SST1492_HECA_East_Staffordshire_Appendix_3_HECZs_Uttoxeter
Original Date/Time
August 2013
Title
SST1492_HECA_East_Staffordshire_Appendix_3_HECZs_Uttoxeter
Description
Executive Summary
The landscape of East Staffordshire is defined by its historic character which is dominated by a variety of field systems. Early piecemeal enclosure, of mostly post medieval date, dominates the landscape of the north and west; whilst 18th/19th century planned landscapes (including the road network) dominates the central area particularly associated with the former Needwood Forest. Woodland and settlement, comprising dispersed historic farms and cottages and villages both ancient and new, also make significant contribution to the areas historic character. The project areas
for the Historic Environment Assessment (hereafter HEA) are based around the hinterlands of the two main historic towns (Burton-upon-Trent and Uttoxeter); five settlements identified by East Staffordshire Borough Council as ‘Category 1 Strategic Villages’ (the former market town of Tutbury, Barton-under-Needwood, Rocester and Rolleston-on-Dove) and five settlements identified as ‘Category 2 Local Service Villages (the former market town of Abbots Bromley, Denstone, Draycott-in-the-Clay, Marchington, Mayfield (Church and Middle) and Yoxall) (cf. map 1).
The HEA aims to assess the potential for the historic environment of the project areas around the two Main Towns and the five Category 1 settlements to absorb new development and housing in particular. This has been carried out by dividing each of the project areas into ‘Historic Environment Character Zones’ (HECZs) and assessing the significance of the heritage assets of each zone. Overviews and recommendations are provided for the five Category 2 villages.
The assessment utilised guidance provided by English Heritage in their document ‘Conservation principles: policies and guidance for the sustainable management of the historic environment’. The assessment informed the development of a series of historic environment recommendations for each zone (these form Appendices 1 to 3 of the HEA; summaries can be found within the main report).
Summary of Assessment and Recommendations
The HEA found that the historic landscape character is well preserved across large areas of the Borough which were included within the area of study. A high proportion of historic field systems survive with post medieval piecemeal patterns dominating the north and west and with 18th/19th century planned enclosure, coinciding with the former extent of Needwood Forest, in the eastern portion. The greatest areas of change are associated with the expansion of the settlements around Burton-upon-Trent and Uttoxeter. A dispersed settlement pattern continues to dominate the remainder of the Borough comprising unplanned villages, hamlets and a high proportion of isolated traditional farmsteads scattered along and among narrow country lanes. Within the area of the former Needwood Forest isolated traditional farmsteads of 19th century date dominate, but the historic character of the road pattern (being comprised of wide straight roads) reflects the wider survey or planned landscape of this portion of the Borough.
Within the villages historic buildings originating as medieval or post medieval timber framed properties survive; the greatest numbers being concentrated in and around Yoxall. They also contribute significantly to the historic character of Abbots Bromley where timber framing is a particular feature of the settlement. The majority of the historic buildings, including the isolated farmsteads, are of red brick and appear to have 18th/19th century origins. To the north of the Borough there are a greater number of historic buildings constructed of local stone reflecting the upland character of this landscape. Elsewhere stone buildings tend to be restricted to the parish churches, as architectural dressings or associated with the polite architecture employed within larger estate centres.
Historical documentation and settlement plans reveal that at least five, probably six, medieval towns were established within what is now East Staffordshire Borough. Burton-upon-Trent and Uttoxeter were the most successful of these towns continuing as important market centres throughout the centuries with Burton in particular becoming a centre for industry, notably brewing. Tutbury and Abbots Bromley retain their historic character as small medieval market towns, Tutbury being dominated by its castle and the remains of a large earthwork town boundary. There is little documentary evidence that Rocester originated as a market town, but it is likely to have been promoted as such by the abbots of Rocester Abbey and there is evidence for town planning and a market place Newborough, the smallest of the settlements identified as originating as a market town, retains its market place within its street plan, but otherwise appears to have never developed beyond a small rural village. The built character of five of these settlements (with the exception of Rocester) has been considered in greater detail as part of the Staffordshire Extensive Urban Survey (EUS).
Landed estates have also contributed to the historic landscape of the borough in the form of landscape parks. Many of these estates are clustered around the planned landscape of the former Needwood Forest and are also associated with the large planned farmsteads. Several of the landscape parks in this area originated out of medieval deer parks. The landscape parks are also present to the north and west the largest of which include Blithfield Park, Wootton Park and Okeover Park.
Of particular importance within East Staffordshire Borough are the important prehistoric ceremonial and burial complexes and the early medieval settlement site of Catholme within the Trent Valley. This evidence, along with prehistoric sites excavated within the Dove and Tame valleys, has raised the potential for further important prehistoric, Roman and early medieval sites to survive within other river valleys in the Borough. Evidence for the Roman fort and vicus at Rocester has also been identified through archaeological work and this area has been designated a
Scheduled Monument by the Secretary of State. Whilst many sites have been identified from aerial photography and archaeological work there remains a high potential for other below ground remains to survive within these landscapes.
This document identifies those areas of particular historic sensitivity where special consideration should be given to the impact of development upon the legibility of the historic landscape character. Even where 20th and 21st century change has occurred there are often historic assets including specific historic field boundaries, which continue to contribute to the local character and which are also deserving of consideration within any future change.
Creator
Debbie Taylor (Staffordshire County Council)
Keywords
SST1492, Historic Environment Character Assessment, Uttoxeter, Barton-under-Needwood, Burton-upon-Trent, Rocester, Tutbury, Rolleston-on-Dove,
Date
August 13
Folder Tree
SCCData, SCCData/LibraryLinkFiles, SCCData/LibraryLinkFiles/Designations, SCCData/LibraryLinkFiles/Designations/HEA
Credit
PScript5.dll Version 5.2.2
Copyright
Staffordshire County Council
Caption
Historic Environment Character Assessment: South Staffordshire August 2013