Review of Gargate House, St. Peter's Valley, St. Peter.

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A decision made (09/11/2006) regarding Review of Gargate House, St. Peter's Valley, St. Peter.

Subject:	Review of Gargate House, St Peter’s Valley, St Peter
Decision reference:	MD-PE-2006-0207	Exempt clause(s):		Some supporting material exempt under 3.2.1(b)
Type of report (oral or written):	Oral and written	Report file ref:		3/04/02/01/Ministerial reports
Person giving report (if oral): Curator of Historic Buildings: Jersey Heritage Trust
Written report – author: Curator of Historic Buildings: Jersey Heritage Trust
Written Report Title: Review of Gargate House, St Peter’s Valley, St Peter
Decision(s): The Minister for Planning and Environment determined that Gargate House should be re-graded to a Building of Local Interest.
Reason(s) for decision: The registration of Gargate House as a BLI 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.’ Gargate House does not satisfy the published criteria for registration as a pSSI (Interim Policies Para 6.1) which states ‘The essential criterion for the designation of an historic building as a Site of Special interest is that its special interest extends substantially to its authentic fabric, plan form, interior features, or historical associations of the interior’.
Action required:  Amend Historic Buildings Register  Notify the owner of the decision · Notify Development Control – Rural Section of the decision
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision: 9 November 2006

Review of Gargate House, St. Peter's Valley, St. Peter.

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Review of Gargate House, St Peter’s Valley, St Peter

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is for the Minister to consider the appropriate registration grade for Gargate House, having regard to the States strategic objective ‘to protect the best of the Island’s architectural heritage’ and the 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.

Gargate House (in a combined entry with Gargate Mill) was included in the 1992 Historic Buildings Register.

The Jersey Building Heritage Sub-Committee retained Gargate House as a pSSI during its review of all registered buildings in St Peter in July 2002, although an interior inspection was not carried out.

The Planning and Environment Department received a letter from the owner on 7 July 2006 asking for clarification on the protected status of the property. The department subsequently requested that the Jersey Heritage Trust undertake an appraisal of the property ahead of discussions with the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group.

The Curator of Historic Buildings carried out an inspection of the house (including the interior) on 15 August and submitted a report to MRLAG at its meeting on 18 September 2006.

Discussion

The group agreed that the building has historic interest as the former mill house and shop for the neighbouring Gargate Mill.

Members observed that the architectural interest of the building has been eroded through the loss of original windows and doors, and by alterations to the original bakery frontage and the insertion of a modern garage entrance in the gable. It was also noted that the house suffered a fire some years ago and that the interior was subsequently rebuilt with no significant historic features or fabric surviving. Despite these alterations, members agreed that Gargate House largely retains its external historic form and continues to make a positive contribution to the scenic value of the area.

Taking these factors into consideration, the group recommended that Gargate House be downgraded to a BLI.

Recommendation

Gargate House should be re-graded to a Building of Local Interest.

Reason(s) for Decision

The registration of Gargate House as a BLI 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.’

Gargate House does not satisfy the published criteria for registration as a pSSI (Interim Policies Para 6.1) which states ‘The essential criterion for the designation of an historic building as a Site of Special interest is that its special interest extends substantially to its authentic fabric, plan form, interior features, or historical associations of the interior’.

Action Required

 Amend Historic Buildings Register

 Notify the owner of the decision

 Notify Development Control – Rural 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

Assessment form and photographs (internal photograph exempt under 3.2.1(b))

Exempt: 3.2.1(b): Letter from owner dated 7 July 2006

25 September 2006