Carnforth scoping report - #2- July 09 - Meetings, agenda and

Carnforth Scoping report to assess the potential for Conservation Area designation July 2009

This assessment has been prepared on behalf of Lancaster City Council by:

The Conservation Studio 1 Querns Lane

Cirencester Gloucestershire

GL7 1RL

01285 642428

www.theconservationstudio.co.uk

Lancaster City Council: Scoping report for Carnforth

The Conservation Studio – July 2009

1

Contents: 1. Introduction

Summary of special interest Summary of recommendation

2. Location and setting

Location Topography and landscape setting

3. Historical development 4. Special interest

Historic buildings Townscape analysis

5. Assessment and recommendation Appendices: 1. Further information 2. References



2

1. Introduction 1.1 Carnforth is a small town on the A6 to the north of Lancaster and close to the border with Cumbria. Although there has been a settlement since Saxon times, the older area is centred on North Road to the east. The present town centre is the product of the second half of the 19th century based on fast-growing industries of iron and steel production and rail transport. 1.2 The historic town centre is a compact triangle of dense terraces, the northern side of which is a shopping street. Adjacent to the west is the railway station, made famous in the film Brief Encounter, and an extensive area of railway lands punctuated by a significant group of railway buildings. 1.3 The town centre is notable for its consistent use of sandstone with robust ashlar details, and roofs of blue Welsh slate made possible by the railway age. The buildings develop a strong group value. 1.4 Christ Church, on Lancaster Road is a listed building, as is No.10 North Road, which survives from the earlier history. The importance of Carnforth as a railway town is emphasised by the further listing of nine structures on the railway lands. Christ Church



3

1.5 This report identifies the special architectural and historic interest of the area, which is also recorded on the Conservation Assessment map. It considers the desirability of preserving or enhancing the area and concludes with a recommendation as to whether the qualities are sufficient to justify formal designation as a conservation area. 1.6 Summary of special interest:

▫ Located on the A6 to the south of the River Keer ▫ A late Victorian town that developed to the west of a much earlier

agricultural settlement ▫ Industrial economy based on gravel extraction, railways, and iron

and steel ▫ A significant railway junction from the 1850s ▫ Major ironworks from the 1860s – steel production from 1871 ▫ High density terraces of workers’ housing with robust detailing ▫ Sinuous Market Street with several good shopfronts ▫ General use of local sandstone for buildings with sash windows

and blue slate roofs ▫ Stone boundary walls and gatepiers ▫ Christ Church, 1875 by Brade and Smales, listed Grade II ▫ Extensive area of railway marshalling yard to the west includes a

unique group of late 19th and early 20th century railway buildings ▫ Eight railway buildings listed Grade II ▫ Carnforth railway station was the location for the film Brief

Encounter, 1945 1.7 Summary of recommendation:

▫ That a conservation area should be designated for the area identified on the Conservation Assessment map

2. Location and setting

Location 2.1 Carnforth straddles the main A6 road some 8 miles (13 km) north of Lancaster and just to the south of the River Keer. 2.2 The old road from Lancaster to Carlisle kept to the higher ground and this is why the early settlement is to be found on the winding North Road. By contrast, the 18th century turnpike (now the A6) took a more direct route across low-lying land to the west. The two roads join to the south of the town centre.



4

2.3 To the west of the A6 is the main west coast railway line to Carlisle and Glasgow. Carnforth is at the junction with lines leading west to Barrow-in-Furness and east to Skipton.

Topography and landscape setting 2.4 Carboniferous limestone forms the higher ground to the south and east, which quickly becomes high pasture and moorland before the rolling landscape of the Lune valley. 2.5 To the west and north, the limestone is overlaid by deep deposits of alluvial gravel in the Keer valley. These in turn are overlain by a light loam producing an arable landscape becoming marshland towards the coast. 2.6 From the railway station to Christ Church, Carnforth rises about 10.5m (35ft). This generates an interestingly stepped townscape up Market Street and Haws Hill. 2.7 During the 20th century, extensive housing developments have enlarged Carnforth, principally to the south west and south east. 3. Historical development 3.1 A settlement called Chrenefbrde already existed in 1086 when it was recorded in the Domesday survey. By 1261, it is recorded as Kerneford and the derivation is clearly the same as that for the River Keer. Originally in the parish of Bolton-le-Sands, Carnforth was transferred to that of Warton in the 13th century and the evidence of ‘Chapel flat’ as a local field name suggests that there was a chapel of ease. 3.2 The earliest surviving buildings on North Road date from the late 17th century – No.10 bears the date 1688. This was a small settlement. An early 18th century account suggests there were 44 families and the Presbyterian Chapel had a congregation of 138 in 1720. 3.3 The local economy was boosted in 1797 with the opening of the Lancaster Canal and gravel was extracted nearby from about 1843. 3.4 The railway, which had reached Lancaster in 1840, was extended to Carlisle in 1846 and a station was opened at Carnforth. In 1857, Carnforth became a junction with the opening of a branch line to Ulverston. There was steady expansion of the railway sidings and marshalling yards well into the 20th century



5

3.5 In 1864, the Haematite iron Company was established using iron ore from Cumbria, Lancashire coal and local limestone. Blast furnaces were built on the north side of the town in the 1860s followed by two Bessemer steel converters in 1871. 3.6 Carnforth was described in 1866 as a ‘fast-increasing village’. Housing and services were developed for railway staff and iron workers, many of whom relocated from the Earl of Dudley’s ironworks at Brierley Hill in Worcestershire. Christ Church was built in 1875 to the designs of Brade and Smales, and a Congregational school and chapel were built in 1878. In 1894, Carnforth officially gained the status of a town. 3.7 The Ordnance Survey of 1845 shows virtually no development between the original North Road settlement and the railway station. However, by the time of the next survey in 1890, the town centre was almost fully formed. Ordnance Survey of 1890 3.8 Although the centre has survived, the 20th century has seen major changes. The ironworks closed in 1929, becoming an ordnance depot for the War Department. The railway, however, flourished for



6

a while. Part of the station was rebuilt in 1937, the concrete coaling plant was built in 1939-43, the LMS engine shed was built in 1944 and, in 1945, the iconic film Brief Encounter used Carnforth station as its location. The Carnforth depot was one of the last to maintain an allocation of steam locomotives until their final demise in 1968. 4. Special interest

Historic buildings 4.1 The late 19th century buildings that form the town centre tend to be of three storeys in the more prominent locations, such as Market Street and at the cross-roads with Lancaster Road, reducing to two storeys for housing. The dominant form in the Market Street, Lancaster Road and Haws Hill triangle is of continuous terraces fronting the edge of the pavement. 4.2 The buildings are united by the consistent use of squared local sandstone with blue slate roofs. Smooth ashlar is used for door and window surrounds, cill bands and quoins. Eaves cornices typically have a dentil detail. The large scale of the stonework gives a very robust quality. 4.3 Windows are generally traditional double-hung sashes and doors tend to have four panels, often with heavy bolection mouldings. In Market Street, several late 19th century shopfronts have survived. 4.4 Christ Church, of 1875, is listed Grade II. The initial church was designed by Brade and Smales, then the tower was added in the angle between the nave and south transept in 1908. To the south of the church, North Road branches off Lancaster Road and No.10 is a survivor of the earlier settlement with a datestone of 1688. It is also listed Grade II. 4.5 On Warton Road, the frontage building is the main evidence of the iron and steel industry. A large iron lintel over a former entrance proclaims ‘Carnforth Ironworks’. On the other side of the road, on the railway land there are eight listed buildings including three signal boxes and a carriage shed from the late 19th century, and then a series of structures built between 1939-44. These include a unique coaling plant and the only engine running shed still in use. 4.6 The railway buildings introduced imported materials – brick, iron and, in the later structures, reinforced concrete. There are further unlisted structures of note, such as the lattice girder foot bridge and the turntable. Together, the railway buildings form a unique group.



7

4.7 The railway station itself is not listed, despite its association with the filming of Brief Encounter. It presents a symmetrical sandstone façade to the town with large mullion and transom windows. Carnforth Railway Station

Townscape analysis 4.8 The core of the town has a dense close-knit feel, which is generated by the terraces set to the edge of the pavement and their consistent use of solid sandstone. This is a working environment and there is very little space, public or private other than the streets themselves. 4.9 The strong detailing of the public and commercial buildings is relieved by the rounding of corners, which gives a distinct character to the town. This is particularly evident in the bank at the corner of Market Street and Scotland Road. At the former Co-op on New Street, the acute angle becomes a conical turret, while the three storeys become two as long windows indicate the first floor assembly room. 4.10 The considerable change in level between the railway station and Lancaster Road produces a stepped elevation to the long two storey terrace on Haws Hill and New Street. A similar effect on Market Street is given added interest by its double curve and added height. 4.11 The terrace on Hunter Street is designed as a set-piece. The houses have a continuous ridge punctuated by chimney stacks, but the end houses break forward with quoined corners and gables facing the street.



8

4.12 Although some sandstone kerbs survive, pavements are generally concrete flags or tarmac. In some back streets there is still evidence of river cobbles laid with a central sandstone channel. Cobbled back street with central channel 4.13 The only open space is the relatively recent landscaping around the war memorial at the foot of Market Street. However, the town quickly opens onto the railway land and the countryside beyond. 4.14 The survival and density of the town centre buildings means that there are very few negative elements, and modern additions, such as the supermarket and the primary school, have been built unobtrusively on adjacent sites. The least attractive buildings are those associated with railway maintenance to the south of the station. 5. Assessment and recommendations 5.1 The town of Carnforth, as opposed to the earlier village, experienced a very short formative history. In less than a century, it had gained significance for the production of iron and steel, and as an important railway centre, before these economic drivers then ebbed away. 5.2 Nonetheless, this has left an indelible legacy. Public and commercial buildings, shops and terraced housing huddle together in a compact town centre that gives a vivid impression of a self-contained



9

industrial community. The consistent use of local sandstone and bold architectural forms adds to a distinctive character. 5.3 In contrast, the wide expanse of railway sidings to the west of the station is punctuated by one of the most important collections of railway buildings in existence. This is recognised in the listing of nine structures, but further unlisted buildings and their spatial relationship give the area a special historic interest. 5.4 The survival of Carnforth as a virtually intact late-Victorian town is remarkable, as is the survival of so much railway history. A conservation area is, therefore, proposed to cover the approximate triangle of Lancaster Road, Haws Hill and Market Street, including the short terraces to the north of Market Street. To the west, the area would then take in the railway station, the frontage buildings of the former ironworks and an area of the railway land to include all the significant structures. Recommendations:

▫ That a conservation area should be designated for Carnforth as identified on the Conservation Assessment map included in this report

▫ That the designation should be supported by a conservation area

appraisal to define and record its special interest ▫ That the local community should be given the opportunity to

comment on the conservation area appraisal before it is adopted for planning purposes

Listed water tower and coaling plant

16.7m

14.7m

GP

7863a

3

Inspection Pits

NEW

ST

REE

T

TCB

63

7

32

Council

Works

Health

19.2

m

7

HAWK ST

MP

6

45

House

Vicarage

12

14.4m

18.8m

Marina

6

Warehouse

13

El

Pavilion

Lyne Riggs

El

LANCAST

ER

Towing Path

Surgery

Works

MP.25

2

ALBERT STREET

4

10

24

27

43

8

GROSVENOR ROAD

HUNTER

STRE

ET

BLOO

MFIELD

PAR

K

Carnforth East Junction

Hagg Farm

36

21.2m

14

TCB

Dep

ot

3

10

Lyndale

3

42a

Works

24

3

F Sta

1

El

2

Depot

Works

ElThe HawsSub Sta

Shelter

WA

RTO

NW

OO

D

19.7m

39

PON

D TERRACE

Warehouse

17

Carn

fort

h

Telephone

El

Subway

25.0m

61

17

3

2

23

199

2

WA

RTON

ROA

D

1

7

OXFORD

STREET

1

25

Tank

s

6.5m

SP

Club

The Brambles

Tank

24

15

11

4

8.6m

FB

1

23

27

Wharf

10

House

34

25.0m

2

Sta

Victoria Street

Shed

Christ C

hurch

Church

14.6m

TCB

Sta

Engine

11

Car Park

8

1

18.9m

60

5

16

Keer Bank

Garage

Tip

Hagg

Car Park

Visitor

23.4m

FB

65

12

Works

SL

11.1m

13.0m

Melrose

Craigholme

Bank

Library

Club

2

10

Station

St Joh

ns Te

rrace

2

Pol

1

Coach

11

ChristChurch

1a

RAMSDEN STREET

26.1m

26.0m

TOWPATH WALK

Bungalow

Hot

el

2

Shelter

El Sub Sta

Track

13

5

13

21.8m

20

37

STREE

T

14

9

GRO

SVEN

OR

PLAC

E

(Disused)

WA

RTON

ROA

D

6.4m

GreenacresTrack

Church

1

7

68

4

Insp

ectio

n Pi

ts

SP

SM

13

24

Office

Que

en's

ROAD

2

HAW

S H

ILL

BAC

K N

EW S

TR

EET

Works

El S

ub S

ta

39

Surg

ery

Bank

50a

TCB

1

Estate

Exchange

DepotSub Sta

102

25.8m

47

1

16

Primary School

TCB

57

SL

19

35 t

o 45

BOOTH

32

81

45

2

35

7.1m

Path (um)

Superstore

Playground

4

Drain

Issues

14

27

Craigo

44

36

3

13

STANLEY STREET

Depot

Wor

ks

Works

1

Centre

Station

Carriage

46c

2

Plane Tree

Pavilion

10

Club

588

House

2

POND ST

Sub

36

38

8

Lancaster Canal

Sub Sta

7

1

1

11

33

48

MARKET STREET

18

12

BACK

(disused)

Cottages

Crossing

SP

7.3m

135

Centre

PHGar

age

Gar

age

Club

HAWK STREET

22

77

3

6

1

MP.5

16.9m

14

Lund

61Haws Crest

SL

ASH

TREE

S W

AY

Builder's Yard

NORTH ROAD

B 6254

Shed

52

53

Sta The

VIEW

Marina

15

17

Warehouse

9

Churc

h

LB

Hal

l

CountyHotel

Carnforth

1

1

A 6

23.8m

118

46a

14

8PRESTON STREET

EDW

AR

D S

TR

EET

22

15

38

46

33

Path

1

River Keer

6.2m

26a

18.5

m

28.6m

Car

nfor

th B

ridge

1

7

OLIV

ER P

LACE

16

16

10

Path

15Drai

n

18

Pendennis

Garag

e

Hotel

1

El Sub Sta

HUNTE

R ST

REET

13

PC

SCO

TLAN

D R

OAD

and Junction

36

48

38 to 42

22.8m

Sub

House

PO

MP 6.5

22

North Road

County School

Haws

2

Roya

l Sta

tion

Hot

el

Station Buildings

War Meml

2a

53

Supermarket

SB

KING STREET

Garage

Christ Church

12

FB

6

JOHN ST

REET

41

15

Level

Steamtow

n

Warehouse

Warehouse

Allotment Gardens

34

1 to

5

Lancaster Canal

Carnforth14.

63a3a

3

TCB

Works

19.2

m

MP

6

Vicarage

Marina

War

El

Lyne Riggs

El

Towing Path

ALBERT STREET

8

GROSVENOR ROAD

BLOO

MFIELD

PAR

K

Hagg Farm

21.2m2mTCBTC

Dep

ot

Lyndale

Works

1

El

2

Depot

Works

WA

RTO

NW

OO

DW

OO

D

17

Telephone

El

17

3

22

D STREET

Tank

s

6.5m

SP

Club

The Brambles

8.6mm

Wharf

10

25.025

Sta

Christ C

hurch

Sta

11

16

Keer Bank

Garage

Hagg

Car Park

23.4m4m

6565

Melroseo

Craigholme

2

10

2

Pol

ChriststChurch

TOWPATH WALK

Track

13

14

GRO

SVEN

OR

PLAC

E

( )

WA

RTON

ROA

D

GreenacresTrack

1

68

4

13

Works

El S

ub S

ta

399

11

Estate

Exchange

DepotSub Sta

102102

47

Primary School

818

45

2

35

7.1m11m1m

P

Superstore

Playgr

14

Craigo

3NLEY STREET

Wor

ks

Worksks

Carriage

22

Plane TreeP ne e

Pavilion

Club

88

House

Sub

88

Lancaster Canal

Sub Sta

1

12

Cottages

7.3m

1353

PHHGar

age

Gar

age

Club

HAWK STREET

1

144

Haws Crest

SL

Builder's Yard

NORTH ROAD

B 6254

Shed

StaS

VIEW

VWW

177

Warehouse

CountyHotel

A 6

15

38833

Patht

1

River Keer

6.2m

2

18.5

mmm

7

OLIV

ER P

LACE

161616

1010

Pendennis

Sub

Houseo

2222

North Road

County School

Supermarket

SB

KING STREET

Garage

GaGaG

Christ Church

Warehouse

Lancaster Canal

Carnforth

Lancaster City Council

Carnforth

Conservation Assessment

Not to scale

Listed Buildings

Buildings of Special Character

Significant Tree or Tree group

Significant Views

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. (100025403) (2009).

Proposed Conservation Area Boundary

River / Canal



10

Appendix 1. Further information The Conservation Team at Lancaster City Council are always interested in receiving further information or updates in relation to conservation areas. They can also give advice on the repair and maintenance of historic buildings and on the management of conservation areas: Conservation Team Planning and Building Control Services Lancaster City Council Palatine Hall Dalton Square Lancaster LA1 1PW 01524 582535 or 0524 582340 [email protected]



11

Appendix 2. References Publications: Ed Farrer and Brownhill – A History of the County of Lancaster: Vol 8 – Victoria County History 1914 Lancaster City Council – Lancaster District Local Plan – 2004 Pevsner, Nikolaus – The Buildings of England – Lancashire - Maps: 1st ed. Ordnance Survey (6 inch) – 1845 Harrison and Hall – 1877 1st revision Ordnance Survey – 1890 1:2,500 Ordnance Survey – 1913 Websites: http://mario.lancashire.gov.uk www.british–history.ac.uk www.carnforth-station.co.uk www.heritagegateway.org.uk www.lan-opc.org.uk Lancashire Online Parish Clerk Project www.lancaster.gov.uk

Carnforth scoping report - #2- July 09 - Meetings, agenda and

Documents

Transcript of Carnforth scoping report - #2- July 09 - Meetings, agenda and