| Abstract: |
This report presents the results of a historic building recording that was carried out by South West Archaeology Ltd. (SWARCH) for a residential development at The Buildings at Vention House, Putsborough, North Devon, Devon. The cartographic, documentary, and building evidence would suggest that Vention House likely existed prior to 1800, with early fabric surviving to the southern elevation and to the western elevation. The cottage was of domestic function, as is evidenced by the stack and the later bread oven, and it was associated with the kiln that it faced across to and not with the sea. The cottage is not listed separately to the kiln, however it contains similar character within its build. The site is a multi-phase complex, post medieval in build, with an involved historic narrative. The buildings that survive (the kiln, the workshop, and the cottage) read historically as one cohesive smallholding and working semi-industrial site. The site has been much altered, particularly during the later 20th century, however historic fabric does remain that allows for a connected historic narrative. The cottage represents an undesignated heritage asset, however it is not a good example of type and it is of low value. It was stripped out during the c.1970s and there is value only in the surviving stone walls. A new design proposes to demolish the cottage to allow for a modern development, and whilst this would appear to be the most practical solution it would alienate the kiln within the plot and it would leave it as the only historic building on the site. The demolition of the cottage would result in the total loss of an undesignated heritage asset, a situation that should be avoided if at all possible. The cottage has been recorded in an effort to provide a preservation through record route to facilitate these proposals, however this is not a heritage impact assessment. The site is visually sensitive, a popular landmark that is known colloquially as the pink house, and it lies within the North Devon AONB coastline. It is recommended that the southern walls and the eastern walls are retained where possible to prevent a total loss of historic fabric, with the stack at ground floor level and partly at first floor level. This would preserve the historic footprint of the cottage and the extension that relates to the kiln and this could help to retain the historic narrative of the site and help to reduce the impact on the kiln. The rest of the much-rebuilt later 19th century extension could possibly be removed and reconstructed like-for-like with the approval of the conservation officer as it has already been heavily compromised. The northern wall is considered to have been altered too much, whilst the rear block that dates to the c.1970s is of no heritage value. This would effectively result in a façade retention and the addition of a new structure to the rear. |
