Government of Jersey

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A decision made (06.04.2009) to remove the Metropole Hotel, Roseville Street, from the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectual, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey as a Building of Local Interest.

Decision Ref:	MD–PE–2009-0065
Subject:	Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey: Metropole Hotel (19th century house), Roseville Street, St Helier
Decision Summary Title:	DS – NoI to remove Metropole Hotel (19th century house), Roseville Street, St Helier
DS Author:	Assistant Director
DS Date:	01 April 2009	DS Status:	Public
Written Report Title:	WR – Review of Metropole Hotel (19th century house), Roseville Street, St Helier
WR Author:	Assistant Director
WR Date	17 March 2009	WR Status:	Public
Oral Rapporteur:	Assistant Director/ Roger Hills – Head of Historic Buildings (Jersey Heritage)
Decision(s):	The Minister for Planning and Environment intends to remove the Metropole Hotel (19th century house), Roseville Street, St Helier from the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey as a Building of Local Interest. Whilst not material to his deliberations on the merits of the building’s registration, the Minister further expressed an intent that, as a condition of any subsequent permission for demolition or redevelopment of this property, the c1820 portico be offered for salvage if not incorporated into any new scheme.
Reason(s) for Decision:	The particular interest of Metropole Hotel (19th century house), Roseville Street, St Helier, as identified and described in the report and relative to the published criteria for selection, does not justify its inclusion on Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey;
Legal and Resource Implications:	The inclusion of buildings and places in the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey is consistent with the purposes of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002.
Action required:	Serve Notice of the Minister’s Intent upon the owner and/or the site
Signature:
Position:	Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different to Date Signed):

Metropole Hotel, Roseville Street - Intention to remove designation as a Building of Local Interest

Metropole Hotel (19th century house), Roseville Street, St Helier

This report has been prepared by Jersey Heritage as part of its responsibility under a Service Level Agreement to provide reports and recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Environment on the architectural, historical and archaeological significance of buildings and sites.

The assessment and recommendation are made in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings. The report includes the views and advice offered by the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group.

Author of report: Roger Hills BA(Hons) MA DipBldgCons (RICS) IHBC Head of Historic Buildings

Date of report: 16 March 2009

File ref: HE0428

Current status

The circa 1820s house is currently registered as a BLI.

Relevant interests of the site (see assessment form)

Historic interest

The house was built circa 1820s as a fashionable residence on the outskirts of town - the 1834 Le Gros Map showing it as one of the first properties to be built in Roseville Street. The site had become a hotel by the 1930s and was requisitioned for use by the Gestapo during the German Occupation of Jersey in the 1940s.

Architectural interest

Photographic evidence and the surviving early fabric indicate that the house was a high quality Regency property. Unfortunately, little of the early 19th century design or architectural features survive and the significance of the house has been progressively compromised by post-war alterations and additions that have been unsympathetic and incongruous to the character of the original property - such as the new roof added in the 1970s. The former gardens and driveway that were integral to the setting to the house have also been comprehensively built over or converted to car parking.

The surviving architectural interest is confined to the ground and first floors of the front façade which retains the c.1820s portico with paired columns, composite capitals and matching pilasters (although the finials have been lost); and the original French doors and 12-pane sash windows with moulded architraves.

Scenic interest / group value

The significant post-war alterations and extensive development of the site have greatly impacted on the scenic value of the property.

Advice offered by MRLAG (and others if stated)

MRLAG discussed the Metropole Hotel at its meeting on 9 March 2009. Members discussed the extent of survival of the historic building and the impact of alterations on its character and interest. 6 members advised that the Metropole Hotel should be removed from the register given the extent of post-war alterations and additions. 6 members argued that the surviving c.1820s architectural features merit the main house being retained as a BLI. 1 member abstained. Members were unanimous that the circa 1820s porch should be salvaged if under threat of demolition in the future.

Jersey Heritage recommendation

Given the extent to which the circa 1820s house and its former gardens have been subject to post-war development and alteration, it is proposed that the Metropole Hotel (19th century house), Roseville Street does not satisfy the selection criteria and should be removed from the register. It is agreed that the circa 1820s portico is a fine example and should be salvaged if the building is demolished in the future.

Justification relating to criteria

The removal of the Metropole Hotel (19th century house), Roseville Street from the Register is in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings. Although the house is of historical interest, its architectural interest has been compromised by unsympathetic and incongruous post-war alterations and additions, and the loss of historic form and detail. Extensive development of the site has also greatly impacted on the scenic value of the property.

Attachments

 Plans of site, 1834, 1935 & 2006

 JH assessment form and photographs, February 2009

 Appeal report by Naish Waddington Architects, 5 February 2009