7. Statement of conservation principles · 2006 (NWBC 2006) remain in force ... historical and archaeological sites. Development affecting sites of known or potential ... issues)

Polesworth Abbey – A Conservation Management Plan 7. Statement of conservation principles

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7. Statement of conservation principles 7.1 From a conservation perspective the Abbey site is affected by a number of pieces of legislation, central and local government policy statements, and guidelines produced by the Church of England and bodies such as English Heritage, the Environment Agency and English Nature. The implications of the following must all be considered in relation to the development of proposals for the site. Legislation 7.2 Those parts of the Abbey site that form part of the Scheduled Ancient Monument, the Gatehouse, the Mound and the Vicarage and surrounding area (Fig 2) are protected by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, and any works or operations that affect their fabric or involve ground disturbance require Scheduled Monument Consent from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport acting on the advice of English Heritage. As Listed Buildings within the Polesworth Conservation Area the Vicarage, Cloister wall and sundial and the Gatehouse, and their immediate settings are also protected by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and all developments affecting them require the consent of the appropriate Planning Authority. Works on the Abbey site may also affect the settings of the Listed Dovecote and Tithe Barn in Hall Court and nos 32/34 High Street. 7.3 Places of Worship such as the Grade II* Listed Church and its churchyard are exempt from the normal Listed Building controls (under the so‐called ‘Ecclesiastical Exemption’), but are instead protected from inappropriate alterations or repairs by a parallel ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Under the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991 any change, repair or addition within the boundaries of consecrated land requires a formal permission or Faculty from the Chancellor of the Diocese acting on the advice of the Diocesan Advisory Council for the Care of Churches. Under the Inspection of Churches Measure 1955 the maintenance of Church buildings is subject to a formal regime based on Quinquennial Inspections by a designated church architect or inspector. 7.4 The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) is the principal mechanism for the legislative protection of wildlife in Great Britain. It has been strengthened by the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000. These Acts make it illegal, for example, to disturb nesting birds or to kill or injure reptiles such as slow worms. 7.5 All public bodies, including county and district councils have a duty under S40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, to have regard to the conservation of biodiversity in England when carrying out their functions, including planning functions. S41 of the Act requires the Secretary of State in consultation with Natural England to publish a list of habitats and species which are of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in England. The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 impose a duty to consider the Habitats Directive in relation to any proposals that may affect European Protected species. Species relevant to the Abbey site include bats ‐ all British bat species are European Protected Species ‐ and otters ‐ all rivers in Warwickshire are regarded by the Environment Agency as having the presence of otter and both the species and their known habitats of rest are offered protection under the regulations. National and local government policies 7.6 The general policy framework for the conservation of historic buildings and archaeological sites and landscapes, and the protection of the natural environment is


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set out in national and local government documents. Central government policy is contained in Planning Policy Statement 5 (PPS 5) for the Historic Environment (DCLG 2010) and Planning Policy Statement 9 (PPS 9) for Biodiversity and Geological conservation (ODPM 2005). These statements identify these elements as material considerations in the planning process worthy of protection. 7.7 PPS 5 sets out the Government’s strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment. This aims to conserve and enhance heritage assets, defined as those parts of the historic environment that have significance because of their historic, archaeological, architectural or artistic interest, while enabling sustainable development. Development proposals affecting heritage assets should provide an adequate description of their significance and this should be considered in decision making. There should be a presumption in favour of preserving these assets, but where all or part of the significance of an asset is to be lost a record should be made and published by the developer. However it should be recognised that recording is not as valuable as retention. 7.8 PPS 9 sets out the Government’s objectives for nature conservation, and the legal framework for safeguarding our natural heritage. It advises on the treatment of nature conservation issues in development plans and lays down planning policies for protecting biodiversity and geological conservation through the planning system. It makes the impact on a protected species a material consideration in any planning application. Planning applications that will result in greater biodiversity are to be favoured. Regional policies 7.9 The West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (DCLG 2008) contains general policies to conserve and enhance the environment (Policy QE1), to protect and enhance the historic environment (Policy QE5) and protect, manage and enhance the region’s biodiversity and nature conservation resources (Policy QE6). North Warwickshire Local Development Framework 7.10 North Warwickshire Borough Council is in the process of producing its Local Development Framework, the new form of statutory development plan brought in by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (NWBC 2007, 2010). However, in the interim many of the development policies of the previous Adopted Local Plan 2006 (NWBC 2006) remain in force, including those designed to protect or enhance biodiversity, natural habitats, the historic environment, and existing landscape and townscape character (Core Policy 3). There are also specific retained policies which are relevant to the Abbey site and its surroundings. 7.11 Policy ENV3 relates to nature conservation and aims to protect and enhance a site’s nature conservation interest and to increase the amount and quantity of habitats. It also protects rare, endangered, or other species of conservation importance, allowing the use of measures to reduce disturbance to a minimum and provide alternative habitats to sustain or enhance populations 7.12 Policy ENV5 relates to the protection and enhancement of public open spaces which includes the open area of Hall Court to the west of the Driveway. Policy COM2 is related aiming to protect land and buildings used as community facilities in market towns, including Polesworth.


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7.13 Policy ENV12 aims to promote good urban design, ensuring that developments are well related to each other and harmonise with their settings to achieve a visually attractive environment. 7.14 Policy ENV 15 is for heritage conservation including the protection and enhancement of Conservation Areas. It aims to prevent developments, including demolition that would have a harmful effect on the character, appearance or setting of a Conservation Area and to ensure that new buildings and alterations and extensions harmonise with the character of the Conservation Area, by retaining and restoring traditional features, including boundary walls, paved surfaces and street furniture. It also encourages the removal of eyesores and the implementation of measures to enhance the street scene and public realm. 7.15 Policy ENV16 is for the protection, preservation and enhancement of Listed Buildings and sites of archaeological importance, including Scheduled Ancient Monuments. It also aims to ensure proper management and interpretation of historical and archaeological sites. Development affecting sites of known or potential archaeological importance and their settings will not be permitted unless it can be shown that any remains will be preserved and protected. There will be a presumption in favour of physical in‐situ preservation of remains of national importance whether Scheduled or not, but in the case of remains of regional or local importance where preservation of remains is not merited, developers will be expected to make provision for a programme of archaeological works. National and Local Biodiversity Action Plans and guidance 7.16 National Biodiversity Action Plans prepared by the UK Biodiversity Group highlight species and habitats which are threatened at national level, and outline how landowners, land managers and policy makers can protect and enhance the characteristic wildlife of an area. Local Biodiversity Action Plans perform a similar function at a local level. Biodiversity Action Plans are a material consideration under PPS 9. Relevant action plans for the Abbey site include the Species Action Plans for Adder (UKBAP, LBAP), Barn Owl (LBAP), Bats (UKBAP, LBAP), Dingy Skipper (UKBAP, LBAP), Song Thrush (UKBAP, LBAP), Otter (UKBAP, LBAP), Rare Bumblebees (UKBAP, LBAP), Slow worm (UKBAP), Common Toad (UKBAP), Grass Snake (UKBAP) and Common Lizard (UKBAP); and Habitat Action Plans for Ponds (UKBAP, LBAP), Gardens (LBAP), Built Environment (LBAP), Lowland Meadows (UK & LBAP), Traditional Orchards (UK & LBAP), Rivers and Streams (UK & LBAP). 7.17 Guidance for the protection and enhancement of the natural environment is published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA 2002). The aim is to engage society as a whole in understanding and safeguarding the needs of biodiversity, and provide a framework of principles and guidance. For urban areas it sets out a series of actions to make biodiversity a fundamental consideration in the development of policy on sustainable communities, urban green space and the built environment. 7.18 The basic elements of the biodiversity strategy are summarised as: the provision of better information about biodiversity; the development of objectives and indicators; achieving partnership and involvement across the statutory, voluntary, private, academic and business sectors; and the utilisation of the best and most appropriate skills and expertise (DEFRA 2002, 8).


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National historic environment conservation and management guidance 7.19 The Church of England and the Diocese of Birmingham provide a number of guides and policy statements covering the appropriate care of churches and churchyards. These include Caring for the building (DoB 2009), DAC Archaeology Policy (DoB 1999), Church Building Tipsheets (DoB 2011a), Churchyard Regulations (and safety issues) (DoB 2006), Making changes to a Listed Church (CofE 1999), and Care of Clergy Houses (DoB 2011b). Specific conservation advice for work in churches and churchyards is also provided by other organisations such as the Council for the Care of Churches, publishers of The Churchyards Handbook (CCC 2001), the Association of Diocesan and Cathedral Archaeologists (ADCA 2004), the ‘Caring for God’s Acre’ charity (www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk), and the Church of England ‘Churchcare’ website (www.churchcare.co.uk). 7.20 English Heritage publish a number of documents outlining good practice in conservation of the general historic environment, particularly Conservation principles, policies and guidance (English Heritage 2008) and Informed Conservation (English Heritage 2001). 7.21 Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance aims to provide a framework for sustainable management of the historic environment for future generations, based on the concept of significance as the sum of the heritage values attaching to a particular site. Conservation is defined as managing change in ways that will sustain this significance. It is emphasised that everyone may contribute to sustaining the historic environment, and acknowledged that the cultural and natural heritage values of places should be considered in parallel. 7.22 Informed Conservation (English Heritage 2001) takes the view that successful management of the historic environment requires appropriate preliminary research, analysis, survey and investigation in order to understand the significance of a building and its landscape, and thus inform decisions about repair, alteration, use and management. The underlying principle is described by the acronym CoBRA (Conservation‐Based Research and Analysis). The term was originally coined in relation to buildings, but the approach is also applicable to other fields of conservation (and indeed, to the natural environment). 7.23 The results of such research are commonly presented in a Conservation Statement or, in more detail, a Conservation Plan, such as the present document. The Conservation Planning approach is also endorsed by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF 1998, 2004, 2005).

Polesworth Abbey – A Conservation Management Plan 8. Assessment of impact of current proposals

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8. Assessment of impact of current proposals 8.1 The site development proposals under discussion involve a number of elements which will have impacts on the cultural heritage and ecology of the Abbey site. Some of the impacts are positive, some negative. For the latter mitigation measures will be possible to a greater or lesser extent. The schemes include the new parsonage and offices for the educational programmes, the conversion of the existing vicarage, the construction of the Guest Hall, the conservation of the Coach House, the new eastern extension to the churchyard, the general landscape enhancements and the car parking on the College site. 8.2 Proposal for new parsonage and offices for educational programmes 8.2.1 The proposed new parsonage would be built in the north‐west corner of the current vicarage garden. It would be a high quality building designed in a style in keeping with the existing Listed 19th‐century vicarage. Only outline plans have been prepared so far (Fig 6.1‐6.2, Smith Roberts Associates Dwg P01), but these comprise a two‐storey north‐south range (c.21m x 6m) with a wing projecting to the east (c.8m x 6m) and a single‐storey lean‐to extension (c.10m x 3m wide) on its south‐west corner (Fig 6.1). It would incorporate a garage and lie within a private garden. On the ground floor it would have a kitchen, utility room, dining room and sitting room, and an office for the vicar with a separate WC. On the first floor there would be a bathroom, four bedrooms, one with an ensuite and a store. Attached to the south end there would be a self‐contained, two‐storey suite for the educational programmes with an office, education room, changing facilities and an outside WC. Landscaping in the parsonage garden might involve a paved terrace, lawn and shrub planting. 8.2.2 Because of its location within Flood Risk Zone 2 the finished floor level of the new building would be built up above the existing ground surface (the proposal is nonetheless likely to need a flood risk assessment). With a raft foundation this building up would also minimise the potential disturbance of archaeological deposits, but even a raft foundation would need to be anchored by piles or some other method and some archaeological damage would inevitably ensue. 8.2.3 The building lies within the Scheduled Area and would require Scheduled Monument Consent as well as Planning Permission. Trial trenching in this area in 2007 (Gethin and Palmer 2007, Trench 2) revealed well‐preserved archaeological deposits, particularly at the northern end of the proposed footprint. These consisted of some late 13th‐century features succeeded by a late 13th/early 14th‐century stone building running east to west, over 6.4m wide with a series of earth floors and a fireplace (Figs 3.14‐3.15). To the south there was a series of medieval surfaces but no structural remains. The fireplace and earth floor suggest that this building is likely to have been accommodation for guests or Abbey servants. 8.2.4 Discussions with English Heritage suggested that it would be acceptable to investigate and record the significant archaeological remains within the footprint of the building in advance of a planning application, and, that this could be carried out as part of a Community Archaeology Programme. Scheduled Monument Consent for this investigation has been granted (Ref S00012051, dated May 2011) and funding obtained from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Work is planned to take place in August‐September 2011. An area excavation (up to c.20m x 15m) will focus on the building at the north end of the trial trench. It will be designed to discover the full plan of the building, or at least that of complete rooms, even if they extended beyond the new building footprint. The interior of the building/rooms would be fully excavated to investigate its function and any activities carried on within it, and to collect finds and other material which may reveal the status of its occupants. The loss of the


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Fig 8.1: Architect’s sketch of new Parsonage and Guest Hall from the north

(Smith Roberts Associates Dwg P03)

Fig 8.2: Architect’s sketch of new Parsonage and Guest Hall from the south

(Smith Roberts Associates Dwg P01)


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archaeological deposits would be balanced by the extra knowledge of the site to be gained. 8.2.5 The provision of new building services to the parsonage and offices will cause further ground disturbance for which Scheduled Monument Consent will also need to be obtained. The exact extent and route of these services has not yet been determined, but they will include new gas, water and electricity connections and foul and surface water drainage (IDP 2009, Fig 4 A, E, F). The amount of trenching required will be kept to an absolute minimum and it will need to be accompanied by a mitigation programme of observation, excavation and recording to the satisfaction of English Heritage and the Planning Archaeologist. 8.2.6 The new parsonage will be located within the curtilage of the Grade II Listed Vicarage, the settings of the Grade II* Listed Church, and the Polesworth Conservation Area (Figs 8.1‐8.2). However, the existing screen of trees around the garden means that it will not be prominent in either near or distant views of these buildings and its proposed high quality design will not detract from the appearance of the area. 8.2.7 The surrounding mature trees may contain bat roosts and the current overgrown state of this part of the site with spreads of rubble makes it a suitable habitat for reptiles. Prior to any planning application surveys should therefore be carried out for bats to determine the location of any roosts and recommend any necessary mitigation measures, and to determine the presence or absence of reptiles. Any works in this area should also be programmed to avoid disturbing nesting birds. 8.3 Conversion of Vicarage 8.3.1 Provisional proposals have been prepared to convert the existing late 19th‐century, Grade II Listed Vicarage into residential accommodation for visitors, expanded church offices and conference facilities (Figs 6.4‐6.5, Smith Roberts Associates Dwg P02; ST Walker and Duckham 2010a). In addition work would be undertaken to address the extensive infestation of Death Watch Beetle believed to be affecting the building and any other structural problems revealed. The actual extent of this needs to be ascertained by further surveys and investigation, and it is possible that remedial work might involve opening up large areas of the building’s structure. 8.3.2 On the ground floor the conversion proposals would leave the Refectory unchanged, while the existing study and porch would become church offices and the sitting room, a meeting/eating room, with minimal changes, although the existing front door would be sealed up. A new partition would be inserted across the hall to separate off the stairs and the original doorway at the south end would be widened with the loss of its orignal door. The lean‐to store rooms along the south side of the south wing would be demolished and the internal cross walls of the wing removed to create an entrance lobby right across the building to a new glass roofed extension, through the space currently occupied by the kitchen, passage, back and cellar stair and WC. The existing, possibly medieval, cellar would be sealed off. New external doorways would be made at both ends of the lobby. On the first floor, in the central section of the building the four larger existing bedrooms would be retained but each would be partitioned for the insertion of ensuite facilities. The small northern bedroom will be partitioned as a linen store involving the loss of its original door. In the southern wing all the internal walls would be removed to allow the creation of a disabled bedroom and bathroom in the space occupied by the former servants’ bedrooms/current bedroom, bathroom, stair and WC. 8.3.3 Externally the existing building would be virtually unchanged, except for the new ground floor entrances into the southern wing and the demolition of the


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southern ground floor lean‐to. The latter would be replaced by the extensive new Guest Hall range which would be set against and loom large in views of the Listed vicarage (See 8.4 below). 8.3.4 There would also be some ground disturbance as new gas, water and electricity supplies would need to be brought from the edge of the Scheduled Area to the vicarage and new range (IDP 2009, Fig 4 E). New foul drain connections would also be required for the extra bathrooms (IDP 2009, Fig 4 B). The exact line of these has not been set, but they would be laid out so as to cause minimum disturbance. The area west of the vicarage would be resurfaced to provide vehicle access to the Coach House and the new Parsonage and two extra disabled parking spaces. 8.3.5 These proposals will require Planning Permission, Listed Building Consent and Scheduled Monument Consent. It is likely that the last of these will require a programme of archaeological observation and recording of the ground disturbance to the satisfaction of English Heritage and the Planning Archaeologist. The proposals would have a severe impact on the south, former service wing of the Listed building. The internal alterations would remove all traces of its original service function of the wing and the evidence for social differentiation expressed in the step down into the wing, the narrow back stair and plank doors with open latches as opposed to the panelled doors with internal locks in the higher status areas. The insertion of the ensuite facilities will also alter the original proportions of the other bedrooms (although this will be a reversible change). 8.3.6 There is a potential for bat roosts and nesting birds in the roof of the building, which may be disturbed. The alterations involve little work to the roof, although the potential timber repairs may require much more. A bat survey should be carried out in advance of any Planning Application and the building checked for nesting birds before work begins. 8.4 Construction of Guest Hall 8.4.1 The proposed new Guest Hall would be constructed against the south end of the existing Listed Vicarage. The plans which only exist in outline may be varied in the light of comments received (Figs 6.6‐6.8, Smith Roberts Associates Dwg P02). As mentioned in relation to the Vicarage (para 8.3 above) the current proposal would involve the demolition of the lean‐to at the south end of the existing vicarage and the incorporation of the vicarage kitchen into a new entrance lobby running through to the cloister garden. At the eastern end there would be a new glass‐roofed extension opening onto the garden. Off the entrance lobby in the new building, there would be a lift to the first floor, male and female toilets, and a kitchen and servery to the west and a large dining hall to the east with storage rooms beyond. The dining hall would have doorways opening to the cloister garden to the north and to a balcony overlooking the river to the south. The range would also contain a one‐bedroom caretaker’s flat, with bathroom and kitchen/living space, on the first floor. The planned footprint of the building would be 40m x 8‐12m and it would have a single gabled roof spanning the entire range broken only by occasional gabled dormer windows. It would extend just to the west of the existing vicarage being visible in views along the driveway from the north, but its impact would be softened by placing one of the dormers in the roof at this point. To the west of the new entrance there would be a paved entrance forecourt and kitchen service access for which the ground level would need to be raised substantially. 8.4.2 The finished floor level in the new range would also be raised to that of the existing vicarage hall and sitting room so that the ground floor of the whole complex could be at a single level. This building up of levels within the building would also be beneficial both because of its location adjacent to the edge of Flood Risk Zone 2


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(although it is still likely that a flood risk assessment will be needed) and because it would permit a raft foundation to be placed above sensitive archaeological deposits. However, the raft foundation of such a large building would still need to be anchored by piles or other deeper foundations so some disturbance of the deposits is inevitable. The range would also require connections into the existing surface water and foul drains which run across this area (IDP 2009, Fig 4 A, C). 8.4.3 The new range lies within the Scheduled Area and would require Scheduled Monument Consent as well as Planning Permission. Trial trenching in this area in 2007 (Gethin and Palmer 2007, Trench 3) revealed a large, east‐west late 13th/early 14th‐century building over 4.8m wide and over 11m long with a tiled floor. The building was terraced into the gravel terrace so the floor levels were c.1.15m below the modern ground surface, although the medieval ground surface to the north would have been higher. At the east end of the trench the top of the medieval wall was only 0.3m below the modern surface. The tiled floor suggests that this was a building of some status, possibly part of the Abbess’s Lodging or part of a guest house. It is uncertain whether it was a single large hall or a range of smaller rooms. 8.4.4 Discussions with English Heritage indicated that it would also be acceptable to investigate and record the remains within the footprint of the new range as part of the proposed Community Archaeology Programme in advance of any Planning Application. Scheduled Monument Consent for this investigation has been granted (Ref S00012051, dated May 2011) and it will take place subject to obtaining funding for the Archaeology Programme. An area excavation of the building would aim to reveal whether it formed a large hall or a series of high‐status rooms. Its southern limit also needs to be established. It would be desirable to excavate the whole of the building, but the extent of the excavation needed to achieve this would need to be established by preliminary trenching. The excavation will involve extra destruction of medieval deposits but will enhance considerably the knowledge of the site gained as a result of the exercise. In addition, if the excavation reveals substantial areas of surviving medieval structure consideration will be given to improving the interpretation of the site for visitors by displaying them in the new building. It is likely that construction work will involve further ground disturbance which will need to be accompanied by further archaeological observation and recording to the satisfaction of English Heritage and the Planning Authority. 8.4.5 The new range would be a high‐specification building and would be designed to blend in with the existing Listed Vicarage (Figs 8.1‐8.2). It will inevitably figure largely in distant views of the Listed Church and Vicarage from the south and south‐east across the river, and in near views of the Vicarage from the north‐west and east but it is hoped its impact will be positive, its form and alignment evoking the grouping of the former monastic ranges over which it will stand. 8.5 Conservation of Coach House 8.5.1 Provisional proposals for the conservation of the Listed 18th/19th‐century Coach House (ST Walker and Duckham 2010b) will not change the current limited use of the building as a store and a location for the activities of the educational programmes. However, the aim is to secure the long term survival of the building and there will be extensive repairs and some alterations to the masonry and timberwork, including opening of blocked windows on the ground floor, and the roof will be refelted and retiled. Depending on further investigation structural repairs may also be necessary. Associated ground disturbance would be limited to trial holes, new rainwater drainage with two soakaways over 5m to the south‐east and south west of the building, the creation of a new parking area and entrance track to the west of the building (Askew Nelson AN/004/02/P Rev C, see Appendix E), and


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possibly a trench from the new parsonage to accommodate a new below ground power supply (IDP 2009, Fig 4). 8.5.2 The works will require Scheduled Monument and Listed Building Consents and the former is likely to require mitigation involving at least observation and recording of the ground disturbance. The archaeological deposits in this area have not been investigated. The works will considerably enhance the current dilapidated appearance of the Listed Building and this area of the Conservation Area. There is a potential for bats to roost in the roof of the building and nearby trees and these would be disturbed by the reroofing. The overgrown areas round the building offer a potential habitat for reptiles who might also be affected by the car park and track proposals. Surveys to establish the presence or absence of bats and reptiles should therefore be carried out in advance of any application with recommendations made for any necessary mitigation measures. Any works in this area should also be programmed to avoid disturbing nesting birds. 8.6 Churchyard extension and local nature reserve 8.6.1 The proposals for the eastwards churchyard extension, as shown on Askew Nelson Plan AN/004/16/P Rev A involve an area for burials to the south of the safe route to school footpath which is flanked by trees. The burial area will be laid out as a central elliptical area surrounded by a pathway flanked by trees and hedges and traversed by cruciform grass paths. There will be a vehicular access in from High Street and a small four bay parking area at the north‐east corner. A gravel track will run south‐westwards providing vehicular access into the field east of the Vicarage. The south part of the area will be planted as a Local Nature Reserve with blocks of mixed native woodland and a pond/wetland area. The scheme has Planning Permission (Ref PAP/2009/0363) 8.6.2 The extension lies just outside the Polesworth Conservation Area and the landscaping proposals will have a marked visual impact on the setting of this part of the Conservation Area. However this impact will be positive as the careful consideration of views, the landscaping scheme and the planting will redeem the tree‐less and somewhat regimented appearance of the adjacent 1960s churchyard extension. The tree planting along the northern edge of the area will screen it from the properties on High Street to the north including the Grade II Listed 64 High Street (LBS 435565) mitigating the visual impact. 8.6.3 The current ecological value of the field as poor, semi‐improved grassland, formerly overgrazed is slight and it will be enhanced by the proposals to create the local nature reserve with woodland and pond habitat areas. 8.6.4 The archaeological impact of the extension to the Churchyard will be none. Although it is possible that the land lay within medieval properties fronting the south side of High Street where evidence of outbuildings or activities might have survived, the 2008 trial trenching (Palmer 2008) showed that most of the site had been extensively disturbed by earthmoving associated with the 1950s open‐cast site and that the undisturbed area along the north and western edges of the field contained no trace of surviving archaeological features. 8.7 Landscaping proposals 8.7.1 The master landscaping plan for the Abbey site, as shown on Askew Nelson Drawing AN/004/02/P Rev C (Appendix E), would involve various enhancements across the site.


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8.7.2 In the western field the boundaries to the north and west would be restored with new railings and native hedgerows. Along the eastern boundary the existing trees would be thinned to open up the view of the Abbey from the south‐east and provide more light to the new Parsonage. An area of traditional orchard would be planted in the field and consideration would be given to creating a new access track from the footbridge to the Coach House for the benefit of schools and other visitors parking south of the river. 8.7.3 These measures would improve the appearance of this part of the Conservation Area, particularly the currently rather dilapidated Church Walk. The new hedgerows and orchard planting would provide new wildlife habitats, although the tree work might affect bat roosts, and would need a bat survey in advance, and the work should be programmed to avoid disturbing nesting birds. There would be no archaeological impact, as trenching in this area has revealed no early features and much of it has been disturbed by early modern open‐cast coal pits. 8.7.4 In the Churchyard, subject to Faculty Consent the historic features – gravel and grass paths, railings, trees and furniture – would be restored, and a spiral, grass path would be mown up the Mound to provide a viewpoint. These measures would all improve the appearance and amenity of the Churchyard, the Conservation Area and the setting of the Grade II* Listed Church Building. Again work to the mature trees might affect bat roosts, and would need a bat survey in advance, and the work should be programmed to avoid disturbing nesting birds. 8.7.5 Within the cloister garden proposals to recreate the complete cloister walk as a gravel path would involve minimal ground disturbance and would not affect significant archaeological remains. The creation of a paved area for events north of the new Guest Hall would have similarly little impact as it would involve only the raising of ground levels. Scheduled Monument Consent would however be required for both these proposals. The proposals would affect the settings of the Listed Church and Cloister Wall, but the views would be improved and the impacts would be positive. Efforts would also be made to make a feature of the Listed Sundial, enhancing its setting. 8.7.6 In the field east of the cloister consideration would be given to improving the archaeological interpretation of the site by laying out the plan of the buried buildings, either superficially by eg mowing, or, if the Community Archaeology Programme trial trenching revealed surviving masonry, by consolidation and display of the remains. Other proposals include the creation of a grass amphitheatre within the infilled former river diversion or the recreation of the 19th‐century osier beds in the south‐east corner of the field. These proposals would require Scheduled Monument Consent but would not impact negatively on significant archaeological remains. They would also enhance this part of the Conservation Area. The new access road across the churchyard extension will allow access for vehicles to the field to deliver bonfire building materials or equipment for other activities. 8.8 Car parking on college site 8.8.1 The proposed new car parking on the College site, as shown on Askew Nelson Drawing AN/004/02 Rev C (Appendix E), would extend the existing car park across the south‐west corner and southern side of the property with the addition of 29 spaces in hedged bays of generally four spaces. The scheme would require Planning Permission. 8.8.2 This area lies within the Polesworth Conservation Area and close to the Grade II* Listed Building 28/34 High Street (LBS 435599) although it is the existing car park which lies immediately adjacent to the building. The new section of car park would


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lie some distance from the Listed Building and be screened from it by existing and proposed planting. Similarly the proposed planting and hedges around the parking bays will reduce the visual impact of the scheme on the Conservation Area. 8.8.3 The area of the proposed new car parking would fall within the probable area of the Abbey precinct in an area that has not been investigated archaeologically and which might contain the remains of monastic outbuildings. However, it is felt that it would be possible to construct the new section of car park by building the ground up, causing little or no disturbance to archaeological deposits, except at the junction of the old and new parking. Discussions with the Planning Archaeologist in October 2007 established there would be no archaeological objection in principle to constructing car parking on this basis, but that archaeological trial trenching would need to be carried out in advance to ascertain the actual depth of any surviving archaeological deposits followed by further recording during construction, if necessary.

Polesworth Abbey – A Conservation Management Plan 9. Conclusions and proposed policies

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9. Conclusions and proposed policies 9.1 It is a formal objective of the Polesworth parish community and the PCC to utilise the historic buildings and features of Polesworth Abbey and its environs, together with the rich history of the village and site, as a place of worship and pilgrimage and heritage and learning, for the benefit of individuals and church groups, schools and the local community, and groups with special interests in the environment, history, spiritual retreats, conservation and tourism. 9.2 The Nunnery Gateway Trust, working where appropriate through the Polesworth Abbey Community Interest Company, aims to preserve for the benefit of the public the historic buildings known as the Abbey at Polesworth; and to advance the education of the public in the religious and historical significance of the Abbey and its environs. The remit of the Community Interest Company is to provide benefit to the residents of Polesworth and its surrounding area, schools, tourists and other visitors; and to preserve and make available to the widest audiences the site most associated with the heritage of Polesworth. 9.3 To provide a firm foundation for a second 1200 years use of this historic site as a Christian spiritual centre and community, while preserving its cultural significance and highly‐valued ‘sense of place’ the following policies are proposed. 9.3.1 Policies for the future development of the Abbey site I. A replacement parsonage to modern requirements with a private garden will be constructed in the garden west of the existing vicarage, subject to gaining Scheduled Monument Consent and Planning Permission. Ownership of the new parsonage and garden will be vested in the Birmingham Diocesan Parsonage Board. II. To ensure a sustainable and economically viable alternative use for the existing Grade II Listed 19th‐century Vicarage while keeping it at the heart of the Abbey complex, the building will be converted to provide residential accommodation for visitors, expanded church offices and conference facilities. An extensive infestation of Death Watch Beetle and any other structural problems will be addressed. The Refectory, entrance building and toilets will continue in parish use. A new Guest Hall range will be added to the south side of the building to provide catering facilities for the church and community activities and educational programmes, subject to gaining Scheduled Monument Consent, Listed Building Consent and Planning Permission. The Sensory Garden and Cloister Garden will remain available for the use and enjoyment of the church community and visitors. III. An adjunct to the new parsonage will provide office accommodation and storage for the Abbey’s Educational Programmes with car parking to the south, subject to gaining Scheduled Monument Consent and Planning Permission. IV. A ‘low‐key’ conservation programme of the 18th/19th‐century Coach House will be carried out to ensure the future of the building and enhance the facilities available for church activities and the Educational Programmes, subject to obtaining Listed Building and Scheduled Monument Consents. V. In partnership with the Nethersole Trustees and Warwickshire College a scheme will be developed to provide extra parking for Church and community use on the Polesworth Learning Centre site, subject to obtaining Planning Permission. Further disabled parking will be provided west of the existing vicarage. VI. Land acquired in 2009 to the east of the Churchyard will be landscaped as an extension to the Churchyard in line with the Planning Permission granted in 2009


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(Ref PAP/2009/0363) to provide space for burials when the existing area becomes full in c.2020. An area to the south will form a nature/environmental area with a pond and woodland planting as shown on Askew Nelson plan AN/004/16/P Rev A. VII. Subject to obtaining the necessary Scheduled Monument Consent and Faculty permissions, a programme of environmental improvements will be carried out across the site, as shown on Askew Nelson plan AN/004/02/P Rev C (Appendix E), to include: resurfacing of paths and repair or replacement of hedges and railings, thinning out of trees, the creation of a mown path to the top of the Mound to provide a viewpoint, the creation of a grass amphitheatre, the recreation of the plan of the cloister with a gravel path, and the possible recreation of osier beds, plans of other abbey buildings, wildflower meadows with traditional orchard planting and a new access path across the meadow to the west of the site. VIII. In addition to the development of the nature area with a pond and woodland blocks to the south of the Churchyard extension, a programme of ecological enhancements of the site will be carried out to include the creation of a traditional orchard habitat in the western field, the installation of further nesting boxes, the creation of barn owl and bat roosts in new and existing buildings, the extension of the fenced‐off habitat areas adjacent to the River Anker, and the management of the eastern and western fields as spring and summer meadows. IX. All new building and landscaping proposals will be designed to cause the minimum of disturbance to sensitive archaeological deposits. They will be informed by appropriate archaeological and historical research, and works will be accompanied by mitigation programmes to the satisfaction of English Heritage, Birmingham Diocesan Advisory Committee and the Planning Authority. X. All new building and landscape works on the site will be subject to ecological mitigation programmes, to include surveys for bats and reptiles in advance of planning applications, preservation of bat roosts, and appropriate timing of works to protect bats and nesting birds. XI. All building and landscaping work on the site will be carried out by contractors with experience of work on historic buildings and archaeologically sensitive sites. 9.3.2 Policies for maintenance and management of the Abbey site XII. To ensure the future of the site and its buildings long‐term maintenance programmes will be put in place based on regular inspections by the church architect to identify current and future maintenance needs and to allow the allocation of appropriate budgets. The Church and Vicarage, until made redundant and then the new Parsonage, are covered by statutory and Diocesan arrangements for quinquennial inspections. Similar arrangements will be set up for the other buildings and the rest of the Abbey site. XIII. The Nunnery Gateway Trust will support the PCC in the maintenance and improvement of the site and buildings for the benefit of the community and visitors in accordance with its charitable aims. Maintenance work will be managed by the Polesworth Abbey Community Interest Company on behalf of the PCC and Nunnery Gateway Trust. XIV. Future maintenance works will continue to be informed by appropriate archaeological, historical and ecological research and subject to appropriate monitoring and mitigation strategies.


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XV. The Gatehouse holiday accommodation will be managed by the Nunnery Gateway Trust with the Vivat Trust as a letting agent. XVI. The management of the Abbey’s Educational Programmes, and other commercial enterprises, and future site development projects will be carried out by the Polesworth Abbey Community Interest Company on behalf of the PCC and Nunnery Gateway Trust in partnership with other organisations as appropriate. 9.3.3 Policies to promote access, participation and learning XVII. To enable local people and visitors to understand more of the significance of the site for Polesworth and in its national context and to appreciate its special ‘sense of place’, access for visitors to the Church and Churchyard, Refectory, Sensory Garden and cloister, the Gatehouse Porter’s Lodge and History Room (and the rest of the building as the letting programme permits) will be maintained and promoted. The landscaping scheme will open and interpret hitherto unvisitable parts of the site to the south and east of the cloister. XVIII. The improved conference, catering and accommodation facilities will allow new and different audiences to be sought. In particular, diversity groups will be encouraged to visit so that they can understand and engage with the heritage, culture and faith exemplified by the site. XIX. Interpretation of the site, its monastic history, spiritual significance and ecological importance will be improved. Building on the existing guide book and the recently produced family trails – ‘Fabian and Frances’, the Gatehouse virtual tour and on‐site signage, further interpretative materials will be produced to include reconstructions of the monastic layout and further virtual tours and explanatory audio‐visual material for less‐mobile visitors. XX. The logistics of the current Educational Programmes, Baby Jesus and Monks and Nuns at Polesworth will be improved by the enhanced facilities enabling their expansion and promotion to schools from a wider catchment. XXI. A Community Archaeology Programme will be promoted with the Heritage Lottery Fund to carry out excavations involving local volunteers and school and university students under professional supervision. Scheduled Monument Consent and Faculty permission has been obtained for work within the Scheduled Ancient Monument and Churchyard designed to research the history of the Abbey, while promoting awareness of local heritage, providing the whole community with opportunities for participation and training in archaeological techniques. The widest‐possible community involvement will be encouraged by open days, school visits and the use of electronic media. XXII. With the benefit of the enhanced facilities to be provided by the development programme the Abbey will continue to promote and host a full range of Church, Community and Arts Events for the benefit of the local and wider community. XXIII. The Abbey Volunteer Programme will be maintained and extended to provide new opportunities for volunteers. Activities will include opening the site and welcoming visitors, guiding tours of the Abbey, helping to deliver small group activities for Monks and Nuns, and assisting with the documentation of activities, including video recording of programmes, contributing to the Abbey website and social media feeds. XXIV. Every effort will be made to retain and increase the existing strong local community sense of involvement with the Abbey. Local people will be encouraged


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to participate in all activities on the site and the work of the Nunnery Gateway Trust and contribute to decision‐making about the future conservation of the site.

Polesworth Abbey – A Conservation Management Plan Bibliography and Sources

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DCLG 2008 Regional Spatial Strategy for the West Midlands, Department for Communities and Local Government, TSO, London DCLG 2010 Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment, Department for Communities and Local Government, TSO, London DEFRA 2002 Working with the grain of nature: a biodiversity strategy for England, Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, London DoB 2006 Churchyard Regulations as required by the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991, Diocese of Birmingham DoB 2009 Caring for the Building, Diocese of Birmingham DoB 2011a Church Building Tipsheets, Diocese of Birmingham DoB 2011b Care of Clergy Houses, Diocese of Birmingham DoE 1977 Polesworth Abbey Scheduling Citation, Ref AA 90343/1/2, Department of the Environment, Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments DoE 1988 List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, Borough of North Warwickshire (Parishes of Austrey,.....Polesworth...), Department of the Environment Edenvale Young 2007 Polesworth Abbey Flood Risk Screening Study, Final Report, Edenvale Young Associates Ltd English Heritage 2008 Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance for the sustainable management of the historic environment, London English Heritage 2009 Heritage at Risk Register 2009, West Midlands, London George, Rev H E, 1971 Polesworth Abbey, Guide to the Parish Church of St Editha, Polesworth, 2nd edn, Polesworth PCC (Copy in WRO B Pol Geo (P)) Gethin, B, & Palmer, N, 2007 Archaeological Evaluation at Polesworth Vicarage, Polesworth Abbey, Warwickshire, Warwickshire Museum Report 0746 Gover, J, Mawer, A, and Stenton F, 1936 The Place‐names of Warwickshire, English Place‐Name Society 13, Cambridge Graves, M, 2004 Goodere, Sir Henry (1534‐1595), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press Gray, A, 1926 A chapter in the early life of Shakespeare Hancock Wheeldon & Ascough 2007 Polesworth Abbey Gate House Structural Inspection, Reference 9103 HLF 1998 Conservation Plans for Historic Places, Heritage Lottery Fund, London HLF 2004 Conservation Management Plans, Model Brief, Heritage Lottery Fund, London HLF 2005 Conservation Management Plans, Helping your application, Heritage Lottery Fund, London Howell, P, 2004 Douglas, John, (1830‐1911) architect, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press Hubbard, E, 1991 The work of John Douglas, London, Victorian Society IDP 2009 Building Services Strategy for a proposed development at Polesworth Abbey, Warwickshire, Ref 1525, Integrated Design Partnership, Bristol


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Jacobsen, E, 2009 Polesworth Abbey: Sketch Plans – Access Appraisal, April 2009 James, M R, 1926 Abbeys, Great Western Railway, London Knowles, D, & Hadcock, R N, 1971 Medieval religious houses in England and Wales, London Liebermann, F, ed, 1889 Die Hëiligen Englands, Hanover Luard, H R, ed 1872 Matthew Paris, Chronica Majora, Rolls Ser 57a Meeson, R, 2002 Time and place: medieval carpentry in Staffordshire, in D F Stenning and D D Andrews, Regional variation in timber‐framed building in England and Wales down to 1550, Essex CC, 2nd ed Mellors, W T, ed, 1949 The Chronicle of Hugh Candidus, London Midland Counties Tribune 1933 Spots Steeped in History, 7, Polesworth’s Gatehouse , 64 no 2, 139 MJCA 2009 A hydrogeological risk assessment for a proposed churchyard extension at Polesworth Abbey, Warwickshire, PLA/PO/PDH/2651/01, Baxterley Morant, R W, 1995 The monastic gatehouse Mytum, H, 1980 Excavations at Polesworth, Transactions Birmingham Warwickshire Archaeol Soc 89 (1978‐79), 79‐90 NCB OE/COMP/06/244 ‘Abbey’ Open‐cast site Abandonment Plan, National Coal Board/Coal Authority Noszlopy, G T, 2003 Public Sculpture of Warwickshire, Coventry & Solihull NWBC 2006 North Warwickshire Local Plan (adopted July 2006), North Warwickshire Borough Council NWBC 2007 Local Development Scheme for North Warwickshire, North Warwickshire Borough Council NWBC 2010 Local Development Framework, Interim Planning Policy Statement, September 2010, North Warwickshire Borough Council ODPM 2005 Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, London Ordnance Survey 1886 1st edition 1:2500 map, Warwickshire 3,13 Ordnance Survey 1903 2nd edition 1:2500 map, Warwickshire 3, 13 Ordnance Survey 1938‐9 4th edition 1:2500 map, Warwickshire 3, 13 Ordnance Survey 1956 1:2500 map, SK2602 Ordnance Survey 1972 1:2500 map, SK2602 Palmer, F P, and Crowquill, A, 1846 Wanderings of a pen and pencil Palmer, N, 2000 Polesworth Vicarage: a rapid archaeological assessment, Warwickshire Museum Palmer, N, 2006 Archaeological Recording at Polesworth Abbey, Warwickshire 2002‐2006, Warwickshire Museum Report 0663


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Palmer, N, 2008 Archaeological evaluation of proposed graveyard extension, St Editha’s Church, Polesworth, Warwickshire, Warwickshire Museum Report 0828 Palmer, N, and Jamieson, E, 2001 Polesworth Abbey Cloister: trial trenching and recording of masonry repairs, Warwickshire Museum Report 0128 Pearce Environmental 2008 Bat & Barn Owl Survey Report, Gatehouse, Polesworth Abbey Pevsner, N, and Hubbard, E, 2002 The Buildings of England, Cheshire, New Haven and London Pevsner, N, and Wedgwood, A, 1966 The Buildings of England, Warwickshire, Harmondsworth Polesworth PCC 1998 Conservation in the Churchyard, a leaflet produced for visitors about The Living Churchyard Project at Polesworth, Polesworth Parochial Church Council Polesworth PCC 2008a Polesworth Abbey Gatehouse – A Conservation Plan, Warwickshire Museum Report 0808 for Polesworth Parochial Church Council Polesworth PCC 2008b Polesworth Abbey Churchyard Extension Rate of Use, Polesworth Parochial Church Council Polesworth Society 2004 Polesworth Village Design Statement, The Polesworth Society Potter, M, 2005 Polesworth Abbey Gatehouse Feasibility Study, Outline Condition Assessment and Proposals Potter, M, 2008 The Abbey Church of St Editha, Polesworth in the Diocese of Birmingham, Report of Quinquennial Inspection, January 2008, Michael Potter Architect Ltd, Birmingham Purcell, B, 2004 Nethersole, Sir Francis (bap 1587, d 1659), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press Ridout Associates 2007 An independent timber condition survey of Polesworth Abbey Gatehouse, High Street, Polesworth, Staffordshire, Stourbridge Smalley, R, 2007 Geophysical Survey Report, Polesworth Abbey, Stratascan Ltd Report J2365 S T Walker & Duckham 2010a Proposed conversion and extension to The Parsonage, Polesworth Abbey, Job no 3155.2 S T Walker & Duckham 2010b Proposed repair and conversion of the Coach House, Polesworth Abbey, Job no 3155.2 Tellus42 2002 The Polesworth Healthcheck ‐ A community action plan, Tellus42 Tilley, HT, and Walters, H B, 1910 Church Bells of Warwickshire Trotter, J G, c.1910 Polesworth Abbey AD 827‐1539 (Copy in WRO B Pol Tro (P)) VCH 1908 Victoria History of the County of Warwick, Vol II, London VCH 1947 Victoria History of the County of Warwick, Vol IV, Hemlingford Hundred, London VCH 1970 Victoria History of the County of Stafford, Vol III, London Warwickshire Museum 1993 Polesworth Public Library, Archaeological Evaluation, Warwick Warwickshire Museum 1996 Polesworth Abbey Cloister: a survey of the standing masonry, Warwick WCC 1993 Warwickshire Landscape Guidelines – Arden, Warwickshire County Council/Countryside Commission


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WCC 1998 The Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way in Warwickshire, Warwickshire County Council WCC 2001 Warwickshire Structure Plan (WASP), adopted August 2001, Warwickshire County Council WCC 2007 The Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way in Warwickshire, List of legal changes since 1st October 1997, Warwickshire County Council Wells, P, 1998 Shakespeare – Educated at Polesworth? (see www.polesworthparish.co.uk/history/shakespeare1.php) Wells, P, 2006 Polesworth Abbey, Abbey Site Questionnaire – Evaluation, unpublished typescript Wells, P, 2007a Polesworth Abbey, Gatehouse Questionnaire – Evaluation, unpublished typescript Wells, P, 2007b Polesworth Abbey Access Advice – a note for the PCC, unpublished typescript Wells, P, 2008 Consultation event May 2008 Wells, P, 2009 Churchyard Extension at Polesworth: Design and Access Statement (accompanying planning application PAP/2009/0363) Wells, P, & White, P, 2007 Polesworth Abbey Site Development, Architect’s Brief Wilmart, A, 1938 La légende de Ste Édith en prose et vers par le moine Goscelin, Analecta Bollandiana 56, 5‐101, 265‐307 Wood, J, 1983 Old Polesworth, Coventry (copy in WRO PH 380) Wood, J, 1984 Old Polesworth, Vol II, Coventry (copy in WRO PH 382) Wood, J, 1987 Polesworth, People and Places, Polesworth (copy in WRO PH 584) Wood, J, 1993 A new look at Polesworth History, Atherstone WRO CR 328/37/2 Tithe Apportionment Map of Polesworth, 1850 WRO CR 369/9/23 Polesworth Church Restoration Accounts WRO CR 369/9/30 Copy of a report by G E Street, Architect on the present state of Polesworth Parish church, March 1867 [transcribed in Appendix F] WRO CR 369/9/34‐5 Correspondence with W Godwin of Lugwardine Tile Works, 1869 WRO DR(B) 16/148 Papers relating to exchange of sites of Polesworth Hall and vicarage, 1876 WRO DR(B) 20/13 Vicar’s Memorandum Book, 19th‐century WRO DR(B) 44 Polesworth Parish Records WRO DR(B) 44/47 Faculty for alterations to church and churchyard, 1868 WRO DR(B) 44/110 Polesworth Parish Records, Drawings and photographs (including series of drawings by E Stringer, c.1785) WRO EAC 15 Polesworth Hall Estate Sale Catalogue, 1912 (copy in Warwickshire County Record Office) Yorke, B, 2002 Nunneries and the Anglo‐Saxon Royal Houses, London


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Prints and Views BCA Aylesford Collection f 572 Front of Gatehouse, c.1800 BCA Aylesford Collection f 574a Chapter House facade, c.1800 BCA Aylesford Collection f 574b Church and cloister, c.1800 BL Add MS 42011 f 63 An abbess of Polesworth, Edward Blore (WRO PV Sep 2/41) Poles Vic 1 Watercolour of Church from north, c.1865 (hanging

in Polesworth Vicarage) Poles Vic 2 Watercolour of Church from south‐east, c.1865 (hanging in Polesworth Vicarage = WRO B Pol Geo (P)) WRO CR351/281a Tombs in church [from Dugdale 1730, 1115] WRO CR351/281b Hermitage window [from Dugdale 1730, 1117] WRO DR(B) 37/Box 4 Polesworth Church, 1825, frontispiece from Psalms and Hymns WRO DR(B) 44/110 Supposed entrance to antient church, Polesworth

[Chapter House façade], Drawing by E Stringer, c.1785 WRO DR(B) 44/110 Tombs from Nunnery at Polesworth, Drawing by E Stringer,

c.1785 WRO DR(B) 44/110 Polesworth Church with part of the Nunnery [Church and

Cloister from south‐east, Drawing by E Stringer, c.1785 WRO DR(B) 44/110 Ancient Building, Dungeon Entry, Polesworth, date 1583 [Rear

of Gatehouse], Drawing by E Stringer, c.1785 WRO DR(B) 44/110 Dial at Polesworth, Drawing by E Stringer, c.1785 WRO DR(B) 44/110 Polesworth Church from south‐east, 1927, drawing WRO PV Pol Abb 1 Ancient Gateway at Polesworth, Warwickshire [Rear of

Gatehouse] Drawing, late 19th century (crudely drawn) WRO PV Pol Abb 2 Seal of monastery of Polesworth WRO PV Pol Abb 3 The Gatehouse and adjacent buildings, Polesworth,

Warwickshire [Front of Gatehouse], drawing by Penelope Gresley, Aug 8th 1855

Plans and Drawings ICBS 06672 St Editha, Polesworth, Plan, 1867/70, by G E Street, Incorporated Church Building Society WRO CR 369/8/13 Polesworth Church, No 1, design for restoration by G E Street, 1867 WRO CR 369/8/15 Proposed details of tower and chancel arches, G E Street WRO CR 369/11 Elevation of cast iron fence WRO CR 369/16 Gatehouse, Upper Floor plan, 1922, J H Beckett WRO DR(B) 16/148 Plan of Polesworth Hall and Vicarage sites exchanged in 1876 WRO DR(B) 16/289 Plan of Churchyard Croft, 1865, N Whorrall WRO DR(B) 44/15 Plan of addition to churchyard, 1859 WRO DR(B) 44/16 Plan of proposed addition to churchyard, 1888 WRO DR(B) 44/21 Proposed alterations to stables, 1881, Wilson, Wilcox and Wilson, Bath WRO DR(B) 44/38 Elevation of east end of Chancel, as proposed, 1857, W H H Crompton WRO DR(B) 44/39 Plans, elevations and view of east end of church, 1857, W H H Crompton WRO DR(B) 44/40 Plan and elevation of tomb and memorial to Sir F Nethersole, 1857, W H H Crompton WRO DR(B) 44/41 Design for Chancel, unsigned [but by G E Street] WRO DR(B) 44/42 Design for Chancel, unsigned [but by G E Street] WRO DR(B) 44/44 Polesworth Church, North Window, 1868, by G E Street and E Bell WRO DR(B) 44/48 Polesworth Church, No 36, Detail of Nave pavement, 1869, by G E Street WRO DR(B) 44/56 Drainage at Polesworth Church, 1915, by J Potter WRO DR(B) 44/58 Plan of Heating, Polesworth Church, 1884, J Jackson


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Photographs General

WRO DR(B) 44/110 Photographs and postcards, Polesworth Parish Records WRO PH 382/2 Rev N Madan [Wood 1984] WRO PH 382/3 Canon G Trotter [Wood 1984] WRO PH 584/12 Canon Trotter with football team [Wood 1983, 12] Church

WRO PH 108/7‐8, 10 1940s, 7 Church (= WRO PH 269/2); 8 Church and vicarage; 10 Effigy of abbess WRO PH 210/143 Effigy of abbess, 1920s, P Chatwin WRO PH 210/208 Effigy of abbess, 1921 WRO PH 220/144 Church, from north WRO PH 220/147 Nethersole memorial (= WRO PH 413/72) WRO PH 269/2 Church interior, 1950s WRO PH 352/144/8 Church from east, 1900s WRO PH 352/144/36 Church from river 1909 WRO PH 352/144/40 Church and vicarage from west, c.1910 WRO PH 367/128/94 Church, from across river, to SE WRO PH 380/1‐4 Church [Wood 1983] WRO PH 382/1, 4, 5 Church, 1970s [Wood 1984] WRO PH 423/65 Church, interior, c.1910 WRO PH 413/72, 74 Church WRO PH 599/564‐5 Church, Frith photos, 1960s Vicarage WRO PH 220/145 Vicarage, garden steps WRO PH 269/5 Vicarage, 1950s WRO PH 352/144/24 Vicarage 1910s WRO PH 352/144/47 Vicarage, c.1960 (=WRO PH 269/5) WRO PH 380/9 Polesworth Hall [Wood 1983] WRO PH 380/10 Vicarage [Wood 1983] WRO PH 380/11 Refectory fireplace [Wood 1983] Gatehouse and High Street

RCHM BB67/2012, 2018, 2023, 2134 Photographs taken before demolition of property west of Gatehouse, March 1967, Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (Copies in Warwickshire Museum Photo collection B642‐646, now WRO PH 1035)

WRO PH 108/9, 11 Abbey Gateway, Bloe 1940 [Front, sandbagged] WRO PH 210/143 Timber framed houses, 1953 (x 2) WRO PH 220/148 High Street, c.1920 WRO PH 269/3 Dungeon entrance [rear], 1950s WRO PH 352/144/2 High Street, 1900s WRO PH 352/144/27 Abbey Gateway, 1950s WRO PH 352/144/30 Timber framed houses, 1900s WRO PH 352/144/48 Dungeon entrance, c.1960 WRO PH 352/144/53 Dungeon entrance [front], 1910s WRO PH 380/7 Abbey Gateway [rear – from Wood 1983 =WRO PH

269/3] WRO PH 380/8 Abbey Gateway [front, from Wood 1983] WRO PH 380/12 High Street, 1900s [from Wood 1983] WRO PH 382/7 Morris dancers in Abbey Gateway, 1910 [from Wood

1984, 5] (= WRO PH352/144/14) WRO PH 423/68, 69 High Street, 1900s WRO PH 449/361 Guest House, High Street, 1966 [rear of Gatehouse] WRO PH 584/p1 Abbey Gateway, 1900s [from Wood 1987] WRO PH 599/566, 567 Abbey Gateway, Frith photos, 1950s WRO PH(N) 600/699/1, 2 Timber framed building, 1959


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WRO PH 767/35 Nunnery Gateway, 1920s [Rear, recently repointed] WRO PH 767/36 High Street, 1920s River and Polesworth Bridge

WRO PH 210/413 Polesworth Bridge, before widening WRO PH 352/144/36 Church from river, 1909 WRO PH 352/144/44‐5 Mill WRO PH 599/576‐7 Footbridge, Frith photos, 1960s WRO PH 599/579‐580 Vicarage from river, Frith photos, 1960s WRO PH 599/581 Footbridge

Polesworth Abbey – A Conservation Management Plan Appendix A: Listed Building citations

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Appendix A: Listed Building citations (Buildings within former Abbey precinct and 28/34 High Street) LBS 435566 II* Church of St Editha

LBS 435567 II Wall east of south east corner of Church of St Editha

LBS 435568 II Former sundial approximately 40m east of Vicarage

LBS 435598 II The Vicarage

LBS 435599 II Abbey Gate House and other remains (28/34 High Street)

LBS 435600 II* Abbey Gatehouse [Gatehouse]

LBS 435601 II 22 High Street [Gatehouse West range]

LBS 435602 II Tame Barn 50m south of High Street [Tithe Barn]

LBS 435603 II Dovecote approximately 85m south of High Street


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POLESWORTH HIGH STREET SK2OSE (South side) 5/85 Church of St Editha 25/03/68 GV ll* Church, originally part of a Benedictine nunnery church, C11 origins. Early Cl2 nave and north aisle, C14 tower has C17/C18 top. Aisle probably widened C14. chancel and north parch added and drastic restoration 1869 by G.E. Street. Sandstone ashlar. Old plain-tile roofs have coped gable parapets. Navel chancel, north aisle and porch, north east tower. 4-bay chancel, 8-bay nave, Chancel ha east window of 5 stepped lancets in a blank arch. South side has a blocked C12 Romanesque doorway of 2 orders with hood mould, originally to the cloister, set against the western end. 2 pairs of lancets. Nave has Cl9 windows. South side has 3 triplets of lancets set in-blank arches. Set high up are 2 straight-headed restored C14 windows of cusped ogee lights with pierced spandrels. Between them, and set lower, is a C19 lancet. West front composed of nave and very slightly projecting aisle. Nave has renewed 4-light Perpendicular window. Aisle has northern and massive southern buttresses, both of 2 offsets. Early C13 doorway, set off-centre, of 2 chamfered orders with old double-leaf doors and ironwork. Window has cusped Y-tracery and small buttress below. Gable has trefoil opening and CIA cross finial. North side has splay plinth and shallow buttresses. Wide, low porch with moulded doorway and double-leaf doors, C12 doorway inside of 2 moulded orders. Trefoiled faucet to west. To east of porch are 3 triplets of lancets, similar to nave windeows. Massive tower of 2 stages has diagonal buttresses; each with gablet and 2 offsets, to all except the south-east corner. Very large restored 3-light Decorated north window rises into the second stage, and has reticulated tracery, a transom and a hood mould with head stops. Bell chamber has 2-light openings with reticulated tracery and wooden louvres. East side is blank apart from 2 large slit openings to the bell chamber. Embattled parapet has slits below. Clock face to west. Interior: chancel has east window with nook shafts. North tower arch of 3 segmental painted chamfered orders and fieep splayed jambs. Cusped arched brace roof. C19 chancel arch of one chamfered order without responds or imposts. Nave has 8-bay early C11 Romanesque arcade of low narrow arches with shallow scalloped capitals and string course above, Former clerestory of small windows with splayed jambs. Medieval head corbel sat high up. Cl9 seven-bay crown post roof. Aisle has similar roof. Tower arch has outer chamfer, and 3 inner chamfered orders with deep splay jambs, Fittings: C14 octagonal font has trefoiled blind arches and simple shafts. Iron-bound dug-out chest. C14 sculpture panel set on a head corbel in the aisle. C19 stalls etc. Monuments: effigy of an Abbess c.1200, in second bay of arcade, is in low relief, and set on a C15 Perpendicular tomb chest with shields in quatrefoils. Early C15 effigy of a lady, third bay. Similar Perpendicular tomb chest with blind arches to the angles. Francis Nethersole 1652; nave east wall. Panel with moulded architectural surround and lozenge of arms. (Buildings of England: Warwickshire: pp372-373; VCH: Warwickshire: Vol lV, pp194-197). Listing NGR: SK2633102433

Building Name: CHURCH OF ST EDITHA Address: HIGH STREET

LBS number: 435566 Grade: II*

Parish: POLESWORTH Date listed: 25-MAR-1968

District: NORTH WARWICKSHIRE Date of last amendment : 25-MAR-1968

County: WARWICKSHIRE NGR: SK 263 024 Postcode: B78 1DU


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Building Name: WALL EAST OF SOUTH EAST CORNER OF NAVE OF CHURCH OF ST EDITHA

LBS number: 435567

Address: HIGH STREET Grade: II Parish: POLESWORTH Date listed: 23-MAY-1988 District: NORTH WARWICKSHIRE Date of last amendment : 23-MAY-1988 County: WARWICKSHIRE NGR: SK 263 024 Postcode: B78 1DU

POLESWORTH HIGH STREET SK2OSE (South side) 5/86 Wall E of SE corner of nave of Church of St. Editha GV 11 Wall. Probably Cll and medieval with later alterations. Regular coursed sandstone. Lower part is battered, The wail is approximately 2.5 metres high and 10 metres long. A section running south is approximately 4 metres long, and has a C13 chamfered doorway. (Buildings of England: Warwickshire: p373; VCH: Warwickshire: Vol lV, p196) Listing NGR: SK2635502425

Building Name: FORMER SUNDIAL APPROXIMATELY 40 METRES EAST OF THE VICARAGE

LBS number: 435568

Address: HIGH STREET Grade: II Parish: POLESWORTH Date listed: 25-MAR-1968 District: NORTH WARWICKSHIRE Date of last amendment : 23-MAY-1988 County: WARWICKSHIRE NGR: SK 263 023 Postcode: B78 1DU

POLESWORTH HIGH STREET SK20SE (South side) 5/87 Former sundial approx. 40m E 25/03/68 of the Vicarage (Formerly listed as Sundial in Vicarage Garden) GV ll Former sundial. C17. Sandstone. Pedestal of regular coursed stone is approximately 2 metres high. Upper part is a square section baluster with moulded base and cornice, supporting a large square top with moulded cornice; north side has illegible inscription panel. Ogee cap with bail finial, (Buildings of England: Warwickshire: p373; VCH: Warwickshire: vOL Lv, P186) Listing NGR: SK2636702387


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Building Name: THE VICARAGE LBS number: 435598 Address: HIGH STREET Grade: II Parish: POLESWORTH Date listed: 25-MAR-1968 District: NORTH WARWICKSHIRE Date of last amendment : 25-MAR-1968 County: WARWICKSHIRE NGR: SK 263 024 Postcode: B78 1DU

POLESWORTH HIGH STREET SK20SE (South side) 5/88 The Vicarage 25/03/68 - II Vicarage. Rebuilt about 1870 but with some reused elements from a C16 manor house, on the site of the Abbess's lodgings. English bond brick and timber-framing with rendered infill, possibly over brick, with brick plinth. Old plain-tile roofs; stone external stacks with brick shafts and brick ridge stacks. Irregular E-plan. One storey, one storey and attic, and 2 storeys; 5-window range. Wide 2-storey porch range has gable with herringbone framing jettied on brackets. Ribbed Tudor-arched door. 4-light casement above has horizontal glazing bar and coved jetty. Gabled range to left has wood mullioned windows of 4 lights to ground floor and 3 lights above. Right range has 4-light leaded wood nullioned staircase window with 2 transoms. Wings have ground floors of brick, with moulded brick mullioned windows and sill courses. Large one-storey cross-wing to left has separate roof and blue brick diapering. Cross windows in angles. Buttresses to front. Timber-framed gable has 5-light leaded wood mullioned window. Right return side has 4-light window and lateral stack with offsets. Brick shafts throughout have pilasters and cornices of oversailing courses. Right wing has two 3-light windows. Jettied first floor has 5-light wood mullioned window. Left return side has lateral stack. Irregular rear, to garden, is largely of brick. Right range, set far back, has very large 5-light brick mullioned window with 2 transoms. Interior: left wing has a partly C15/C16 three-bay arched -brace roof, a large Elizabethan stone fireplace with Tudor arch and ornamented spandrels, and some C17. panelling. (Buildings of England: Warwickshire: p373; VCH: Warwickshire: Vol IV, p186) Listing NGR: SK2632202405


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Building Name: ABBEY GATE HOUSE AND OTHER REMAINS, NUMBERS 26, 28 AND 30 LBS number: 435599

Address: 32 AND 34 HIGH STREET Grade: II* Parish: POLESWORTH Date listed: 23-NOV-1951 District: NORTH WARWICKSHIRE Date of last amendment : 23-MAY-1988 County: WARWICKSHIRE NGR: SK 263 025 Postcode: B78 1DU

POLESWORTH HIGH STREET SK20SE (South side) 5/89 Nos. 30 (Gate House), 32 and 34 23/11/51 (Formerly listed as Abbey Gate House and other remains, No. 26 No. 28, No. 30) GV II* Includes that part formerly listed as No. 32 and No. 34. Row of 3 houses. Late C15/early C16 with later alterations. Timber-framed: No.34 on left has exposed crucks in end wall. Large framing with whitewashed herringbone brick infill, very largely underbuilt in whitewashed brick. No. 30 has right cross-wing of close studding with braces and rendered infill, partly underbuilt with painted sham framing. Plain-tile roof. Brick left end and ridge stacks, rendered ridge stack, and stone and brick lateral stack. Various plans. 2 storeys; 6-window range. No.34 has C20 door; No. 32 has recessed C20 glazed door. Irregular fenestration of C20 one-, 2- and 3-light casements. Passage between Nos. 30 and 32. Left part of No. 30 has C19 two- and 3-light casements with horizontal glazing bar. C20 four-light casement above. Taller cross-wing has C20 door and side light. Upper floor is jettied, with projecting post on left and bracket on right. Small C20 two-light casement. Gable has large framing with whitewashed brick infill. Right return side has sandstone external stack, enlarged to left and with shaft of whitewashed brick. Old 2-light casement to left has many glazing bars. Two 2-light casements above. To right of stack is a small lean-to range with plank door and overlight, and adjoining 2-light casement. Small window above. Interiors: No.30 has large ingelnook to left with brattishing along top of bressuner, and stone (now painted) fireplace to rear right. Moulded jambs: the arch perhaps opened upwards. Top has moulding and brattishing. Blocked doorway with basket-arched head. On first floor to right a massive cambered tie-beam truss with arched braces, The part of roof visible shows massive purlins, ridge piece and tie beams. No.32 has full cruck blade to rear, that to front either renewed or has been strengthened. No.34 has full cruck truss with collar, winder stair and partly covered open fireplace of which the bressumer is said to remain. (VCH: Warwickshire: Vol IV) Listing NGR: SK2630902562


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Building Name: ABBEY GATEHOUSE LBS number: 435600 Address: 24 HIGH STREET Grade: II* Parish: POLESWORTH Date listed: 23-NOV-1951 District: NORTH WARWICKSHIRE Date of last amendment : 23-MAY-1988 County: WARWICKSHIRE NGR: SK 262 025 Postcode: B78 1DU

POLESWORTH HIGH STREET SK20SE (South side) 5/90 Abbey Gatehouse and No.24 23/11/51 (Formerly listed as Abbey gatehouse and other remains No.26, No.28, No.30) GV 11* Abbey gatehouse, now gatehouse and flat above. Part of a group of attached buildings. Late C14; upper part partly rebuilt C17, Regular coursed sandstone; upper part is timber-framed, of studding with middle rail and brick infill. Plain-tile roof has coped gable parapets with kneelers, and remains of finial to right; C20 brick left end stack, 2 storeys; 3-window range, High ground floor has large wide gateway on right. Pedestrian gateway to left has chamfered jambs and elliptical arch of 2 orders, 2 small round-arched lights of differing sizes above and to left. First floor has partly-leaded 3-light wood muilioned windows. To the rear the gateway has a cambered beam. C14 doorway to right of pedestrian gateway rids chamfered pointed arch and hood mould with return stops; C20 plank door, Two C20 box dormers. Interior has 2-centred arched doorway in mezzanine to left with roll-moulding supporting massive joists. Further 2-centred arched doorway above and late c14 three-bay roof with cambered tie beams, arched braces and king posts with struts to collars and purlin. Renewed rafters. Scheduled as an Ancient Monument. (Buildings of England: Warwickshire: p373; VCH: Warwickshire: Vol IV, p186) Listing NGR: SK2629102554


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Building Name: LBS number: 435601 Address: 22 HIGH STREET Grade: II Parish: POLESWORTH Date listed: 25-MAR-1968 District: NORTH WARWICKSHIRE Date of last amendment : 23-MAY-1988 County: WARWICKSHIRE NGR: SK 262 025 Postcode: B78 1DU

POLESWORTH HIGH STREET SK20SE (South side) 5/91 No.22 25/03/68 (Formerly listed as No.24) GV ll Building of uncertain purpose, now partly a dwelling. Part of a group of attached buildings. Possibly late Cl6, with later alterations, coursed sandstone rubble. Old plain-tile roof. L-plan, with short wing on left to rear. 2 high storeys; 4-window range. Chamfered pointed doorway on left has C19/C20 ribbed door. Plank doorway on right. Boarded-up window has wood lintel. First floor forms a flat, and has restored 2-light chamfered stone mullioned windows; second bay has a C20 two-light cemented mullioned window. To the rear the gabled wing is of ashlar, and has a 3-light window to the first floor. Plank door in altered opening in right return side. Main range has double plank doors. First floor has two 2-light windows. Recessed chamfered mullioned windows throughout. Said to have tie and collar roof trusses with wind braces. (Buildings of England: Warwickshire: p373; VCH: Warwickshire: Vol IV, p187) Listing NGR: SK2629102554


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Building Name: TAME BARN 50 YARDS SOUTH OF HIGH STREET LBS number: 435602

Address: HIGH STREET Grade: II Parish: POLESWORTH Date listed: 25-MAR-1968 District: NORTH WARWICKSHIRE Date of last amendment : 23-MAY-1988 County: WARWICKSHIRE NGR: SK 262 025 Postcode: B78 1DU Grade II POLESWORTH HIGH STREET SK20SE (South side) 5/92 Tame Barn approx. 45m S of

High Street and 120m NW of 25/03/68 Church of St Editha

POLESWORTH HIGH STREET SK20SE (South side) 5/92 Tame Barn approx. 45m S of High Street and 120m NW of 25/03/68 Church of St Editha (Formerly listed as Tame Barn 30 yards S of High Street)

GV ll

Barn. C17/early C18, Timber framed, with large framing and brick infill of various dates, Old plain-tile roof. 5 bays, Doorway is bricked up. Right return side has double plank doors. To rear doorway is partly bricked up, with lower segmental-arched double doors inserted, and double doors inserted to right, Queen strut roof. (VCH: Warwickshire: Vol lV, p187)


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Building Name: DOVECOTE APPROXIMATELY 85 METRES SOUTH OF HIGH STREET AND 100 METRES NORTH WEST OF CHURCH OF AT EDITHA

LBS number: 435603

Address: HIGH STREET Grade: II Parish: POLESWORTH Date listed: 25-MAR-1968 District: NORTH WARWICKSHIRE Date of last amendment : 23-MAY-1988 County: WARWICKSHIRE NGR: SK 262 024 Postcode: B78 1DU POLESWORTH HIGH STREET SK2OSE (South side) 5/93 Dovecote approx. 85m S of High 25/03/68 Street and l00m NW of Church of St. Editha (Formerly listed as Dovecote at Hall Court) GV ll Dovecote. Late C17/early C18. Flemish bond brick with string course, regular coursed sandstone plinth, and moulded stone cornice. Old plain-tile nipped roof has small square louvred wood lantern. Late C20 plank door with louvres above has brick flat arch with keystone. Interior not inspected. (VCH: Warwickshire p187) Listing NGR: SK2624202496

Polesworth Abbey - A Conservation Management Plan Appendix B: Scheduled Ancient Monument details

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Appendix B: Scheduled Ancient Monument details

Remains of Polesworth Abbey

(Warwickshire Monument no 119 a-c)


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Polesworth Abbey - A Conservation Management Plan Appendix C: Ecological Data Search

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Appendix C: Ecological data search around Polesworth Abbey

Grid Reference: SK 26305 02490 The information presented here is based on existing records held within the Warwickshire Biological Record Centre and should be read in conjunction with the attached map. It does not constitute an exhaustive list of known records. The details are descriptive and further information on specific sites can be obtained if required. In addition, it should not be taken that the lack of details on specific groups (e.g. invertebrates) means that sites are not valuable for them - only that we have no current records. It is also possible that unknown sites are within this area that only an up-to-date systematic survey would find. 1. Nationally Important Statutory Sites There are no SSSIs (Site of Special Scientific Interest - SSSI) which fall within your area of search. For definitive information on SSSIs please contact Natural England. 2. Statutory and Non-Statutory Sites County Important sites are known as ‘Local Wildlife Sites’ (previously Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation). There are also a number of sites of nature conservation importance, termed "Ecosites", which are found within your search area. I enclose information about the designation and grading of Ecosites in the table below. The county is currently reviewing its site system and will be identifying further Local Wildlife Sites (LWSs) over the next few years. Currently we have identified those sites which are potential Local Wildlife Sites (pLWSs) and these are also indicated below with the Ecosite details. Some Ecosites are also Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (RIGs) or statutory Local Nature Reserves (LNRs). Details of these designations are also given in the table below with the Ecosite details. The table below gives brief details of all known Ecosites within your area of search, please see enclosed map for location. Sites of regional and local biodiversity interest are considered to play a fundamental role in meeting overall national biodiversity targets, and therefore appropriate weight must be attached to designated Ecosites in all planning applications (Planning Policy Statement 9 – Biodiversity and Geological Conservation). NB All watercourses are considered to be of ecological importance, but accurate assessment of the relative importance of the various stretches is not generally possible as yet. Structure and Local Plan policies provide protection for these sites or, in circumstances where development is allowed, require mitigation measures to off-set any damage. In order to achieve this it is essential that adequate survey details, for sites which may be affected by development, are gathered at a very early stage. For sites of high biodiversity value this requires Phase 2 survey work and species specific surveys such as for invertebrates, mammals, birds and so on. Guidance is available from the Institute of Environmental Assessment’s (IEA) in “Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment”. Please note that the brief descriptions below include species records recorded within the whole Ecosite, and therefore potentially an area outside of your specific area of search. In particular, descriptions of linear Ecosites such as water courses and railway lines may include species which were not necessarily recorded within your search area.


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Brief details of the Ecosites are given below

Ecosite

Description

Ecosite 03/20 Alvecote Pools SSSI

A large portion of this site is designated the Nationally important Alvecote Pools Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Please note that the SSSI designated area of the site does not fall into this search area. Other areas of this site are identified as a potential Local Wildlife Site (pLWS). Alvecote Pools SSSI Part in private ownership, one area (Pooley Fields) is owned by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, whilst an area to the east is owned by Warwickshire County Council and managed as a nature reserve. The site consists of a series of shallow pools which have arisen as a result of colliery subsidence and have a variety of aquatic and marginal vegetation. They lie along the course of the River Anker, forming one of the most extensive and diverse wetland areas in the county that supports a regionally important bird community. As well as the open waters of the Anker, Coventry Canal and the pools, there are a wide variety of other habitats, including fen, bog, reedbed, alder willow carr, scattered woodland, pasture and areas of colliery waste. Numerous aquatic plants and several species of pondweed and water crowfoot, as well as the more unusual greater bladderwort Utricularia vulgaris can be found. The marginal vegetation includes reedbeds of reed mace Typha latifolia and common reed Phragmites australis as well as mixed fenland vegetation with rushes, sedges, yellow iris Iris pseudacorus and southern marsh orchid Dactylorhiza pratermissa. The pools are surrounded by a mixture of grassland and scrub, supporting many species rare in the county and the Midlands. A great variety of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates live in and around these diverse wetland communities. These include land and water bugs (89 species recorded), beetles (322), dragonflies (13) and spiders (121). The pools attract between 115 and 126 different species of bird and 60 to 70 of these breed here. The pools are also of major importance for overwintering waterfowl and passage waders. Overall, the site has one of the most extensive species lists of flora and fauna in the West Midlands. Alvecote Pools pLWS Parts of the area surrounding the SSSI remained outside the area designated. These areas are still of high nature conservation value and some areas were once within the SSSI but have been de-designated. These areas consist of similar habitat of grassland, scrub and regenerating heathland, including heather Calluna vulgaris, now a very species in the county. In particular, the spoil heap by the M42 and the area to the east of this and north of the canal, are of very high value and form a continuous habitat block with the SSSI.


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Ecosite 04/20 Coventry Canal, Alvecote Priory Grounds, Canal Scrub

Identified as a potential Local Wildlife Site (pLWS). The canal has a good diversity of marginal & aquatic vegetation and the towpath is bordered by a mixed species hedge. Also present is grassland, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and willow Salix spp scrub and a small piece of woodland.

Ecosite 23/20 Geological Site, Polesworth

Nature conservation status ungraded. Site of geological interest, supporting a range of flora.

Ecosite 31/20 Pool at New Pond Cottage

Part of the Alvecote Pools SSSI Buffer potential Local Wildlife Site (pLWS). Please note that the SSSI designated area of the site does not fall into your search area. Pool with mature coppiced willow Salix spp around its edges and a stand of bulrush Typha latifolia and reed canary grass Phalaris arundinacea, with occasional soft rush Juncus effusus and gipsywort Lycopus europaeus also present. There is also some rank semi-improved grassland, with abundant yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus, cocksfoot Dactylis glomerata, false oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius and common bent Agrostis capillaris. Creeping thistle Cirsium arvense and broad-leaved dock Rumex obtusifolius are scattered through the area.

Ecosite 34/20 Polesworth Churchyard

Nature conservation status ungraded. Parish value. The churchyard supports a range of flora, including bracken Pteridium aquilinum, sheep’s sorrel Rumex acetosella, wavy hair-grass Deschampsia flexuosa, germander speedwell Veronica chamaedrys and bulbous buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus.

Ecosite 41/20 Nuneaton to Tamworth Railway RIGS

Nature conservation status ungraded. A small section of this site (in 41/20R) is designated the Polesworth Railway Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS). We currently have little information on this Ecosite, but railway lines provide valuable linear habitats for a range of species, including plants, invertebrates, birds and mammals.

Ecosite 43/20 Polesworth Old Sewage Works

Nature conservation status ungraded. Site of old sewage works adjacent to River Anker. Much of the area is now arable land, but there is a section of tall herbs near the centre.

There are two Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS) within your search area:

Stipers Hill Plantation Polesworth Railway


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3. Protected species information Please note that the following are simply details of records held at the Warwickshire Biological Record Centre. Lack of records may well indicate that no survey work has yet been undertaken, and does not indicate that species are necessarily absent. Protected species may be using the site and surrounding area and appropriate survey work may be required to establish their presence and to inform mitigation measures to ensure that they are not impacted by any proposed works. Sources: BC = Butterfly Conservation EA = Environment Agency WART = Warwickshire Amphibian and Reptile Team WBG = Warwickshire Bat Group WBRC = Warwickshire Biological Record Centre WWT = Warwickshire Wildlife Trust 3.1 Amphibians & Reptiles We hold nine records for amphibian and reptiles within your search area. Please see the enclosed map illustrating locations. The following list gives the Latin codes used for each species: Tc Triturus cristatus Great Crested Newt Tv Triturus vulgaris (AKA Lissotriton vulgaris) Smooth Newt Th Triturus helveticus (AKA Lissotriton helveticus) Palmate Newt Rt Rana temporaria Common Frog Bb Bufo bufo Common Toad Nn Natrix natrix Grass Snake Lv Lacerta vivipara Common Lizard Af Anguis fragilis Slow worm Vb Vipera berus Adder Species Grid Ref Date Growth Stage Quantity Source Grass Snake SK259031 24/08/1981 Unknown 1 WWT Adder SK259031 2003 Unknown 1 WART Common Lizard SK259031 01/06/1966 Adult 1 WBRC Common Lizard SK259031 01/06/1966 Juvenile 1 WBRC Grass Snake SK259031 18/07/1982 Unknown 1 WBRC Grass Snake SK259031 2003 Unknown 1 WART Grass Snake SK259032 09/07/1997 Dead 1 WBRC Grass Snake SK264023 07/05/1996 Juvenile 1 WBRC Smooth Newt SK259031 1989 Unknown 1 WBRC

3.2 Badgers (PLEASE KEEP BADGER INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL) Due to an agreement with the local Badger Group we can only provide badger records within a 1km site radius. We have records for three badger setts within your area of search. Please refer to the map provided for the locations. However, please be aware that there may be more badger setts which have so far gone unrecorded in your search area.


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3.3 Water Voles We hold no records for water vole within your search area. 3.4 Bats We hold several records for bats within your search area. Please see the enclosed map illustrating locations. The following list gives the Latin codes used for each species: Bba Barbastella barbastellus Barbastelle Es Eptesicus serotinus Serotine Md Myotis daubentonii Daubenton’s Bat Mm/b Myotis mystacinus/brandtii Whiskered/Brandt’s Bat Mm Myotis mystacinus Whiskered Bat Mn Myotis nattereri Natterer’s Bat Msp Myotis species Nl Nyctalus leisleri Leisler’s Bat Nno Nyctalus noctula Noctule Pa Plecotus auritus Brown-Long Eared-Bat Plsp Plecotus species Pn Pipistrellus nathusii Nathusius' Pipistrelle Pp Pipistrellus pipistrellus Common Pipistrelle Pp/py Pipistrellus pipistrellus/pygmaeus Common/Soprano Pipistrelle Ppy Pipistrellus pygmaeus Soprano Pipistrelle Psp Pipistrellus species Indeterminate Pipistrelle Rh Rhinolophus hipposideros Lesser-Horseshoe Bat Indet Indeterminate Species

Species Grid Ref Date Comment Source Pipistrellus pygmaeus SK26100232 22/05/2008 - WBRC Pipistrellus pipistrellus SK267029 20/01/2005 Two , in old barn WBRC

Pipistrellus pygmaeus SK267029 10/08/2005 One, hibernation roost

WBRC

Pipistrellus pipistrellus SK26100232 22/05/2008 WBRC

Myotis daubentonii SK26100232 31/05/2008 Roost equally distributed in 5th & 6th bridge arches

WBRC

3.5 Otters We hold no records for otter within your search area. For information all major watercourses in Warwickshire should be considered as otter positive irrespectively of whether there are any records within your area of search. 3.6 Other protected species We hold no records for barn owl, dormouse or white-clawed crayfish within your search area. 3.7 Other Biodiversity Action Plan and notable species We are currently working to increase the number of datasets for additional Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), Red Listed species and other notable species. Datasets currently available include


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brown hare, UK/Local BAP & Red Listed butterfly species, veteran trees, native black poplars and rare plants for the county. Brown Hare We hold no records for brown hare within your search area. UK/Local BAP & Red Listed Butterfly Species Please see the enclosed map illustrating UK/Local BAP and Red Listed butterfly records held for your area of search. The following list gives the Latin codes used for each species: Aa Argynnis adippe High Brown Fritillary Air Apatura iris Purple Emperor Be Boloria euphrosyne Pearl-bordered Fritillary Bs Boloria selene Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Cm Cupido minimus Small Blue Cp Coenonympha pamphilus Small Heath Ea Euphydryas aurinia Marsh Fritillary Et Erynnis tages Dingy Skipper Lc Limenitis camilla White Admiral Lm Lasiommata megera Wall Ls Leptidea sinapsis Wood White Mc Melitaea cinxia Glanville Fritillary Pm Pyrgus malvae Grizzled Skipper Swa Satyrium w-album White-letter Hairstreak Tb Thecla betulae Brown Hairstreak Please note that all species listed above are both UK BAP and Red Listed species, apart from Purple Emperor which is only a Red Listed species. This list does not constitute the full list of UKBAP and Red Listed butterfly species, but includes only the UKBAP and Red Listed species for which we have records in Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull. Please also note that from these species only Dingy Skipper, Small Blue and Wood White are currently listed on the Local BAP.

Species Grid Ref Date Quantity Source Small Heath SK264024 12/06/1998 2-9 Individuals BC Wall SK263030 1981 - 1985 - WBRC Dingy Skipper SK260035 30/05/2004 10+ Individuals WBRC

Veteran Trees We hold no records for veteran trees within your search area. Black Poplars (Populus nigra subsp. Betulifolia) We hold no records for native black poplars within your search area. Rare Plants We hold no records of rare plants for the county within your search area.


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Polesworth Abbey - A Conservation Management Plan Appendix D: Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Forms

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Appendix D: Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Site Record Forms

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Name of Site Polesworth Abbey Date of

Visit 18/05/2010 Time on

Site 11:15

Grid Ref. SK 26205 02490 Weather: Sunny with some cloud

Surveyor: HW, DL Parish or location Polesworth Access arrangements Public Use of site Amenity Owner/tenant of site Diocese of Birmingham Public access Yes Strict confidence N/A Adjacent land use Horse grazing Any threats or Application Yes General description/interest: Both fields are amenity grasslands. The memorial hall field had a fairly good hedgerow. Plants (DAFOR*) + animal records

Field 1- Polesworth Learning Centre

Vicarage gardens

Bellis perennis Daisy F Ranunculus repens Creeping buttercup F Taraxacum agg. Dandelion F Moss sp. F Trifolium sp Clover sp. F Cerastium fontanum Common mouse-ear O Phleum sp. O Veronica agrestis Field speedwell LF Conopodium majus Pignut R Anthriscus sylvestris Cow parsley O Whitebeam sp. R Prunus avium Wild cherry R Ranunculus acris Meadow buttercup O Rumex acetosa Common sorrel O Aesculus hippocastanum Horse chestnut O

Acer sp. O Galium aparine Cleavers O

Taxus baccata Yew R Hedera helix Ivy O Aegopodium podagraria Ground elder F Ilex aquifolium holly O Hyacinthoides sp. bluebell O Galium aparine cleavers F Anthriscus sylvestris Cow parsley F Lamium purpureum Red dead-nettle R Pentaglottis sempervirens Green alkanet O

Geum urbanum Wood avens O Geranium robertianum Herb robert O Myosotis sp. Forget-me-not O

Field 2 -Hall Croft

Acer campestre Field maple O Crataegous monogyna Hawthorn F Corylus avellana Hazel O Cirsium sp. Thistle sp. O Urtica dioica Nettle F Galium aparine Cleavers F Anthriscus sylvestris Cow parsley F Taraxacum agg. Dandelion F Lamium album White dead-nettle O Stellaria media Common chickweed O Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell O

Chenopodium album Fat hen R Prunus padus Bird cherry R Poa annua Annual meadow-

grass F

Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore O Stachys sylvatica Hedge woundwort R

Occurrence Frequency: * DAFOR Key: D = dominant, A = abundant, F = frequent, O = occasional, R = rare

Map on reverse. Access point, boundaries, adjacent land use main habitats scale, north, slope etc.

SITE REPORT WARWICKSHIRE BIOLOGICAL RECORDS CENTRE: County Museum, Warwick

Office use

6

4

PH

53

Dovecote

72

2

22 24

49

1to

8

20

15

Remains of

(Benedictine Nuns)

42

2

5

Clinic

Hall

24

34

36

28

58

Ga

te

Ho

us

e

El Sub Sta

PW

PO

Library

11

63

30

22

29

St Editha's Church

Inn HALL CT

RID

GE

STR

EET

HIGH STREET

River Anker

Car Park

TCB

BM 64.49m

68.3mGP

Abbey

Tennis

Court

.0m

BM 69.43m

67.1m

FB

S

War

Vicarage

Meml

65.8m

64.6m

Field 2

Field 3 Field 4

Field 5 The Churchyard

Field 1 Hedge including hawthorn and hazel, with lime and silver birch standards.

Redundant pond

Hedge including sycamore, hawthorn and elder

Amenity/poor semi-improvedgrassland with beech, oak and horse-chestnut standards. Cherry in the eastern corner.

Building materials and rubble

Vicarage gardens

Compost area

Shrubs & mulch

235

Name of Site Polesworth Abbey Date of Visit 18/05/2010 Time on Site 11:15 Grid Ref. SK 26205 02490 Weather:

Sunny with some cloud Surveyor: HW, DL

Parish or location Polesworth Access arrangements Private Use of site Horse grazed fields Owner/tenant of site Diocese of Birmingham Public access No Strict confidence N/A Adjacent land use Housing, private gardens,

cemetery Any threats or Application Yes

General description/interest: Two fields both poor, semi-improved grasslands, overgrazed by horses. Plants (DAFOR*) + animal records Field 3 – West of vicarage

Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved dock O Plantago media Hoary plantain O Ranunculus repens Creeping buttercup F Ranunculus acris Meadow buttercup F Ranunculus sp. Buttercup R Taraxacum agg. Dandelion F Achillea millefolium Yarrow F Moss sp. O Trifolium pratense Red clover F Trifolium repens White clover F Sedge sp. O Cerastium fontanum Common mouse-ear O Chenopodium album Fat hen R Stellaria media Common chickweed LF Lamium album White dead-nettle LF Phragmites australis Common reed LA Alliaria petiolata Garlic mustard O Cardamine pratensis Cuckooflower R Rumex sp. Dock sp. LF Cardamine flexuosa Wavy bittercress O Melilotus officinalis Ribbed melilot O Salix fragilis Crack willow R Acer psuedoplatanus Sycamore O Tilia sp. Lime sp. O Veronica persica Field speedwell LF Mayweed O Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell R Pentaglottis sempervirens Green alkanet O

Field 4 -South and east of Vicarage

Ilex aquifolium Holly O Sambucus nigra Elder O Pentaglottis sempervirens

Green alkanet O

Crataegous monogyna Hawthorn O Anthriscus sylvestris Cow parsley O Taraxacum agg. Dandelion F Stellaria media Common chickweed O Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Bluebell R

Prunus padus Bird cherry R Stachys sylvatica Hedge woundwort R Plantago media Hoary plantain F Lamium album White dead-nettle O Rumex sp. Dock sp. LF Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved dock F Mayweed sp. O Achillea millefolium Yarrow O Plantago lanceolata Ribwort plantain O Conopodium majus Pignut O Cerastium fontanum Common mouse-ear O Ranunculus acris Meadow buttercup F Ranunculus sp. Buttercup F Trifolium pratense Red clover F Fraxinus excelsior Ash O Rosa canina Dogrose O Lamium purpureum Red dead-nettle O Digitalis purpurea Foxglove R Rumex acetosa Common sorrel O Bellis perennis Daisy O Cardamine pratensis Cuckooflower R Phragmites australis Common reed F Ribes sp. Currant R

Occurrence Frequency: * DAFOR Key: D = dominant, A = abundant, F = frequent, O = occasional, R = rare

Map on reverse. Access point, boundaries, adjacent land use main habitats scale, north, slope etc.


Office use

6

4

PH

53

Dovecote

72

2

22 24

49

1to

8

20

1

Remains of

(Benedictine Nuns)

42

2

5

Clinic

Hall

24

34

36

28

58

Gate

House

El Sub Sta

PW

PO

Library

11

63

30

22

29

St Editha's Church

Inn HALL CT

RID

GE

STR

EET

HIGH STREET

River Anker

Car Park

TCB

BM 64.49m

68.3mGP

Abbey

Tennis

Court

.0m

BM 69.43m

67.1m

FB

War

Vicarage

Meml

65.8m

64.6m

Field 2

Field 3 Field 4

Field 5

The Churchyard

Field 1

Lime, holly, yew, elder

Line of scattered trees included lime, sycamore, elder, holly and crack willow

Ash

Horse-grazed

Phragmites and Glyceria locally abundant. Garlic mustard, white dead-nettle and cuckooflower.

Overgrazed horse field included two mature fruit trees, pignut, currant, cuckooflower.

Old building has high bat potential

Compost area

Vegetable area

Redundant hedge and bank with foxglove and pignut

237

Name of Site Polesworth Abbey Date of

Visit 18/05/2010 Time on

Site 11:15

Grid Ref. SK 26205 02490 Weather: Warm, partial sunshine

Surveyor: Parish or location Polesworth DL, LH, SB, HW Access arrangements

Private

Use of site Cemetery/Horse grazed fields

Owner/tenant of site Diocese of Birmingham

Public access Churchyard yes, Field 5 no Strict confidence N/A Adjacent land use Residential, pasture Any threats or Application Yes General description/interest: Species-rich amenity grassland with scattered, planted trees in churchyard, poor semi-improved grassland in field 5.

Plants (DAFOR*) + animal records Churchyard

Poa annua annual meadow-grass F

Fagus sylvatica var. Purpurea copper beech R Hyacinthoides non-scripta bluebell F Rubus fruticosus agg. bramble F Rumex obtusifolius broad-leaved dock O Vicia sepium bush vetch O Galium aparine cleavers F

Geranium molle dove's-foot crane's-bill O

Myosotis arvensis field forget-me-not O Luzula campestris field wood-rush F Alliaria petiolata garlic mustard F

Veronica chamaedrys germander speedwell O

Plantago major greater plantain O Pentaglottis sempervirens green alkanet O X Cupressocyparis leylandii leyland cypress O Ranunculus acris meadow buttercup F Alopecurus pratensis meadow foxtail O Quercus spp. oak R Leucanthemum vulgare oxeye daisy R Conopodium majus pignut O Primula vulgaris primrose O Urtica dioica stinging nettle F Anthoxanthum odoratum sweet vernal-grass F

Veronica serpyllifolia thyme-leaved speedwell O

Trifolium repens white clover F Lamium album white dead-nettle O Stellaria media common chickweed O Viola riviana common dog-violet O Tilia x vulgaris common lime F Rumex acetosa common sorrel F Vicia sativa common vetch F Anthriscus sylvestris cow parsley F Ranunculus repens creeping buttercup O

Potentilla reptans creeping cinquefoil O Cardamine pratensis cuckooflower O Bellis perennis daisy F Taraxacum offecinale agg. dandelion F senecio vulgaris groundsel O Heracleum sphondylium hogweed O Aesculus hippocastanum horse chestnut F Hedera helix ivy F

Veronica hederifolia ivy-leaved speedwell O

Trifolium pratense red clover O Plantago lanceolata ribwort plantain O Achillea millefolium yarrow F Taxus baccata yew F Aquilegia vulgaris columbine O

Bee swarm on church tower. Field 5 Proposed Churchyard Extension

Rumex obtusifolius broad-leaved dock F Alliaria petiolata garlic mustard O Ranunculus acris meadow buttercup F Urtica dioica stinging nettle O

Veronica serpyllifolia thyme-leaved speedwell O

Lamium album white dead-nettle O Cerastium fontanum common mouse-ear F Rumex acetosa common sorrel F Vicia sativa common vetch F Anthriscus sylvestris cow parsley O Ranunculus repens creeping buttercup F Cirsium arvense creeping thistle F Cardamine pratensis cuckooflower O Geranium dissectum cut-leaved crane's-bill O Taraxacum offecinale agg. dandelion F Crataegus monogyna hawthorn O Achillea millefolium yarrow F Centaurea nigra black knapweed R Populus spp. poplar O


Office use

Dovecote

72

2

22 24

1to

8

20

Remains of

(Benedictine Nuns)

42

Clinic

Hall

24

34

36

28

58

Ga

te

Ho

us

e

El Sub Sta

PW

PO

Library

63

30

22

St Editha's Church

Inn HALL C T

River Anker

Car Park

TCB

BM 64.49m

FB

Abbey

Tennis

Court

BM 69.43m

67.1m

FB

War

Vicarage

Meml

64.6m

Mound including stinging nettles, green alkanet and cow parsley

Bee swarm on church tower

Field 4

Poor semi-improved grassland including meadow buttercup, creeping thistle, common sorrel, dandelion, yarrow, common mouse-ear, broad-leaved dock, common vetch

Pile of rubble including white dead-nettle Species-poor semi-

improved grassland with richer patches including garlic mustard, cleavers, ivy, bluebell, bramble, oxeye daisy, common sorrel, ivy-leaved speedwell, pignut, ribwort plantain, groundsel, creeping cinquefoil, dove’s-foot crane’s-bill, bush vetch

Churchyard

Field 2

Field 3

Field 5

Field 1

Common lime, yew, horse chestnut, copper beech, oak

Polesworth Abbey - A Conservation Management Plan Appendix E: Draft Restoration Master Plan

239

Appendix E: Draft Restoration Master Plan for landscaping of Abbey site

Askew Nelson Plan AN/004/02/P Rev C

Proposed new car park(approx total 48 spaces)

Additional facilities to support Coach House

(education, events, etc.)

New main entrance

Paved areafor events

Sensory Garden

Proposed new car park (approx total 48 spaces)

High Street

High Street

Drive resurfaced (bonded gravel surface)

Disabled parking (3 spaces)

Burial ground: restoration of historic features (paths, railings, trees, furniture)

Earth (prospect?) mound: spiral path

mown to top

Railings and hedge

Listed sundial retained

Possible footprint of Abbey buildings (raised level ground,

mown grass)

Woodland area

Woodland area

Pond/Wetland

Grass amphitheatre within natural land form?

Wildflower meadow

Wildflower meadow

Osier beds?

River Anker

River Anker

River Anker

Access across footbridge to coach park

Views to south

Existing vegetable garden retained

Coach House

Possible new access to Abbey across meadow

Wildflower meadow

New native hedgerow and railings

Possible orchard planting within

meadow

New parsonage with enclosed garden

(paved terrace, lawn & shrub planting)

Tree works: thinning, crown lifting. Hedge reduced to

1.8m

Burial ground

Burial ground

Burial ground

Burial ground

Stone paving around war memorial

Existing trees thinned to improve visual link from Polesworth Bridge to Abbey &

bring more light to new parsonage.Hedge reduced to 1.8m

Education area and additional parking

Cloister Lawn

Views from terrace over River Anker

Former Abbey reredorter? (Mown grass, raised level ground

Refectory building

Gravel path with plant pots

Lawn

St. Editha's Church

Gateway (restricted access)

Disabled parking

(2 spaces)

Churchyard Extension

Safe Route to School

Access to churchyard extension

0 5 10 15 20 25metres

N

Rev A (10 Mar 09): Incorporate drive proposals, new car park and general design amendments.

Rev B (20 Mar 09): Chruchyard extension added & other design amendments.

Rev C (24 Mar 09): Minor design amendments.

Buildings (existing/proposed)

Trees, shrubs and other planting

Roads & paths: bonded gravel & rolled loose gravel

Grass areas (lawn & longer grass/wildflower areas)

River Anker

Paved areas: stone paving, clay pavers

Key

Drawing No

Date

Drawing Title

Client

Askew Nelson Landscape ArchitectureIsland House, Lower High Street, Burford, Oxfordshire OX18 4RRT: 01993 824086 E: [email protected] W: askewnelson.com

Project

Polesworth PCC

Polesworth Abbey, Polesworth

Scale 1:500 @ A1

AN/004/02/P Rev C

11/07/08

Draft Restoration Master Plan

Polesworth Abbey - A Conservation Management Plan Appendix F: 1867 Report by G E Street

241

Appendix F: Copy of a report made by Mr G E Street, Architect on the present state of Polesworth Parish church, March1867 (WRO CR 369/9/30)

I consider that your church is a very interesting one, but it has been almost completely spoilt, in effect, by the various alterations, that have been made in it. The loss of the Chancel or Choir, the partial destruction of the Arches between the Nave and the North Aisle, the rebuilding of most of the South Wall of the Nave, and the destruction of the original roofs, are the most damaging among these alterations. In any attempt to improve the state of the Church, I should strongly advise you, to make whatever you do, part of a general plan, which would involve, in course of time, the complete remedy of all these defects. I should, therefore, propose, I. To erect a new chancel. This should extend about 35 feet beyond the present East Wall of the Nave, and would be the means of affording considerable accommodation for worshippers, whilst, at the same time, it would make an enormous improvement in the effect of the Church, both inside and out. II. I should then propose to reseat and refloor the whole of the Church. The seats are in bad condition and most uncomfortable and ill‐arranged. I should make them all open and uniform throughout the Church. III. With a view to making the space enclosed by the Tower, available to some extent, I should wish to introduce an Archway, into the South Wall of the Tower, opening into the New Chancel. The tower would then make a very good Vestry and Organ‐Chamber. IV. It would be necessary to restore the Nave and Aisle Roofs to their old steep pitch, and to restore the very interesting arcade of columns and arches, between the Nave and the North Aisle. These would be Architectural alterations of the highest importance to the appearance of the building; ‐ and the lead and timber of your roofs are in such a state, that I think it would be a desirable alteration to make, on every account. The erection of the new Roofs would involve also the restoration of the Western Gable of the Nave, and Aisle, which would very much improve its effect. V. Other repairs required, are, the restoration of the windows and insertion of some new ones, in the South Wall of the Nave; the restoration of the North Porch, which requires a new Roof; and entire new South Front, and the cleaning, scraping, and repairing of the whole of the walls and stonework. I can only, at present, give you a rough approximate estimate of the cost of these works, but I believe that they would amount to a sum of £2000. – Of this, I allow £500 for the new Chancel, £415 for new seats, (deal), and floors; and the remainder for the new roofs, (£600) and repairs of walls, windows, and stonework generally; opening the Tower; and providing new Pulpit etc.

Nicholas Palmer, Archaeological Consultant [email protected] Ellesmere, Leigh Terrace, Hunningham, Leamington Spa, CV33 9DU Tel 01926 632867

Documents

7. Statement of conservation principles · 2006 (NWBC 2006) remain in force ... historical and archaeological sites. Development affecting sites of known or potential ... issues)