Walton Neighbourhood Plan Evidence Base Review Ref: 47068243

Final Report

August 2014

Prepared for: RTPI / PAE

UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND

August 2014

Rev Date Details Prepared by Checked by Approved by

1 13/08/14 Draft report David Gundry

Built Heritage Consultant

Andrew Harris,

Technical Director, Heritage

Stuart Woodin,

Technical Director, Neighbourhood Planning

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Limitations

URS Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited (“URS”) has prepared this Report in accordance with the RTPI / PAE - URS Framework Contract and Letter of Instruction SCNP10942 (03/07/14) under which our services were performed. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in this Report or any other services provided by URS.

The conclusions and recommendations contained in this Report are based upon information provided by the RTP / PAE lead Consultant and upon the assumption that all relevant information has been provided is accurate. Information obtained by URS has not been independently verified by URS, unless otherwise stated in the Report.

The methodology adopted and the sources of information used by URS in providing its services are outlined in this Report. The work described in this Report was undertaken between 3rd and 31st July 2014 and is based on the conditions encountered and the information available during the said period of time. The scope of this Report and the services are accordingly factually limited by these circumstances.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................ 1

2. URS METHODOLOGY ...................................................... 2

2.1 Aims and objectives ........................................................... 2 2.2 Study area .......................................................................... 2 2.3 Data Sources ..................................................................... 2 2.4 Strategic assessment of heritage baseline and appraisal

of special character methodology ...................................... 3

3. REVIEW OF EVIDENCE BASE ......................................... 4

3.1 Legislation .......................................................................... 4 3.2 National Policy ................................................................... 5 3.3 Regional Policy .................................................................. 6 3.4 Sub-regional Policy ............................................................ 6 3.5 Local Policy ........................................................................ 7 3.6 Comparison with similar Neighbourhood Planning

policies ............................................................................... 7

4. DEVELOPMENT OF THE HISTORIC LANDSCAPE IN AND AROUND WALTON................................................... 9

4.1 Historic Environment Data ................................................. 9 4.2 Map regression ................................................................ 11 4.3 Walton Village .................................................................. 12 4.4 Waterton Historic Park and Walton Hall ........................... 13

5. SIGNIFICANCE AND SETTING OF BUILT HERITAGE ASSETS WITHIN PROPOSED POLICY AREAS ............ 15

5.1 Walton Historic Core ........................................................ 15 5.2 Locally listed heritage assets within Walton Village ......... 17 5.3 Waterton Historic Park ..................................................... 20

6. APPRAISAL OF SPECIAL CHARACTER ....................... 26

6.1 Walton Historic Core ........................................................ 26 6.2 Waterton Historic Park ..................................................... 29

7. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS................ 30

7.1 General............................................................................. 30 7.2 Walton Historic Core ........................................................ 31 7.3 Waterton Historic Park ..................................................... 31

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SOURCES OF EVIDENCE ......... 31

9. APPENDIX ....................................................................... 32

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1. INTRODUCTION

As part of the agreed consultation framework, URS has been commissioned by The Royal Town Planning Institute to provide planning advice to the Walton Neighbourhood Planning Group in support of their Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP).

The Walton NDP is at a significant stage in its preparation and a consultation draft has been published in June 2014. Within this draft a total of six policy themes and 18 draft policies have been identified for the Walton NDP.

Specifically this draft NDP includes two policies which are concerned with heritage:

Policy 4 (Historic Core) states that The Historic Core [within Walton village] will be the subject of special protection. Any proposals within or adjacent to the historic core will be required to include a heritage impact assessment. Any proposals which adversely affect the character and appearance of the historic core will be resisted.

Policy 5 (Historic Park) states that Waterton Historic Park will be the subject of special protection. Development within or likely to affect Waterton Historic Park will only be permitted where there is no adverse impact on:

• Open spaces, views, landmarks, and landscape that contribute to its character, appearance or setting.

• The character of any buildings or structure having regard to local scale, proportion, details and materials.

• The preservation of features of architectural, archaeological and historic interest.

Any development proposals within or adjacent to it will be required to include a heritage impact assessment.

These draft policies are supported by embedded knowledge within the neighbourhood planning group and are illustrated spatially on a draft proposals map which set out proposed boundaries for the Historic Core within Walton village and the Historic Park surrounding Walton Hall to the south-east of the village (appendix, figure 1).

This consultation has been based primarily upon desk-based research but supported by a site walkover to aid the understanding of Walton village and surrounding landscape. Concerning the site walkover it has only been possible to view the area from public land. URS consultants have not sought permission from owners to access private property.

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2. URS METHODOLOGY

2.1 Aims and objectives

The aim of this Neighbourhood Planning Evidence base review is to justify protection of heritage assets within parts of Walton Village and to contribute to the assessment of coherence and integrity of Waterton Historic Park. The review will also suggest ways of achieving this. The specific tasks of the consultation are:

1. Review the existing evidence base that supports the two heritage policies;

2. Review the accepted evidence base for comparative neighbourhood planning policies adopted elsewhere;

3. Consult with the West Yorkshire Historic Environment Record and other national and regional databases to enhance and expand the existing evidence base;

4. Assess the significance and setting of heritage assets within the proposed heritage policy areas;

5. Prepare a strategic assessment of the heritage baseline to describe the development of the Neighbourhood Plan area;

6. Appraise the special character and spatial limits of the proposed heritage policy areas.

2.2 Study area

A strategic study area for the collation of information in relation to the historic landscape was defined as being an area with a radius of 1500m, measured from National Grid Reference SE 36028 16519. This study area is illustrated in the appendix, figure 2.

This strategic study area was selected in order to ensure information relating to the historic development of Walton and Walton Hall was captured, even if it was geographically located beyond the policy boundaries identified in the NDP consultation draft document. The extent of the study area is considered sufficient to allow an overview of the historic development of the Site.

Within the strategic study area more detailed information has been collated in relation to the designated heritage assets that are located within the specific policy areas for which evidence is being gathered.

2.3 Data Sources

Information in respect of designated heritage assets has been obtained principally by reference to the National Heritage List maintained by English Heritage. This information has been supplemented by reference and collation of data held by the West Yorkshire Historic Environment Record which also provides information in respect of non-designated assets.

The historical overview of settlement history within the study area and map regression has been informed by a review and examination of available documentary and historic map sources held by the West Yorkshire Historic Environment Record, Envirocheck and Wakefield Archives and Local Studies Centre. Other sources of information include published records and research.

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2.4 Strategic assessment of heritage baseline and appraisal of special character methodology

A thorough area walkover was undertaken. The area walkover enabled a fuller understanding of the study area and specific policy areas. The walkover enabled a brief inspection of the buildings from the public footpath, their construction, general condition, surroundings and settings.

A baseline was prepared, describing briefly the history of the area and its surroundings, supported by an historic map regression exercise. The baseline highlighted particular sensitivities.

Using data gathered and direct experience of the area walkover an appraisal of the special character of the Historic Core and Historic Park has been drafted. This is subject to discussion with the Walton Neighbourhood Planning Group.

In general the methodology follows that outlined by English Heritage for an Outline Assessment (level 1) of an historic area.

As a result of the baseline and assessment process, URS was able to make a series of recommendations to ensure heritage related policies within the NDP are supported by national and local policy and based upon appropriate evidence.

An assessment of the setting of built assets and contribution to significance arising from their setting was determined with reference to English Heritage guidance on setting (2012). Statements in relation to the heritage significance of assets are made with reference to English Heritage guidance principally ‘Conservation Principles’ (2008).

Heritage Significance

The significance (heritage value) of an asset is derived from its heritage interest which may be archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic (NPPF Annex 2, Glossary; Ref. 13-1). The significance of a place is defined by the sum of its heritage values. English Heritage identify these as being evidential, historical, aesthetic and communal (Conservation Principles, Ref. 13-13). The setting of an asset can also contribute to significance.

In respect of built heritage the assessment enabled the development of recommendations that will contribute to the NDP policy formation process.

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3. REVIEW OF EVIDENCE BASE

3.1 Legislation

The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

Section 7 of the Act requires applicants to obtain consent for the demolition of a listed building or for works of alteration or extension, which would affect its character as a listed building.

Section 66 of the Act establishes a general duty when considering whether to grant planning permission for a development which affects a listed building, to have special regard to the desirability of preserving a listed building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historical interest which it possesses.

Section 72 of the Act establishes a general duty when considering whether to grant planning permission for a development that affects any building or land within a conservation area, to have special regard to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area.

Section 74 of the Act establishes control of demolition of buildings within conservation areas, that any such demolition will not be undertaken without the first granting of Conservation Area Consent by the Local Authority.

National Planning Policy Framework

Section 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) deals with the consideration of cultural heritage assets and sets out the importance of being able to assess the impact of a development on the significance of heritage assets. Significance is defined in Annex 2 as the value of an asset because of its heritage interest. This interest may be archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic and can extend to its setting. Listed buildings are identified as being designated assets. The requirement for applicants to describe the significance of assets likely to be affected by a proposed development is set out in paragraph 128. The NPPF states that the level of detail submitted should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance.

The NPPF recognises that a balance needs to be struck between preservation of the significance of a heritage asset and delivering public benefit. With regard to designated assets, paragraph 132 states that the more important the asset, the greater the weight should be on its conservation. Amongst other assets the NPPF identifies grade I and grade II* listed buildings as having significance greater than grade II listed buildings. The NPPF identifies harm as being either substantial or less than substantial. Where the proposal would lead to substantial harm to the significance of a designated asset, consent should be refused unless the harm or loss is necessary to achieve substantial public benefit that outweigh that harm (paragraph 133). In cases where less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated asset is anticipated this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal (paragraph 134).

Guidance on the application of heritage policy within the NPPF is provided within the English Heritage PPS 5 Planning Practice Guide (EHPPG, 2010) and the complimentary on-line National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG, 2014).

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3.2 National Policy

English Heritage guidance

Conservation Principles (2008)

The document sets out 6 guiding principles governing the approach to decision making. Principles 1 and 2 relate to how the public values and participates in the historic environment. Principle 3 Understanding the significance of places is vital and Principle 4 Significant places should be managed to sustain their values are principles that relate to the development process and assessment of harm. Principle 5 relates to decisions being guided by public policy and the balance to be struck between heritage significance and the impact of change on that significance. These principles are intended to be used as a tool to aid analysis rather than be taken as policy.

Paragraphs 30-60 define heritage significance of an asset as the sum of its heritage values comprising:

• Evidential value – these relate to the physical properties of a place;

• Historical value – these are associative or illustrative and connect a place to past people or events;

• Aesthetic value – these relate to design, craftsmanship and artistic aspects of the place; and

• Communal value – the meaning of a place to people who relate to it.

Principle 3 is inherently linked to the NPPF, and articulates this approach to assessing significance of heritage assets based on their evidential, historical, aesthetic and communal values, and balancing these with the contribution made by setting and a wider cultural context. Having first understood and addressed the values that make up the significance of a place, the document sets out how then to manage impacts on significance.

The Setting of Heritage Assets (2012)

The document defines setting as ‘the surroundings in which a heritage asset is experienced.’ Setting in this definition does not have a fixed extent and can change as the asset and its surroundings evolve. Elements of a setting can make positive or negative contributions to the significance of an asset and affect the ways in which it is experienced. The guidance is clear that setting is more extensive than the curtilage of a building and is contributed to by factors other than the visual including noise, dust and vibration.

The Guidance recommends a five step approach to the assessment of the effect of development on the setting of heritage assets as follows:

• Step 1: identify which heritage assets and their settings are affected;

• Step 2: assess whether, how and to what degree these settings make a contribution to the significance of the heritage asset(s);

• Step 3: assess the effects of the proposed development whether beneficial or harmful, on that significance;

• Step 4: explore the way maximising enhancement and avoiding or minimising harm; and

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• Step 5: make and document the decision and monitor outcomes.

Where a setting makes a positive contribution to the significance of a heritage asset then development within this setting is likely to affect the significance of the asset and the way it is experienced. Where the setting makes a negative contribution to the significance of an asset then development within this setting may partially mitigate the negative contribution and enhance our ability to experience the significance of the asset.

Seeing the History in the View (2012)

This document presents a method for understanding and assessing heritage significance within views. This is a two part process, the first part involving establishing the baseline significance of heritage in views and the second part involving assessment of the potential impact of a development proposal on the heritage significance of the views analysed.

The Guidance uses values for the importance of heritage assets identified within the view, for the view as a whole and criteria for determining the magnitude of impact of the proposed development on the heritage significance within the view. The overall effect is expressed in a range from Negligible to Major.

3.3 Regional Policy

There is no regional plan that covers the Walton area other than the Leeds City Region Economic Strategy (2014) published by the Leeds Local Economic Partnership. This document does not contain any policies that specifically relate to the historic environment.

3.4 Sub-regional Policy

Wakefield Core Strategy

The Wakefield Core Strategy forms the primary component within the Local Development Framework which includes strategies, policies and proposals to guide the use of land and new development throughout the district for the period to 2026. The Core Strategy was adopted on 15th April 2009.

70% of Wakefield District lies within the Green Belt, most of which is rural in character. These rural areas are largely in agricultural use, interspersed with parkland associated with large estates and are populated by a series of smaller towns and villages set within open countryside, some of which have grown into larger settlements, mainly as a result of former coal mining activity. The rural area includes major visitor attractions – Nostell Priory house and park, the National Mining Museum and the West Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

The area of land immediately south of Walton Village is designated as Green Belt. Furthermore Walton Hall and the Waterton Estate lands are designated a Local Wildlife Site (LWS6 and LWS73) and a Wildlife Habitat Network.

The Core Strategy highlights that “issues facing the rural areas include the need to diversify and strengthen the rural economy by allowing new development of an appropriate scale where this is compatible with Green Belt designation and policies to preserve and enhance the historic and natural environment.”

Paragraphs 3.24 and 3.25 (Environment and Climate Change) state that “protection and enhancement of the district’s landscape features, wildlife habitats, historic heritage and open spaces is therefore a major concern. There is a need to protect the identity of individual settlements in the district by maintaining the Green Belt wherever possible. The character of

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many settlements has also been lost or spoilt over the years by poor quality development. This trend needs to be reversed by promoting high quality design. ”

Within the Spatial Vision of the strategy the importance of the district’s rich historic and natural heritage, including the character of its landscape and open spaces, is highlighted as a priority for protection and enhancement. Where possible it is determined that opportunities will be taken to create new habitats and landscape features to enhance the value of these environmental attributes.

Within the Spatial Objectives of the strategy it is stated that an objective is to protect and enhance the historic heritage, character and identity of the individual settlements of the district, primarily by: ensuring that the scale and location of development in each settlement is in keeping with its size, form and character; ensuring that the buildings and open spaces which create character are protected, maintained and enhanced; ensuring high quality, sustainable, design in all new development; and retaining the Green Belt to make a clear distinction between town and country. In addition another spatial objective states the need to ensure that the district's natural environment, including wildlife habitats and landscape character, is conserved and protected and that new development identifies, protects and enhances important assets and where possible creates new wildlife habitats.

Chapter 9 of the strategy (Creating High Quality, Distinctive and Safe Environments) reinforces the strategic imperative that the most valued townscapes, landscapes, wildlife habitats, historic and natural resources are given a high level of protection through designations such as conservation areas, historic parks/gardens/landscapes and sites of biodiversity and geological conservation supported by national planning policy statements and Local Development Framework policies.

Policy CS10 (Design, Safety and Environmental Quality) states that new development will protect and enhance the district’s historic assets particularly Scheduled Ancient monuments, Conservation Areas, historic buildings, archaeological remains and historic landscapes. Development will also protect and enhance the district’s biological and geological diversity and green infrastructure including the need to increase tree cover across the district, safeguard designated sites of international, national, regional and local importance, ancient woodland and other ecological assets, including priority habitats and species.

No Supplementary Planning Documents have been adopted that relate to the historic environment.

3.5 Local Policy

There is no Village Design Statement for Walton.

Walton Village does not include any Conservation Areas

3.6 Comparison with similar Neighbourhood Planning policies

Two adopted NDPs were identified that included heritage related policies – Exeter St. James, Exeter (2013) and Thame, Oxfordshire (2012). The evidence bases for these plans were compared in order to illustrate the level of evidence base that had previously been determined appropriate for heritage-led policies. It is understood that the decisions taken by a Local Authority in one area of the country have little relevance to those taken in another area of the country however as the neighbourhood planning process matures the level of evidence supporting neighbourhood planning policies is likely to become more consistent. Exeter St. James, Exeter, 2013

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This NDP was intended, in part, to improve the natural and built environment of the ward by including policies and projects aimed at securing good design in new development and protecting, enhancing and investing in the natural and built environment of the ward. This is to be achieved through 1 heritage policy (H1): “Development affecting heritage assets within St James must pay special regard to the need to conserve and enhance their settings and any special architectural or historic features of significance.” The implementation of this policy is explicitly linked to the policies related to good design within the built environment, specifically (D1) with regard to build scale, form, massing, setback and materials. The evidence base employed to support this policy includes: highlighting of relevant NPPF and Local Authority policies; a short history of the NDP area; consultation with local residents and the setting up of a ‘place’ team within the neighbourhood planning group; historic maps to trace the history and evolution of the area; and identification, description and assessment of hey heritage buildings within the NDP area. Thame, Oxfordshire, 2012 This NDP was intended, in part, as an opportunity to plan the town’s future. The document asks, what are the problems that the Plan could address? What are the opportunities the Plan could make the most of? The NDP identifies a series of character areas with an historic core covering the same area previously designated by the Local Authority as a conservation area. Policies within the NDP that most closely relate to heritage include ESDQ15 (desire for new development to reinforce character of Thame), EDSQ16 (new development should relate well to its surroundings), EDSQ17 (new development should make a positive contribution to the character of Thame), EDSQ20 (buildings should be appropriate to their historical context) and EDSQ26 (design should reflect the three dimensional qualities of traditional buildings). The evidence base employed to support these policies includes: a summary description of the history of Thame and relationship to neighbouring places; a summary assessment of local character; mapping of designated heritage assets; and conservation area appraisals and management plans previously published by the Local Authority.

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4. DEVELOPMENT OF THE HISTORIC LANDSCAPE IN AND AROUND WALTON

4.1 Historic Environment Data

Data from the HER records a number of cropmark sites identified from aerial photography and geophysical survey which may date to the Prehistoric, Romano-British or Medieval periods. As these sites have not been investigated by archaeological excavation precise dating of them is inconclusive. A total of four of these sites fall within the boundary of Waterton Park and comprise enclosures, former field systems and linear features. Other cropmark and earthwork sites lie in the landscape surrounding Waterton Park and Walton.

Within Waterton Park and during the construction of the golf course in 1993 geophysical survey identified anomalies on the eastern side of the park (PRN 499, 500 & 7625) comprising a small area of linear angular cropmarks (PRN 499) about half of a ring ditch, possible round barrow (PRN 500) although interpretation of this circular feature is uncertain. The remaining features formed part of an enclosure and linear feature (PRN 7625) on the eastern side of the park. As these features were not impacted on during the creation of the golf course they were not investigated by excavation or evaluation and remain in situ.

At the southern end of the park, to the south of the lake on the golf course, an area of linear and circular anomalies were identified that formed part of an enclosure (PRN 4126).

Outside Waterton Park on land known as The Grove between Walton and Walton Hall a geophysical surveys carried out in 1992 and 2011 found a series ditches forming land divisions, they may have been of Romano-British date (PRN 498). A small area of cropmarks identified from aerial photography to the north-east of Walton (PRN 6314) included part of a curvilinear feature of uncertain date.

To the west of ‘Waterton Hall on agricultural land, undated aerial photograph cropmarks are recorded including linear and curvilinear ditches and an enclosure (PRN 486) and a fragmented ditched lane (PRN 474) cut by modern field boundaries.

On land to the north of Lower Town Walton two apparent circular features (PRN 489 & 490) were identified from aerial photographs as cropmarks and may have formed as a result as modern farming practices so classification as Bronze Age round barrows is not conclusive.

Archaeological surveys carried out by Archaeological Services WYAS in 2005 and 2006 (PRN 8142 &8143) at Haw Park Woods to the south of Waterton Hall Park identified a variety of earthworks including banks, ditches, lychets an enclosure, terraced ground, a hollow way and a boundary bank were may have dated from Iron Age to Post-medieval periods. Some of these earthworks may have been landscape features associated with the Waterton Park estate that extended into Haw Park.

Prehistoric and Romano-British

The nearest evidence of Romano-British activity to Walton and Waterton Park was located on land at Thorntree Hill where an archaeological evaluation was carried out in 1991 prior to opencast mining. At this site geophysical survey and excavation (PRN 501 & 7752) found three enclosures, ditched trackways hearths, a corn drying kiln and other features and an assemblage of 2nd and 3rd century pottery and other artefacts. The presence of Romano-British Archaeology at Thorntree Hill suggests that some of the cropmark sites within Waterton Park and the surrounding landscape may be of a similar date.

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Medieval Period

Evidence of medieval activity is recorded by the HER to the south-east of the village of Walton at the Grove where geophysical survey in 1992 found ridge and furrow and more recent plough marks (PRN 7004) To the north-east of Walton on land to the south of Shay Lane ridge and furrow earthworks lie in a small triangular piece of land (PRN 7048).

Post-Medieval and Modern

A number of assets relating to the Post-medieval, modern industrial periods are recorded by the HER. During the late 18th century the Barnsley Canal (Aire and Calder Navigation Barnsley Branch) was constructed between 1793 and 1802 and ran from the River Calder at Wakefield to the Barnby Basin west of Barnsley. The canal provided transport for coal and other goods from industrial sites in and around Barnsley to the River Calder and Aire and Calder Navigation. A length of the Barnsley Canal (PRN 4230 & 4232) running between Walton Top Lock (PRN 4239) and the Havercroft Aqueduct ran north to south immediately to the west of the boundary wall of Waterton Hall.

The canal ran north-eastwards from the western boundary of the hall, through the eastern side of Walton where locks were situated, before continuing east of Lower Town and the River Calder towards Wakefield. A soap works and Soap House established by Hodgson and Simpson lay on the banks of the Canal on the eastern side of Walton where Soap House Bridge was positioned. The soap works caused pollution to the local countryside including Waterton Park and complaints were made by residents including Charles Waterton. As a consequence the soap works was then forced to move to Thornes in Wakefield. To the south-east of Waterton Park two reservoirs were built at Cold Hindley and Wintersett acting as feeders for the canal. Wintersett reservoir was extended in 1807 and Cold Hindley reservoir finished in 1854 and extended in 1874. A pumping station for the reservoirs was built in 1803 the base of which still survives.

Following the introduction of the railways part of the canal was closed by the late 19th century and it finally closed in the early 1950’s. The section of canal immediately to the west of Waterton Hall survives as an earthwork although contains little water but the bridges and stonework survive at Haw Park Bridge and Walton Hall Bridge. The canal is completely backfilled within the village of Walton and at Lower Town where locks were located as the land drops towards the River Calder to the north.

Part of the in-filled canal (PRN 7004) was recorded during a geophysical survey in 1992 by WYAS to the south of Walton. Stone Heaps on Sike Lane immediately to the west of the canal (PRN 4240) may be the remains of ‘navvy Barracks’ associated with the construction of the canal but this is inconclusive.

At Hare Park High Wood and Hare Park Wood probable Post-medieval or industrial sites are recorded by the HER (PRN 7047 & 4176) on land between Waterton Park and the village of Crofton to the north-east. At both these sites a large number of earthworks are present which may relate to mineral extraction associated with outcrops of coal. The site may also be related to the earthwork of a linear trackway (PRN 7049) running from Hare Park High Wood to Highwood Farm but no trackway is recorded on early O.S maps. An old shaft is recorded on the north-eastern edge of Hare Park High Wood on the 1938 O.S map. Hare Park Farm (PRN 13059) lies between Hare Park Wood and Hare Park High Wood and the farm was part of the Walton Hall estate. The former farm buildings comprise a granary, dovecote, stone range and barn that date to the 18th and 19th centuries.

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4.2 Map regression

A map regression is an exercise to trace the development of an area from early maps to the present time. This provides information as to how the place in question has been documented over time, what natural and built features were considered important, agricultural and industrial land use which may have affected the survival of archaeological evidence and patterns of rural and urban development.

Historic maps that have been accessed at the West Yorkshire HER and from Envirocheck are reproduced in the appendix. Figures 3.1 – 3.13 indicate the development of Walton Village from the 18th century onwards. Figures 4.1 – 4.7 indicate the development of the land surrounding Walton Hall from the 16th century onwards.

Saxton 1577

This early map from the 16th century (figure 2.1) does not record Walton Village but does record the medieval Waterton Hall and a watercourse (now known as Drain beck) extending from Wakefield towards the hall. There are no roads marked.

Jeffery’s 1775

By the late 18th century (figures 1.1 and 2.2) the villages of Middle and Over Walton are recorded, as are larger buildings in what is now Walton Village. Waterton Walton Hall is clearly indicated. Also within this map it is possible to examine the historic road layout connecting Walton Village and Walton Hall, much of which survives today. It is also possible to see a watercourse (now known as Drain beck) extending from Walton Hall towards the north. A second watercourse is recorded south-west of Walton Hall.

Tukes 1787

Tukes’s map (figure 1.2) is of slightly later date and records much of the same information but in more detail. Now the villages of Lower, Middle and Upper Walton are recorded as distinct places. It appears possible to discern within this map specific buildings within Walton Village, some of which survive today including one at the western end of the village which it is not proposed will be included within the Walton Historic Core. The watercourse to the north-east of Walton Hall (now known as Drain Beck) is recorded as a faint line whilst a heavy line indicates the second watercourse that later becomes the Barnsley Canal.

Sandal Magna Enclosure 1800

A Plan of the Township of Walton and the Parish of Sandal Magna with the allotments as laid out at the time of the ‘Enclosure’ of 1800 (figure 1.3) shows the layout of the historic core of Walton village with c. 50 buildings located along Shay Lane on the northern and southern sides. Properties at Lower Walton and farmsteads at Upper Walton (Overtown) are also clearly marked. The plan shows rectangular and elongated rectangular fields to the north and south of the village and around Upper Walton. Groups of narrow rectangular fields north of Shay Lane to the east of the village are likely to represent earlier medieval strip fields.

The map shows clearly the layout of Waterton Park and Walton Hall (figure 2.3). Walton Hall is depicted on the island of the lake with a bridge leading to the shore. Walton Farm lies to the north of the lake and two ponds appear to be located to the north-east of the farm. The Grotto does not appear on this map with the land here is arable fields and has not been landscaped. The map shows the southern end of the lake is longer than the lake today and tapers out flanking the beck or stream that feeds the lake. Immediately west of the lake there are two rectangular ponds within a field, one of which is an elongated rectangle, the other slightly

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smaller and the function of these is uncertain. A further three ponds are located west of the lake including two have a small rectangular shape which may have been associated with the earlier medieval halls, perhaps fish ponds or may have been used for irrigation or watering for the park. The remaining pond lies immediately north of the Heronry Wood and coincides with the pond on the current day golf course which seems to have been enlarged and landscaped. The Farmstead of Hare Park lies between Hare Park Wood and Hare Park High Wood and the buildings of Stubbs Farm lie to the south of the Lake close to the boundary wall.

Much of the Park itself is individual fields and woodland or a plantation lies on the western side of the lake forming Stubbs Wood and Avenues of trees can also be seen within the park. Haw Park is depicted as a woodland to the south of the park.

The modern extent and boundary of Waterton Park appears little changed from those recorded in the Sandal Magna 1800 Enclosure map. The most significant change with the situation today, other than the development of the modern Golf course, would appear to be that in 1800 a second smaller lake / pond is recorded extending north of the main house. This has since been drained and filled in.

Tithe map 1844

This mid 19th century map clearly indicates the buildings within Walton Village and their general building footprints. Also marked are orchards on the south side of the village and avenues of trees lining the roads linking Walton Village to Walton Hall. The Barnsley Canal and series of locks are also clearly marked. Of interest are three ponds that appear to be located at the heart of the village close to where the current school is.

Historic Ordnance Survey Maps

The 1893 Ordnance survey map shows the properties in the Historic core of Walton on Shay Lane including Walton Grange and Walton House and grounds, Thornhill House, Grove House, Beechwood House, the New Inn and the Methodists Chapel. There is no major changes on the 1907 and 1932 editions but the war memorial, and Sunday School at the Methodist Chapel are shown on the 1932 map. Land on the southern side of Shay Lane that lies at the front of Walton Library and school has remained as green space according to historic mapping. Although Walton Village has expanded greatly during the 20th century, the historic core has not changed a great deal.

Modern ordnance survey maps show the Waterton Park Hotel and the Golf course, the clubhouse located just outside the perimeter wall on the banks of the former Barnsley Canal. The towpath now forms part of the network of footpaths and cycle routes of the Trans-Pennine Trail.

The development of a golf course within the boundary of Waterton / Walton Hall has fundamentally altered the landscape from a largely agricultural and semi-natural landscape to once that has been landscaped and is extensively managed on a day-to-day basis.

4.3 Walton Village

Walton village lies c.4km to the south-east of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, centred at NGR 435587E 417055N. The historic core of Walton lies on either side of Shay Lane, which runs through the centre of the village. Lower Walton or Lower Town is at the northern end of the village and Upper Walton, now Overtown, lies to the south of the village. The village has grown in size particularly in the 20th century when housing estates were constructed.

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The name Walton derives its name from the Saxon Weala-tun and is recorded in the Domesday Book and Waleton. The Norman name for the village was Waton before changing to Walton during the medieval period. Edwin of Northumbrial who was of Norse descent invaded Deira, the West Yorkshire area, in 620 and Weala-tun was one of the hamlets occupied by Edwins men.

Hare Park and Haw Park lie on land surrounding the village and ‘Hay’ is the old term for a hunting ground and has changed to Haw and Hare. The Balk, a thoroughfare that runs from Walton village towards Walton Hall, before turning south derives its name from Berg or Burgh meaning Quarry.

Details of the Walton Estates in a Township Gazateer and final concord of 1335 relates to a holding at Nether Walton, Over Walton and Middle Walton indicating the village was split into three individual Hamlets. Overtown and Lower Town probably represent Nether Walton and Over Walton, with Walton village itself once Middle Walton. Poll tax returns of 1379 list two dozen families in the village indicating its growth. In 1540 Sir Robert Waterton of Waterton Hall is known to have owned the three hamlets.

The historic core of Walton was built along Shay Lane running from the junction with Common Lane to the west and to the line of the former Barnsley Canal to the east. There are two Grade II listed buildings within Walton comprising Walton House (1200108) that was built on Shay Lane in c. 1770 which is now Walton Manor and a group of cottages attached to north of 192 Shay Lane dating to the 18th and 19th centuries (1135577). The Barnsley Canal was built in the late 18th century passed through the eastern side of the village under Shay Lane where a soapworks was built in 1832.

As well as residential properties built from the 17th century onwards Walton also had six public houses, only The New Inn exists today and five schools existed during the 19th century and a Methodists Chapel. A War memorial lies close to the intersection of Shay Lane and The Balk. The village has seen expansion in the 20th century from the original historic core along Shay Lane. This has included housing development on the eastern side of the village where Elmwood and Brooklands estates lie to the north and south of Shay Lane. Modern housing estates have also been built on the south-western side of the village on an estate of curvilinear roads contrasting with the rectangular layout of the earlier roads. St Pauls Church was constructed on The Balk in 1967 which succeeded a tin structure. Recent developments also include the School, playing fields and Library on south of Shay lane.

Lower Town was located off Blind Lane to the north of the main village of Walton where a number of properties lay, including a now demolished Manor House. The former Barnsley Canal ran through the western side of Lower Town where a series of Locks were located and Low Lock House (PRN 4238). The canal is now redundant and completely in-filled from the Club House of the Golf course and reappears intermittently from the end of Chevet Terrace north-east of Walton towards Agbrigg where it terminates. Following the construction of the railway in the 19th century Sandal and Walton Station was built at Lower Walton on the Midland Railway Line, but station no longer exists.

During the 17th century Grange Farm (1200137) and Rose Farm (1300904) were built at Overtown (Upper Walton) both are now Grade II listed. A Barn attached to outbuildings at Rose Farm is also Grade II listed (1313225).

4.4 Waterton Historic Park and Walton Hall

Walton Hall and the grounds of Walton Park, also known as Waterton Park is located in the parish of Walton 5km to the south-east of Wakefield and less than 1km from the village of Walton centred at NGR 436405E 416231N. The present hall is built on an island with the

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original hall surrounded by a moat which was enlarged to form a 30 acre lake during construction of the 18th century hall and landscaping of Waterton Park. Waterton Park includes the Heronry, Stubbs Wood as has a perimeter wall forming the boundary of the estate. The park covers an area of 260 acres and the 3mile long perimeter wall part survives today. Haw Park Wood lies to the south of the perimeter wall and was also part of the Walton Hall Estate. Walton Hall is now used as a hotel and a large part of the grounds of Waterton Park was converted to a golf course in the 1990’s. Beyond the perimeter wall the park is surrounded by agricultural land to the east, the former Barnsley Canal and agricultural land to the west, Haw Park Wood to the south and the village of Walton to the north-west.

The first recorded hall at Waterton Park was built in the 14th century before 1333 and a licence to crenellate (furnish with battlements) was granted in 1333-1334 to Sir Thomas de Burgh. The hall was rebuilt in 1435 following the marriage of Constance Assenhull and Richard de Waterton. In the 16th century Robert Waterton owned the Hamlets of Middle Walton, Nether Walton and Upper Walton. During the civil war in 1643 Parliament had ordered lords and landowners to contribute to the cost of the war and troops marched on Walton Hall to enforce the demand. At that time Walton Hall was occupied by Robert and Anne Waterton and records state that an occupant of the hall fired a small cannon or culverin wounding one of the troops.

The current Walton Hall was constructed in c.1768 by Thomas Waterton following the death of his father and succeeded the earlier medieval hall. The original bridge to the hall was replaced by an iron footbridge that is the only link between the hall and the shore today.

Elements of the old hall survive including a water gate which lay on the medieval moat. The medieval water gate and 18th century metal bridge to the hall are classified as a Scheduled monument (1005791 The Hall is grade II* listed (1135579) and a number of other structures associated with the hall and Waterton Park are also listed. These include a sundial to the rear of Walton Hall (1135580) and the island wall running around Walton Hall, including two boat house steps and a landing stage to the west (1300899). To the north of the Hall and lake two other structures are listed comprising the Stable Block to Walton Hall (1313227) and the Gate Piers at the entrance to the car park in front of Walton Hall (1135578). The stable block is probably contemporary with the hall, the gate piers are probably early 19th century. A later farmhouse which still survives, was added to the north-east of the stable block but is not listed or recorded of interest by the HER. To the north of the Hall within the park, within woodland, lie the ruins of the Grotto comprising a number of structures including a temple where Charles Waterton held picnics and socialised. The remnants of Grotto within woodland surrounded by the golf links are not designated or recorded by the HER.

In 1782 Charles Waterton was born at Walton Hall, the eldest son of Thomas and Anne Waterton. Charles Waterton later became a famous explorer, Taxidermist and naturalist. In 1802 Charles Waterton spent a year in Spain and in 1805 travelled to Demerera wher he ran sugar plantations for 7 years following which he made trips to Guyana, Brazil, North America and the Antilles Islands. It was during these trips that he acquired his natural history collection of birds, Mammals and reptiles. Charles Waterton Married Anne Mary Edmondstone in 1829 but she died in childbirth in 1830 but their son Edmund survived.

For the last 40 years of his life Waterton developed the grounds of Waterton Hall as a nature reserve which included the lake, arable land and an extensive area of woodland. Waterton had a hide or ‘Pill Box’ (PRN13070) constructed in the early or mid 19th century at the Heronry at the southern end of the Estate. This structure was made of sandstone and was used as a lookout over the Estate.

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In 1865 Charles Waterton was injured following a fall and died the following day. His grave (13072) is located at the south-eastern end of Walton Hall Lake, in an isolate location within Stubbs Wood. The Grave is dressed stone surrounded by an iron railed fence. A concrete cross that replace the original in the 1950s lies outside the fence and there is an inscription on the base. Waterton’s body was transported to the grave site by boat and he was buried between two of his favourite oak trees.

Edmund, son of Charles, sold the Hall to Edward Simpson in 1876 and the Waterton’s connection with Walton Hall ended. During WWII Walton Hall was requisitioned for use as a military hospital and after the war was used as a maternity Hospital. The hall stood empty in the 1960’s and was eventually renovated by the owner in 1978 following which it became a Country club and is now the Waterton Hotel. In the 1990’s Waterrton Park Golf Club was opened in Walton Park with the club house located on the Avenue next to the Barnsley Canal. Today a large part of Waterton Park is golf course and has been landscaped to accommodate greens, bunkers, a pond and artificial mounds on the course. A band of woodland runs along the western boundary of the park, flanking the former Barnsley canal, and woodland also runs along the northern and north-eastern boundary with other copses dispersed throughout the golf course. The northern end of the golf course is divided by a wood where the remains of the Grotto are located. Stubbs Wood runs along the eastern side of the lake before broadening out in the south-eastern corner of the Park. Woodland called The Heronry occupies the south-western part of the park and joins with Haw Park Wood the opposite side of the boundary wall.

A number of archaeological assets recorded by West Yorkshire Historic Environment Record (HER) and located within the boundary of Waterton Park. These comprise cropmark features identified from aerial photography and geophysical survey which are most likely to date to the Prehistoric, Romano-British and medieval periods. Similar cropmark features are also located in close proximity in the land surrounding Waterton Park and Walton village.

5. SIGNIFICANCE AND SETTING OF BUILT HERITAGE ASSETS WITHIN PROPOSED POLICY AREAS

The following outline assessment of significance and setting for the built heritage assets within the proposed policy areas provides information as to what features and attributes display heritage value that make those features special and worthy of protection.

All built assets have a setting, or area in which they are experienced. This setting can be related to visual connections and inter-visibility or it can in addition be related to non-visual connections. For example, as in the case of Walton Hall, a house may have a boundary wall that surrounds it and was built for a specific purpose relevant to the person who used and developed the house. The house and the wall are connected despite the fact that one cannot see one from the other.

5.1 Walton Historic Core

The Cottages attached to the north of No 192 (plate 1 and 2, 1135577) is a collection of characterful co-joined grade II listed buildings. The asset consists of a house and attached cottages dating from the mid 18th century but having been altered and extended in the 19th century. On the ground floor the buildings are constructed of plain ashlar, above this they are constructed with red brick laid randomly with stone quoins, window dressings and lintels. The north elevation of the group of cottages is constructed of ashlar masonry. The roof is laid with stone tiles with a central brick ridge chimney stack. The gables have stone copings with shaped kneelers. The listing description records that the cottages were formerly the workshop of Denton and Son tailors and livery-outfitters. This is an asset of high significance conveying aesthetic and historic value. The cottages are accessed from Priory Lane and are not easily visible from Shay Lane as they are partially screened by neighbouring buildings. Their setting,

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which makes a neutral contribution to the significance of the buildings, encompasses neighbouring buildings and Shay Lane.

Plates 1 and 2

Walton House (plate 3, 1200108) is a grade II listed building dating from the late 18th century. It is a two storey building constructed with ashlar masonry and a stone slate roof. The central doorway with glazed fanlight is flanked by tripartite sash windows and four giant engaged Ionic columns which support a pediment. The house is surrounded by gardens and a high wall that limits its setting. It is an asset of high significance.

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Plate 3

The site walkover identified a number of buildings within the Walton Village Historic Core area that are not designated as heritage assets but which would appear to date from the earliest period of the village and which contribute to the character of the village. These may be considered “non-designated heritage assets”. Examples include New Inn and the 1910 Methodist Chapel at the eastern end of the village, the war memorial and Grove House at its centre or the cottages at the far western end of the village, on the other side of the railway tracks (outside the policy area).

5.2 Locally listed heritage assets within Walton Village

There are no locally listed heritage assets within Walton Village despite the survival of a number of buildings and features that appear to be of local interest and which contribute to the character and appearance to the village.

A characteristic of the area at the centre of the village, and most likely the region more generally, are the walls constructed in a similar fashion of local stone and which extend along Shay Lane, School Lane and The Beck and divide many of the older properties. In many areas these walls are suffering from erosion, possibly caused by a lack of maintenance and the use of salt on the road during winter months (plate 4)

Plate 4

At the centre of the village, neighbouring Walton House, is a plot containing a series of buildings which appear on the earliest maps of the village but which have apparently been excluded from the proposed historic core area (plate 5). From their arrangement it appears that this collection of buildings may have been an early coach house or have had an industrial use, although this is not marked on early maps. Despite the buildings here obviously having been altered over the years they may contain early fabric and their architecture varies from that primarily displayed in the other buildings and subsequently this adds character to the area. Further research could be conducted to better understand the potential value of this building and its contribution to the village.

Likewise there are also buildings at both the western and eastern end of the village, outside the proposed historic core area which also appear on early mapping and which relate to the development of the railway (plate 6) and the soap works (plate 7) which was the subject of a

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dispute with Charles Waterton due to pollution. Both of these buildings contribute to the industrial character of the village and might be considered of sufficient interest to include within the historic core area.

Plate 5

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Plate 6

Plate 7

Within the proposed historic core area there survive groups of buildings of an agricultural and industrial character on elongated burdage plots that may relate to early subdivision of the land for productive purposes (plate 8).

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Plate 8

5.3 Waterton Historic Park

The Barnsley Canal Bridge (plate 9, 1135575) is a grade II listed bridge consisting of dressed stonemasonry bridging the now disused Barnsley Canal on the main route between Walton Village and Walton Hall. It is an asset of high significance forming an important boundary feature. Being made from consistent materials as other historic structures serves to remind us of the landscape qualities of the park as a whole and it therefore contributes to the consistent character of the parkland. Its immediate setting includes the surrounding agricultural and rural landscape, the disused canal and the adjacent modern golf club building. The wider setting includes the other structures within the park of a similar age, in particular the listed gate piers, Haw Park Bridge and Walton Hall. In general the setting makes a positive contribution to the significance of the bridge however the golf club building is detrimental to our experience and appreciation of the historic landscape which surrounded the park during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Plate 9

The Haw Park Bridge (1200056) is a grade II listed bridge and an asset of high significance. It also forms an important boundary feature of the park as a whole. It was not possible to view this asset during the site walkover.

The Stable Block (1313227) is an enclosed complex of grade II listed buildings to the north of Walton Hall. It is an asset of high significance, contributing to our understanding of the estate and how it functioned. Although it was not possible to view this asset during the site walkover, as it is not publically accessible, it is clear that its setting includes the modern hotel constructed between the asset and Walton Hall, Walton Hall and its associated buildings and the wider landscape within the boundary walls of the park. The modern hotel makes a negative contribution to the significance of the stable block primarily because of its positioning between the stables and Walton Hall. The wider setting makes a positive contribution to the significance of the asset.

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The Gate Piers (1135578) is a grade II listed building and asset of high significance. These form an important aesthetic and functional feature to the historic park, metaphorically separating the ‘wild’ landscape from the planned and ordered area surrounding Walton Hall. The setting of the gate piers includes the main house and drive that provide its context.

An historic Culvert and Sluice (1200188) which is grade II listed survives to the north-east of Walton Hall. One imagines that it originally served to control water coming in and out of the main lake surrounding Walton Hall, connecting this area with the northern lake (now drained) and Drain Beck which extends to the north towards Walton Village. As such the culvert and sluice is an important element of the network of waterways that were created to manage the water bodies.

The Island Wall (plate 10, 1300899) is a grade II listed retaining wall which supports the structure on which Walton Hall is constructed. It consists of finely joined and ashlar masonry with triangular copings. The structure is an asset of high significance displaying the quality of workmanship and engineering utilised in tis construction. It forms an important component of the Walton Hall ensemble conveying the man-made qualities of the island and the parkland more generally. The setting of the wall includes the hall, island and lake and these features make a positive contribution to the assets significance. In some areas the retaining wall has failed, a condition that should be addressed relatively urgently.

Plate 10

The sundial (plate 11, 1135580) is grade II listed and located immediately south of Walton Hall. It is attributed to a local mason, G Boulby, and dates from 1813. It is technically and aesthetically of exceptional quality consisting of twenty equilateral triangles, ten faces of which are sun dials that simultaneously show the time in different cities of the world. The sun dial is supported on a pedestal that is also carved of local stone. The sun dial was reportedly purchased by Waterton and subsequently installed at Walton Hall. Its survival reflects Waterton’s scientific grounding and international outlook. It is also testament to the

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craftsmanship of the mason who created it. It is an asset of high significance. Its immediate setting includes Walton Hall, surrounding lake and the collection of other small structures that Waterton created which together help us understand his character and motivations.

Plate 11

Walton Hall (plate 12, 1135579) is a grade II* listed building constructed in 1768 and surviving on the site of an earlier medieval house. The building consists of a three storey country house with a basement built. Its north façade is eight bays wide and symmetrical, divided by channelled pilaster strips. The central doorway sits between the fourth and fifth bays and has elaborate double doors with architrave. Carved on the lintel is a relief sculpture of an otter with a trout in its mouth (the Waterton crest). It is an asset of high significance primarily due to it being the 19th Century home of Charles Waterton, the explorer and naturalist who created what is thought to be the earliest bird and wildlife sanctuary in Britain within the boundaries of Waterton Estate, latterly known as Waterton Park. The house stands at the centre of the park and is understood as its focus around which the historic parkland was planned and experienced. First and foremost Waterton conceived the park as a refuge for birds. To the south of the house is what appears to be a stone viewing platform that extends into the lake and from which it would have been possible to watch birds and other wildlife.

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Plate 12

The remains of a medieval Watergate and later iron bridge (plate 13, 1313226 and plate 14, 1005791) connecting Walton Hall island to the surrounding land are grade II listed and a Scheduled Monument. This is an asset of high significance being both the last remaining built feature to survive from the medieval Walton Hall and a picturesque landscape feature that has been recorded in many drawings, paintings and ‘memories’ of Walton Hall. The iron bridge is beautifully constructed with decorative wrought iron work and an inset stone pavement. Both the Watergate and iron bridge are therefore architecturally, archaeologically, artistically and historically significant. Their setting is interconnected with that of Walton Hall and includes their appreciation in views to the house from the surrounding landscape. As is similar with other built features, the craftsmanship of the bridge would have served as an effective juxtaposition to the ‘natural’ landscape of the surrounding park and encourages the viewer to understand that Waterton’s park was an intentionally conceived environment as much as it was a refuge for wild fauna.

Plates 13 and 14

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The proposed Waterton Historic Park also contains a number of non-designated heritage assets that contribute positively to our understanding of the park and the completeness and authenticity of the park as a whole, and should also be considered important landscape features requiring appropriate care:

The Heronry Wall (plate 15, HER ref 13071) is a stone built boundary wall around 6' high and built of coursed rubble with triangular section coping stones. Waterton began building the wall in the 1820s in order to mark the boundary and deter poachers from the Heronry. It is one of the fundamental features of Waterton’s original nature reserve as it provided enhanced protection to the birds and other wildlife within its circumference from poachers and natural predators. It also indicates the ‘special’ nature of the land within the boundary wall. Although it was not possible to view the wall in its entirety it is clear that in areas its condition is poor and requires maintenance.

Plate 15

Waterton's Pill Box (plate 16, 13070) is a stone built shelter and observation point located within The Heronry woodland. Records indicate that Waterton used it to view animal behaviour within his reserve and so enhances our understanding of Waterton’s motivations, interests and scientific aims. It did not provide views of Walton Hall but instead looks out towards Stubbs Wood. The Pill Box has been previously restored by a local society which indicates its communal value.

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Plate 16

Waterton's Grave (plate 17, 13072) is located in Stubbs Wood. It consists of an inscribed stone with a concrete cross which replaced the original in the 1950s. Adjacent to the cross is a railed enclosure. Waterton’s death and the journey of his body across the lake to this place of burial is documented which contributes to its significance. Its setting includes the other assets within the park as well as the natural setting that surround the grave. This setting contributes positively to the significance of the grave site.

Plate 17

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6. APPRAISAL OF SPECIAL CHARACTER

The purpose of a character appraisal is to define the 'special architectural and historic interest' that warrants protection and to identify what it is about the character or appearance of the area that should be preserved or enhanced.

Detailed appraisals define the features of interest that give an area its special architectural and historic character as well as any features that detract from the character of the area. It should be noted that an appraisal does not represent an exhaustive record of every building, feature or space within the conservation area and an omission should not be taken to imply that an element is of no interest.

Appraisals examine the boundaries of the area and consider the potential for other areas to be included and, if appropriate, where existing areas should be excluded. A character appraisal used in conjunction with planning policies and other guidance will assist the ongoing management of the area, including development control decisions.

6.1 Walton Historic Core

Walton shares many of the characteristics possessed by neighbouring villages such as Crofton, having undergone much of the same development. Originally an agricultural community, evidenced by remaining farm buildings, the village then developed with the coming of industrialisation, bringing with it the railway, canal and the colliery. In the later decades of the 20th century the village expanded rapidly as it developed a role as a suburb of Wakefield.

The proposed Walton Historic Core policy area covers the parts of the village that have survived largely intact from the early 19th century. As has been noted the historic core is arranged along Shay Lane which runs east-west through the village. Later 20th century development that is excluded from the policy area is clearly defined by both the architecture of the buildings, many being bungalows or earlier terraced housing, and the layout of buildings in modern cul-de-sacs which do not connect with neighbouring areas.

Walton is primarily experienced as a linear settlement which the historic core area replicates. The main thoroughfare of Shay Lane dominates with secondary roads linking the village with Walton Hall to the south and lower Walton to the north.

Within this area many of the buildings are ‘traditional’, constructed of local stone on plots of land that are visible on historic mapping. The majority of buildings are stone built with stone roofs and timber fenestration. Other buildings are brick built but with many similar features. Of particular note within the village is the existence of stone walling that delineates property boundaries along Shay Lane. The physical fabric of these features embodies evidence of local geology and of local craftsmanship, as such they are particular to this place. Where the traditional stone buildings are visible from Shay Lane they contribute greatly to the streetscape.

Key views within Walton are those into and out of the historic core area from both Shay Lane, School Lane and The Balk. Approaching the area from the north along School Lane you view the war memorial at the crossroads which helps one identify the centre of the village. Other street furniture and signs here help to convey the historic value of the village such as the old signpost and letterbox set into the traditional stone walling. Exiting the village to the west from this point one views the natural setting (plate 18) of the fields on the other side of the railway lines. Thisreinforces the rural character of the village that has been lost elsewhere by the

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development of modern housing, but is undermined by a concentration of street furniture and road signs mid-view. The central area of the historic core contains an area of open ground which appears on historic maps and is now used by the local school (plate 19). This acts as a village green which continues to function as a community amenity and provides views of the north, largely unaltered, elevation of the non-designated Grove House. At the eastern end of the historic core area is located the characterful 19th century Methodist Chapel (plate 20) and New Inn which also contribute positively to the streetscape.

Plate 18

Plate 19

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Plate 20

Issues that detract from the character of the proposed area include a proliferation of road signs along Shay Lane (plate 21) and also near bridge (pate 18) which should be rationalised if possible, although it is acknowledged that the location of the local school makes some of this signage necessary. Although de-cluttering isn’t a planning but a highways issue, it could be presented at referendum as a parallel project to illustrate the group’s joined up thinking.

There is a distinct lack of visual permeability from Shay Lane to the historic properties. Improvement of this by cutting back trees and dense hedges may enable the character of the area to be better appreciated. Again, this isn’t strictly a planning issue, but many neighbourhood planning groups have listed parallel projects in an appendix to their plans and made it clear that these aren’t subject to the referendum.

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Plate 21

6.2 Waterton Historic Park

Waterton Park and Walton Hall have been identified on historic mapping dating from the 16th century onwards. The proposed Waterton Historic Park policy area covers the same area bounded by Waterton’s 19th century boundary wall, developed at the time he established his nature reserve. Much of this area is now used as a golf course and this has affected its character with many manicured areas visible from the central island (plate 22).

Plate 22

However in some views the golf course has been well designed and is screened from the central island by ‘natural’ vegetation in both the foreground and distance. This has limited the negative impact of the golf course on Walton Hall, which is a central feature of the proposed

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historic park. The beneficial impact of this design is presumed to be less apparent when viewing the house from the surrounding land as the golf course will be elevated in relation to the house and therefore more dominant in these views.

The location of the historic park has been determined, in part, by the natural topography which resulted in the formation of the lake in a depression with the surrounding land at a higher level. This has enabled good views of the landscape from Walton Hall as well as resulting in the house becoming an important feature within this landscape. The two aspects are highly complementary.

The individual buildings and built features within the historic park area are constructed, as in Walton village, from local materials that reflect the qualities of the place. Unlike Walton village these are not vernacular buildings but exceptional structures that convey the importance of the owners. Built landscape features such as the Pill Box, grave and grotto (not visited or found) have either a quasi-scientific or romantic role that helps to show that this is a place that provides a link between these two spheres.

At the time of the site-walkover it was not possible to explore the landscape due to the presence of the golf course however undoubtedly there will be historic views to and from Walton Hall that it will be beneficial to maintain or rediscover through appropriate land management.

7. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

7.1 General

Walton Village is not currently covered by any specific heritage-led policies other than those contained within the Wakefield Core Strategy. As these policies are necessarily generalised to be applicable to a wide variety of locations they do not recognise or respond to the special conditions found in Walton Village and Waterton Park. This supports a strong rationale for developing heritage-led policies within the NDP.

A comparison of Walton with neighbouring villages would help to determine if the heritage of the village represented survival of a sufficiently special character and appearance, as opposed to a more general vernacular architecture, to justify conservation area status.

The level of evidence that has been demonstrated in the comparative neighbourhood planning policies mentioned earlier represents a development of the existing policy framework in Exeter and Thame. Where conservation areas and other similar designations have previously been established the need for additional information is significantly less. The evidence prepared as part of this report should be considered a detailed overview which can be expanded as part of a robust process to develop heritage-led policy and projects that recognise and enhance the areas special character. The evidence provided here is considered proportionate and adequate for neighbourhood planning purposes.

The evidence indicates that both Walton Village and Waterton Park contain groups of historic buildings and other heritage assets that help us understand the place, convey special character and are worthy of protection. The aim therefore must be to propose policies that achieve this aim in as positive manner as possible.

Neighbourhood Planning provides a very good opportunity to provide more heritage protection by asking for specific sensitivities to be applied at proposals stage. The Neighbourhood Planning Group could consider policies and projects that, taken together, can help achieve this. Those relating to heritage and character are focussed on here. However there are other

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policies relating to traffic, urban design and landscape and signage that will all contribute to the conservation and enhancement of the historic environment.

7.2 Walton Historic Core

The historic core policy as it proposed could be redrafted to take a more positive approach to the protection of the historic character of the village. For example the policy could seek to encourage development that enhances and better reveals the special character of the village in terms of design, massing, use of materials, landscaping and parking..

Key views and viewing points outside and within the village may be identified and protected, such as those to and from the war memorial at the centre of the village. Of benefit may be the development of a local list of heritage assets that remain non-designated but will become a material consideration in planning decisions.

The sympathetic use of materials will be an effective way of ensuring development respects the character of the historic core. It may be useful for the neighbourhood planning group to draft a ‘Village Design Statement’ that focusses on issues such as the use of materials and by then converting a Village Design Statement to Neighbourhood Development Plan to put the former on a statutory footing.

7.3 Waterton Historic Park

Considered as a whole Waterton Park, despite the loss of much of the natural landscape which surrounded Walton Hall and the addition of several building in recent times, retains many special features of the historic parkland and these contribute substantially to the integrity and completeness of the area as an heritage asset of special interest. The total significance of these individual parts is greater than their individual significance and this reinforces the opinion that they should be considered part of a coherent group worthy of coordinated protection. Many of these features, such as the boundary wall and Waterton’s grave, are non-designated but of historic interest in their own right.

Apparent lack of access to the Waterton Park reduces the communities’ ability to understand, appreciation and enjoyment of the historic significance of this resources.

The Waterton Historic Park policy area is already within the Green Belt, is part of the Wildlife Habitat Network and is identified as a Local Wildlife Site. The built heritage assets within the park area in general have settings which extend to the surrounding parkland and which contribute positively to the significance of the assets. Understanding of the significance and setting of these assets provides protection to landscape to some degree. Having said this, the appreciation and understanding of the historic park as a coherent entity will be enhanced by the development of a statement of significance that identifies the attributes of the park that display heritage values and which combine to encapsulates special interest.

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SOURCES OF EVIDENCE

West Yorkshire Historic Environment Record

Wakefield Archives and Local Studies Centre

English Heritage, National Heritage List

English Heritage, Understanding Place, 2010

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Wakefield Core Strategy, 2009

Greater London Authority, Character and Context, June 2014

Ordinance Survey mapping

Walton chronology by Margaret Vernon

Hobson R., 1866, Charles Waterton, his home, habits and handiwork, Whittaker and Co

Waterton, C., 1955, Letters of Charles Waterton of Walton Hall near Wakefield, edited by R A Irwin, Richard Clay and Co, Suffolk

Charles Waterton, 1782 – 1865, catalogue of an exhibition

Charles Waterton, Essays on Natural History (second series)

Gosse, P., 1940, The Squire of Walton Hall, Cassell and Co Ltd

Phelps, G., 1976, Squire Waterton, EP Publishing Ltd

9. APPENDIX

Figure 1: reproduction of the proposals map for Walton Village Historic Core and Waterton Historic Park

Figure 2: Historic Environment map and study area

Figures 3.1 – 3.13: historic maps relating to Walton Village

Figures 4.1 – 4.7: historic maps relating to Waterton Park

Historic asset gazetteer

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