Land to West of Bessel s Way, Blewbury Contextual Analysis fluid
Contents fluid - Overview - Growth pattern - Footpath & Road connections - Landscape Character - Amenities - Agriculture - Characteristic Buildings - Drawing from Architectural character - Development opportunity
Overview The purpose of this document is to identify the architectural character, landscaping characteristics and urban design features of the village of Blewbury in order to form a conceptual analysis for the development opportunity for the land to the west of Bessel way. Proposed development site Blewbury is located within the north edge of the Berkshire Downs about 50 miles west of London and 14 miles south of Oxford. The village, which has existed for over 1000 years has spent most of its life as a typical agricultural village and contains a mixture of timber framed houses and other charming buildings of various ages and architectural styles. Centred around the village church, these buildings are nestled amongst steams and open green spaces that are linked by a network of footpaths. Throughout the 20th century, the eastern part of the village has been developed by a number of estates and the nearby railway station has allowed Blewbury to become a attractive place for people to commute to work within the area or even London.
Overview fluid Historical characteristics of Blewbury 1. 1 2 3 4 Centred within Blewbury lies the Grade I listed parish church. This was originally an early Saxon building of the 11th century but has undergone numerous changes since then. Situated within Blewberry are a number of springs which arose at the foot of the chalk downs. Some of these springs feed a small lake known as the Watercress Beds for the reason being that watercress used to be cultivated there. To the east of Blewbury is a 4th century Iron Age Hill Fort which changed the nomadic population to more settled, agricultural population. Blewbury Mill is said to be where blotting paper was invented 4 2. 1 2 3 3.
Growth Pattern Map of Blewbury: 1876 Map of Blewbury: 1912 Population: 746 Population: 564 No. of houses: 169 No. of houses: 172 No. of householders : 147 St. Michaels Church Village Boundary Areas of development Newly consented housing Proposed development site Figures shown are for Blewbury and Upton ward Blewbury has grown in size, population, number of houses etc, centred around St Michaels Church. The increase in population resulted in agricultural land changing to residential and addition of houses. These maps demonstrate how Blewbury has grown in size from 1876 to 2010 highlighting the growth pattern of housing development. The growth pattern has been mainly Map of Blewbury: 1971 Map of Blewbury: 2010 along Bessel s Way where most of the post war housing Population: 1126 Population: 1581 has been located. No. of houses: 378 No. of houses: 900 No. of householders: 380 No. of householders: 880 Conclusion: The increase in population has led to the formation of additional housing to the eastern part of Blewbury. Locating new housing in this area would be in keeping with the housing growth pattern of Blewbury.
Footpath and Road Connections fluid 1. Footpath leading to St Michaels 3. Footpath next to The Red Lion pub 1 2. Footpath next to The Cleave 3 Footpaths 4 Roads 2 4. Footpath from London Road to The Cleave As Blewbury grew and expanded over several decades footpath connections were formed and remain an important mode of access into and out of Blewbury. Due to the expansion agricultural land was converted to residential land thereby maintaining the existing network of footpaths. Some footpaths had thatched cob walls bordering them, these defined the division and extent of ownership of agricultural fields. Footpaths form an important urban design feature as they are the main routes through Blewbury. Blewbury also has a network of rural shared roads used for pedestrian and vehicular access. Conclusion: Provision of additional footpaths & shared access roads will strengthen existing pedestrian network. Provision of footpaths with thatched cob walls gives us an opportunity to highlight a unique characteristic element of Blewbury. There is an opportunity to provide a footpath along historic field boundary.
Landscape - Streams Blewbury has a network of streams running through the village. These streams resulting from springs played an important part in the formation of Blewbury village due to the availability of fresh water. The abundance of fresh water led to the growth of agriculture in and around the village. These streams play an important part in making Blewbury a serene village enhancing the rural character. The springs and streams once formed beds where watercress was grown and was sold as far as London. This also adds to the historic importance of water in Blewbury. St Michaels Church Berry Lane looking west Stream next to Berry Lane The Cleve looking west Conclusion: A network of streams makes Blewbury an ideal rural village. Addition of streams or water feature will enhance the rural landscape character of Blewbury. The addition of a water feature i.e SuDS ( Sustainable Drainage System) will help to create landscape and make a visual link to the steams of Blewbury village. The Cleve looking north
Landscape- Greenspaces Blewbury has several open green spaces inside which contribute to the openness of the rural village. Some of these are under parish control, some owned by the church and some under private ownership. Most of old houses have large gardens. Other post war houses have moderate sized gardens. The are of Blewbury to the east of South Street is made up of new developments having small plot size and small gardens compared to the western part of Blewbury which have traditional houses with large plot size and large gardens. St Michaels Church Land at Church End Land at Michaels Church Bridus Mead looking north west Conclusion: Greenspaces contribute to the rural character of Blewbury. The growth pattern of Blewbury shows that eastern part of Blewbury has houses with small plot size and small gardens. The north-eastern part of Blewbury is dense in terms of housing numbers. Any new development will follow the precedent set by the growth pattern. Church End looking south
Amenities St Michaels Church Blewbury has an extensive range of amenities like allotments, primary school, golfing range, cricket club etc. which makes Blewbury a vibrant village full of activities. Post Office Allotments Primary School Cricket, Croquet & Tennis Club Petrol Station Public House Conclusion: There is an opportunity to add to the existing range of amenities by providing a open green space which can be located nearer to the allotments. Golfing Range
Agriculture Allotments Blewbury Blewbury is surrounded by agricultural fields and was a fairly typical agricultural village for much of the second millennium. Sustainable Blewbury group supports and promotes local food production and marketing in order to reduce food miles, encourage fair trade and healthy eating. Presence of agricultural allotments off Bessel s way creates an opportunity for encouraging local food production. A link to these allotments need to be enhanced and promoted. Conclusion: A green link can be established in the form of a cob walled footpath connecting the village, new development, new green space and allotments.
Characteristic Buildings Iron Age Hill Fort Built around 4th century Changed nomadic population to settled agricultural population Around 400bc this was replaced by banked hillfort of today St Michaels Church Thatched Cob Walls Originally a Saxon church rebuilt by Normans in 13th century Grade 1 listed building Mark the boundaries of old farmyards They are thatched, with walls made of clay, stray and mud then Still has original features whitewashed / painted The Cleve Methodist Church Tudor Hall Barn Village pond & principle Built in 1869 Henry VIIIs Hunding lodge water feature Used to house watercress Replaced previous chapel of 1826 In 1930 Oath of allegiance to Oliver Cromwell by John Fuller beds which was sold as far Used for meetings was found as London
Drawing from Architectural Character Thatch Roof Large barn style buildings with dormers Wall cladding Thatched cob walls Victorian cottage style windows Houses overlooking footpath with Shared access roads Timber frame tudor house Conclusion: Blewbury has Plenty of architectural features to emulate for new development.
Development Opportunity Blewbury Parish Plan 2004 : Positive features which should be encouraged in new developments Blewbury Parish Plan 2004 : Advice on planning applications New buildings should be sympathetic to character of the village Streams and water Developments should be of good architectural quality Trees Form, rooflines, doors and windows should harmonise with established styles for a compatible development Enclosing elements (cob walls either thatched or tiled, curved walls highlighting driveway entrance, brick work with struck joints, Ranch-style post and rail fencing, hedges, walls, New buildings should be positioned as close to the street as possible rather than set back Alignment of buildings with the roads or paths fences, railings) Edges and surfaces (granite setts, grassy banks ) Blewbury Parish Plan 2004 Design of new developments should respond to and reflect the distinctive character of existing houses in Blewbury. Considerations should be given to the relationship of Public open space buildings and other features to the street, and to the desirability of providing enclosure and interest. Existing trees to screen new development Views to Iron Age Hill Fort Views out towards the downs, across open fields and views to historic landscape of Blewburton Hill provide a variety and beauty that should be protected and enhanced. Water feature Footpath link View east towards Blewburton Hill from Bessels Lea provides a Cob walled Foothpath Green link to allotments to allotments Opportunities: To create necessary new housing To provide footpaths and shared access connections To provide new streams / water feature to enhance landscape character To provide green open spaces to enhance rural character To provide additional amenities to enhance activities in village To provide a green link connecting village to allotments To emulate existing architectural features in new housing designs
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