This site (GNLP0056) is assessed as GREEN for "Historic Environment" yet the email below from Chris Bennett, Conservation Officer at SNC, in relation to a recent planning application (2017/2080) makes it clear that the current rural setting of Say's Farm House and it's former agricultural buildings would be damaged by development between it and the village centre and therefore by the development of Bell Meadow. I therefore object to the conclusion that this site is "Suitable" for residential development. It is noted that site GNLP0057, also in Wortwell, is assessed as AMBER for "Historic Environment" yet is no more sensitive in this respect than GNLP0056


From: Chris Bennett
Sent: 04 October 2017 16:13
To: Helen Bowman <HBowman@S-NORFOLK.GOV.UK> Subject: 2017/2080
Dear Helen
Conservation and Design Comments
Site visit 4/10/17
The site lies at the edge of the south part of Wortwell opposite Say's Farm and its former barns (now called Tyrells barn) which are both grade II listed https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1157452 & https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1050805 . The farmhouse has a broad elevation facing west and has some good interior features of historic interest, indicating that it was relatively high status as a farm house.
The historic setting of the buildings would have been open countryside, as indicated on the C19 OS map below. Development has since occurred to the south of the farmhouse, connecting the farm buildings to the south part of the settlement. To the north, visible linear development has taken place along the High Road.
Importantly however, the gap between the listed Bell Inn, C18 house and now pub https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1050801 , and the farmhouse complex, has remained undeveloped along Low Road, retaining the separation of the two distinctly separate parts of the settlement, and allowing the open countryside to filter into the village and preserving to a significant extent the setting of the listed buildings. The historic footpath from the north end of the barn buildings to the rear of the pub is still maintained, and preserves an historic connection between the historic buildings across a field.

Late C19 OS Map
Discussion on proposal
The addition of a further dwelling on the opposite side of the Low Road to the listed buildings will reduce how they are viewed within the setting of open countryside in terms of views in the approaches along Low Road. The gap provides an historically important separation between two distinct parts of the settlement as well as providing the setting for the listed buildings. An addition of a dwelling will erode this gap.
Conclusion
I therefore consider that the proposed new dwelling on this site will result in harm to the setting of the listed buildings through further reducing how they are viewed within an area of open countryside, and also affect the important preserved gap of open countryside between the two distinct parts of the settlement. Being outline, there is insufficient detail to determine more exactly the level of harm of any building on the immediate setting of the adjacent listed buildings, however the principal of building on this site can be considered to result in a level of harm when considering the planning balance.
Regards Chris
Chris Bennett
Senior C & D Officer
t 01508 533828 e cbennett@s-norfolk.gov.uk www.south-norfolk.gov.uk