Historic Building Register

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Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Historical and Archaeological Importance: Review of registration – St Mannelier, La Rue de St Mannelier, St Saviour.

Subject:	Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Historical and Archaeological Importance: Review of registration – St Mannelier, La Rue de St Mannelier, St Saviour
Decision Reference:	MD-PE-2006-0103	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 – review of the registration of St Mannelier, La Rue de St Mannelier, St Saviour	Written report – Author:		Curator of Historic Buildings
Decision(s): The whole of the site of St Mannelier should be re-graded to a proposed Site of Special Interest on the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey.
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 St Mannelier satisfies the published criteria for registration as a pSSI, in particular for its existing and greater potential archaeological significance (of the site and the fabric of the buildings), historic interest and historical associations.
Action required:  Amend the Historic Building Register  Issue notification letter to owner  Notify Development Control – Rural Section of decision
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision: 9 August 2006

Historic Building Register - St. Mannelier.

		Item No:
		Date:

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Review of St Mannelier, La Rue de St Mannelier, St Saviour

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is for the Minister to review the existing registration of St Mannelier, 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.

St Mannelier was included in the first Historic Buildings Register published in 1992. The Planning and Environment Department’s historic building file contains details of two separate properties – a former school called St Mannelier and a farm group called St Mannelier Close – but there is only a single entry on the Register.

In light of this, and in response to an enquiry relating to the possible de-registration of St Mannelier received in April 2006, the Planning and Environment Department requested that the Jersey Heritage Trust undertake an appraisal of both properties ahead of discussions with the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group.

The Curator of Historic Buildings carried out an inspection of the property with the Historic Buildings Officer on 28 April and unaccompanied on 6 June 2006, and submitted a report to MRLAG. The group subsequently visited the property at its meeting on 19 June.

Discussion

MRLAG was asked to consider firstly whether St Mannelier merits retention on the Register as a BLI and then whether or not its special interest merits an upgrade to pSSI.

Members agreed that St Mannelier has historic interest as a former school comprising eighteenth century and early nineteenth century structures, with significant historical associations with the school that has existed on the site since the late fifteenth century - the first formal school founded in Jersey on land adjoining the Chapel of St Mannelier.

The architectural interest of the buildings was discussed with an acknowledgement that it is somewhat masked by unsympathetic 1950s treatment of the exterior. It was, however, agreed that the 3-bay house retains its historic form and that the 7-bay building is unusual and has interest as a purpose-built schoolroom, with the weight of evidence pointing to the survival of the original granite buildings beneath the render.

Taking these factors into consideration, the group unanimously agreed with the recommendation that St Mannelier at least satisfies the criteria for registration as a Building of Local Interest.

The group then discussed at length whether the interest of St Mannelier extends beyond its external appearance and if the site merits registration as a proposed Site of Special Interest.

Members noted the evidence set out in the JHT report - the existence on the site of a school since 1477, an earlier chapel and a possibly earlier circular field pattern - and agreed that the site therefore has clear special archaeological and historical interest, with the potential of greater archaeological interest.

The interest of the standing buildings was then debated by the group. Members concluded that the 1758 and 1830s buildings have special historic interest for the reasons stated above, and that the fabric of the 1758 building is likely to contain unique and valuable evidence of the old schoolhouse. It was acknowledged that the interior of the 1830s house has been damaged with the loss of historic features to the first floor and the staircase at ground floor level - although much of the late Georgian joinery detail survives to the ground floor and attic level - and that the interior of the 1758 building is hidden beneath modern lining making any assessment of special architectural interest inconclusive.

Taking into account the historic and archaeological significance of the site and the fact that the buildings are the only survival of Jersey’s earliest school, ten members concluded that the whole site of St Mannelier should be re-graded to a proposed Site of Special Interest. One member did not support this recommendation due to the unknown nature of the architectural interest of the 7-bay building.

Members concurred with the JHT report that advice be passed to the Minister recommending that an archaeological investigation of the site and standing buildings be carried out if St Mannelier is subject to future development.

Recommendation

The whole of the site of St Mannelier should be re-graded to a proposed Site of Special Interest.

Reason(s) for Decision

St Mannelier satisfies the published criteria for registration as a pSSI, in particular for its existing and greater potential archaeological significance (of the site and the fabric of the buildings), historic interest and historical associations.

Action Required

 Amend the Historic Buildings Register to include the site of St Mannelier as a pSSI

 Issue a notification letter to the owner

 Notify Development Control of decision

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 showing extent of pSSI for St Mannelier

 Registration assessment and photographs for St Mannelier, 2006

 Late nineteenth century photographs of St Mannelier

 Ordnance Survey Map 1935

 Plees Map 1817

 Duke of Richmond Map 1795

 Jersey Place Names Map indicating the site of St Mannelier Chapel

 Article - Ahier P St Mannelier’s Grammar School, 1477-1863

27 June 2006