Design And Access Statement June 2016 The Grey House, Forton

The Grey House, Forton
Design And Access Statement
June 2016
1863 The Gre y House, Forton
Site Analysis
June 2016
Site Analysis
The Grey House is located in the rural civil parish of Forton,
which lies within the borough of Wyre in Lancashire. Situated at
the end of a track which runs north off Ratcliffe Wharf Lane, The
Grey House stands in nucleus of buildings named Jackson Hill.
Originally a farming nuceleuse these buildings have now been
repurposed for residential use. The Grey House is visually, the
most prominent in the foreground of the view looking north
from Ratcliffe Wharf Lane.
The Grey House
The Grey House consist of main south-facing block, with fine
ashlar masonry on the front and west elevations of this block,
unlike the rubble stone of the remainder of the house. The front
elevation contains sash windows and doorway cornice, typical
architectural vocabulary of the 1840s. Leading off this block to
the east is a projecting stair tower characterised by roundheaded stair light. To the rear of the stair tower, a central block
contains the kitchen, which contains 30-pane ground floor sash
window in its east wall. Attached to this is a two-storey rear
service wing, built in two stages, the front element being the
earliest. There are two notable modern additions: a small leanto extension grafted on to an existing porch at the junction of the kitchen and rear wing, and a conservatory inserted betwee n the latter and the residential block.
Surrounding Buildings
The appearance of the buildings of Jackson hill are largely 18 th to 19 th century – the converted barn north of the Grey House is dated 1825 – therefore the site is likely to be of earlier
origin. The cluster consists of four dwellings, the two to the north are accessed by a separate track leading off ratcliffe w harf lane, whilst the other is currently accessed via the same
track that leads to The Grey House. The further surroundings are predominantly flat countryside of a coastal hinterland bisec ted by the Preston and Lancaster Canal, which runs approximately 100 metres east of the house.
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1863 The Gre y House, Forton
June 2016
Site Analysis
The Grey House
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1863 The Gre y House, Forton
Design Brief
June 2016
Opening up of wall separating kitchen from store within rear wing
The proposal is to adapt this part of the building to modern living by creating an enlarged kitchen via opening up a section of the crosswall separating it from the store to the rear.
The kitchen is of modern appearance and contains no features of interest, while the store is devoid of features apart from it s fireplace, which would be unaffected by the proposed
designs. Substantial nibs will be retained to show where the crosswall stood. As the significance of the listed building lies primarily in its 19th century or earlier fabric and features,
which will be unaffected by these works, the proposal will preserve this significance.
Removal of lean-to rear extension
The proposal is to remove the modern lean-to rear extension. This was a recent addition and its removal would have a negligible contribution to the significance of the listed building.
In its place will be a new kitchen entrance designed to reflect the appearance of the 30-pane ground floor sash window in the east wall. Additional sliding panels will replace the other internal opening on the east side of the storage room. The new elevations should reflect the stone used in the traditional building as well as defining this area as a new addition to
the existing building.
Materials
The stonework used will match existing courses and use lime based mortar.
Timber windows to be specified throughout but the new sliding door may be of aluminium to achieve a long lasting weather proo f finish from outside to inside.
Proprietary roof lights with aluminium finish to be added to existing building.
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1863 The Gre y House, Forton
Driveway
June 2016
Analysis Design
Multiple design options were considered. A focus was made to increase the natural light entering into the expanded kitchen ar ea without taking away from the traditional features of
house. Another requirement was to enhance the relationship between the eastern elevation with the garden and the views beyond .
Design Options
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1863 The Gre y House, Forton
The Grey House Existing
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June 2016
1863 The Gre y House, Forton
The Grey House Proposed Design
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June 2016
1863 The Gre y House, Forton
Driveway
June 2016
Reinstatement of carriage drive from Ratcliffe Wharf Lane
To the front of the building is a gravelled parking area leading off the track from Ratcliffe Wharf Lane, this also leads to the barn to the north of The Grey House and to the another residence within Jackson Hill.
The reinstatement of carriage drive from Ratcliffe Wharf Lane will provide separate access to The Grey House as apposed to us ing the existing farm track. The carriage drive can be seen
in the historic mapping data. It was an important element in the early 19 th century gentrification of the building. Its reinstatement would enhance the significance of the building and its
setting as it would recreate the sense of approach that once existed, and therefore assist in understanding the early 19 th century rebuilding which created the house as it is seen today.
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