Heritage Assessment, East Sussex
Border Archaeology undertook a Heritage Assessment with regards to a planning application for the conversion of a redundant agricultural barn of late 19th century date into a single residential dwelling together with associated landscaping at Fletching, near Uckfield, East Sussex
In Brief
Key Points
- Research showed that the barn was originally built as a Riding School in about 1880 for Sir Spencer Maryon Wilson
Summary
Research showed that the barn was originally built as a Riding School in about 1880 for Sir Spencer Maryon Wilson, the owner of the nearby country seat of Searles House (demolished in 1949-50). The Riding School was subsequently used for social gatherings and for military training during the First World War before being converted to use as a storage barn.
Following advice provided by Border and consultation with Wealden District Council, the design was amended to retain the original clerestory glazing and minimise the introduction of new door and window openings.
The final design as submitted was considered by the planning officer to be sympathetic to the historic fabric and setting of the former Riding School, retaining the form of the building and all the existing openings while only introducing external interventions where necessary to allow the building to function as a dwelling.
Results
The planning application was approved, allowing development to proceed.
