1 - Wrexham County Borough Council

CONTENTS
Chapter
Page
1.
Introduction
1
2.
Location
3
3.
Origins and Development
4
4.
Local Planning Issues
7
5.
Summary of Special Character
11
6.
Special Interest
13
The Sub-Areas
Sub-Area 1
RIver Dee banks and the Castle,
Church and Bridge
Sub-Area 2
The Cross and Castle Street,
Wrexham Road, Francis Lane and
Dee Lane
19
Sub-Area 3
Chapel Street, Chapel Lane
and Smithfield Street
27
Sub-Area 4
Bridge Street, Bridgeview, Cross St,
Church Street, Deeside, Frog Lane,
Green Street and Quakers Way
31
7.
Problems within the Conservation Area
35
8.
General Enhancement
Proposals
37
Glossary of Technical Terms
Appendices
Church of St. Chad
15
Castle Street
definition of its special architectural or historic
interest.
O
INTRODUCTION
1
A review strengthens and justifies definition of
the Conservation Area's special character and
allows a strategy to be developed that will
create a clear context for future development.
As an adopted Council document, it is a point of
Aim of the Holt Conservation Area
Assessment
Conservation Areas are "areas of special
reference for officers when exercising its
planning duties and grant-giving powers. This
should lead to a higher quality built environment
architectural or historic interest, the character
as a result of more informed decision-making by
or appearance of which it is desirable to
officers, developers and householders.
preserve or enhance".
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
A Conservation Area Enhancement Plan will be
produced at a later date, with detailed policies for the
Local Authorities are required by law to designate
improvement of the Conservation Area and will be
conservation areas and to formulate policies and
subject to public consultation. An Article 4(2)
proposals for their preservation and enhancement
Direction under the Town and Country Planning
Holt Conservation Area was designated on the 29th
August 1975 and was reviewed on 8th March 1999
when boundary changes were recommended and
approved.
The boundary review and character assessment is
(General Permitted Development) Order 1995 has
removed permitted development rights to the
frontages of properties within the Conservation Area.
The purpose of the above is to promote and
the first to be undertaken since its designation.
support developments that are in keeping with,
The purpose of it is as follows:-
or enhance, the character of Holt Conservation
O
Conservation Areas are designated under the
Planning (Listed Building and Conservation
Areas) Act 1990. Government policy on
Area. They are not attempts to stifle change.
The aim is to strike the right balance so that the
interests of conservation are given their full weight
conservation areas is incorporated in two sets of
against the need for change and development.
guidance (see Appendix 1). Both highlight the
This also meets the Council's responsibility for
need for strong conservation area policies in the
preserving and enhancing the character and
local plan, which should be based on a clear
appearance of the Conservation Area.
Railings at Castle Street
1
About Conservation Areas
Designating a Conservation Area is a matter for the
Local Planning Authority and is one made against
locally related criteria. 'Quality of Place' or 'local
distinctiveness' is the prime consideration.
The character of the Conservation Area can derive
from many factors including individual buildings;
building groups and their relationship with spaces;
architectural detailing; materials; views; colours;
landscaping; street furniture; and so on. It may also
draw on sounds, local environmental conditions or
historical changes. These qualities may change
throughout the course of the day and night. Such
elements of character cannot be directly
safeguarded. However, by protecting the buildings
and spaces formed between them, it is more likely
that the activities and uses that make up the
character of a place can be sustained.
Yew Tree Farmhouse, Wrexham Road
2
LOCATION OF HOLT
CONSERVATION AREA
2
Holt is located approximately five miles to the north
east of Wrexham and is situated on the border
between Wales and England. It lies on a flat
plateau above the south western banks of the River
Dee and faces the Cheshire village of Farndon
directly across the river to the north. The distinctive
red sandstone bridge that spans the River between
the two villages creates the ancient road link
between England and Wales.
The Conservation Area covers most of the
settlement of Holt. It excludes modern development
in Dee Park, Dee Meadows, West End Court,
Smithfield Drive, Cherry Orchard, Laburnum Way,
Whitegates Field and parts of Frog Lane and
Wrexham Road.
Holt Bridge
3
ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT
3
ring of castle fortresses in north east Wales along
In the Middle Ages, Holt flourished as a market
with Chirk, Ruthin and Denbigh to enforce the
town. The Cross, as now, was likely to have been
subjugation of the Welsh after Llewelyn ap
its commercial core. Norden's survey of 1619
Gruffydd, the Prince of Wales, failed in his attempt
recorded four shops to the ground floor of the town
for Welsh independence. The Castle was a
hall. A tying post for bull and bear baiting was
pentagonal fortress built within the quarried red
located at The Cross, as were stocks, where no
sandstone cliff face by John de Warrene, Earl of
doubt unruly inhabitants were locked and mocked.
Surrey. The adjacent parallel and straight streets
A medieval bridge, a ruined castle and an ancient
from the bridge to The Cross were carefully
church offer few clues to the historical significance
planned and laid out at this time and medieval
of this small border village.
Holt has a history dating back to the Early Bronze
Age (1500 BC), when pottery was discovered when
excavating a suspected Roman site to the north
west of the present settlement. The Roman
excavation revealed that Holt was the site of a
major tile and pottery factory, covering some 20
acres and comprising officers' dwellings, workers
barracks, a bath house, eight kilns, workshops and
drying sheds. Marked tiles link this depot with the
burgage plots established, many with a front
curtilage and rear croft.
The Borough of Holt was thus created and a charter
was granted in 1411. During Henry VIII's reign
(1509 - 1547) a survey of the area was carried out.
Holt was described as "…an ancient Borough
towne, but slenderly built with tymber worke
and the buildings standing yn [even] distance
the one from the other on the east side of
whiche towne there stondithe the castell…"
legionary fortress of Chester (Deva) approximately
ten miles away, on the River Dee. Much of the
archaeological artefacts are now in the National
Museum of Wales.
The village today, however, owes its existence to
the invasion of Wales by Edward I in the late 13th
Century, who conquered much of the historic Welsh
Marcher of Bromfield and Yale. Holt was seen as a
prime military site due to its strategic position
between Wales and England on the banks of the
Dee. The castle became part of Edward's inland
Thatched cottage, Green Street, 1683 (now demolished)
4
Holt Castle
By the 16th Century the markets of Holt were
largely overshadowed by Wrexham, the natural
centre of the region, and in the 17th Century the
village was further usurped by fairs in Farndon.
The Civil War in the 1640's between the
Roundheads and the Parliamentarians largely
destroyed the castle and several buildings in the
village, as well as its reputation as a medieval
military fortress. The many timber framed and
thatched houses lining the streets were decimated
by sword and fire, and the castle later plundered for
building material.
Holt slowly recovered and developed organically,
with 17th Century farmsteads and 17th and 18th
Century cottages gradually replacing the medieval
burgages. However, it is the Victorian period that
had the most impact architecturally. Buildings such
as The Academy in Castle Street, a non-conformist
school in which H.G. Wells taught; the former Holt
Reformed School in Castle Gardens; Kenyon Hall;
the Presbyterian Church, the Bethesda and Baptist
Chapels, and a number of town houses in Castle
Street and Bridge Street are such examples.
In 1883 the Municipal Corporations Act drew to a
close 600 years of Holt's chartered borough status.
Today, Holt remains a primarily agriculturally
dominated settlement, and enjoys an excellent
reputation in the strawberry trade, established in the
area for well over 100 years. Some shops and outlets
in the village also enjoy a reputation for high quality
that spreads well beyond the confines of the village.
The Academy, Castle Street
5
Development in the late 20th Century in Holt has
undoubtedly been influenced by the improvement of
roads, increased car ownership and the proximity to
larger cities, such as Chester, Liverpool and
Manchester. The outcome of living within such a
catchment area is that, inevitably, villages become
ideal commuter bases, with lower house prices than
cities and a higher standard of living.
In Holt, this has resulted in two factors - the
completion of the A534 Wrexham - Nantwich Road,
which by-passes Holt and Farndon approximately a
quarter of a mile to their north east, and the creation
of small housing estates. The removal of heavy
traffic from the village by the opening of the by-pass
has been a major boost for the quality of the village
environment. However, standard 'executive style'
housing types in line with consumer demand and
limited design choices have eroded the character of
the village. However, in more recent times, the
design of some later buildings have contributed to
the character of the Conservation Area.
Culs-de-sac typically associated with later
development have had a detrimental effect to its
medieval grid iron street pattern.
The Character Appraisal highlights the overall
qualities of the Conservation Area. It identifies
buildings and areas that require preservation and
enhancement. It is not intended to be
comprehensive and the omission of any particular
building, feature or space does not mean that it is
of no interest.
Picking the strawberries in the field
6
LOCAL PLANNING ISSUES
4
require Consent for Work to Trees. Controls in
Outline planning applications are not usually
Conservation Areas are not intended as a hindrance
accepted for sites within Conservation Areas since
to change, but as positive management of change.
the level of detail provided is rarely adequate.
The outward appearance of all properties in
Conservation Areas is vitally important. Owners
should bear in mind that inappropriate alteration
and the removal of traditional detail could have a
negative impact on the building and the
Detailed plans are always required for new
development, and pre-application advice on
proposals is always encouraged.
Conservation Protection
Planning Policy
Conservation Area. Such alterations do not usually
The community of Holt was resurveyed by CADW in
Local planning policy is contained in the 'Wrexham
increase the value of a property and may make it
1996 and 25 buildings are now listed. The majority
Maelor Local Plan: Forward to 2001', which
more difficult to sell.
is located within Holt Conservation Area, where
became operative in February 1996. Policies E13
An Article 4 (2) Direction was placed on the
to E18 are most relevant. They give priority to
whole area on 15th December 2000, which was
preservation and enhancement of those features
confirmed on the 15th June 2001. Under Article 4
within Conservation Areas that contribute to their
(2) permitted development rights are removed for
unique characters. This includes Listed Buildings
alterations to the frontages of dwelling houses
and Scheduled Ancient Monuments.
where they face a road, public footpath, waterway
The emerging Wrexham Unitary Development Plan
or bridleway. This means that planning permission
2011 will also be a material consideration in
may be required for changes that materially affect
determining planning applications affecting sites,
the appearance of the building frontage. The aim
and will eventually supersede the Wrexham Maelor
of the Direction is to ensure that any alterations or
Local Plan.
developments to the frontages and front curtilages
there are 18 listed buildings and structures, all of
which relate to the military, ecclesiastic, domestic
and agricultural aspects of Holt's history. Two
structures are listed Grade I, one is listed Grade II*
and the remainder Grade II. Two of the structures
are also Scheduled Ancient Monuments. There is
one Tree Preservation Order, covering 18 trees.
of dwelling houses are done in sympathy with the
Planning Control
special character of the area (see Appendix 2).
Managing change in Conservation Areas
You are advised to discuss any proposals with a
planning officer, who will be able to advise you
In order to protect its special character, certain
whether planning permission is required or not.
controls exist, which are over and above normal
Listed buildings and Tree Preservation Orders
planning permission. Alterations to the walls and
require separate consents for any works affecting
roof of a dwelling house may require planning
them. There is no fee required for Listed Building
permission. Demolition may require Conservation
Consent, Conservation Area Consent, Article 4(2)
Area Consent. Tree pruning and removal may
Directions, or Consent for Work to Trees.
Former Wages Office at Bellis’ Farm
7
LISTED BUILDINGS AND SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENTS
Building Name & Address,
Origins
Reason for Listing (and Other Points of Interest)
Current Use
Grade and Date of Listing
Holt Bridge, Bridge Street
C15th / 16th Medieval road bridge of significant importance to Wales.
Grade I
Red sandstone. Eight segmented arches with pitched stone
1963
coping to parapet. Holt Bridge is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Parish Church of St. Chad
14th Century An outstanding example of a Medieval Perpendicular aisled Parish Church.
Grade I
Local red sandstone. Altered in the 15th and 19th century by the Stanley family,
1963
and Ewan Christian and John Douglas respectively. Perpendicular panel tracery windows.
Road bridge
Church
Chancel and north aisle buttresses finished with decorative finials
Holt Castle, Deeside
Late C13th
Special Interest of its origins as a medieval castle.
Grade II*
Originally strategic medieval castle and fort of Edward I. Local red sandstone on boss
1963
from which it was quarried. Originally single ward regular pentagon, with tower at each
Ruinous
angle. Largely demolished after the Civil War, with material used to build Eaton Hall for
the Grosvenor Estate. Holt castle is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Deeside Farmhouse
C17th
Deeside
A good example of a local vernacular 17th century farmhouse, given late Georgian
Grade II
Red brick. Two storey. Slate roof. Camber headed small pane sash windows, with
1996
voissoirs. Red sandstone quoins.
Holt Hill, Green Street
C17th
Special Interest of the 18th century remodelling of an earlier house.
Grade II
Original house may be 1620 in date. Red brick with sandstone string courses to first floor
1952
and below parapet. 12 paned sash windows to front elevation.
Presbyterian Church,
Castle Street
1865
A good example of Presbyterian Church architecture by a noted architect,
T.M. Lockwood, architect of Chester containing a good contemporary interior scheme.
Grade II
Gothic Revival style, built of the local red sandstone. Slate roof. Front elevation has a
1996
stone belfry with decorated stone buttresses. Gabled entry porch with decorative iron
railings on a red sandstone wall.
8
Farmhouse
remodelling, which still retains features of interest.
Dwelling
Church
LISTED BUILDINGS AND SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENTS
Building Name & Address,
Origins
Reason for Listing (and Other Points of Interest)
Current Use
c.1865
Group value with the Presbyterian Church.
Dwelling
Grade and Date of Listing
The Manse, Castle Street
Grade II
Possibly also designed by T. M. Lockwood. Red brick with slate roof. Brick dentilled
1996
eaves cornice. Large canted bay windows to ground floor. Gabled porch.
1 Holt Hall, Castle Street
Early C18th
A surviving example of an early 18th Century town house.
Grade II
Two storey, rendered and painted white, with central pediment. Slate roof. Symmetrical
1952
wooden bay windows. Windows and doors have stone voissoirs and raised keystones.
Dwelling
Stone lintels. String course to first floor. May have 17th century origins.
2 Holt Hall, Castle Street
Early C18th
Grade II
A surviving example of an early 18th Century town house.
Dwelling/Food outlet
Details as above. Includes the Peking Garden Chinese Takeaway
1952
Smithfield House,
mid-late
A surviving example of a mid-late 17th Century farmhouse.
Castle Street
C17th
Three storey. Built of handmade red brick with red sandstone quoins. Slate roof.
Grade II
Dwelling
Painted stone porch with moulded pediment on consoles.
1996
Former Baptist Chapel,
1827
Chapel Street
A relatively early example of a Baptist Chapel with good architectural detailing.
Grade II
doorway with open pedimented hood. Moulded wooded architrave surround with console
1996
details. Stone lintels. Stone string course.
2 Frog Lane
Vacant
Simple and classical design, two storey. Red brick with Flemish bond detailing. Central
Late C17th
Special interest as part of a late 17th Century house, still retaining much of its
Grade II
historic character.
1996
Late 17th century red brick, with gable facing the street. Two storey. Decorative brick
Dwelling
banding at eaves level. Slate roof. Rough brick cambered heads to windows. Wooden
moulded canopy with cast iron strap support.
9
LISTED BUILDINGS AND SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENTS
Building Name & Address,
Origins
Reason for Listing (and Other Points of Interest)
Current Use
Early C20th
Grade and Date of Listing
Strawberry Pickers Barracks
Extremely well preserved example of a comparative rare building type which
Vacant/ancillary
Bellis' Farm, Wrexham Road
illustrates an important part of Holt's economic and social history.
storage to farm
Grade II
U-shaped range of barracks buildings. Wooden. Sheet iron roofing. Two long ranges
1996
containing 35 single accommodation units. Gable ends have decorative cast iron finials.
Former Wages Office at
Early C20th
Bellis' Farm, Wrexham Road
Extremely well preserved and detailed wages office and for group value with the
Vacant
Strawberry Pickers Barracks.
Grade II
Decorative wooden single storey pavilion. Main elevation has full height canted bay.
1996
Decorative wooden pay counter with shaped wooden pediment. Deep eaves cornice.
Decorative bargeboards to miniature dormers and gable ends, topped with pinnacles.
The Village Cross, The Cross
Late
Special interest of its origins as a medieval cross.
Grade II
medieval
Chamfered red sandstone on an octagonal stepped base, with six sandstone steps.
c.1920
A good example of a well designed village war memorial and of importance to the
Monument
1952
The War Memorial,
The Cross
Monument
history of Holt.1996
Grade II
Sandstone obelisk set on square stone plinth on a stepped base. Carved sword on
1996
obelisk. Plinth has carved lion surmounted crown. Marble slab commemorates fallen
soldiers. Made by Mansley of Chester.
Gate, gate piers and railings,
An interesting example of local decorative ironwork. Group value with the Parish
Church of St Chad.
Church Green
Gothic style. Squared gate piers with quatrefoils with floral centre detailing. Decorative
Grade II, 1996
baluster heads. The gates stand on the site of the old lychgate.
Sundial, Parish Church of
St Chad, Church Green
Grade II
1996
10
c.1816
Parish Church of St Chad,
1736
Group value with the Parish Church of St Chad.
Sandstone shaft on two concentric stone steps.
Gate
Sundial
O
building materials include red sandstone, used
for monumental public structures such as the
church, bridge and castle. The predominant
building material for domestic properties is the
SUMMARY OF
SPECIAL CHARACTER
5
local brown-red brick; but render is also
significant. Ruabon red brick and yellow
sandstone occur in rare instances. Roofs are of
slate. Traditional rainwater goods are of cast
The special character of the Conservation Area
iron, but properties constructed before the early
draws on its medieval origins and a significant
19th Century may have some of lead
Victorian architectural character. Ornate decoration
to buildings or boundary walls is also very important.
O
development is typically symmetrical, with
gable-end chimneys offset by a central doorway.
Important Features:
O
Townhouses and historic farmhouses are
the medieval grid iron street pattern creates
generally set within spacious grounds, which
rigid linear roads that contrast with the
complement simple terraces. Properties are
meandering fashion of the river
O
largely of two storey with a variety of roof
heights, generally pitched with continuous eaves
the underlying geology of the area is exposed
in parts showing massive diagonal planes of red
sandstone
the spatial contrast and plan form of
O
Boarded door
at Strawberry
Pickers
Barracks
Victorian architecture is the most dominant
style,although monumental medieval structures
whitewashed 18th Century cottages, historic
farmhouses and Georgian townhouses add their
windows or timber casements with simple
own distinct character
horizontal subdivision, and boarded tongue and
groove doors. String courses and architraves
O
decoration to buildings tends to be small scale
are common
and fairly intricate. Wonderful decorative
porches or iron railings offset simple symmetrical
O
boundary detailing retains the continuity of the
facades. Vertical sliding sash windows in white
street line and building plot. The demarcation
painted timber, and panelled timber doors with
between private space and public space is very
fanlight is common to Georgian and Victorian
pronounced. Red sandstone, intricate wrought
architecture. Vernacular buildings tended to
iron railings, brick, timber farm gates and
have either multi paned, side hung, cast iron
irregular slab cock and hen coping add to the
1-5 Castle Street
11
rural streetscape. Unfortunately, many have been
The public realm has incorporated some
lost to make way for hardstanding. This is
unattractive street furniture, an excess of tarmac,
addressed by the Article 4 Direction
dilapidation of historic street signs and obtrusive
highway signage. The scale of street lights do not
O
the landscaping elements are very important
sit comfortably within the streets, a legacy from the
to the character of the Conservation Area,
days before the by-pass was built.
particularly around the Dee. Mature vegetation
within curtilages, semi-ordered trees in public
spaces or hedgerow that directly fronts the
roads are all valued features.
The main land use is residential. Retail
development is concentrated in the core of the
village at The Cross, although some small-scale
commercial and retail sites are scattered randomly
in Castle Street and Bridge Street. The village
supports a primary school, a number of pubs and
Ebeneezer Cottage
active community groups. Outlets selling
homegrown fruit and vegetables are located on its
outskirts.
Although it is likely that the Welsh language was
commonplace prior to the days of Edward I, the
census of 1991 indicates that only 6% of the
population now speak Welsh. This is perhaps
indicated in the lack of bilingual shop signs. As a
part of the Council's bilingual policy, Welsh and
English are incorporated in Highway signage, which
has resulted in significantly sized signs.
The essence of the character of Holt is principally
of a rural border village with planned medieval
streets that have developed over time. The village
has a strong focus on the village heart. Its status
as an important Welsh border town has diminished,
as has its echoes of its military roots as a garrison
town to Edward I. It provides a rural context of the
Borough from England.
Decorative ironwork at The Cross
12
Green Street
end in a simple pier, from which striking views of
the Dee and associated floodplain are seen.
Modern highway paraphernalia, such as signage at
the Holt entrance, detracts from its appearance.
The western field on the flood plain contrasts with
the untidy, overgrown car park to the east.
The vantage point from the bridge allows for views
of the Church of St Chad, set in an elevated
Sub-area 1: The Dee banks, including
the Castle, Church and Bridge
location on the eastern perimeter of the settlement
on a grassy knoll. This is an important marker
building in the landscape. The church is English in
Important Features:
O
style, and its character is largely derived from its
the area provides the essence of the historical
vertical and horizontal building lines, created in part
background and setting of Holt;
O
by its squared red sandstone courses. It has
it has an open and undeveloped nature, which
numerous masons markings carved into the blocks.
contrasts with the concentration and density of
development in the village;
O
the views and natural landscape features of the
meandering River Dee ;
O
its important public structures; all of which are
It originally dates from 1287 but was remodelled
Church of St. Chad
buttressed, battlemented tower and five bay
in the sub-area but not within the core of the
ornamented nave arcades of narrow sharply
Conservation Area as a whole, where they are
pointed arches on octagonal piers. The boarded
obscured by trees or buildings.
and studded, iron strapped double entrance doors
Scheduled Ancient Monuments and / or Listed
Buildings;
and enlarged in the 15th Century to include a
in the western tower supports its medieval
The bridge provides the entrance to the village,
character. It is generally in good repair, but some
and historically to Wales from England. It is 15th
spalling is evident. Leland, the 16th Century travel
Century in origin, built to replace an earlier wooden
writer, wrote in his itineraries: "it is a praty chirch
O
the dominance of late medieval architecture; and
O
the dominance of local red sandstone as a
structure. The stonework is in regular courses,
and a goodly castle. The chirch is but a chapel
building material.
originally with ten arches, but now nine; one is a
to Gresford".
double arch that marks the site of the former gate
This sub-area provides the essential setting of Holt as
tower and drawbridge. The bridge once had a
Extensions to the rear of properties on Bridge
seen from the north and east. Buildings tend to be
Catholic Chapel, dedicated to Our Lady, built upon
Street, Church Street and Vicarage Court may have
monumental in scale, and located on prominent sites
it, today identified only by the reinforced third arch
a significant impact on the setting of this building,
in substantial grounds located on the edge of the
from the Welsh bank. On its western side its
and applicants should be particularly mindful of this
settlement. Many buildings are marker structures
parapets are corbelled back at a skewed angle to
when considering extension design.
15
Holt Hill is a Grade II listed building on Bridgeview.
Deeside farmhouse was built in the 17th century
It is Georgian in appearance and the frontage is a
between the Church and Castle on the perimeter of
remodelling of the original 17th Century house.
the settlement. The 18th century owner re-fronted
Its distinctiveness lies in its symmetry and simple
the house in Georgian style, maybe to reflect his
beauty. Ivy covers much of the brick front
wealth and aspirations. The size, shape and
elevation. The horizontal stone string course
position of the casement windows to the attic forms
between the first and second storey and below the
part of the overall integrity of the house. Irregular
parapet are barely visible, but the vertical symmetry
red sandstone quoins to the left of this elevation
of the traditional softwood sash windows, painted
and a stepped two course sandstone plinth marks
white with thin mullion bars and 12 panes is more
the line of the original timber framed building. It
pronounced. The many mature trees close to its
was built largely of the local red brick that was
boundary enhance this building.
probably burnt on site.
Casement
window
Holt Hill, Bridgeview
16
Deeside Farmhouse
Sitting quiescently in the south West of the
conservation area is the remains of Holt Castle.
The squared and coursed ruined walls are built
directly upon the diagonal bedrock. The monument
is a shadow of its former glory and cordoned off by
a wooden fence; the remains are now captured by
ivy tentacles and other vegetation. The ground
rises slightly to the east of the site and the moat,
once reputed to be 10 metres deep is now
indicated by a slight dip in the ground surface.
Sign posting to the castle site is minimal; the
pathway leading to the castle from Church Street
may have been part of the original gateway.
The roar of cars on the by-pass does not enhance
its peaceful setting, and the castle has been
vandalised by graffiti within its pointed doorway.
However, contextually, both the river and mature
trees, principally sycamore, oak and ash, play a
very important role in the setting of the castle,
providing a contrast to the developed parts of the
Conservation Area. They add to the quality of place
overall, and should be retained and enhanced.
The moat contour at Holt Castle
17
between public and private space. Domestic
properties have small gardens that create privacy,
whilst enhancing the street scene by materials,
boundary scale and flora and fauna. Rooflines are
of various heights; steep pitches and low eaves
suggest that they may have been originally
thatched.
Sub-Area 2: The Cross, Castle Street,
Wrexham Road, Francis Lane and
Dee Lane
Shop fronts that add character have proportionally
Important Features:
windows, and retractable apron blinds.
O
scaled hand painted timber signage, simple
decorative detail, such as pilasters to doors and
Standardised UPVC signage and oversized
the Cross as village heart, with market 'triangle'
horizontal windows, set close or protruding from the
as nodal point;
front elevation, detract from the area's character.
O
the diversity of architectural styles, and building
types, typically farmhouses, townhouses,
workers cottages;
O
good spatial dimensions between property and
boundaries, probably burgage remains;
O
uniform street line, created by hedgerows, iron
Door detail in The Cross
railings, brick and sandstone walls;
O
building materials, typically brick or painted
render, with slate for roofing; and
O
minimal pavements in Francis and Dee Lane.
The Cross to the wider village, creating legibility.
The use of red sandstone is prominent in the public
open space.
The Cross and Castle Street (north) is the heart
The scale is modest and created by structures and
of the village, and encompasses its main
buildings, such as the medieval Market Cross and
commercial core. The area is fairly intensively
War Memorial, Victorian cast iron street lights and
used, both locally and from outside the village.
two storey terraces. Active building frontages, such
The medieval grid iron street pattern spans out from
as those to shops, tend to have no distinction
Porch detail at 1-5 Castle Street
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A building of note is the former police station of
The former post office, now residential, is sited on
1881, distinctive for its Anglo-Italianate architectural
the junction of The Cross, Church Street and Castle
style and built in squared and coursed yellow Cefn
Street to create a sense of enclosure to The Cross.
sandstone. Features include corbelled eaves,
It is a low key marker building, and unusually for its
rusticated pilasters and mullions surrounding the
siting, has little in the way of architectural detailing
doorway and windows and a timber panelled door
and elaboration to the building façade. The former
with ornate iron straps and iron railings to the
use may account for the strong but disproportionate
boundary. Each storey is given its own sense of
projecting bay windows to the ground floor.
proportion by the stone stringcourse.
Buildings on the south side of Castle Street are far
Victorian railings
at Cross Cottage
and Kenyon Hall
more intricate, and their impact is particularly powerful
from Church Street, Cross Street and Frog Lane
junctions. No's 1 - 5 Castle Street is a curved
terrace of simple Victorian cottages with horned sash
The intricate beauty contrasts with the concrete bus
windows, timber panelled doors and chimneys
shelter, dilapidated steel dog railings and crash
punctuating the skyline. Of particular note are the
barriers lining the junction corner of The Cross,
wonderfully intricate decorative open timber porches.
Church Street and Castle Street.
The detail is complemented by the adjacent Cross
Cottage, which has ornate windows and exceptionally
In Castle Street (south), Wrexham Road and Francis
fine iron railings. The detail to the bargeboards and
Lane the scale, height and form of buildings becomes
rose window of the quirky Kenyon Hall, built in
greater and the size of gardens may be related to the
1892 in corrugated iron also enhances the street.
medieval burgage plots. Front gardens are a feature,
with buildings gradually set much further back from
the road in substantial gardens, some with hedgerow
and semi mature trees, particularly to Wrexham
Road and Francis / Dee Lane.
Buildings on the north west side of Castle Street
are a combination of Victorian buildings and late
18th century cottages, some terraced, and L-plan
with gable ends jutting toward the street, in small
front curtilages. Unfortunately, some frontages
have been altered by single storey extensions that
tend to ignore the main architectural appearance of
Former Police Station at The Cross
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Cross Cottage and Kenyon Hall, Castle Street