Addition of Furze Cottage to Historic Building Register

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A decision made (13.03.06) to add Furze Cottage to the Historic Building Register as a proposed Site of Special Interest.

Subject:	Additions to the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Historical and Archaeological Importance: Furze Cottage, La Nouvelle Charrieres de Bonne Nuit, St John
Decision Reference:	MD-PE-2006-22	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 Furze Cottage, La Nouvelle Charrieres de Bonne Nuit, St John	Written report – Author:		Curator of Historic Buildings – Jersey Heritage Trust
Decision(s): Furze Cottage, La Nouvelle Charrieres de Bonne Nuit, St John shall be included in the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Historical and Archaeological Importance in Jersey as a proposed Site of Special Interest.
Reason(s) for decision: In accordance with the States strategic objective ‘to protect the best of the Island’s architectural heritage’ and policy G11 ‘Sites of Special Interest’ of the Island Plan 2002, and policies HB1 and HB2 of the Interim Policies for the Conservation of Historic Buildings Furze Cottage satisfies the published criteria for registration as a pSSI.
Action required:  Furze Cottage is the subject of a live planning application – notify Development Control – Rural Section of decision
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision: 13 March 2006

Addition of Furze Cottage 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 Furze Cottage, La Nouvelle Charrieres

de Bonne Nuit, St John

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is for the Minister to consider adding Furze Cottage to the Historic Buildings Register, 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 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 May 2005, the Friends of Bonne Nuit contacted the Historic Buildings Officer to enquire about the registered status of Furze Cottage. Consequently, JHAP were asked to assess the architectural and historic interests of the cottage.

Furze Cottage was built c.1905 in the Vernacular Revival / Arts & Crafts style. It was not included in the 1992 Historic Buildings Register and was not added to the Register by the Jersey Building Heritage Sub-Committee during its review of registered buildings in St John in 1997.

Discussion

JHAP carried out an external evaluation of the property during a site visit on 14 November 2005. Members agreed that Furze Cottage merited inclusion on the Register but concluded that a decision could not be reached on an appropriate registration grade until an internal inspection had been carried out and additional research made into the history of the building.

An internal inspection was subsequently carried out by the Historic Buildings Officer (P&E) and the Curator of Historic Buildings(JHT), and further research made into the history of the site. The results of this work were discussed by JHAP at its next meeting on 9 January 2006.

Members were advised that Furze Cottage was built c.1905 by Bailiff Sir William Henry Venables Vernon as his summer residence. Members noted that the architectural and historical integrity of the building survives both to the interior and exterior, with clear evidence of architectural expression and good quality in composition and form, and interesting original features including chamfered window openings with stone mullions and shutters, arched granite doorways, a large granite fireplace, timber panelled doors and exposed beams and joists. It was agreed that the cottage makes a significant and positive contribution to the scenic value of Bonne Nuit and to the architectural and historical character and appearance of Jersey.

Taking into account the unusual style of the building, the quality of the architecture, the high proportion of the original fabric that has survived and the historic interest as the Bailiff’s summer residence, the Panel concluded that Furze Cottage should be added to the Register as a pSSI.

Recommendation

Furze Cottage should be added to the Historic Buildings Register as a proposed Site of Special Interest.

Reason(s) for Decision

Furze Cottage satisfies the published criteria for registration as a pSSI.

The registration of Furze Cottage 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.’

The grade of pSSI is in accordance with Interim Policy HB2 which states ‘Designation of buildings of architectural or historical importance as Sites of Special Interest will normally be limited to those whose authentic fabric, plan form, interior features or historical associations of the interior contribute to their special archaeological, architectural, artistic, cultural, historical, or traditional interest.’

Action Required

 Furze Cottage is the subject of a live planning application – 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:

 Correspondence from the Friends of Bonne Nuit

22 February 2006