Job No: 2482 Date: 04/03/14 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT Proposed Residential Development Burnley Road Rawtenstall Rossendale 1
Contents 1 Introduction 2 Scope of Proposed Works 3 Impact on the character of the existing Heritage assets 4 Summary 2
1 Introduction This has been compiled to accompany the planning application for the proposed development of the currently vacant site on Burnley Road, Rawtenstall. The planning application to which this document supports proposes the development of the land to provide 16no. one & two bedroom flats for over 55 s residents. The site is adjacent to the Roman Catholic Church of St. James the Less which is a grade II listed building. 2 Scope of Proposed works The site is currently a brownfield site located off Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, it is an area of previously developed land on which vegetation has undergone natural succession, hard standings, scattered trees, scrub and unimproved grassland. Previous use of the site included Bleach works and nursing/care home the latter of which was demolished due to structural issues. The site currently offers no aesthetic qualities or community engaged function of use. The site is also an unsecured, open space which can encourage anti-social behaviour. 3
The site is adjacent to St. James the Less Church which is shown in the forefront of the photograph. The proposed scheme aims to redevelop the site for 16 Affordable Rent apartments for over 55 s to be built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3, 100% Lifetime Homes, Secured by Design and other Design Quality Standards required as part of funding received from the Homes and Communities Agency. Green Vale Homes (part of the Together Housing group) will own and manage all 16 Affordable Rent properties, which will ensure that the properties remain affordable for both initial and subsequent occupiers. 4
3 Impact on the character of the existing Heritage assets A full analysis of historic maps has been conducted to understand the significance & context of the adjacent listed building. The maps demonstrated that between 1893 & 1911 a large Bleach works occupied the site which was then extended significantly by 1930. The built structure dominated the majority of the site, significantly overshadowing the church on the south boundary line. By 1972 the bleach work had been demolished in favour of a residential care facility, which sat prominently to the south of the site close to the street line. By 2006 the residential unit was demolished and the site has remained vacant to current day. The Historic maps have been submitted as part of the geo-environmental desk study assessment that accompanies the planning application. The scale of the overall development has been carefully designed & positioned to enhance both the natural environment & the areas historic value. The footprint of the proposed building has been aligned in sympathy with the position of the existing church, siting in line with the furthest point of the church façade. The diagram on the next page demonstrates the position of the proposed development (shown grey) in relation to the church and the previously demolished residential unit (shown red) and the bleach works (shown blue) 5
Diagrammatical plan showing relationship of the proposed development with the church & previous structures on the site 6
The Roman Catholic Church of St James the Less is a grade II listed building (first listed in June 1971). Built in 1845 to facilitate a growing Catholic congregation following the Tolerance Act of 1778. The Architect Augustus Pugin was one of Great Britain s foremost Architects of the nineteenth century. He has also responsible for Buildings such as Alton Towers in Staffordshire & St. Georges Cathedral in London. The Church is constructed from sandstone random rubble with steep pitch slate roof, built in an early English style. Features include angles buttresses, triple lancet windows and moulded arched doorways. The Roman Catholic Church of St. James the Less 7
The physical form of the proposed units has been drawn from the surrounding buildings and seeks to complement the existing fabric of the adjacent properties. The scheme has a slight contemporary appearance but imitates a traditional street facade. Facing materials have been selected for their colour and texture to compliment the adjacent properties. Russell Galloway large format concrete tiles Slate g Bradstone Square Dressed walling block in buff Lignacite stone facing masonry Cream Weathered finish 8
The Image below show how the flat development might look in relation to the adjacent church. The proposals look to retain much of the existing tree line to the south boundary which will provide additional environmental screening between the flats & the church. 3D visualization of the proposals looking towards the church 4 Summary The proposed scheme does not include any direct alterations to the adjacent listed buildings. We believe that the proposed development will improve the setting of the historic environment and compliment the urban grain through the sensitive use of appropriate materials and architectural detailing. 5 References 1. The national heritage list for England (via Heritage Gateway) 2. Heritage gateway (www.heritagegateway.org.uk) 3. Rossendale Lancashire Family History & Heraldry Society (www.rossendalefhhs.org.uk) 9