SHALBOURNECONSERVATION AREA

STATEMENT

January 2003

SHALBOURNE CONSERVATION AREA

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The purpose of this Statement of the Shalbourne Conservation Area is to identify and record those special qualities of the village that make up its architectural and historic character. This is important for providing a sound basis for local plan policies and development control decisions as well as for the formulation of proposals for the preservation or enhancement of the character or appearance of the area.

The Statement contains an assessment of the Shalbourne Conservation

Area and is intended for all those with an interest in the village, or undertaking work on its buildings, landscape, streets or public spaces. It is also essential reading for anyone contemplating development within the village. By drawing attention to the distinctive features of Shalbourne, it is intended that its character will be protected and enhanced for the benefit of this and future generations.

Shalbourne from the Village Green looking north with the Kingston Room almost hidden in the trees. The Plough PH and the Village Stores & Post Office provide interest and activity and thereby add to the character of the village.

Shalbourne Conservation Area was first designated in 1985 and includes most of the built-up area of the village. The Conservation Area follows the line of development that runs from The Mill to the north, along Kingston Road to the Village Green, then rising upwards along Rivar Road to the end of the village and approaching the foot of the scarp.

From the A338, which runs across the ridge to the north west of the

village, Shalbourne can be seen set in a tree covered rural landscape with key buildings such as the Parish Church and Shalbourne Manor forming village landmarks. Also visible is the network of small paddocks and fields surrounding the village. Long distance views to the south and east reveal the northern edge of Rivar Down and Ham Hill.

The distinctive views within the village are formed by the meandering

line of the main road through together with banks, verges and the positioning of key buildings. The alignment of buildings is irregular resulting in an informal character. Trees and hedges are also important components of village character with many of the views enclosed or framed by the buildings and landscape.

Geology and topography

Shalbourne is located in a narrow stream valley between the chalk

downland scarp slope to the south and a ridge forming the southern edge of the Savernake Plateau landscape area. The countryside here is within the southern part of the chalk Marlborough Downs: the subsoil is mostly greensand with chalk and clay outcrops.

There is significant vegetation cover and, to the west, the extensive

woodland of Savernake Forest which lies on a clay and flint deposit overlying the chalk. The mosaic of farmland and woodland gives the landscape its intimate and enclosed character.

Shalbourne seen from the A338 showing how the village nestles in the valley and the importance of the trees in the landscape. Inkpen Hill is in the far distance.

The village sits on the southern slope of the stream, a minor tributary of the River Dun which it joins at Hungerford. The lowest point of the village is at around 120 metres to the north where the stream crosses the road and the village then follows an undulating route running approximately south-west where the road splits and rises westwards towards Carvers Hill Farm and south towards Rivar Hill. The high point of the parish is at Rivar Hill, at 226 metres.

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A typical view in the village showing the road along the valley with high banks, tall trees and with rooftops and chimneys giving a visual indication of development.

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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved Kennet District Council LA078328 2002 Shalbourne Conservation Area – an enlarged map is included on pages 7 & 8 Listed buildings are shown in red

Origins and development of the village

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The first reference to Shalbourne is found in a Saxon Charter of 955 AD at the time of King Eadred's bequest of the Manor of Shalbourne to St. Mary's Winchester. In Saxon times the village was split with the northern half located in Berkshire and the southern part in Wiltshire and this continued as an administrative arrangement until 1895 when the boundaries were redrawn and the whole of the village became part of Wiltshire.

Shalbourne takes its name from its location as a settlement on the

shallow stream with the bourne an essential source of water. The stream is supplemented by springs at the bottom of Brook Lane and the watercourse has had a significant influence on the layout and development of the village. The existence of the water supply and its use are evident to the north-west of the village at the Mill House behind which are the former watercress beds that were in use from the 1920's up to 1972.

The presence of water was always an important consideration in the location of settlements. In Shalbourne the influence of the stream is practical rather than visual except at the northern end of the village.

The stream divides the parish of Shalbourne, the larger southern portion which contains the village itself also contains the hamlets of Rivar and Oxenwood. The significance of the administrative boundary running through the village is not immediately apparent in the way the village developed but becomes clearer on further investigation.

There appear to have been two planned linear villages, one on each side

of the county boundary: the Wiltshire village (West Shalbourne or Westcourt) is arranged along a north-south street, which forks at each end. On its east side is Manor Farm, now known as Shalbourne Manor, and on its west side are the long rectangular crofts of the tenants extending down to the stream. At the southern fork is the Village Green.

The upper part of the village (East Shalbourne or Eastcourt) seems to

have been set out along the lane leading southwards from The Mill and maps of 1761 and 1773 depict the lane as built up on both sides with the development then turning into Ham Road.

The principal building of this northern part of the village is the Parish

Church of St. Michael and All Angels which dates from the 12th century. It has a 15th century tower but was substantially restored in 1873 giving it its present appearance. In the Victorian south aisle a tablet commemorates Shalbourne's most famous figure Jethro Tull, the agricultural innovator and inventor who farmed in the area in the early 18th century. In 1704 Jethro Tull took over a farm which his great uncle, also Jethro Tull, had created in the east of the parish. The farm, named Prosperous, became the centre of his activities but lies outside the Conservation Area.

Although containing remnants of earlier build the church is essentially Victorian in character. Its location close to the northern edge of the village is explained by the former Wiltshire/Berkshire boundary which bisected Shalbourne until 1895. The lane giving access to the church has a distinctive rural character.

To the north-west of the village is the main route from Burbage to

Hungerford, the A338, which runs along the top of the escarpment and bypasses the village. This was described in Ogilby's map of 1675 as part of the great road from Salisbury to Oxford, a long stretch of which, from Hungerford to Collingbourne Ducis, was turnpiked in 1772. The existence of this road reduces the amount of through traffic and contributes to the relatively unspoilt character of the road through the village.

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Another significant factor in the development of Shalbourne relates to land ownership. The 1843 Tithe Map shows that much of the village was owned by Anthony Kingston of Manor Farm or the Marquis of Ailesbury as part of the Ailesbury Estate.

The earliest surviving domestic buildings in Shalbourne are Shalbourne

Cottage, on Rivar Road and Westcourt Farm, of 14th century origin. Further development in the 16th and 17th centuries within the village, along Rivar Road, Burr Lane and Ham Road established the structure of the village and this continued in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Although an important historic building Manor Farm, now Shalbourne Manor, has only a limited influence on village character. Here it is seen from a public footpath to the east of the village.

Up until the end of the 19th century Shalbourne was essentially a rural community but there is evidence that tradesmen from Hungerford then came to live in the village. Apart from agriculture there were other rural based industrial and commercial activities appearing in the village and amongst those recorded are harness and rope making, blacksmithing and broom making. In addition there were activities to serve the transport industry including a wheelwright. Visual evidence of these earlier activities is rare and information comes mostly from written sources.

The Kingston Room (1843), now the Parish Hall, was built to provide bible education to children of the poor and remained in use until 1897. The present school was built in 1873. A large part of the Ailesbury Estate was sold in 1929 providing the opportunity for individual purchase of dwellings in the village.

Infilling along the village streets took place throughout the 19th century with a significant further building after the Second World War and up to the end of the 20th century. Recent changes include the redevelopment of previously used sites such as the former garage on Rivar Road and the outbuildings to Manor Farm.

The layout of development in the centre of Shalbourne is informal; sometimes close to the road, as here at Ivy House, or otherwise set back behind banks and hedges.

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Shalbourne in 1901 showing the similarity with the village as found today. Many of the buildings shown on this map are now listed as of special architectural or historic interest

The historical background included here is intended to describe briefly

the way the village has developed and the influence this had on its present day character. A complete account of the History of Shalbourne is available in Shalbourne to the Millennium, which includes a wide range of maps, photographs and documentary extracts and provides a remarkable insight into the evolution and life of the village.

Looking south towards the school is the arch effect of the trees so often seen in the village. The building provides a visual stop to the vista and this emphasises its importance in the street scene. It is also important in maintaining activity.

Archaeological significance

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A number of prehistoric artefacts have been located in the northern portion of the Conservation Area. To the north east of Shalbourne two blade cores and several struck flints dating to the mesolithic have been unearthed. In addition a neolithic flint scraper was unearthed near Mill Race, east of the stream. Flint tools and a polished axe were found at Shalbourne school and, at the Vicarage, a variety of tools were recovered including an additional polished flint axe. Several Romano-British coins have also been recovered at both the church and Mill House.

The 995AD reference to Shalbourne records the village as

Scealdeburnan and several finds of a similar date have been discovered south east of Shalbourne Mill, including brooches, pins and a buckle. The village is also recorded in Domesday as 'aldebourne' and a number of earthworks to the south of the village, noted on aerial photography, are likely to have come from the Medieval period. Indeed, excavations undertaken in 1994 at Baverstock Farm revealed a series of ditches and a number of pits containing 12th/13th century pottery.

The 16th century 'Little Court' on Rivar Road, one of the many listed buildings in the Conservation Area. Here the original details of the building have been maintained, the timber frame and local red brick providing a reminder of the earlier character of the village.

Architectural and historic character Some 30 or so buildings in the Conservation Area are listed as of special

architectural or historic interest and these are shown on the map. Listing is from time to time updated and a check with the District Council will reveal any changes. In addition there are a significant number of unlisted historic buildings and most of these are important to the character of the village.

Early buildings in Shalbourne are for the most part timber frame and

brick with thatch roofs and this tradition runs through several centuries. In addition to the modest cottages Shalbourne has a number of distinguished buildings, in particular Shalbourne Manor, previously Manor Farm, which is a stone and flint building, and Shalbourne House, a brick and slate building dating from the 18th century. Another of the prominent buildings is the Mill House built of brick with a clay tile roof, externally 19th century in character but with earlier origins. At the other end of the village is the Parish Hall, formerly The Kingston Room, a 19th century building of ashlar and slate.

Shalbourne Cottage at Rivar Road is said to date from the 15th century with Shalbourne Manor Farmhouse, Cruck House, Number 24 and Little Court dating from the 16th century. A significant number of cottages survive from the 17th century and these would have given the village much of the character that it still retains today. Examples of 18th century development are Shalbourne House and Numbers 25 and 28, together with the stables and store at Manor Farm and the barn at Baverstock Farm on Rivar Road.

The relationship between the buildings and the road varies throughout

the village. In some places the buildings are set back and are often hidden by high hedges or trees, whereas other buildings front onto the street and are therefore much more prominent. This is most evident at the southern end of the village where The Plough and the former Bakery, together with the Parish Hall and Shalbourne Stores and Post Office define the space.

'The Grove' presents an 18th century appearance to the road although it is believed to have 17th century origins. The use of patterned brick and clay roof tiles is a common feature in Shalbourne. This building also makes an important contribution to the village scene.

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The character of Shalbourne is best recognised walking through the village where the various elements can be readily appreciated. From the north the beginning of the built up area occurs at the stream with The Mill and associated outbuildings clearly visible close to the road. From this low point the road swings and climbs gently with banks, trees and shrub cover the most evident and buildings set back. On the right-hand side is a two-storey cottage, patterned brick and slate roof with iron casement windows.

On the western side a narrow track leads to the Parish Church but this is

only evident from the roadside sign. The road continues to climb to its junction with Ham Road and, turning east, the historic buildings close to the highway form an attractive scene.

Arriving in the village from the north the curved alignment of the road is immediately apparent as is the interest created by not being able to see around the corner – a common occurrence in Shalbourne.

Travelling south the high banks continue but here the trees are taller and more noticeable. From this point the village street has a footpath on the western side, relatively narrow and with limestone sett kerbs. A prominent building here is the Old Post Office noticeable because of its gable to the street front. Past the Old Post Office the road bends right with the side elevation of Foxbury appearing in the direct view. This end wall disguises the importance of the property which is late Victorian with a patterned steep pitch tile roof and steep gables and is particularly evident from the south.

As the road swings right past The Grove the village school appears in

the direct view framed by trees on either side and beyond the school the hillsides of the scarp appearing in the distance. Just before the school and set back is South Lodge, a new building of red brick and thatch, clearly designed to reflect the village character. From the school the road drops away retaining this distinctive character of high banks, trees and hedges and with occasional glimpses of the houses. The change in level to the west of the village is identified by the low position of Brook Cottage where the thatch is only just evident above the hedgeline.

As the road continues the houses become more evident and to the west

is a significant group of listed buildings. On the east side the setting of Primrose Cottage, which is 19th century, red brick, with a slate roof, is enhanced by the low wall and railings fronting the street. Further along and past the late 20th century housing development of The Barracks is the former Methodist Chapel, now converted to residential use.

Just to the east is The Rowens a sizeable new house which has replaced

the former outbuildings of Manor Farm. South from The Rowens is another important group of tall trees leading to the Parish Hall and onwards to the Village Green. As Kingston Road approaches the Green the character of the area is influenced by the activities of the Shalbourne Stores and Post Office and The Plough PH.

At this point is Rivar Road which rises south-east and the character of

this part of the village is again formed by banks and mature trees. Some particularly fine oaks create a tunnel effect, before the ground levels out towards the southern end of the village where ash trees also overhang the road. Earlier buildings tend to be close to the edge of the road with later development set back. Within this area the timber and corrugated iron structures on the north side of the road provide an interesting link with past village activities.

A significant number of historic buildings in the Conservation Area are unlisted but clearly are important to village character. Here at Primrose Cottage, with Anvil Cottage beyond, the architectural details adds further interest to the street scene and create local distinctiveness.

Shalbourne Conservation Area - northern part

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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved Kennet District Council LA078328 2002 The base map used in this report is the latest available – recent changes within the village may not be shown.

Key Conservation Area Boundary Listed Building Significant unlisted

buildings and walls Significant trees Significant verges /hedges /banks

Shalbourne Conservation Area - southern part

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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved Kennet District Council LA078328 2002

Key Conservation Area Boundary Listed Building Significant unlisted

buildings and walls Significant trees Significant verges /hedges /banks

The base map used in this report is the latest available – recent changes within the village may not be shown.

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Building materials and details

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All of the early buildings in Shalbourne are of timber frame, with a later introduction of brick, using the locally available materials of the time. Brickmaking has taken place over a considerable period in the locality and at the beginning of the 19th century there were eight brickworks identified close to the village. Just beyond, additional brickworks could be found in the vicinity of Great Bedwyn and Wilton. Evidence from a Savernake Estate sale of 1929 shows that the brickworks at Dodsdown (Wilton) was an extensive operation covering some 29 acres and with kilns capable of producing over 20,000 bricks at each firing.

Apart from the Parish Church there is little use of stone, the exceptions

being Shalbourne Manor, which is stone and flint, and the Parish Hall, which is ashlar limestone.

Red local brick and clay tile are much in evidence, as are thatched roofs, either in long straw or combed wheat reed. Brickwork is often decorative and overburnt (blue) bricks are sometimes used to provide patterning.

The thatch tradition in Shalbourne is long straw, and this still remains, although there are properties with combed wheat reed, including several recently built houses. Roof coverings on some of the 17th and 18th century buildings are handmade plain clay tiles with Welsh slate appearing on the 19th century buildings. Brick chimney-stacks are distinctive features in the village.

Windows and doors on buildings before the last part of the 20th century were traditionally painted timber. For the most part the historic buildings in Shalbourne appear to retain their original fenestration and this adds significantly to the quality and character of the village.

Local identity is created by specific features and details and the gates to

Shalbourne Manor are an example of this. Mention has already been made of the railings fronting Primrose Cottage but elsewhere the use of such features is limited. The sign for The Plough on the Village Green is another notable feature.

The presence of economic and other activity contributes to the vitality

of the village and the character of the Conservation Area. Today Shalbourne is mainly residential but retains its school, and has a village shop and post office, and public house. All need to be maintained as essential components of the village.

Landscape setting and the contribution made by green spaces and

trees By the early medieval period the present day settlement pattern had

been established along the road that followed the watercourse. Other influences on the landscape were the enclosure acts of 1800 which brought an end to the strip field structure and increasing mobility.

Approached from the north the location of Shalbourne in the valley is

most evident. Dropping down the hill from the Burbage to Hungerford Road (A338) the village is largely hidden among the trees but with rooftops and chimneys beginning to appear. In the far distance looking south Rivar Down and Ham Hill provide the backdrop to the long view.

As the road crosses the stream and rises from the Mill House it is cut

into the hillside. The character of the village is therefore influenced by the high banks, hedges and trees that in some cases almost hide the development.

The character formed by the landscape and trees is best seen in Rivar Road, although it does occur elsewhere. The way in which the road cuts through the hillside and the tree cover are distinctive and provide a real sense of place.

The stream is a significant landscape feature but is not apparent within the village. The predominant character is formed by extensive tree cover set in an undulated landscape and with the buildings dispersed between.

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The importance of the landscape setting is most clearly seen from the

footpaths and especially from the footpath that runs from the Primary School to the Church on the western side of the village, although once again the existence of the stream is only identified by the line of trees.

The Parish Church sits behind later development and is unusual in that it

is completely hidden from the main route through the village, although this is explained by early emergence of two settlements each side of the county boundary. Access is via a "country lane" which then opens to provide a setting for the Church. The Church is in a wooded setting with mature lime, ash, sycamore, horse chestnut and yew within, and around, the churchyard.

Footpaths in the village are both useful and picturesque. Here the link between the church and the school allows glimpses across to the other side of the valley.

Shalbourne has little in the way of open space within the centre of the village, the exception being the Village Green to the southern end. The Green itself is in the fork defined by Burr Lane and Rivar Road and provides a setting for the buildings along those roads. This gives prominence to The Plough and the Parish Hall, together with Manor Cottage. Looking from the south the trees in the grounds of Shalbourne Manor are especially fine and in the summer months completely hide the building. Within this area are a number of mature trees and those towards the north-western end of Rivar Road frame the picture of the village.

Leaving the centre of the village and travelling south-east Rivar Road is

at a considerably lower level than the surrounding land and once again there are a number of fine trees that frame the view. This is emphasised by the way the road rises up with the contained view opening out at a height of around 140 metres in the vicinity of Ropewind Farm.

The high quality of the landscape is confirmed by its designation within

the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Problems and eyesores The public view of Shalbourne is notable for the quality of the

landscape setting and the number and location of fine trees. Banks and hedges tend to hide buildings and activity and visual eyesores are few. For the most part the trees and hedges through the village are indigenous species and this emphasises the incongruous appearance of the line of conifers on the north side of Rivar Road.

One minor visual detraction is the setting of the Primary School. At

present the picture is of a broken road surface with obtrusive refuse bins and white painted fencing, especially evident because of the position of the school in relation to the road alignment.

The area to the south of The Kingston Room is at present dominated by

the road surfacing with damaged bollards to the east side. Attempts have been made to define this area with road markings but these are not visually successful. The former quality of the area is evident from early photographs where the setting of The Kingston Room was once enhanced by a low wall and railings.

One of the few untidy sights in the village. The former wall and railings around the Kingston Room have been replaced by tarmac and steel posts – scope for enhancement and an opportunity to improve safety.

On the Village Green there are a number of unco-ordinated signs: the fingerposts and pub sign are of some quality but later signs, refuse bins etc. tend to spoil the close-up view.

In recent years there have been a number of changes to traditional

buildings in the village in the form of alterations and extensions. When a historic building is extended there is considerable merit in retaining the visual appearance of the original form. This requires that any addition should not be disguised as part of the main structure but should read as an extension, albeit constructed of sympathetic materials, details and scale.

There has been considerable building activity within the village in

recent years in the form of house extensions and new houses with a tendency for the introduction of a tidy appearance. A balance needs to be kept between functional need and local rural character and the use of items such as block paving for paths and driveways and the tight clipping of verges should be discouraged.

Preservation and enhancement

Changes occur in both the built form and in uses. Here the former Methodist Chapel of 1911 has been converted to residential use but its former character has been maintained, thus providing a link with the past history of the village.

Preservation and enhancement of the character of the Conservation Area requires co-operation from all those who have an interest in the village either as owners, occupiers, the District and Parish Councils and other service providers. Owners and occupiers of land and buildings have the ability to enhance the area through their direct activities, some of which may require planning permission or listed building or conservation area consent.

The District Council is responsible for planning control, and

preservation of the character of the Conservation Area is a statutory duty. Work undertaken by those providing electricity and telephone supplies can affect the quality of the environment, as can works carried out within the highway.

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Preservation of existing character It is the aim of the District Council that the character and appearance of

the Shalbourne Conservation Area should be preserved and there are various ways in which this can be achieved. The following list is not exhaustive but is intended as a guide to the type of work that would contribute to maintaining the quality of the village.

Action by the District Council:

Applications for planning permission and conservation area consent to be assessed with reference to this character appraisal.

Advice to be made available to owners of historic buildings, listed and unlisted, to encourage good standards of maintenance and repair and the retention of original materials and details. The retention of original timber doors and windows is especially significant because of the visual importance of these in the street views.

Contact to be maintained with the County Council as Highway Authority concerning works within the Conservation Area and in particular the protection of the many banks and verges that contribute so much to the quality of the village. The size, style and location of road signs, and the introduction of road markings, should be considered with particular care.

The careful maintenance of historic buildings is an essential requirement if the character of the village is to be preserved. Attention to detail and protection of original elements are basic requirements. The Doves has been rethatched since this photograph was taken.

Proposals for indigenous tree and hedge planting to be encouraged

to reinforce and, in the long term, strengthen the quality of the landscape.

Action by owners:

Look carefully at desired changes to buildings and surroundings and view the proposal in context. Where construction work is involved take particular care in the choice of materials.

Where undertaking works to doors and windows on traditional buildings retain the original wherever possible or copy existing styles and details.

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Consider all extensions as complementary to the existing building and design in keeping.

Prepare a strategy for the maintenance of trees, shrubs and hedges to ensure long term survival and, where appropriate, identify sites for replacement tree planting.

Where areas or features in the Shalbourne Conservation Area are out of

keeping with the character of the village it will be desirable to seek improvements or undertake replacements. Any such work should reflect the intrinsic character of Shalbourne and utilise materials and details that fit the rural scene:

At the School - relocation of refuse bins with tidying of the surface of the lane and repainting the white fencing to a darker colour.

At The Kingston Room - examine options to recreate the character once formed by the low wall and railings. This could also help highway and pedestrian safety.

This section of wall fronting the Mill is now in need of attention. The problem of erosion has been exacerbated by the use of the wrong sort of mortar for repair. Lime mortar should always be used on historic brickwork for practical and aesthetic reasons.

The Green - look at all signs with a view to removing any that are redundant or replacing where desirable to improve their siting or appearance.

The list identifies the scope for improvement but timescales are not determined. The District Council will give consideration to encouraging implementation when resources permit.

Areas of potential change The 'Limits of Development' outlined in the Kennet District Local Plan

indicate that expansion of the existing built-up area will be resisted. The line follows closely the line of the Conservation Area but there are minor differences.

Economic and social changes are likely to continue to bring about

pressure for development or redevelopment. To maintain the character of Shalbourne it will be important to ensure that building extensions are kept subservient to the principal building concerned, and that the form, scale and style of any new building is kept in context. It will also be important to ensure that spaces between buildings are retained.

Redundant farm buildings and workshops in rural areas are in

considerable demand for residential conversion. Where existing employment activity exists it should be maintained with new employment uses considered for suitable premises. Efforts to reduce outward commuting will help to maintain the character of the area.

Maps of Shalbourne indicate that a number of barns and other agricultural buildings have disappeared in recent years or been converted to other uses. Here in Rivar Road these timber and corrugated iron structures are a reminder of village history. Where possible such buildings should be kept and reused rather than simply replaced.

Within the village there is little scope for major change with the exception of the area around Ropewind Farm. It is possible to see this as the next place to be subject to development pressure and guidelines should be established.

The main considerations should be to ensure the retention of mature

trees, the retention and reuse of traditional buildings and a limit on density. Buildings should reflect local character with suburban features and layouts avoided. It may also be appropriate to ensure that any development that does take place is in the form of a designed group with sufficient space maintained around to retain village character.

Notes on extensions to traditional buildings

There are some useful guidelines on house extensions that can be

applied here: All extensions should be in scale and character with the building to

which they are added and should not dominate; Particular care should be taken to ensure that the original character

of traditional buildings is maintained with extensions on major elevations set back from the existing and with roof lines lower;

Plan forms should be narrow to reflect local tradition and roof pitches should relate closely to those of the existing building;

Window proportions should relate to those of the principal building and should generally be set back within the reveals;

It is not always necessary to copy roofing materials, particularly thatch, provided that a traditional clay tile or natural slate is used. This can help maintain the character of historic buildings by following a long established building tradition.

Here at the top of Rivar Road a number of new dwellings have been built in recent years. The future of Ropewind Farm may be seen as a development opportunity – if this does occur there should be an appraisal of the existing buildings on the site as the starting point for any change.

Garages are not always easily assimilated into village scenes and prominent locations and double doors should be avoided. Driveway finishes should be rural in character.

In all cases the relationship with adjacent buildings and spaces needs to be considered. Also relevant is the need to comply with Building Regulations.

The planning context The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

places a duty on local planning authorities to determine which parts of their area are "Areas of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance" and to designate them as Conservation Areas.

The Act, and Government advice given in Planning Policy Guidance

Note 15, Planning and the Historic Environment, states that the local planning authority should formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of all Conservation Areas and this assessment, published as the Shalbourne Conservation Area Statement, is part of the process.

Extensions to dwellings can be seen throughout Shalbourne but are most evident on both sides of Ham Road where the buildings front directly onto the street. Efforts have been made to build in keeping but more could be done to protect village character. The practice of extending a listed building along the exact line of the original and attempts to merge rooflines distort the character of the original. Extensions need to be seen as subservient. Where historic details, such as windows, are copied they should be exact with the windows set back in the reveals as on the original structure.

This Conservation Area Statement was adopted by the Council as

Supplementary Planning Guidance on 21 January 2003. SPG provides additional information on the interpretation and implementation of policies and proposals contained in a Local Plan.

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Consultation procedures, consistent with the advice contained at paragraph 4.7 of PPG15 – Planning and the Historic Environment, have been undertaken during the preparation of this Statement. Paragraph 3.16 of PPG12 – Development Plans, also states that adequate consultation is a requirement for adoption of SPG. The Council considers that the consultation undertaken meets the obligations for consultations set out in PPG12.

The Replacement Kennet Local Plan (March 2001) is at an advanced

stage of preparation having been subject to two stages of Deposit and a Public Local Inquiry. This SPG provides detailed background information for the interpretation of policies contained in the Replacement Local Plan, particularly Policies HH5 and HH6.

In addition, the guidance will be relevant to the application of Policies

PD1, HC5, HC22, HC32a, ED9, ED11a, ED11b, ED26, AT28, NR5, HH8, HH9, and HH12.

The Conservation Area is complex and, although priority has been given

to highlighting significant features, omission of items from the text or from the illustrations should not be regarded as an indication that they are unimportant in conservation or planning terms.

Summary and Conclusions Summary The major change that has taken place in Shalbourne since the

Conservation Area was first designated in 1985 is the continued reduction in farming activity to be replaced by a largely residential population. Accompanying this has been investment in the repair, alteration and extension of many houses and cottages in the village together with the construction of a number of new ones. The predominant new construction is of high value buildings with their accompanying large plots and provision for cars. A number of existing dwellings have likewise been upgraded.

All this has taken place within a well defined physical structure and

landscape and with only limited effect on the visual character of the village. Trees, hedges, banks and walls together with the positioning of buildings means that the attractive informality of Shalbourne has been maintained.

The village has a high proportion of historic buildings, not all of which

are listed. It also has a limited number of village facilities and thus outward commuting is significant. Traffic in the village is less noticeable than in many other settlements with the nearby A338 functioning as the bypass. Traffic speeds in parts of the village are reduced by the twisting alignment of the roads which provides a limited traffic calming function.

This view of the centre of Shalbourne clearly shows the quality and character of the village and demonstrates that the area is of considerable architectural and historic interest.

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Conclusions

The potential for development or redevelopment in the village is

limited, but continued demands for alterations and extensions to existing buildings can be expected.

The character of the village can be adversely affected by changes to

existing buildings especially buildings of historic interest. It is important to recognise, and work with, the form and grain of the village taking into account historic boundaries and overall density.

The implications of all proposed changes need to be assessed in context,

taking the wider view of buildings and their settings. Erosion of character occurs through the application of standard solutions, and the use of inappropriate standard building components: this should be avoided where possible.

Trees, verges and other landscape features are important but can be

vulnerable to change. Positive action will need to be made to protect the various elements that

make up the special character of the village to ensure its long-term survival for the benefit of existing and future residents, businesses and visitors. Conservation Area legislation is designed to protect the special quality of historic towns and villages. The information in this Statement has been produced to assist this process and provide guidance for the future.

Conservation activity requires both a broad view and attention to detail. Although the Manor is not a key visual part of the village its status is identified by the entrance, itself a distinctive feature.

Oxenwood The Parish of Shalbourne includes the hamlet of Oxenwood, which is a

separate designated Conservation Area, and for which there is an accompanying Statement.

Bibliography: The Victoria County History

R S Barron –The Geology of Wiltshire 1976 John Chandler – Marlborough and Eastern Wiltshire 2001 Kennet District Council – Landscape Assessment and Landscape Conservation Strategy 2001 Shalbourne to the Millennium – Shalbourne History Project 1999

The assistance of the Archaeology Section Wiltshire County

Council is gratefully acknowledged. January 2003 This leaflet is one in a series of Conservation Area Statements and Guidance Notes produced by Kennet District Council. For an up to date list, or if you require further information or advice, please contact:

The Conservation Section, Planning Services Group Kennet District Council, Browfort, Bath Road, Devizes SN10 2AT

℡ 01380 724911 www.kennet.gov.uk

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