Issue 110

Jan / Feb 2010

Contents

news

Burnt mound theory tested to perfection

Dig find proves flowers placed in bronze age graves

UK's first complete Roman lantern found in Suffolk

Research continues as Saxon hoard is valued at £3.3m

in the press

in brief & phase 2

features

Newhenge: Latest discoveries and interpretations from the Stonehenge Riverside Project team

Dig the beat: Exploring pop music from an archaeological perspective, including additional online content

THE BIG DIG Mellor: A hillfort in the garden: This long-running research excavation near Stockport, Greater Manchester, is now ready for publication

The Peat Men from Clonycavan and Oldcroghan: Findings of the Bog Bodies Research Project at the National Museum of Ireland, with Bibliography

letters

your views and responses

on the web

Caroline Wickham-Jones looks at archaeological gifts

Dan Pett summarises the website set-up and technologies for the Staffordshire Hoard

spoilheap

CBA Correspondent

Campaigns, comment and communications from the CBA

Lynne Walker and Sue Morecroft review a year of listed building casework. Images will be added soon.

The CBA is one of six national amenity societies statutorily notified of listed building consent applications that involve complete or partial demolition. In the last year we have been sent around 4,000 cases for England and Wales. Some begin life as preapplication talks, others are presented to us as fully formed listed building applications and some as conservation area consents. During the year there were also submissions to two public inquiries: the Lancaster Canal Corridor Development, and Abbey Barns at Thetford, Essex. These are some of the other cases we have advised on.

Yapham Windmill, east Yorkshire. Grade 2

Reputedly originating c1802, the brick built tower mill retains five of its six grinding stones, some machinery, downshaft and timberwork. The sails have gone, as have the fantail and cap, but analysis of the fabric together with photographs and documentary evidence will inform future proposals for the site. The owners have initiated pre-application talks with ourselves, the Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA), the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) and other interested parties.

Former National Picture Theatre, Hull. Grade 2

One of our most controversial cases concerned the former National Picture Theatre in Hull. The CBA had supported listing of the cinema for its significance as a bomb-damaged site from the 1941 blitz! The audience escaped, but although the baroque style façade survives – as do the corner staircases – the auditorium, where only girders mark out the gallery's former seating areas, is now home to several growing trees. We argued that plans to convert the frontage to a restaurant with new build behind for accommodation would lose the significance of the site, which stands as a reminder of what warfare means and the terrible toll it took on Hull, the most frequently bombed city of the second world war.

Portland Works, Sheffield. Grade 2*

Described as "an extremely good and complete example of a large purpose-built integrated cutlery works", and "very distinctive to the industrial identity of Sheffield", the Portland Works was put forward for conversion to 77 apartments and offices. This would have entailed inappropriate partitioning, removal of staircases, introduction of balconies and loss of historic fabric, features and plan; the CBA also objected because the complex houses local businesses including a 51-year-old one that uses traditional forging techniques to produce light hand tools from Sheffield steel. Opposition resulted in possibly the most letters of objection the local authority had ever seen. Consent was refused.

• Living heritage of Portland Works - Sheffield Telegraph
• Cutlery works change opposed - Yorkshire Post
• Saving Portland Works
• Save Portland works, Sheffield blog

Latchmore Barn, Hampshire. Grade 2

This was one of a few applications we are still receiving for installation of PVCU windows. We objected on the grounds that this is not a material appropriate for a listed building. Thankfully the application was refused.

Whispers Cottage, Lincolnshire. Unlisted within conservation area

The CBA casework panel felt that the one-and-a-half storey vernacular building – twice proposed for demolition – contributed to the conservation area and had sufficient architectural and historic interest to merit retention. Although once common, the single cell plan is now a rare survivor. The cottage was eventually restored by its owner according to SPAB principles with guidance from the conservation officer.

Tyntesfield House, Somerset. Grade 2*

The proposed installation of a lift into an existing shaft, highlighted the fact that the extant hydraulic lift, described as "part of our nation's heritage" and "innovative, rare and an example of superb Victorian British engineering", was part of an integrated system of services for this outstanding country house. We asked for an assessment of that significance to inform the debate.

Stable block at Insole Court, Llandaff, Cardiff. Grade 2

Insole Court was built in the 1850s for JH Insole, a local colliery and shipping owner, and was sold to Cardiff Corporation in 1931. In January 2009 Cardiff council consulted the local community on the proposed sale of the stable block to fund restoration of the first floor rooms of Insole Court. The Friends of Insole Court opposed the disposal, believing the alienation of the stable block from the house would destroy much of the latter's heritage value, and that the stable could address Llandaff's deficit of social space. As a result of community opposition, the council recommended retaining the stable. The CBA has supported the community in opposing a recent application for demolition on grounds of the stable's poor condition. We have pointed out the lack of information showing that the building is beyond repair, and that Cardiff council has a duty of care to ensure that it is maintained.

Other responses from the CBA on Welsh cases included a request for redesign to respect the original fenestration on the proposed conversion of 11 Kensington Grove, Newport. The CBA also recommended recording conditions for the proposed conversion of a maltings building to a domestic dwelling at Malthouse Farm, Llantrisant, Pontyclun, and in advance of the proposed demolition of the former chapel of rest at Elder Street, Bridgend.

Beyond casework

The CBA continued to promote conservation-led regeneration in Nelson, Lancashire, where terraces are slowly being refurbished and Townscape Heritage Initiative money will hopefully revitalise the conservation area. We would like to see refurbishment that regenerates the area and provides good homes for the community, while safeguarding the distinctive character, the inherited landscape, and the mix of building types that create a sense of place.

We were also involved with and responded on many consultations, perhaps the most important of which were planning policy statement 15: planning and the historic environment and the accompanying English Heritage guidance. The CBA has welcomed the aim to provide more effective heritage protection for all aspects of the historic environment, but has also commented on serious shortcomings in the draft policies.

This was a successful year for recruitment: we took on 11 more historic building volunteers in England, increasing our geographical coverage for Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Dorset, Essex, Lancashire, Manchester, Norwich, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Many of our advisers have further links into local conservation area advisory panels, and civic, archaeological and historical societies.

The three-year programme of regional industrial archaeology days for volunteers also continues, with events in London, York, Ironbridge (Shropshire), and Newcastle. This is funded by English Heritage, with lectures and site visits organised by the AIA. See also Building Commuictaions newsletter.

In 2010 we will continue to pursue the CBA's strategy of participation (encouraging the volunteer network), discovery (promoting informed conservation), and advocacy (promoting and informing protection of the historic environment).

Lynne Walker is the CBA's historic buildings officer and Sue Morecroft (Welsh casework) is the CBA's community conservation officer.

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