Methley Church Side CA Appr - Leeds City Council

20 Pages·2008·2 MB·English

Methley Church Side is a
place of special character
and historic interest.

This appraisal and management plan sets
out the features that contribute to its
distinctiveness and identifies opportunities
for its protection and enhancement.

Methley Church Side

C O N S E R V A T I O N A R E A A P P R A I S A L

& M A N A G E M E N T P L A N

OCTOBER 2008
Summary surrounding countryside and the • Promote and deliver enhancements
sequential, unfolding views along the that will strengthen the sense of
dog-leg bends of the principal road. place of the village core.
Summary of special interest
Historically Methley Church Side formed • The diverse built environment, • Ensure future change respects the
the church focus of the wider medieval dominated by late 19th century rural character of the village.
residential buildings, but also
township of Methley. Until the 18th
including a late 17th century • Encourage the protection of
century it was a small agricultural
farmhouse, a number of 18th surviving historic detail and the
hamlet dominated by the church and
century buildings, as well as the reinstatement of appropriately
Church Side Farm. The 19th century
Grade I listed medieval church. detailed fittings in the defined
saw the expansion of the settlement
positive buildings.
into a village, with development • Common materials unify the village
St Oswald’s church is the historic
including a number of large detached scene - sandstone, brick and stucco- • Establish a list of locally significant
focus of the village
residences, a school, two red-brick covered rubble, with roof coverings buildings and policies for their
terraces and a purpose-built public of stone slate and blue slate. protection.
house.
• Historic boundary treatments - stone • Ensure that all new development,
The trees, green spaces and strong
boundary walls with copings, ornate including any future redevelopment
connection with the surrounding
gate piers and cast iron gates. of the school site, is sustainable,
countryside help retain the rural
high quality, well designed 21st
character of the village, despite the • Mature trees and green spaces - the
century architecture that responds to
neighbouring suburbanisation. tree-lined cricket field, tranquil its historic context.
churchyard and boundary-belt
Key characteristics:
planting of large plots to the south. • Promote public realm enhancements
• The flat topography creates an open
within the conservation area as
character.
opportunities arise. Ensure that
Summary of issues and Roadside development forms the
• The simple settlement form is based opportunities future public realm works respect central core of the village
and enhance the special character of
on one principal road (Church Side)
The protection and enhancement of the the conservation area.
with its distinctive dog-leg bends
special character of the conservation
defining the village core.
area depends on the positive • Ameliorate the negative impact of
• The contrast between the large grain conservation management of the traffic and traffic management
of development to the south - with village. In addition to the existing measures on the special character of
substantial buildings set within large national statutory legislation and local the conservation area.
plots, and the finer grain of planning policy controls the following
• Develop a tree strategy to guide
development to the north - with opportunities for protection and
future positive management.
smaller more regular plots and enhancement have been identified:
buildings directly addressing the • Promote and celebrate the special
• Assess other areas in the wider
road. architectural and historic interest of
township of Methley to see if further
the conservation area.
• Views - to the church tower - the conservation areas should be
principal landmark of the village, designated, as resources allow. Green space and trees are
essential to the rural character of
around the cricket field, out to the
the village
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Location and context

Methley is located 11 km (7 miles) to
the south west of Leeds on the main
route to Pontefract and Doncaster
(A639). The railway line between Leeds
and Castleford forms the eastern
boundary of the conservation area.
Methley is often used to refer to a wider
conglomeration of hamlets and villages
Methley in its wider setting
located in an area of flat-lying land
between the rivers Aire, to the north,
and Calder to the south. However, the
conservation area, first designated in
1975, is tightly focused on the small
village that developed around St
Oswald’s church and will be referred to
as Methley Church Side.
Geology, topography and
landscape setting
Methley is located on the Leeds Coal
Measures with alternating sandstone
and shale deposits, coal and
accompanying scat-earths. The
surrounding landscape has been
This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey Landscape setting is important to
radically altered as a result of extensive on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised
Green belt reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. the rural character of the village
mining and subsequent land (100019567) 2008
reclamation.
Methley Church Side conservation area
The village sits on the level plateau of
alluvial and fluvial glacial deposits of the creating long-ranging, open views. Land area. The majority of the village is
Rivers Aire and Calder. A distinctive rises gently to the west where the within a designated Green Belt area.
circular boundary to the south of the remnant medieval parkland of Methley Residential 20th century development
church marks an oxbow of a former Hall endures and has outlived the house
relating to the neighbouring settlements
water course and defines the boundary itself, which was demolished in 1963.
of Wood Row, to the north, and
between the upper (north) and lower
The river valley deposits have created Mickletown, to the north east, are
(south) terraces of sands and gravels.
fertile agricultural land that forms the adjacent to the current boundary, with
The topography of the settlement and predominant setting of the conservation Pinder Green to the south, separated by
the surrounding area is very flat, green fields.
Land rises to the west, otherwise
the terrain is very flat
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Historic development Saxon structure or a Norman building of 14th and 15th centuries and the 19th Site of moated
late 11th / early 12th century date. century restorations. It is particularly manor house
noted for the nationally significant
Prehistoric activity collection of monuments including
The medieval manor
medieval, 17th and 18th century
The surrounding landscape was densely
During the medieval period, Methley examples, some relating to the
occupied during the prehistoric period.
Church Side was the church focus of the Waterton and Savile families.
A large number of worked flint
wider manor. The settlement was a
implements have been found in the The remainder of the medieval hamlet
small hamlet dominated by the church
area dating to the Mesolithic and is likely to have been agricultural in
and located on a main road.
Neolithic periods. Crop marks, visible on character. Later historic maps show the Methley
aerial photographs of the fields The core of the manor was at remains of an extensive medieval strip Hall
surrounding the village, show the Mickletown to the north east, connected field system surrounding the village
archaeological remains of an extensive by the secondary routes of Church Lane characterised by long, sinuous
Iron Age and Romano British landscape and Little Church Lane and a lost track boundaries, now largely lost. Methley Hall and parkland, 1786
of fields, lanes, enclosures and ring crossing fields that continues to be (Local Studies Library)
ditches overlying an earlier Bronze Age marked by Harrison’s Bridge under the
17th and 18th century Methley
landscape with burial barrows. railway.
The village continued to be
The site of a moated manor house
characterised by its church focus and
Domesday Medelai survives to the north west, retained as
agricultural setting until the 19th
The Gutter Pond, a parkland feature in
The manor of Methley is recorded in the century.
the landscaped grounds of Methley Hall.
Domesday survey of 1086 when it was
The Hall itself was built in the 15th The first detailed maps of the area date
known as Medelai. This is thought to
century by the Waterton family, then to the 18th century. A survey of 1773
mean middle water-land, that is land
Lords of the Manor. The Savile family depicts the hamlet surrounded by the
between two rivers and is a
succeeded the Watertons and largely medieval strip field system.
topographical reference to the location
rebuilt the hall between c1590-1612. It Development consists of the church
between the Aire and Calder rivers. Methley Hall demolished in 1963
was remodelled in a Neo-classical with a number of roadside buildings to
(Methley Community Archives)
The Domesday entry notes the Palladian style in the late 18th century, the north including 28 Church Side, an
existence of a Saxon church - a church with an imposing gothic front added 18th century brick cottage and yard.
is there and a priest and the dedication between 1830-36 designed by the The triangular plot of Churchside Farm
to Oswald, King of Northumbria (635- eminent architect Anthony Salvin. Sadly is also marked. The 17th century
641) is typical of such an early the Hall was demolished in 1963 farmhouse is the oldest surviving
foundation. following years of dereliction. However, secular building in the conservation
remnant parkland and estate features area. Its lead rainwater head has a date
The archaeological remains of an early
church were discovered during the 19th survive and continue to characterise the of 1642 and the initials IMS probably
landscape. refer to the then lord of the manor,
century restoration of St Oswald’s. The
John Savile and his second wife
foundations of a thick-walled, aiseless The church of St Oswald was rebuilt
Margaret. The building is sometimes
building with a western chamber were during the Norman period and 12th
called The Old Rose and Crown recalling
uncovered. There is debate over century stonework survives in the lower
its historic use as a roadside inn. The
whether these remains relate to a courses of the north wall of the nave.
adjacent farmyard to the west has been St Oswald’s church. The late 18th
Today the church largely dates from the
century spire was removed in 1937
(undated photograph, Leodis)
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church hamlet more than doubled in
size during the second half of the 19th
century.
The landscape was changing. The North
Midland Railway connecting Leeds,
Derby and Rotherham opened in 1840
cutting through the medieval
agricultural landscape. Its embanked
form remains a strong feature in the
landscape, and marks the eastern
boundary of the conservation area.
17th century Church Side Farm-
house, also known as the Old Rose Mineral extraction radically changed the
and Crown (plot 273 on 1786 map) surrounding landscape and wider
township. Records show that coal had
been mined locally for domestic use
since the 14th century but from the late
18th century there was an intensification
of activity. Initially bell pits and drill
mines were used to increase
production, but from the mid 19th
century, as the demand for coal
increased rapidly, deep mines such as
Methley Junction (1845-50) and Savile
(1874-78) were sunk. These
developments led to an influx of
Church Side farmyard in 2000, workers and their families to the area
prior to redevelopment and population levels rose dramatically.
The new houses and supporting
infrastructure required to accommodate
this influx radically changed the nature
of the wider township.
Extract from the 1786 map of the Township of Methley (Local Studies Library)
Methley Church Side expanded to the
north initially with the construction of
redeveloped for residential use and has small property is marked on the
Methley Villa also known as Holmes Villa
lost its agricultural character. opposite side of the road to 28 Church
(now 9 and 11 Little Church Lane). The
Side (plot 280). The church is not
A more detailed map of Methley villa was built between 1844 and 1846
depicted but the church yard is marked.
Township, surveyed 13 years later in and by 1851 was the home of John
1786 shows a number of additions to 19th century industrial Methley Holmes, a successful draper (the JH of
the hamlet. The Cedars, originally the front elevation crest). The 1848
18th century 28 Church Side, The impact of the industrial revolution
known as Church Side, is shown in its Ordnance Survey (OS) first edition 6”
relates to an earlier, lower road led to an acceleration of change and the
landscaped grounds (plot 282) and a map shows it within its ornamental
level (plot 279 on 1786 map)
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gardens, with an orchard to the south. Late 20th century and early 21st century
A numb er of buildings are shown to the residential development has taken
north and include the surviving 1 Little place. Semi-detached properties have
Church Lane & 81 Church Lane and the been built overlooking the cricket
semi-derelict sandstone and brick ground, on the north side of Church
workshop adjoining the rear of the villa, Lane, and the cul-de-sac developments
later marked as a smithy on the 1892 of Churchside Villas and The Orchards
OS 1:2,500 map. have formed infill developments
between the Little Church Lane terraces
Development also took place on former
and the railway.
glebe land to the south of the church
with the construction of the National
School c1847 and the Rectory between Archaeological potential
1865-1867. The Rectory was built by
Archaeological deposits and building
Rector Philip Savile, a younger son of
archaeology have the potential to
the Earl of Mexborough, and the
provide further evidence of the
building was designed by Anthony
settlement’s origins, development and
Salvin, who had previously worked for
evolution. There is particular potential
the family at Methley Hall.
for evidence relating to:
By the first edition 1:2500 OS map of
• Prehistoric activity
1892 two terraces of industrial housing
• Saxon activity - relating to the early
had been added along Little Church
Lane, overlooking a cricket ground that church and any associated
had been created from a former field. settlement focus
To the north of Methley Villa the three- • Medieval activity – including the
storey pair and adjacent two-storey building phases of the church,
double-fronted house (now 3 - 7 Little development of the settlement and
Church Lane) had been built. Within the agricultural activity.
village core the ‘new’ Rose and Crown,
with rear stable yard had been
Historic associations
constructed to the east of the Old Rose
and Crown, the 17th century farmhouse. Methley has historic associations with
1st edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2,500, 1892 the composer Edward Elgar (1857-
20th century to the present 1934), who was a visitor at The Cedars
World War army hospital building. It The Cedars. The school closed a during the Embleton family’s residence.
Subsequent change within the was demolished in 1970. number of years ago and the site is
The sculptor Henry Moore (1898-1986),
conservation area has been limited. A currently for sale.
A Police Station was built in Little who was born at nearby Castleford, was
parish hall was added to the immediate
west of the school in 1920. This timber- Church Lane in 1949 and is now in The Salvin rectory was sold off by the first inspired by the gargoyles and
residential use. church in the mid 1960s when
framed, weather-boarded structure on monumental sculpture of St Oswald’s
maintenance costs had become an
brick pillars and was a relocated First Methley Infant School was built in 1952 church.
issue. A replacement rectory was built
on land previously in the ownership of
to the south of the school.
6
This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey
material with the permission of Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey
on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s

Stationary Office © Crown copyright. Unauthor- Stationary Office © Crown copyright. Unauthor-
ised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and ised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and
may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings.
(100019567) 2008 (100019567) 2008

Historic development Historic analysis

7
Spatial analysis and creates its open character.
Buildings frame the north, east and
southern edges, directly addressing the
Settlement form field and augmenting its special sense
of place.
Methley Church Side is located on flat
lying terrain, with land falling gently Development to the south and east of
away to a lower river terrace to the the church is characterised by its large
south. This topography promotes an grain, with substantial, detached
open character in the settlement with buildings set back from the roadside
wide ranging views out to the within large grounds and partially
surrounding fields to the west and concealed behind strong boundary
south. The embanked railway line forms treatments. In contrast, the residential
a strong boundary to the eastern side of ribbon development along Little Church
the conservation area and blocks views Lane has a much finer grain, shaped by
to the agricultural landscape beyond. It the small, regular plots and strong build
also serves as a boundary between the line of the terraced developments. The
suburban development of Mickletown large plots and set-back building siting
and the more rural character of Methley of Methley Villa (now 9 and 11 Little
Church Side. Church Lane Railway Church Lane) and the former Police
Bridge is a key gateway between the Station provide variation in form. The
two settlements. plot size and footprint of the former
Methley Infant School disregards the
The village has a simple settlement
spatial hierarchy of the village.
form focused along the main spinal
route of Church Side. The double dog- The 20th century development of semi-
leg, meandering form of the road, as it detached houses on Church Lane
passes through the village, strengthens relates more to the Mickletown suburbs
the settlement focus and underlines the than Methley Church Side. Later 20th
This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey
sense of ‘place’. The historic core and 21st century residential infill material with the permission of Ordnance Survey
remains the focus today, centred on the developments are arranged in cul-de- oSnta tiboenhaarylf Oofffi ceth ©e CCoronwtrno llceor pyorfi ghHt.e r UMnaajuetshtoyr’s-
set-back church and large churchyard, sac form in set-back locations. ised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and
may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings.
with road-fronting development to the (100019567) 2008
A number of undeveloped fields are
north.
included at the southern extent of the
The framework of the village is conservation area. The field to the Spatial analysis
influenced by the underlying pattern of south of the former Rectory has a tree
the earlier field system. A number of lined boundary which is historically
the present day boundaries fossilise the significant marking the division between
line of former field divisions. the cultivated medieval strip field
system and the open common to the
The cricket field forms an important
south marked as ‘Windmill Common’ on
green space that dominates the
the 1773 map.
northern part of the conservation area
8
Key views and landmarks

• The church tower is the principal
landmark of the village and the focus
of many of the key views.
• Views across the cricket field to the
church tower, framed by Church Side
Farmhouse and the Rose and Crown,
are the defining views of the village.
These important scenes are, to some
extent, diminished by the visual The view in c1910, the church with
impact of the cricket nets, pylon and its spire and less tree cover (Methley
inappropriate streetlamps. Historic Community Archives)
photographs show that the church
tower has become more obscured by
the maturing churchyard trees.
• Views south along Little Church Lane
terminate on the church tower.
• Open views around the Cricket Field
are important.
• Long ranging views out to the
surrounding green fields to the south
and west create a strong link
The redeveloped farmyard is the
The defining view of the village - the landmark church tower seen across
between the village and its landscape
focus of initial views approaching
the cricket field
setting.
the village from the north
• The redeveloped residential complex,
on the site of Church Side farmyard,
forms an important termination to
initial views into the village on arrival
from the north.
• The dog-leg bends of the road create
unfolding, sequential views through
the village. Along the principal road
views are often contained by roadside
development and the strong
boundary treatments of stone walls
and mature trees. The winding course of the road Views are tightly contained by Views to open fields closely tie the
creates unfolding views through roadside development and strong village to its rural setting
the village boundary treatments
9
This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey
material with the permission of Ordnance Survey
Built environment on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s
Stationary Office © Crown copyright. Unauthor-
ised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and
may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings.
Architectural characteristics (100019567) 2008
Methley Church Side has a diverse
range of historic buildings. The use of
common materials unifies the buildings
to some extent, but overall it is their
variety of date, form and original
function that defines the special
character of the village.
Sandstone is the dominant
Earliest survivals include the medieval building material of the village,
church and the 17th century farmhouse, 1-5 Little Church Lane
with late 18th century buildings
including The Cedars, a small country
house. Late 19th century structures
predominate and include public
buildings, such as the National School
and the Rose and Crown, and a range
of domestic styles including stone built
houses, red brick terraces and a
stuccoed villa.
There are relatively few listed buildings,
with five entries in the register including
the church and two groups of chest
Listed building
Brick is common, early 19th cen-
tombs and gravestones, the former
National School of c1847 and the 17th Positive Structure tury handmade brick and stone
slate roof, 30 Church Side
century farmhouse. The majority of
buildings within the conservation area Built environment analysis
are unlisted historic buildings that make
Materials A dark red-brown 18th century
a positive contribution to the character
handmade brick is used at 28 Church
of the village. The predominant building materials of
Side, with a similar brick used in the
the village are sandstone, brick and
Methley Church Side’s 20th and 21st adjoining early 19th century 30 Church
stucco covered rubble, with roofing of
development has added little to the Side. Later machine-made red brick is
sandstone slate and later blue slate.
character of the village. The mid 20th used in the late 19th century industrial
century single storey school pays little Sandstone is the dominant building terraces of Little Church Lane.
attention to its setting and recent material and is used both as squared
Brick is also used in smaller extensions,
residential development has had a and coursed masonry and as more
outbuildings and for chimney stacks.
tendency to suburbanise the rural irregular rubble.
Unusually a building to the rear of 3-7
character of the village. Little Church Lane is of mixed Stucco covers rubble and brick,
Methley Villa, 9 & 11 Little
Church Lane
10