Listed buildings and places
Les bâtisses et endraits historique
Supplementary report
28 (Soroptimist House), Pomona Road, St. Helier.
This supplementary 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, archaeological and other significance of buildings and places.
The review of representations received has been undertaken and the recommendation given in relation to the above building and place is made under the auspices of Article 51 of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law, 2002; and the criteria for the listing and grading of heritage assets adopted and published by the Minister for Planning and Environment.
Author of report: Roger Hills BA(Hons) MA DipBldgCons (RICS) IHBC Head of Historic Buildings
File ref: HE1316
Date of report: 12/05/2014
This additional supplementary report was prepared following a site visit on 12th May 2014.
The site visit prompted further consideration into the architectural significance of the building and has led to the conclusion that 28 Pomona Road does not merit listing, for the following reasons:
Previous assessments of the architectural significance of the building are heavily reliant upon it being identified as a unique example in Jersey of a building employing an architectural style and design influenced by the groundbreaking post-war pre-fabricated (Span) building systems developed by architect Eric Lyons in England. However, although the design influence is clear, Soroptimist House would actually appear to be a simple concrete frame clad in tiles, and not a system building at all, reducing the architectural interest in this case.
Although influenced by Eric Lyons work, the building has no direct historical association with him and is a 1960s interpretation by locally-based architects.
Some Eric Lyons developments – such as Ham Common in England – are now designated as conservation areas. However, the point raised by the appellant as regards to the lack of streetscape value for Soroptimist’s House is a fair one - No.28 stands alone and does not have group value or a wider urban setting interest, and cannot be said to make a positive contribution to the streetscape.
The building originally employed a contemporary combination of 1960s materials - particularly concrete, steel and glass – but on site, it is clear that the replacement of the dominant window bays in PVC has impacted on this interest, and that the rear elevations are of limited interest, constructed of standard Rozel blocks.
Conclusion
De-list. Having reconsidered the earlier advice, it is concluded that 28 (Soroptimist House) Pomona Road does not have sufficient architectural interest to merit listing.