Development of a 17th Century Listed Farmhouse
Proposed works to extend hospitality facilities at a 17th century farmhouse and outbuildings required a Heritage Statement and later Historic Building Recording.
AB Heritage’s client is an experienced developer and operator of inns and hotels in the UK. They are familiar with the requirements for heritage within the planning process and appreciate the opportunities afforded by heritage buildings in creating vibrant and interesting destinations for their customers.
The Stables at Cross Butts, in Whitby comprises a 17th century GII Listed Farmhouse, Listed curtilage cottage and range of outbuildings some of which are GII Listed with other later 19th and 20th century additions. The premises was already trading as a hotel and restaurant. The proposals for development included extending the bedrooms into further outbuildings requiring some demolition, remodelling, refurbishment and conservation works to the heritage elements.
Facilitating development and protecting heritage assets
AB Heritage undertook a Heritage Statement to provide an understanding of the potential impacts to the three heritage assets identified, which were considered to be of high or medium heritage significance. In consultation with our client’s design team, we were also able to advise on the early designs and treatments that would offer better protection for the heritage assets and present the buildings in a way that enhanced the appreciation of the original.
The Heritage Statement concluded that the site would benefit from a full Historic Building Recording Survey (HBR) and Fabric Assessment to help mitigate the impacts of the predicted works, due to extent of development and new facilities at the property. The HBR would also provide a photographic and descriptive record of the GII Listed buildings. This was agreed by the Local Planning Authority as part of the development approval.
A full historical and photographic record is now available as part of the archive.
AB Heritage undertook a Level 2/3 Historic Building Survey, fully documenting all aspects of the remaining heritage assets. The 17th century Cross Butts farm continued as an agricultural enterprise until the late 20th century when a change of use to B&B and then a full hotel altered much of the original internal features and fabrics of the building. Aside from the external building envelope of the Listed buildings on site, and the partially retained formation of buildings around the former farmyard, very little historically authentic character or features remain on the site. What does remain will be sympathetically refurbished and treated as part of this development that secures its ongoing viable life. A full historical and photographic record is now available as part of the historic archive.