| Abstract: |
The Concrete Barn (National Grid Reference: TL4063648664) is situated to the north-west of
Foxton village, approximately 320m north of the Foxton Conservation Area. It is located on the northern edge of an arable field to the south of the Cambridge Line railway line, with its principal elevation facing south towards the Royston Road (A10), which connects London to Cambridge.
The following resources were reviewed for the production of this Statement of Significance. The full references for these resources are included in Section.
● Relevant local, regional and national planning legislation, policy and guidance;
● Available online historic maps;
● The online National Heritage List for England maintained by Historic England;
● The Cambridgeshire Historic Environment Record (CHER);
● Historic Sources, including plans, reports, directories, newspaper articles and books;
● Available relevant online historical resources. The significance of the Concrete Barn is primarily provided in its surviving built fabric, which has archaeological, architectural and historic interest. The exterior of the building, with the exception of the loss of glazing and the original doors, and the addition of graffiti, has survived in a well-preserved state. The interior has been compromised somewhat by substantial amounts of graffiti, litter and the degradation of areas of the timber floor due to exposure.
The functional, originally symmetrical, design of the building contributes to its architectural
interest, reflecting consideration for the appearance of the building as well as its use. The
segmental arches above the ground floor openings and in the ground floor arcade are
also functional, yet provide architectural interest. The large, open first floor also provides
architectural interest, allowing for an understanding of the scale of the building and the
craftsmanship associated with the construction of its roof. The scale of the space also
points towards the building’s possible use for storage. The remains of the original barn doors
allow for an understanding of the original appearance of the building and how it operated. As a
pioneering example of a no-fines concrete building, the walls of the building also contribute to its significance, as they demonstrate the use of concrete in Cambridgeshire at an earlier date than otherwise understood. The extensive amount of graffiti on the exterior inhibits the ability to appreciate the concrete construction in some areas but adds another layer of archaeological
interest to the building.
Internally, the surviving elements of the building’s original fabric contribute to its archaeological
and historic interest, with the ramp being of particular significance, as it facilitates an
understanding of the function of the building. However, this is inhibited somewhat by the
removal of the railway sidings and the infill of the openings on the northern elevation,
which make this original use less apparent.
The setting of the Concrete Barn, particularly its proximity to the railway line, contributes to the
significance of the asset, as it facilitates the ability to understand the function and operation of
the asset. During consultation with the Conservation Officer, it was noted that whilst the rural
landscape which forms part of the setting also contributes to the ability to understand the asset
and its historical use, this is not as significant as the historic fabric of the building itself. In
particular, it is the built fabric itself that provides evidence of cement being used during the
late nineteenth century in Cambridgeshire, which is central to the building’s
heritage significance. |
