stoke conservation area appraisal and ......stoke conservation area appraisal and management plan...

STOKE CONSERVATION AREAAPPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN IPSWICH BOROUGH COUNCIL 9

This statement is supplementary to the Ipswich Local Plan

(1997) and will be treated as a material consideration in all

planning and development decisions. This statement describes

briefly the purpose in declaring the area as a conservation area

and sets out in detail the special character of the area. The

Management Plan describes the particular supplementary

policies that apply within the area to protect its special status;

and specific measures for its protection and enhancement as

required under Section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings &

Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and as advised by the

Department of Culture, Media and Sport Planning Policy

Guidance Note [PPG]15: Planning and the Historic

Environment.

The statement cannot cover every eventuality, but further

advice on specific matters can be obtained from the

Development Control and Conservation Service of the Council.

Like all the Council's planning guidance this document has

been adopted in 1994.

STOKE CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLANSTOKE CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

Reproduced from the Ordance Survey mapping with permission of the Controllor of Her Majesty’s StationeryOffice © Crown Copyright.

Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. LA 07831x 2005

Scale 1:4150

The stoke Conservation Area Appraisal

1 Introduction 2

2 Extent of the Stoke Conservation Area 3

3 Reason for Designation 3

4 Summary of the Special Character of the Area 4

5 Historic Development 4

6 Archaeological Significance of the Area 4

7 Architectural and Historic Qualities of the Buildings 4

1 The Council's Detailed Policies for the stoke Conservation Area

2 Supplementary Policies for the Stoke Conservation Area

3 Protection and Enhancement

4 Further Information

Appendices

Appendix 1: Listed Buildings in the Conservation Area

Appendix 2: Archaeological finds in the conservation area

Appendix 3: Glossary of Architectural Terms

stoke conservation area contents

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STOKE CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLANSTOKE CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

introductionIpswich is fortunate to have a long and important history reflected in many fine

buildings and areas, which are distinguished by their architecture and landscape setting.

This creates an attractive environment that is theproduct of many different eras. These areas areunique examples of our social, cultural andaesthetic past and must be safeguarded fromindiscriminate or ill-considered change.

The Planning (Listed Building & ConservationAreas) Act 1990 states that:"Every local planning authority shall, from timeto time, determine which parts of their areaare areas of special architectural or historicinterest, the character or appearance of whichit is desirable to preserve or enhance andshall designate such areas as ConservationAreas".

Planning Policy Guidance Note [PPG]15: Planningand the Historic Environment also makes clearthat:"It is fundamental to the Government'spolicies for environmental stewardship thatthere be effective protection for all aspects ofthe historic environment. The physicalsurvivals of our past are to be valued andprotected for their own sake, as a central partof our cultural heritage and our sense ofnational identity. They are an irreplaceablerecord, which contributes, through formaleducation and in many other ways, to ourunderstanding of both the present and thepast. Their presence adds to the quality of ourlives, by enhancing the familiar and cherishedlocal scene and sustaining the sense of localdistinctiveness, which is so important anaspect of the character and appearance of ourtown's, villages and countryside. The historicenvironment is also of immense importancefor leisure and recreation."

This designation is not intended to prevent allchange or development, but to ensure the specialcharacter of the area is protected and enhanced,that proposed changes are subject to particularscrutiny and to try to ensure that it is appropriateto an areas' special character.

Although conservation areas often contain"Listed Buildings" it is not always enough just toprotect these buildings in isolation. Theirsurroundings and general environment are oftenof equal importance and Conservation Areas areintended to protect that environment. This isdone through a number of additional planningcontrols, which mean that certain alterations, thedemolition of buildings or parts of them (withparticular exceptions), and works to trees requirethe prior approval of the Council. This additionalcontrol is necessary because it is the appearanceof the area as a whole that is important and thiscould be spoiled by unsympathetic work, whichdiminishes its special character. Conservationarea designation and control is intended to fostera more enlightened attitude to change andimprovement.

This document has three main aims. These are to:• provide detailed guidance on the Council's

expectations for all kinds of development andrelated proposals affecting conservation areasby way of its approved policies for the area;

• promote schemes of preservation andenhancement where appropriate;

• provide an understanding of what is specialabout the character of the area.

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This statement is supplementary to the Ipswich Local Plan (1997) and will be treated as amaterial consideration in all planning and development decisions. This statement describesbriefly the purpose in declaring the area as a conservation area and sets out in detail thespecial character of the area. The Management Plan describes the particular supplementarypolicies that apply within the area to protect its special status; and specific measures for itsprotection and enhancement as required under Section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings& Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and as advised by the Department of Culture, Media andSport Planning Policy Guidance Note [PPG]15: Planning and the Historic Environment.

The statement cannot cover every eventuality, but further advice on specific matters can beobtained from the Planning and Development Service of the Council. Like all the Council'splanning guidance this document has been adopted in 1994.

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extent of the conservation areaThis conservation area covers part the old hamletof Stoke south of the River Gipping around theremains of the old settlement between StokeBridge and St Mary's Stoke Church. The area

was formally designated in July 1987. To the eastthe Wet Dock Conservation Area (declared in1992) shares a common boundary around thenorth side of Stoke Bridge Maltings.

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reason for designationThe conservation area links several listedbuildings of diverse ages and character and theirsetting, clustered around the church and oldhamlet of Stoke at its crossing point over theRiver Gipping into the Town Centre. The area isnow dominated by a major traffic junction aroundthe Old Bell Inn; but the narrowness of StokeStreet with its small domestic scale and Bell Laneindicates the former village character of the area.The rising winding street leading up from thebridge to the church which dominates views from

its elevated position with its fine surround of treesis its most striking characteristic especially whenseen from the north .

Designation of the Stoke conservation area in1987 was undertaken in the light of a perceptionthat the restrictions would allow a full and properconsideration of any proposed changes affectingthe environment and so prevent any unilateralaction which may damage the appearance of thearea.

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summary of significance of the area4Stoke is a small conservation area with buildingsof a variety of ages and styles forming a smallhamlet at the original crossing point of the river.

Most of the buildings are constrained by thenarrow space of Stoke Street and are now inmixed use.

Stoke Bridge

STOKE CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

historic development of the areaThe small hamlet of Stoke developed from theMedieval period. It was the most accessiblecrossing point from high ground to the south of

the River Gipping over the largelyimpassable Corporation Marshes, intothe town centre of Ipswich. St Mary-at-Stoke Church (listed Grade I) wasbuilt on the most favorable local site,a promontory which rose steeply upfrom the river and which enabled thechurch to be seen over a wide area.St Mary's dates from the 15thCentury (the date of its hammer beamroof) or earlier, but was extensivelyenlarged and restored by Londonarchitect William Butterfield in 1870-71.

The other building of ancient origin is The OldBell Inn [Listed Grade II] a building of the 16thCentury. This occupies the south east corner of aonce narrow cross-roads where Bell Lane ledfrom the south over Stoke Bridge, past Stoke Millto the town centre. From the west, Stoke Lane(now renamed Stoke Street) led down from thechurch and Belstead and some impression of itsearlier constricted character remains.

To the east, Dock Lane led in the 17th Century tothe Keys Cooperage; in the mid 18th Century toextensive orchards and a shipyard on the southbank of the river basin; and in the 19th Centuryto The New Cut and to large maltings (nowdemolished). In the late 18th Century, a long lowwarehouse (Listed Grade II) of 4 storeys - threeof which were within a deep pantiled roof - wasbuilt adjacent to Stoke Bridge. This was used asan infirmary barracks in 1803 converted to a

maltings in 1849 and converted again toresidential use in 1988.

In the mid-19th Century, a carriage drive leadingto Stoke Hall (now demolished) was built aroundthe curving northern boundary of the churchyardas can clearly be seen on E E White's Map ofc.1867. The start of this driveway can still bemade out today as it rises among the treesbetween the churchyard wall and the existingbrick retaining wall to the west of the of StokeStreet/Burrell Road junction. The approach fromBridge Street into Stoke Street (below left) andthe climb up Stoke Street towards the church(now the site of the People's Hall (below right)remained narrow as the engraving of 1888 byPercy Stimpson show.

In the mid 19th Century, as land along WhersteadRoad started to be developed and Bell Lanebecame too narrow for local traffic, a new roadVernon Street (initially called Harland St), wasbuilt to the east side ofthe Bell Inn. In the 1960sthe land to the rear of theInn was comprehensivelycleared and redevelopedfor blocks of four-storeyflats. In the late 1970s,the sense of enclosurearound the Inn was all butdestroyed as buildingsopposite were demolished to make way for theStoke Bridge and Approaches Road Scheme,completed in 1982. The sense of formerenclosure can only be appreciated on the westside towards The People's Hall.

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archaeological significance of the areaThe medieval remains of Stoke Bridge and StokeMill are significant structures in the area (seeAppendix 3). Any new developments within thisconservation area will need to take account of

the sites archaeological significance. In thesecircumstances the Council may imposeconditions requesting an archaeological watchingbrief.

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Speede’s Stoke map

Old Bell Inn, St Mary’s Stoke,Stoke Maltings

3 4

E White’s map of 1867


traffic junction. Beyond, in the middle distanceare the modern leisure buildings of Cardinal Park,the tall buildings at Greyfriars and in Civic Drive.In the foreground are the two Stoke bridges,landscaped road margins, the dockside industrialbuildings and open sites.

In Stoke Street, the narrow remnant of Bell Laneleads to a large car park to the rear, formed forresidents of the Council flats. The tall chimneystack and jettied timber-frame to the Bell Lanewing of the PH contribute to the character of this

short roadway. Theaccess is marked bydouble yellow linesthe size of which areemphasised by theotherwise small scaleof the space. To thewest side of the laneare single storeyshops built in 1924of no architecturalinterest and adjacentis a high brick wallwith an overgrownunused site behind.

The street rises to the junction with Burrell Road,and appears to narrow in the middle because ofthe dominance of the massive brooding presenceof the somber, but well articulated and highlyindividual Tudor-Revival, People's Hall. Thisbuilding was erected through the combinedefforts of collective local Methodist congregationsto provide several halls for religious worship andsocial ministration. There is a long frontage to thestreet with a massive mock-Tudor gable and afirst floor open gallery balcony facing the street.This is flanked by entrance doorways. The righthand entrance has a smaller half-timbered gableover and it was originally intended that anidentical entrance treatment would also be builton the left. Further flanking wings were to extendon either side but only the right hand section wascompleted. The site for the left-hand wing hasremained vacant. There is extensive use ofpolychromatic brick detailing and plain colouredstained glass. The traffic pollution, dark pointingand north facing orientation contribute to theslightly forbidding external appearance. The mainpart of the building is now converted to flats(although this has not significantly altered itsstreet facade), while the small hall to the westend remains in religious use.

architectural and historic characteristicsMany conservation areas are composed of individual parts that, while

creating a cohesive overall character, are often composed of smaller parts with specific identities.

The special character of these areas are definedby the characteristics of its four principal streetsas set out in greater detail below.

The inclusion of buildings in this section is notintended to be comprehensive and is intended toillustrate the range of building types, styles andmaterials in the conservation area. If a building isnot included this should not be taken to indicatethat it is of no interest.

The present conservation area links together thethree Listed buildings, together with fourbuildings of special local architectural andhistoric interest: The Peoples Hall designed bylocal architect Edwin Thomas Johns in 1898 foran association of local Methodist Churches; theformer Defiance Public House now a dwelling No22 Stoke Street designed by Ipswich architectsCattermole & Eade in 1868; the former `The RiverQueen' Public House at the junction of StokeStreet and Stoke Bridge designed by theColchester architect George Henry Page in 1899but unsympathetically altered in the 1990s; and27-29 Stoke Street, a pair of small mid-Georgianred brick houses.

Southward, on the approach to the area overStoke Bridge, views are dominated by the largemature trees around the north side of thechurchyard, and by the modern flats on risingground behind the Old Bell Inn - the massing ofwhich serves to underscore the Inn's mediaevalscale - and the gables of the People's Hall.

On the southern approach to the conservationarea on Vernon Street, the Listed Maltingsprovided an important visual stop with itsmassive pantiled roofs and numerous flat-headeddormer windows. In longer views from justoutside the conservation area, the variedsilhouette of the Wet Dock industrial buildingsbeyond can be seen over the Maltings. In theforeground, in what would otherwise be anattractive view, a large open shed to the rear ofthe Old Bell Inn detracts from the appearance ofthe rear of this ancient building.

As the traffic lights are approached at the cornerof Stoke Bridge with Vernon Street and DockStreet, all sense of enclosure is lost. Northwardviews are dominated in the foreground by theconsiderable clutter of street furniture, trafficlights, direction signs and guard rails to this large

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Above: Southward view of Stoke BridgeFar right: view towards the Wet Dock

Right: Stoke Maltings detail

Above left: Bell LaneLeft: Peoples HallAbove: Bell LaneBottom left: Old Bell Inn cornerpost

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On the corner facing the Churchyard are two redbrick houses (Nos.27-29). These dwellings lostmuch of their originalarchitectural interest whentheir original sash windowswere removed but they retaininteresting doorcase detailswith fanlights and box-casedreveals as well as modillionedeaves cornices which indicatetheir 18th Century origins. TheChurchyard, whichincorporates a car parkcreated in 1965, has a generalopen grassed appearance.The size of the churchyardseems to be accentuated bythe narrowness of StokeStreet and the streets of small houses to thesouth.

To the south-west corner of the churchyard is amodern brick two-storey church hall of 1964-5without special architectural merit. To the southand south-west immediately beyond theconservation area boundary are pleasant semi-detached, two-storey Council flats built in 1953set in tree planted grass margins. The return viewto the north focuses on the trees on thechurchyard but also on the pleasant facade of theformer Defiance PH attractively converted to aprivate house in 1998.

On the north side of Stoke Street, Nos.14-16 (re-fronted c.1899) once a building of historicimportance from the 17th or 18th Century and re-

fronted in red brick, has been unsympatheticallyaltered by the inappropriate blocking up of theground floor street front window and thereplacement of the remaining windows byaluminium designs of awkward dimensions.Itsearlier rear wing, prominent from Stoke Bridgewas also substantially rebuilt in 1993, losingmuch if its historic value. No.20 is a two-storeypainted brick commercial building of 1902. Themid 19th Century white and red brick formerDefiance PH No 22, is by significant localarchitects Cattermole and Eade. The front facadeis notable for its unusual trapezoidal first floorwindow openings reproduced on the ground floorelevation when converted to a house. Generallyany backland development which slopes down tothe river wall, is confined to single-storeybuildings so that the village street characterpredominates.

Left: No 30 stokeAbove: Nos 24-26 stoke

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The former pub car park to the junction withBurrell Road provides a pleasing and significantbreak in the otherwise confined and near-continuous frontages around the Peoples Hallopposite. The opening gives an attractive viewacross the river to St Peter's Church and theTown Centre.

The continuous frontages sweeping uphill inBurrell Road to the junction with Stoke Streetform a pleasing townscape which contributes tothe character of the area. The large semi-detchedhouses laid out in a sweep of the curve of BurrellRoad provide a distinctive sinuous alignment

Nos. 161-171 Burrell Road fall within theconservation area and is a terrace of late 19thCentury three storey houses in red brick withwhite brick dressings, curving along the bend inthe road. They were much altered prior to thedesignation of the conservation area. The middle

pair have been rendered and only one (No.169)retains its original windows. All have concreteroofs. To the west the land falls away givingviews of a car showroom and garage outside theconservation area.

To the east, despite much foreground clutter,there is a delightful view from Stoke Street alongDock Street over the Wet Dock Island to the treelined slopes of Holywells Park and Bishops Hill inthe distance.

There are no historic street surfaces of interestwithin the conservation area. Footways areconstructed in tarmac or in-situ concretethroughout the conservation area with theexception of a small part of Stoke Street aroundthe Churchyard where large concrete slabs areused. Generally the highway and footwaysurfaces detract from the character of theconservation area.

Nos 14-16 Stoke Street

Above: 161-171 Burrell Road

Left: Nos 27-29 Stoke Street

No 22 Stoke Street - former Defiance Public House

No 20 Stoke Street

BURLINGTON ROAD CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

conservation area management planThe general objectives, policies and proposals for the control of development

and the use of land in Ipswich up to the year 2006 are contained in Ipswich Local Plan 1997.

The Plan gives environmental issues a highpriority and sets out among its specific objectivesfor the Built and Natural Environment. Theseinclude:• To protect and enhance listed buildings and

their settings and the designated conservationareas;

• To bring about environmental improvementsthrough development opportunities.

• To enhance the quality of life by theestablishment of a safe, accessible, enjoyableenvironment.

• To achieve high quality and sustainable newdevelopment.

Conservation boundaries and descriptions aresubject to periodic review (as required bylegislation). The Council reviews conservationareas on an approximately 5 year cycle. Thefollowing description is based on comprehensivesurvey work carried out in the Autumn of 1994and reviewed in 2000 and 2005.

1. Detailed PoliciesThe Local Plan Built Environment Chapter setsout detailed conservation policies (withsupporting text) to safeguard and where possible,add to and enhance the character and visualappearance of all Conservation Areas. Otherpolices with particular relevance to specificconservation areas are also identified below withthe relevant Local Plan policy number

BE30Consent to demolish a building or structurewithin or adjacent to a conservation area will onlybe granted where:-(a) the building/structure does not materially

contribute to the townscape quality of the areaand its removal would contribute to theenhancement of the area;

(b) it can be demonstrated that thebuilding/structure is incapable of repair andreuse; and

(c) evidence of a completed contract for the fullimplementation of the comprehensive scheme of development has been submittedto the Local Planning Authority.

BE31The Council will resist the removal of chimneys,skyline features and other parts of buildings thatpositively contribute to the character ofconservation areas.

BE32The Council will seek to ensure that developmentproposals including changes of use within orclose to a conservation area preserve or enhancethe character and appearance of the area.Particular care will be taken to protect openspaces and other collective peculiarities thatcontribute to the character of each area.

BE33The Council will resist the introduction of newuses generating noise, nuisance or excessivetraffic likely to affect the character or appearanceof conservation areas.

BE34In considering proposals for development inconservation areas the Council will pay particularregard to the following design criteria for newbuildings, redevelopment, extensions or additionsto existing buildings:-(a) the position of a proposed building on a site

will be determined by its relationship to adjoining buildings and spaces and to buildinglines;

(b) the height and mass of the proposed buildingwill be in scale with adjoining buildings andwith the area as a whole;

(c) the design of the building should pay regard tomatters such as scale, height, form, massingrespect for the traditional pattern of frontages,vertical and horizontal emphasis and detaileddesign (such as the scale and spacing ofwindow openings) in order to reflect existingcharacteristics in the street;

(d) materials to be used will be appropriate to thearea in both type and colour; and

(e) the design and detail of the space aroundbuildings, landscape schemes, lighting, roads,fences, street furniture and signs will payregard to the special qualities of thesurrounding area.

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BURLINGTON ROAD CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

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BE35Proposals for development in or close toconservation areas should be accompanied by asufficient level of detail to enable a properassessment to be undertaken of the impact ofeach scheme on the character and appearanceof the area. Outline planning applications will onlybe appropriate in certain circumstances and onlythen if accompanied by sufficient material todemonstrate the townscape implications.

BE46The Council will seek to preserve ScheduledAncient Monuments and other remains ofnational importance and their settings. On otherimportant archaeological sites the Council willseek mitigation of damage through preservationin situ as a preferred solution. When the balanceof other factors is in favour of physicaldestruction of the archaeological site, the Councilwill wish to be satisfied that adequate provision ismade for the excavation and recording ofarchaeological remains.

BE47Where research indicates that archaeologicalremains may exist, the Council will require that adeveloper submits an archaeological fieldevaluation prior to the determination of a planningapplication. Planning permission will not be grantedwithout adequate assessment of the nature, extentand significance of the remains present and theextent to which the proposed development is likelyto affect them. Where proposals are consideredacceptable these conservation/preservationarrangements will normally be secured by acondition of planning permission and /or a planningobligation agreement.

Where changes to the elevations of buildings,alterations affecting boundary walls etc. on thestreet frontage or works to trees are proposed,owners and occupiers are advised to consult thePlanning and Development Service for assistanceand agreement on the need for consent for anysuch change.

Any Planning Applications for development in thearea will receive particular advance publicity in thelocal press and on site. Representations aboutthem will be welcomed and will be taken intoaccount when considering such proposals.

The Council is aware that successful conservationdepends upon goodwill and co-operation betweenproperty owners, developers and the generalpublic. The Head of Planning and Development orhis staff will always be pleased to discuss anyproposal however minor, and advise upon thechoice of suitable materials and building methods

and to give every encouragement to individuals,amenity societies and residents associations etc. toundertake appropriate improvements to theenvironment of the conservation areas.

2. Special Planning PoliciesIn addition to the Local Plan policies above, thefollowing policies are considered appropriate andwill apply to this conservation area.

SPP 1In this Conservation Area, the Council attachesparticular importance to encouraging theretention and repair or reinstatement of specialfeatures of the area such as original glazing barsand other decorative glass to windows and doorsand ornamental brickwork and other features of interest..

SPP 2Scope for new development within thisconservation area is limited by its extent, specialcharacter, topography and prevailing domesticscale. This will actually be expected to beconfined to street frontages or where the existingtownscape can be reinforced. Backlanddevelopment will only be appropriate where theprevailing scale and character of the conservationarea is respected.

SPP 3In special cases, the Council will considersupporting the relaxation of normal PlanningStandards, Building Regulations, Public Healthand Housing Standards where these conflictwithsound conservation principles or practice forprotecting or enhancing the character orappearance of the conservation area.

SPG 4The Borough Council as Highways Agency forSuffolk County Council will aim to ensure thatwherever possible, the visual and physical impactof works within the highway affectingconservation areas is minimized in line with thejoint accord and the “Highways in ConservationManual” 1998.


Traffic proposals & street furnitureThe heavy traffic volumes using StokeStreet/Vernon Street as a major radial roadnecessitate traffic signage, barriers and a level ofstreet lighting higher than visually desirable for aconservation area. In particular, the extent of thebarriers in the vicinity of the Old Bell Inn destroysthe setting of this ancient building. Anopportunity should be taken to review theconsiderable quantity of street furniture at theVernon Street/Stoke Street junction with a view torepositioning some signs, attaching other signs tobuildings and regrouping still others wherepracticable to enhance the appearance of thearea. This should be considered whenever TrafficOrders are proposed to be modified.

Opportunity should be taken to improve theappearance of Bell Lane. This currently detractsfrom the special character and appearance ofthe Inn, the rear wing of which has a jetty whichprojects over the very narrow footway. Stepsshould be taken to resurface the Lane insympathetic materials to enable the doubleyellow lines to be eliminated. Eventually, if

possible, an alternative means of access shouldbe sought to the site at the rear to enable theLane to be closed to vehicles. The setting of theOld Bell Inn would be enhanced by the narrowingthe Lane further and cobble the resultant margin.Contributions to the cost of improvements to BellLane from developments in the vicinity may besought.

4. Further InformationThe Council's planning documents - IpswichLocal Plan; Character Descriptions which detailthe special character and policies applicable toindividual Conservation Areas, the particularsupplementary policies to apply within those areato protect their special status and specificmeasures for their protection and enhancement;and general information and detailed technicalleaflets on the following matters are all availablefrom the Development Control & ConservationService at Ipswich Borough Council’s CustomerServices Centre Tel (01473) 432934 or 432935 ore-mail:www.ipswich.gov.uk/Services/Conservation

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3. Protection and Enhancement UsesThe location of the area straddling two majortraffic routes into Ipswich Town Centre hascreated an environment dominated by heavytraffic. Demolitions for road widening hasresulted in a general mix of uses without a strongoverall pattern but the two largest buildings, theStoke Bridge Maltings and The People's Halltogether with the existing dwellings andconversions of commercial premises toresidential use create overall a predominance ofresidential use although in the case of the flatsthis has been adapted so that the traffic impactcould be minimised

New developmentVery limited opportunities exist for possibleredevelopment or infill proposals, but thedevelopment to mend the townscape and closethe gap made by the cleared site adjacent toStoke Bridge would be welcome. Somedevelopment related to Nos.5-9 Stoke Street, theadjacent derelict site and part of the car park tothe rear might be possible subject to accessrequirements away from Bell Lane and a designin sympathy with the Old Bell Inn and thePeople's Hall. It is considered that the characterof the area is unsuitable for large scale backlanddevelopment which does not respect thecharacter of the conservation area. . Where newbuildings are proposed to stand alongsidehistoric buildings, PPG 15 (para. 2.14) makesclear that their design will require very carefulconsideration.

Architectural featuresProtectionThe conservation area has Listed buildings andother buildings of special local interestrepresenting a wide range of architectural stylesspanning six centuries. The varied architecturaldetailing and traditional materials of thosebuildings makes a significant contribution to thecharacter of the conservation area and should beretained.

ReinstatementWhere good historical evidence exists or whereoriginal detailing is missing, for example in thecase of windows and doors at Nos.27-29 StokeStreet or 161-171 Burrell Road, these should bereinstated when the opportunity arises. Thiswould greatly enhance the character andappearance of the area.

Removal The appearance of the conservation area wouldalso be greatly enhanced by the demolition of thelarge corrugated sheet shed to the rear of the OldBell Inn, and general improvements to thecourtyard.

Brick CleaningBrick is the dominant building material in Ipswichboth red and local Suffolk Whites. Suffolk Whitebricks, over time, weather to a grey colour.These bricks are often cleaned to attempt torestore them to their former cream colour,however this course of action, if done byinexperienced contractors, can lead to long termproblems.

White bricks are made with a high quantity ofchalk which gives the bricks their distinctivecolour. When the bricks are fired a hard fireskinis formed whilst the inside of the brick remainsrelatively soft. When these bricks are cleaned bythe process of grit blasting, the protective fireskinis removed and the softer inner brick is exposedto the weather and the atmosphere. This leadsto the slow erosion of the brick and the risk ofwater penetration into the wall. A light water orchemical wash using fine jet sprays is less likelyto damage the brickwork or pointing. Gritblasting can also damage and remove the mortarjoints between bricks creating anotheropportunity for water to penetrate and the needto repoint.

If any cleaning of Suffolk White bricks is desiredthen the use of an experienced cleaningcontractor is strongly advised. For further adviceand information on cleaning please contact theConservation Team on 01473 432935/4 or atwww.ipswich.gov.uk/Services/Conservation.

Paving & LandscapingThe treatment of paving in the area neitherprotects or enhances the special character. Inparticular the large area in front of the Old BellInn would be greatly improved by replacement ofthe in-situ concrete footway with moresympathetic material such as brick paving andsetts. The area would also benefit from theintroduction of further tree and shrub planting tothe grassed areas south west of Stoke Bridge(subject to highway visibility requirements) toreduce the serious loss of enclosure to the cornerwith Stoke Street.

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Risk RatingThe risk rating category refers to the EnglishHeritage system for measuring both the conditionof the fabric and the level of potential risk of alisted building. The ratings range from 1-6 where1 is in very bad condition and vacant, and 6 is ingood condition and occupied. Category 4 arebuildings which are increasingly in need ofmaintenance.

The area also has a number of buildings thatare of special local interest:

The People's Hall, Stoke StreetNo 22 Stoke Street, (Former Defiance Inn)No 27a - 29 Stoke StreetNo's 14 -16 Stoke Street

APPENDIX 1

Listed Buildings The following buildings within the conservation area are listed:

Building Risk Rating GradeGipping House, Stoke Bridge, Dock Street 6 IIThe Old Bell Inn, Stoke Street 5 IISt Mary Stoke Church 6 I

APPENDIX 2Archaeological finds from the conservation area:

Ref Site name Period Summary/descriptionIPS 139 Church of St Mary, Stoke Medieval St Mary's ChurchIPS 255 Stoke Mill, Stoke Bridge Post Medieval Stoke Mill and bridge across the

Orwell/Gipping shown on Bowen's, Hodskinson's, Saxton's & Speede's maps.

IPS 255 Stoke Bridge Medieval Stoke Bridge across the Orwell/Gipping as shown on Bowen’s and Hodskinson's maps.


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APPENDIX 3Glossary of Architectural Terms

Acanthus A plant with thick fleshy leaves used oncarved ornamentation of Corinthian andComposite capitals and on othermouldings.

Bargeboards Projecting boards placed against the gableof a building and hiding the ends ofhorizontal timbers; sometimes decorated.

Bracket A small supporting piece of stone or othermaterial often formed of scrolls to carry aprojecting weight.

Canopy A projection or hood over a door or window.

Capital The head or crowning feature of a column.

Cartouche An ornamental panel in the form of a scrollor sheet of paper with curling edges,usually bearing an inscription.

Casement A metal or timber window with the sashwindow hung vertically and opening outwards or

inwards.

Console An ornamental scrolled bracket, normally instone or timber, usually supporting aprojecting lintel, fascia etc.

Corbel A projecting block, which may itself becarved, supporting a parapet, lintel or beam.

Cornice Any projecting, ornamental moulding alongthe top of a building, wall, arch etc finishingor crowning it.

Cupola A dome, especially a small dome on acircular or polygonal base crowning a roofor turret.

Dentilled A series of small square blocks forming amoulding used in classical cornices.

Diaper-work All over surface decoration composed of asmall repeated pattern such as lozenges orsquares.

Eaves The lower border of a roof which overhangsthe wall.

Entablature The horizontal group of bands in classicalarchitecture that rests on top of the columnsor pilasters and consists of an architrave atthe bottom, a frieze in the middle (which issometimes decorated), and cornice at the top.

Faience Glazed terracotta fixed as tiles or claddingonto a surface to produce coloureddecoration.

Fanlight A window, often semi-circular, over a doorwith radiating glazing bars suggesting a fan.

Fascia The horizontal board over a shop frontwhich carries the name of the shop. Can beornamental.

Finial A formal ornament at the top of a canopy,gable, pinnacle etc.

Gable The triangular upper portion of a wall at theend of a pitched roof.

Hipped roof A pitched roof without gables where allsides of the roof meet at an angle.

Jetty The projecting floor joists supporting theoverhang of a timber framed building.

Keystone The central stone of an arch or a rib vaultsometimes carved.

Modillion A small bracket or console of which a seriesis frequently used to support a cornicearranged in pairs with a square depressionbetween each pair.

Mullion A vertical post or other upright dividing awindow or other opening into two or morelights.

Oriel A bay window which projects from an upperfloor only.

Pantile A roofing tile of curved S-shaped section.

Parapet A low wall protecting the edge of a roof.

Pargetting Exterior plastering of a timber framedbuilding usually modeled in designs.

Pediment A low pitched gable above doors orwindows, it may be straight sided or curvedsegmentally.

Pilaster A shallow pier or rectangular columnprojecting only slightly from a wall.

Porte-Cochêre A porch large enough for wheeled vehiclesto pass through.

Portico A roofed space, open or partly enclosed,forming the entrance and centre piece ofthe façade, often with columns and apediment.

Quoin The stone blocks on the outside corner of abuilding which are usually differentiatedfrom the adjoining walls by material, texture,colour, size or projection.

Rusticated A surface or face to a wall with roughsurfaced masonry blocks having bevelled orrebated edges producing pronouncedjoints.

String course A continuous projecting horizontal band setin the surface of an exterior wall and usuallymoulded.

Stucco Plasterwork

Terracotta Fired but unglazed clay, used mainly forwall covering and ornamentation as it canbe fired in moulds.

Tripartate Made up of three parts.

Venetian A window with three openings, the central Window one arched and wider than the others.

Voussoir A brick or wedge shaped stone forming oneof the units of an arch.

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