Phoenix Art Centre, Harelaw, County Durham: Archaeological Building Recording (OASIS ID: vindomor1-166991)
Tony Liddell, 2019. https://doi.org/10.5284/1057491. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © Vindomora Solutions Ltd, Tony Liddell unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Primary contact
Durham County Council
Environmental Services
Regeneration and Local Services
Durham County Council
County Hall
DH1 5UQ
England
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 3541
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1057491
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
On the 18th of October 2012, a planning application was submitted by Derwentside Building to demolish part of the former National School at Harelaw, County Durham and convert the remaining building into a single dwelling and four semi-detached dwellings. In 2013, Derwentside Building sold the property to the current client, Anderson and Metcalf who continued with the development. The northern section of the building, originally built in 1846 as the Collierley National School is a Grade II Listed Building and as such a condition of the planning consent was the production of an archaeological building recording equivalent to English Heritage Level 2 as set out in Understanding Historic Buildings – a guide to good recording practice (English Heritage 2006) and Recording Historic Buildings (RCHME 1996). The condition was set in place in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework and policy ENV21 of the Unitary Development Plan. On the 18th December 2013, Vindomora Solutions was commissioned by Darren Anderson of Anderson and Metcalf to undertake the necessary recording works to fulfil the archaeological aspect of the planning condition.
The school building contained four phases, dating from 1846, 1886, circa 1898 and the 1960s. Overall, the structure holds relative importance due to its construction at a date where purpose-built schools were rare, along with the quality of the construction. The original build, together with the church and vicarage also formed the core of the historic village. Whilst the four phases of construction remain clearly visible, each retaining at its core original structural parameters, the school has been heavily remodelled during the late 20th century removing or blocking earlier architectural features (with the exception of the windows).
No further archaeological recording work has been designated as a condition of the planning application.
