Addition of Nos. 1 and 2 Helmsdale Villas to Historic Building Register

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A decision made (13.03.06) to add Nos. 1 and 2 Helmsdale Villas to the Historic Buildings Register as a Building of Local Interest.

Subject:	Additions to the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Historical and Archaeological Importance: Nos.1 & 2 Helmsdale Villas, Beaumont Hill, St Peter
Decision Reference:	MD-PE-2006-0023	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:		3/04/02/01/Ministerial Reports
Written Report Title:	Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey - assessment of Nos. 1 & 2 Helmsdale Villas, Beaumont Hill, St Peter	Written report – Author:		Curator of Historic Buildings: Jersey Heritage Trust
Decision(s): Nos.1 and 2 Helmsdale Villas shall be added to the Historic Buildings Register as a Building of Local 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 Nos. 1 and 2 Helmsdale Villas, Beaumont Hill, St Peter satisfy the published criteria for registration as Buildings of Local Interest.
Action required:  Notify Development Control – Rural Section of decision
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision:

Addition of Nos. 1 and 2 Helmsdale Villas to Historic Building Register

		Item No:
		Date:

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey - assessment of Nos. 1 & 2 Helmsdale Villas,

La Route de Beaumont, St Peter

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is for the Minister to consider adding Nos.1 & 2 Helmsdale Villas to the Historic Buildings Register, having regard to 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 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.

In November 2005, an officer of the Planning and Environment Department requested that JHAP assess the architectural and historic interests of Nos.1 & 2 Helmsdale Villas, a pair of late nineteenth century villas.

Helmsdale Villas were not included in the 1992 Historic Buildings Register and were not added to the Register by the Jersey Building Heritage Sub-Committee during its review of registered buildings in St Peter in 2002.

Discussion

JHAP carried out an external evaluation of the properties during a site visit on 9 January 2006. Members agreed that the nineteenth century villas retain their historic form and detail and display clear evidence of architectural expression and good quality in composition and form, with interesting features such as canted bay windows and arched doorways with decorative mouldings. As such the villas make a significant and positive contribution to the scenic value of Beaumont and to the architectural and historical character and appearance of Jersey. The Panel concluded that Nos.1 & 2 Helmsdale Villas merit inclusion on the Register as Buildings of Local Interest.

Recommendation

Nos.1 & 2 Helmsdale Villas should be added to the Historic Buildings Register as Buildings of Local Interest.

Reason(s) for Decision

Nos.1 & 2 Helmsdale Villas satisfy the published criteria for registration as Buildings of Local Interest.

The registration of Nos.1 & 2 Helmsdale Villas 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 Nos.1 & 2 Helmsdale Villas

 Issue a notification letter to the owner

 Notify Development Control - Rural Section of 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

Historic building survey form

Photographs

22 February 2006