Le Petit Fort, St. Ouen, retained on Historic Buildings Register.

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A decision made (09/11/06) regarding Review of Registration of Le Petit Fort, La Rue des Pres, St Ouen on the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Historical and Archaeological Importance as a Building of Local Interest.

Subject:	Review of Registration of Le Petit Fort, La Rue des Pres, St Ouen on the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Historical and Archaeological Importance as a Building of Local Interest.
Decision Reference:	MD-PE-2006-0206	Exempt clause(s):		None
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written/oral	Person Giving Report (if oral):		Curator of Historic Buildings – Jersey Heritage Trust / Historic Buildings Officer
Telephone or e-mail meeting	N/a	Report File ref:		3/04/02/1/Ministerial reports
Written Report Title:	Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey - assessment of Le Petit Fort, La Rue des Pres, St Ouen	Written report – Author:		Curator of Historic Buildings – Jersey Heritage Trust
Decision(s): Le Petit Fort shall be retained on the Register of Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey as Buildings of Local Interest.
Reason(s) for decision: In accordance with the strategic objective ‘to protect the best of the Island’s architectural heritage’ of the Island Plan 2002, and Policy HB1 of the Interim Policies for the Conservation of Historic Buildings Le Petit Fort, La Rue des Pres, St Ouen satisfies the published criteria for registration as a Building of Local Interest.
Action required:  Amend the description of Le Petit Fort on the Historic Buildings Register  Issue a notification letter to the owner  Notify Development Control – Rural Section
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision: 9 November 2006

Le Petit Fort, St. Ouen, retained on Historic Buildings Register.

		Item No:
		Date:

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Review of Le Petit Fort, La Rue des Pres, St Ouen

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is for the Minister to review the existing registration of Le Petit Fort, 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.

Le Petit Fort was included in the first Historic Buildings Register published in 1992. The Jersey Building Heritage Sub-Committee confirmed the property as a BLI during its review of St Ouen in 1997.

On both occasions the property was incorrectly identified as a circa 1800 fort with twentieth century alterations. The Planning and Environment Department has consequently requested that the Jersey Heritage Trust undertake an appraisal of the property ahead of discussions with the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group. The Curator of Historic Buildings carried out an inspection of the property on 26 September 2006.

Discussion

MRLAG was advised that map and documentary evidence show that a fort did not exist on this site in the 19th century. An inspection of the building suggests that Le Petit Fort was built in the early 20th century, circa 1920s, in a style mimicking an early nineteenth century fort - such as Fort Leicester - with a ‘guardhouse’ and flanking loopholed walls.

Despite this, members agreed that the building has architectural and historic interest in its own right as a folly - illustrative of the inter-war fashion for ‘fun’ buildings (another example being the Barge Aground). The ‘fort’ also makes a positive contribution to the scenic value of the area.

Taking the above factors into consideration it was agreed that Le Petit Fort should be retained on the Register as a BLI. It was further recommended that the more recent garage block be excluded from the registration.

Recommendation

Le Petit Fort should be retained on the Historic Buildings Register as a Building of Local Interest.

Reason(s) for Decision

Le Petit Fort satisfies the published criteria for registration.

The registration of Le Petit Fort 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 registration of Le Petit Fort is in accordance with the additional criteria for assessing Twentieth Century buildings.

Action Required

 Amend the description of Le Petit Fort on the Historic Buildings Register

 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

Approved by:	Fiona Smith Historic Buildings Officer

Endorsed by:	Kevin Pilley Assistant Director

Attachments:

Location plan

Assessment form and photographs

10 October 2006