Chapel-en-le-Frith Conservation Area Character Appraisal - Draft for public consultation

1 Part One

Summary

1.1 Chapel-en-le-Frith is situated within the Dark Peak and was once a royal hunting ground. It gets its name from the Chapel that was built in the forest and on the site of  the current Church.   The town developed as an important stopping point along packhorse trade routes and became an important administrative centre and focus for trade.

1.2 Whilst Chapel appears as a town that predominately developed from the mid 19th century, settlement patterns from the middle ages still exist.  The church and market place became the focus of early activity and medieval components with later development spreading along Market Street and High Street in the 18th and 19th Century.

1.3 In summary the main characteristics can be described as follows:

• Significant historic value given the remains of the medieval settlement pattern around the market area and Market Place. 

• The topography of the area that gives rise to significant long distance views of the surrounding hills.

• High townscape value of the market area, Market Place and Terrace Road with its high density development and survival of traditional surface materials.

• 19th century commercial development along Market Street with its mix of styles, materials and scale.

• Its importance as a centre for trade and its position along the early packhorse routes and turnpike roads.
  
• Survival of and reinstatement of traditional surface materials.

Background Information

1.4 The High Peak area (excluding the Peak District National park) has 32 designated conservation areas. These are defined  as ‘an area of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which its is desirable to preserve or enhance’ⁱ.

1.5 Each conservation area has a distinct character which can be derived from a number of factors such as; topography; historical development; townscape value; open spaces; traditional street furniture and surfaces.

1.6 Planning Policy Guidance 15 – Planning and the Historic Environment stresses the need for local planning authorities to define and record the special characteristics of each conservation area.  The existence of a clear definition of an area’s character helps reduce uncertainty for owners and developers and provides a sound basis, defensible on appeal,  for local plan policies and development control decisions.

1.7 A local authority’s performance in conservation area designation, appraisal and management proposals is currently the subject of a heritage “Best Value performance Indicator” (BV219). The formal requirements of BV219b expects local authorities to publish character appraisals for new and existing conservation areasⁱⁱ. 

1.8 The Chapel-en-le-Frith Conservation Area was designated in 1971 and its original boundary extended in 1994 and again in 2004.  The Council completed a detailed character appraisal for the area in June 1999.  It is considered good practice to regularly review appraisals to keep them up to date. As such, this document has been updated in accordance with the published English Heritage Guidance entitled ‘ Guidance on Conservation Area Appraisals - 2005’.

1.9 The final document will be prepared subject to full public consultation as set out in the Council’s ‘Statement of Community Involvement’.

Planning Policy Context

1.10 Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 Act imposes a duty on local planning authorities to designate conservation areas.  Conservation area designation is the main instrument available to authorities to promote and deliver conservation policies for a particular area. Designation introduces a general control over the demolition of unlisted buildings and provides the basis for policies designed to preserve or enhance all the aspects of character or appearance that define an area's special interest.

1.11 Planning Policy Guidance 15 – Planning and the Historic Environment  provides a full statement of Government policies for the identification and protection of historic buildings, conservation areas, and other elements of the historic environment.

1.12 The Council’s local policies for conservation areas are contained within Chapter 5 – Conservation and Enhancement of the Built Environment of the High Peak Local Plan – Adopted March 2005 and relate to the following policies:

BC5 – Conservation Area and their Setting

BC6 – Demolition in Conservation Areas

1.13 In the future policies for the enhancement and protection of conservation areas and the built environment will be formulated through the emerging Local Development Framework scheduled for adoption in 2011.

1.14 The Chapel-en-le-Frith Conservation Area was designated in 1971 and since that date it has been extended a number of times. The current boundary is shown on Map 1.  This map also identifies other statutory designation within the area, namely; listed buildings; scheduled monuments and tree preservation orders. 

Location and Context

1.15 Chapel-en-le-Frith is surrounded by impressive hills and sits within the settled valley pastures of the Dark Peakⁱⁱⁱ  .  On the lower slopes this is a pastoral landscape which higher up gives way to an area of rich ecological value.  This dramatic topography developed as a result of erosion by millstone grit, shale and limestone deposits, along with the Wye Valley glacier that moved in a south-easterly direction through the valley.  The wider landscape has a strong network of winding lanes and roads with railways along the floodplain.

1.16 Chapel lies along what used to be the main route from Manchester to Buxton.  however traffic movement through the centre of the town was alleviated in 1987 by the opening of the Chapel by-pass.

1.17 The boundary of the Conservation Area (see Map 1), has been drawn tightly around the centre of the town to include predominantly 18th and 19th century development, along with several medieval components^iv .  Thereby protecting significant elements of its historical evolution.

1.18 This appraisal is not exhaustive.  Any building, feature or site not mentioned in the appraisal will not mean that it does not positively contribute to the character of the conservation area.

Origins and History of Chapel-en-le-Frith

1.19 The 40 square mile area bordered by the Rivers Goyt, Etherow, Derwent and Wye was once covered by the Royal Forest.  The 13th century saw this area of woodland used as a vast hunting ground by Norman and Angevin Kings, and formed part of the ancient parish of Hope.

1.20 Foresters in two areas were given permission in 1225 by the Earl of Derby to build a chapel in the Forest. Hence the origins of the town's name Chapel-en-le-Frith.

1.21 The chapel was built on the prominent site where the present church now stands, and was dedicated to Thomas á Beckett.  The chapel was originally used, not only as a place of worship, but also as a court of law and a meeting place.  It was also used as a prison in 1648, when 1500 Scottish soldiers were imprisoned for 16 days.

1.22 The settlement of Chapel soon developed around the church and quickly became a centre of trade and government.  By 1250 there were 20 people holding land within the area. The settlement was an important stopping point for packhorses on the trade routes, which ran between Cheshire and Yorkshire.

1.23 The settlement pattern that developed in the Middle Ages still exists today. Although, widespread rebuilding of domestic properties, using more substantial materials, took place in the reign of Elizabeth I.  Stone became the main building material, and  mullion windows and stone-slated roofs appeared, that are so characteristic of the High Peak area today.

1.24 The form of the town developed around the Market Place and church at its central core.  The cattle market provided the town’s trade focus and bustling livelihood.  The cattle market was moved from this site many years ago and then ceased to exist altogether.  Today there is an open-air market on this site every Thursday.  One of the key features of the Market Place is the Old Stocks.  These have recently been renovated and could date back to the Cromwellian period. The Market Cross is contained on the County list of Scheduled Monuments as published by English Heritage (March 1996).

1.25 The Market Place and old town are situated on rising land behind the main road - Market Street.  The old town is partially hidden behind the facades of development along this route. However,  two flights of stone steps give access to its narrow streets and alleyways.

1.26 Key streets  within the old town are Church Brow and Terrace Road, once forming one of the primary routes through the town.  The character, history and origins of the old town is illustrated by the area's setted streets and stone terraced cottages.

1.27 Development spread from the central core along Market Street to the east and High Street to the west.  Key buildings from this period include the Hearse House (1818) on Market Street (now a Visitors Centre) and the Primitive Methodist Bethel  (1852) which is now occupied by a firm of joiners.  Market Street also has a number of terraced cottages dating from the early to mid 19th century including two former weavers Cottages. 

1.28 The Vicarage, (1840), was one of the earlier buildings along High Street. This was built around the same time as the adjoining infant school building.  Properties such as the listed building at 16 High Street, built in the late 18th century is a further example of earlier development and provides an exemplar example of a well preserved traditional building.

1.29 More recently there have been several new housing developments within the conservation area, these are:

• 2a/2b Rowton Grange Road
• Miry Meadow
• Sunday School Square

Building Types, Traditional Details and Materials

1.30 The older buildings within the conservation area date from The Church of St Thomas á Beckett^v , through to late 19th century, terraced properties.

1.31 Coursed gritstone rubble is the predominant material used for walls and chimneys, with dressed gritstone for window and door surrounds.  Welsh blue slate is now the most common roofing material although, a number of earlier stone slate roofs still survive.

1.32 Although gritstone is by far the most common building material within the conservation area several buildings, including 38, 27 and 13 Market Street have been constructed from red brick.

1.33 The Bulls Head^vi is one of the few properties along Market Place without a gritstone facing.  Instead it is finished in rusticated stucco on stone with gritstone dressings.

1.34 The earliest development centred on the Church and was concentrated along Market Place, Church Brow and Terrace Road.  Market Place itself has several properties dating from the 17th century. Although, in most cases the front facade has been altered or remodelled.  These buildings sit side by side with later 19th century terraced properties.  As a result there is a uniformity of materials but, a vast array in the finish and size of stone door, window surrounds and their proportions.  The smaller door openings on Church Brow, with rough and irregular shaped stone surrounds, sit in complete contrast to the later properties along Market Place and Terrace Road. These display smooth gritstone lintels with square and semi-circular head doorways in finely cut dressed gritstone. 

1.35 Predominately stone details within the older parts of Chapel are quite crude.  Here gritstone slabs are used for sills and lintels with little attempt to achieve symmetry.  It is these details that illustrate the historical development of Chapel, whilst adding enormously to the character of the conservation area.  These crude and simple stone surrounds are not just confined to the old town. Along Market Street, to the western edge of the conservation area, early weavers cottages are intermingled with later 19th century development.

1.36 Unfortunately many of the traditional joinery details within the conservation area have been lost.  This is particularly acute among the residential properties and less so on the commercial properties, due to stricter planning restrictions.  Apart from the very early buildings, sliding sash windows would have prevailed. Their glazing bar sub-division would have differed from as many as eight lights over eight to one over one to reflect the building's period.  Very few surviving examples of these joinery details exist, having been replaced by modern stained or UPVC "look alikes".  It is these original details that greatly contribute to the character of an area and their retention must be encouraged. More recently the Council has been able to grant aid the reinstatement of traditional joinery details through the management of area partnership grant schemes. These schemes funded jointly by the County, Borough and English Heritage have been successful in restoring historic details to a number of traditional buildings within the conservation area.

1.37 Market Street, High Street and parts of Market Place have ground floor commercial uses. These are often accommodated in what would have originally  been domestic property.  Many of the shopfronts have been installed in the late 19th century providing fine examples of traditional Victorian joinery.  Again the partnership grant schemes has helped restore and reinstate traditional shopfronts.  Which overall has proved important in enhancing the protecting the character of the conservation area.

1.38 There are of course several buildings that due to their period of development, location or use differ slightly from the surrounding property.  For example, 11 High Street displays an unusually large front door opening with an impressive dressed stone surround, an example not seen elsewhere in Chapel.  The property can also boast particularly elaborate cast iron gutters resting on ornate brackets and traditional joinery details.

1.39 Both the Vicarage and School at the western end of High Street differ quite significantly from the rest of the conservation area.  Built in 1840 and 1839 respectively, of ashlar gritstone, they are quite considerable in size. They are  situated within their own grounds with impressive stone boundary walls .  Both properties also display stone mullion windows.

1.40 The majority of development within Chapel has developed up to the back of the pavement with only a handful of residential properties enjoying small forecourt gardens.

1.41 New development within the conservation area has been constructed in traditional materials of gritstone and slate roofs and integrate well in their environment. 

1.42 Chapel is fortunate in retaining much of its traditional surface materials.  The Market Place, Church Brow and Terrace Road all have setted carriageways - with stone pavements, kerbs and stone steps retained throughout most of the conservation area. In addition, through the conservation grants programme several areas have been enhanced by the reintroduction of natural materials^vii.

1.43 The building materials, traditional details and styles together, have a great effect upon the appearance of an area.  Within a conservation area this is even more so.  Therefore, it is important that such details are preserved or where lost, sensitively restored. It is not to say that change or development cannot occur but, where it does, should be sympathetically managed to reflect and indeed contribute to its character.

Landscape Quality

1.44 The Borough Council’s Landscape Character document identifies Chapel-en-le-Frith as an urban area lying within settled valley pastures. Here the underlying geology is gritstone and shale. The valley slopes are moderate to steep. There is a wooded character associated with this area with tree belts running along streams and cloughs.  This landscape type surrounds the town and given its topography is visible from many vantage points within the town centre.  It is this setting which contributes greatly to the character and landscape quality within Chapel and its surrounds.

1.45 Trees and tree cover play an important part in defining the character of an area and its landscape setting. Within the conservation area the tree cover is largely confined to two areas; The Churchyard and Pickford Meadow.  There is a Tree Preservation Order that covers the churchyard which contains some good specimen broad leaf trees which provide an enhanced setting for the church. The eastern boundary of the church is enclosed by the twelve apostle lime trees.  These trees actually lie within the footpath that leads down to Burrfields Road. This pattern of lime trees is mirrored by another group that follow the edge of the churchyard. Both these linear groups provide a strong visual boundary to the edge of the churchyard and a significant focal point at the end of Market Place. 

1.46 Pickford Meadow is criss crossed by low stone boundary walls and mature broad leaf trees of sycamore and oak.

• Back to Top

• Next