Issue 116

Jan / Feb 2011

Contents

news

All the latest archaeology news from around the country

features

Crosby Garrett Roman Helmet

The fullest report yet on its discovery, appearance and modern fate, plus its restoration

THE BIG DIG: Flixbrough

20 years of study at the Lincolnshire DMV

Fieldwalking in Bingham

The community story of a Nottinghamshire parish

Silbury Hill

What is it and how was it made?

The Varmints Show

In the Varmints' fourth exploration of music and archaeology, we look at Music and Place

on the web

Military sites of all periods and online teaching of GIS

CBA Correspondent

Our Casework team reviews another year of listed building saves

letters

Your views and responses

ISSN 1357-4442

Editor Mike Pitts

CBA Correspondent

Campaigns, comment and communications from the CBA

Lynne Walker and Bev Kerr review another year of listed building casework.

The CBA is one of the six national amenity societies statutorily notified of listed building applications that involve complete or partial demolition. Over the last year we have received over 4,000 cases for England and Wales and have responded in detail on over 300 individual applications.

In the majority of cases where the CBA responds, our comments are based on advice from the CBA's volunteer historic building advisers. We value their contribution enormously. The CBA is also grateful to Cadw and to English Heritage for the funding they give towards this historic building work.

Here are some of the proposals which we advised on in the last year. They range from buildings of international significance, to modest vernacular historic structures, to those with hidden archaeological potential – all of merit in their own individual ways, and worthy of safeguarding.

Cast iron columns with round arched tracery inside Stanley Mills: G1, Gloucestershire

Ditherington Flax Mill, Shrewsbury and Stanley Mills, Gloucestershire. Both grade 1

Two amazing industrial complexes. Ditherington was the first iron framed building in the world (1796–1805). It originated as a flax mill, and later transformed successfully into a maltings. Stanley Mills began in 1813 as a fire-proof woollen mill. Each site reflects the evolving industrial processes in its range of buildings, and the challenge is to adapt these to new uses without losing whatever makes them significant. Subdivision of the wonderful open working floors of the mill buildings, for example, needs to be limited, demolition of later structures and enabling development justified, and historic fabric and features retained.

2 Fishers Lane, Blackpool, a rare example of a single storey cobble-walled dwelling. Images courtesy of Marion Coupe and Lancashire County Council (SMR 10635)

2 Fishers Lane, Blackpool. Grade 2

Listed as a "rare example of a single storey cobble-walled dwelling", it is possible that this was originally built as a Fylde longhouse and is 17th century rather than the 18th century first thought. We recommended survey and analysis to answer these questions: our aim is to protect the simplicity of this modest traditional building, which makes it vulnerable to even a small amount of change.

Lift Testing Tower, Northampton. Grade 2

Built 1980–82, this reinforced concrete tower, measuring 14.6m across at the base and tapering to 8.4m at the top, stands 127m high and houses separate shafts for testing lifts at different speeds. Despite being the only lift testing tower in England, and one of only two in Europe, an application for demolition was made some years ago when a new development was put forward for the site.

Strong local and national opposition to the demolition has resulted in the tower being saved for its original use (in part) and other testing facilities and research; there are proposals for a new visitor centre at the base with provision for public access including a panoramic lift installation. The recognition that it is a unique structure with huge potential for re-use, and a significant local landmark, is very welcome.

Tow Law Auction House, County Durham. Grade 2

This 12-sided cattle market auction building operated from 1882–2005, retaining its tiers of wooden benches, auctioneer's desk and zinc screen, but the loss of its use and the proposal for a new housing development led to an application for relocation. Bearing in mind the unsuccessful attempts to find new owners, and the potential deterioration of the wooden structure, the CBA advised on controlled dismantling, storage and reassembly, if this is the only way to safeguard the building's long term future.

The Black Lion, 11 Castle St, Conwy. Grade 2*

The former Black Lion pub (Y Llew Du) is a striking building in the medieval town of Conwy. It was thought to have been built in 1589 by the vicar of Conwy, John Brickdall. Converted into a public house in the 1700s, it was a venue for the Monday morning pig market and then used for other commercial activities in the 20th century. It has stood empty since the 1990s. A recent archaeological survey commissioned by the owner suggests the building may perhaps be of 15th century date.

Proposals to turn the building back into a single domestic dwelling have not been opposed by the CBA, but we objected to the removal of historic fabric by the proposed addition of three ensuite bathrooms and the removal of internal walls. The case also raised concerns over the public accessibility of the archaeological report, which the owner is presently not willing to make available, a position that the CBA considers to be deplorable.

The colourful Green Street Cottages, Ceredigion

Cardigan castle. Grade 2* and 2

The first Eisteddfod was held at Cardigan castle in 1176. The castle was reduced to ruins during the English Civil War and remained so until the 19th century when a private house was built on the site, incorporating part of a medieval tower. Falling into disrepair, the house and site were purchased by the local authority in 2003, and featured in the 2004 BBC series of Restoration. The Cadwgan Building Preservation Trust proposes to restore the main house and outbuildings and develop the site into a visitor attraction, Welsh language centre and holiday lets. The CBA largely supports the project, but has raised concerns over proposals to turn two 18th century cottages, which are rare examples of vernacular architecture in Cardigan, into the visitor centre, inevitably losing some internal historic fabric. The CBA has asked the local authority to consider whether there are more suitable options.

Window Watch

Window replacement in uPVC is a continuing problem. Plastic windows are rarely suitable in a listed building, but some owners not only continue to prefer them, but are often under the misapprehension that they do not require listed building consent. This was the case at the Masonic Hall in Lower Dock St, Newport, where the owners have now appealed against the authority's order to remove the offending windows. The CBA has supported the authority's stance. Look out for the CBA's 2011 Window Watch campaign, which will highlight sustainable choices to encourage retention of historic windows and reduce energy consumption without plastic replacements.

Beyond casework

Our fundamental message has to be that buildings are archaeology too. They tell us so much about the way people lived and worked. Sometimes that information is easy to read, and sometimes we have to work a little harder. It is there in the fabric of the structure, the materials used, the fixtures and the fittings, the plan and where it is sited. The "archaeological interest" of historic buildings is now recognised for the first time in the new planning policy for the historic environment, PPS5, and the CBA is watching closely to see how this is being applied in practice.

Amongst the most popular events last year were the Understanding Historic Buildings Days and Industrial Archaeology Training Days for CBA members and historic building volunteers, who enjoyed expert guidance and site visits that entertained and informed in equal measure. The year ahead will undoubtedly see cuts to conservation services that provide essential support for the wider historic environment. Our hope is the enthusiasm and public support we have witnessed will continue to grow, and that we can work together to safeguard our historic buildings and sites from the variety of threats they face.

Lynne Walker is the CBA's historic buildings officer; Bev Kerr is conservation and community officer for Wales.

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