gosforth conservation area character statement - Newcastle City ...

have a strong horizontal emphasis as a
result of their rectangular form and
horizontal fenestration patterns. At the
time of preparation of this statement the
Council has resolved to be minded to
grant outline planning permission for
residential development of the site and
has agreed a planning brief to guide that
development. The brief recognises that
redevelopment of the site is likely to take
place and sets out guidance for the form
of that development so that it retains the
present character of the site.
Whilst the buildings are of an entirely
different character and scale to the
surrounding residential developments they
are of good architectural merit so do not
detract from the appearance of the
conservation area. The buildings are set
within mature landscaped grounds and
because of this relationship between the
buildings and their open attractive setting,
the site makes a positive contribution to
the character and appearance of the
conservation area.
The floorscape consists largely of early
pre-cast concrete kerbs, flags and
channels.
Rectory Terrace
Rectory Terrace is a series of two late
C19 terraces, the first, nearest to St
Nicholas Church is stone built whilst the
second is brick built. Both terraces relate
Rectory Terrace
well to the design of the late C19 terraces
which lead west off the High Street.
Both terraces are largely unaltered and, as
a result have strong unity and cohesion.
Each terrace is set back from the road
with long gardens to the front. Long front
gardens are a reasonably uncommon
feature within the conservation area and
there are only two other examples – the
grade II listed terraces on The Grove and
the end of the High Street. Front
boundaries to the gardens consist of a low
brick wall with stone or concrete coping.
Hedges of varying heights above the brick
wall are common and there are a variety of
gate designs. There are two examples of
railings and these are set into a coping
stone laid directly on the ground rather
than raised on a dwarf wall. Views of the
terraces are obscured by the various
hedges and small trees planted within the
gardens.
The terraces are slightly different in
design. The brick terrace has a pitched,
welsh slate roof with simple clay ridge tile
detail and projecting pitch roof over the
third floor window. Two-storey polygonal
bay windows stand to either side of the
paired front doors with stone mullion detail
and timber sliding sashes. The
fenestration and entrance have stone
surrounds. The visual regularity of the
terrace is affected by the introduction of
modern velux rooflights on the front roof
slope. The stone terrace is built of
coursed sandstone which has a
blackened appearance in place and is
simpler in design. The regularity of the
terrace is dominated by small dormers on
the roof line and simple stone polygonal
single storey bay windows with hipped
slate roofs. Simple timber open porches
add to the regularity although their impact
has been lessened by later alterations to
the design.
The back lanes are laid in random
whinstone setts and retain their character
44 Gosforth Consevation Area Character Statement