PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance
Review of outbuildings at Sacré Coeur, Rouge Bouillon, St Helier
Purpose of the Report
The purpose of this report is for the Minister to review the existing registration of the outbuildings at Sacré Coeur, 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.
Sacré Coeur was included in the 1992 Register and the site as a whole was confirmed as a pSSI by the Jersey Building Heritage Sub-Committee in 2002.
The Planning and Environment Department requested that the Jersey Heritage Trust undertake an assessment of the outbuildings at Sacré Coeur ahead of discussions with the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group at its meeting on 15 January 2007.
Discussion
The former convent site at Sacré Coeur comprises an early nineteenth century house (purchased by the Order of the Sisters of the Holy Family in 1901) with an orphanage building added in the early 1900s and a chapel in the 1920s. On the edge of the property are various subsidiary buildings dating to the twentieth century - two ranges of single storey brick outbuildings and a single storey rendered hall known as the ‘theatre’ building.
MRLAG acknowledged that the outbuildings have an historical association with the convent and that a high proportion of the original fabric has survived. However, it was agreed that the buildings are not representative examples of a recognisable design or stylistic movement, do not display an innovative use of materials or structural techniques, are not by a well-known architect or designer, are not unusual building types or rare survivors, and therefore do not satisfy the more stringent criteria for the registration of twentieth century buildings.
Four members argued that the south range of brick outbuildings should be retained on the Register as a BLI, and three members supported BLI for the rendered hall - based principally on the association with the convent. However, the majority of the group recommended that all the subsidiary buildings be removed from the Register.
Recommendation
The two ranges of brick outbuildings and the rendered hall at Sacré Coeur should be removed from the Register.
Reason(s) for Decision
The outbuildings have insufficient architectural and historical interest to meet the published criteria for registration.
Action Required
Amend the entry for Sacré Coeur on the historic building Keystone database
Issue a notification letter to the owner
Notify Development Control - Urban Team of decision
Written by: | Roger Hills Curator of Historic Buildings - Jersey Heritage Trust |
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Approved by: | Janet Dore Principal Historic Buildings Officer |
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Endorsed by: | Kevin Pilley Assistant Director |
Attachments:
Location plan
Photographs, November 2006
30 January 2007