Draft Bicester Conservation Area Appraisal November 2009

The majority of the buildings are renderedlimestone rubble with timber frames,although some are constructed of localbrick. The brick, 20th century, overlargeNationwide Bank dominates the MarketSquare end of the Causeway while theother buildings on the street date from the16th, 17th and 18th centuries. There aresome impressive examples of early sashwindows, although most are in a poorstate of repair. Many of the buildingsappear to be timber framed with slightlyjettied fronts and parapets disguising thecharacteristic steeply pitched roofs. No. 8is the most obvious and highest qualitytimber framed and jettied 17th centurybuilding on the Causeway and is key toviews within this character area. Thebuilding plays an important role in creatingthe character of the streetscape atpedestrian level.Vacant premises at no. 5 CausewayA surviving shop front at no. 9 CausewayNo. 10 CausewayThe majority of the buildings are in retail,commercial or restaurant use althoughthere are a small number of residentialunits at the western end of the Causeway.Number 10 was once a coaching inn butis now being converted into flats. Wherethe commercial buildings are three storeythere appear to be offices or residentialon the upper floors, whereas the twostorey buildings tend to have storage onthe first floor. A number of buildings havebeen vacant for over 10 years or have avery fast turnover of occupyingbusinesses, particularly those on thesouthern side. This is likely to be a resultof the volume of traffic as well as the lackof available parking.The Causeway has retained some of itshistoric shopfronts with timber panelledstallrisers and pilasters although many arein poor repair. The Causeway characterarea has had some of its rear servicebuildings eroded by development. TheChapel Mews and The Willows are bothdevelopments which have replaced theservice outbuildings once associated withThe Causeway.Jettied no. 8Sash windows on the Causeway38