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A decision made (26.06.07) to list Vinchelez Farm, Rue Platte Raie, St. Ouen as a Building of Local Interest.

Subject:	Vinchelez Farm, La Rue Platte Raie, St. Ouen
Decision ref:	MD-PE-2007-00139	Exempt clause(s):		None
Type of report:	Written and oral	Report file ref:		OU0154
Person giving report (if oral): Roger Hills, Curator of Historic Buildings, JHT
Written report – author: Roger Hills, Curator of Historic Buildings, JHT
Written Report Title: Assessment of Vinchelez Farm, La Rue Platte Raie, St. Ouen
Decision(s): The Minister for Planning and Environment determined that Vinchelez Farm be added to the Historic Buildings Register as a Building of Local Interest;
Reason(s) for decision: Vinchelez Farm satisfies the published criteria for registration as a BLI but does not meet the principles for selection as an SSI.
Action required: · Amend the Historic Building Register · Notify owner · Notify development control
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision:

Vinchelez Farm, Rue Platte Raie, St. Ouen - listed as Building of Local Interest

JERSEY HERITAGE TRUST

Vinchelez Farm, La Rue Platte Raie, St Ouen

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 historic buildings and sites.

The Planning and Environment Department requested in March 2007 that the Jersey Heritage Trust assess the architectural, historical and other interests of Vinchelez Farm ahead of discussions with the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group.

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

Date of report: 15 June 2007

File ref: OU0154

Relevant interests of the site (also see assessment form)

Vinchelez Farm was purpose-built as a cattle breeding farm for Vinchelez de Haut Manor c.1927 and has historic and architectural interest as the only example in Jersey of a planned single-phase farm (rather than a farmstead that has evolved over a number of years). Constructed by Mr. J.H.N. Roberts, the farm comprises an imposing central building – functioning as a mixing shed and storage - with a pediment and large clock surmounted by a weather vane depicting the Vinchelez herd's famous stud bull Vinchelez Golden. Long single-storey ranges separately housing cows, heifers, bulls and calving pens, flank the central building. There is a farmhouse and dairy to the front of the property and manure shed some distance away at the rear. All of the buildings are of high quality masonry work, constructed of local granite with dressed quoins and openings. The buildings are now largely empty with many of the interior features and fittings removed. The plan form and structural elements do survive, as does the timber staircase within the mixing shed. The farm makes a bold architectural statement in the countryside and reflects the economic strength of dairy farming during the inter-war period.

Advice received (MRLAG or others)

MRLAG carried out an external and internal inspection of the property at its meeting on 14 May 2007 and were advised of the history of the farm. Members unanimously agreed that the architectural and historical interest of the site merits registration of the farm as a BLI. It was further unanimous that the interest does not extend substantially to the interior of the buildings and that SSI status would not be justified in this case.

JHT recommendation

Vinchelez Farm should be added to the Historic Buildings Register as a Building of Local Interest.

Justification relating to criteria

Vinchelez Farm satisfies the published criteria for registration as a BLI. It has architectural interest in that the buildings are significant for their architectural design and are a significant example of a particular building type – being the only planned single-phase farm in the Island. It has historic interest as it illustrates the development of the history of cattle breeding in Jersey.

It is proposed that Vinchelez Farm does not meet the principles of selection for SSI as (6.1) states that ‘The essential criterion for the designation of an historic building as a Site of Special interest is that its special interest extends substantially to its authentic fabric, plan form, interior features, or historical associations of the interior; in other words, it is not substantially confined to the exterior of the building and the contribution which it makes to the character or appearance of its townscape or landscape setting.’

Attachments

Location plan

Assessment form and photographs, March 2007

Article from The Island Cow September 1928