and doors throughout including casements and wrap-around corner windows, and pairs of glazed steel doors opening onto the garden. Overlooking the garden is a elegantly curved balcony that projects from the first floor, supported by a single column. On the opposite corner of the house is a single storey block with a port-hole and semi-circular ‘funnel’ projection - all reminiscent of ship design.
The interior retains much of its original layout with some built-in furniture, window seats and other features contemporary with the house.
Advice offered by MRLAG (and others if stated)
MRLAG discussed the interests of Greencourt at its meeting on 7 July 2008. Members unanimously agreed with the JH recommendation to list the site as an SSI.
Jersey Heritage recommendation
Greencourt should be listed as an SSI.
Justification relating to criteria
The listing of Greencourt as an SSI is in accordance with the published policy guidance as follows:
· The special interest of Greencourt extends substantially to its authentic fabric, plan form and interior features;
· The site is of special interest for its International-style architectural design, style, composition, and use of materials and details;
· Greencourt is of special historic interest as it illustrates a significant aspect of Jersey’s social and economic history in the 1930s, and its historical association with the architect Arthur Grayson.
Attachments
SSI schedule and plan
Photographs, July 2008