PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance
Appeal against registration: Les Colombiers, La Rue du Rondin, St Mary
Purpose of the Report
The purpose of this report is for the Minister to review the existing registration of an outbuilding at Les Colombiers in response to an appeal, 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.
Les Colombiers was included in the first Historic Buildings Register published in 1992. During its review of St Mary in 2002, the Jersey Building Heritage Sub-Committee concluded that the farmhouse and outbuilding should be retained as a BLI, and the colombier registered separately as a pSSI.
KE Planning, acting on behalf of the owners, submitted an appeal against the registration of the outbuilding to the Planning and Environment Department on 28 December 2006.
The Planning and Environment Department subsequently requested that the Jersey Heritage Trust undertake a re-appraisal of the property ahead of a site visit with the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group at its meeting on 12 February 2007.
Discussion
The group observed that the 19th century outbuilding is a relatively simple, functional structure originally comprising 2 long granite walls, a pitched roof and open ends - presumably used to store vehicles and machinery. Members noted that the KE Planning report states that a new roof covering, cladding and rainwater goods were added in the 1980s. However, it was agreed that the building is of an unusual design and the simple nature of the construction is of architectural interest in itself, coupled with the use of a very tall granite post (with inscribed initials) that forms the southwest corner and determines the height of the building to eaves level.
It was observed that Les Colombiers has been subdivided and converted to residential use but members agreed that the property can still be read as a farmstead and the group value of the outbuilding, in terms of its visual and historical relationship with the other structures remains of interest.
Taking the above factors into consideration, it was agreed that the outbuilding merits retention on the Historic Buildings Register as part of the Building of Local Interest registration for Les Colombiers.
Recommendation
The outbuilding should be retained on the Historic Buildings Register as part of the Building of Local Interest registration for Les Colombiers farm group.
Reason(s) for Decision
The outbuilding satisfies the published criteria for registration.
The registration of the outbuilding 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.’
Action Required
Issue a notification letter to the owner
Notify Development Control - Rural Team of decision
Written by: | Roger Hills Curator of Historic Buildings - Jersey Heritage Trust |
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Approved by: | Fiona Smith Historic Buildings Officer |
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Endorsed by: | Kevin Pilley Assistant Director |
Attachments:
Appeal report by KE Planning, December 2006
Location plan
Assessment form and photographs
27 February 2007
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