36 C O N T E X T 9 0 : J U LY 2 0 0 5 Jeremy Lake is with the characterisation team at English Heritage. Graham Steaggles is a historic areas advisor at English Heritage South East Region. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of English Heritage. References 1 See the characterisation section on the English Heritage website. Also for the latest state of play see Jo Clark, John Darlington and Graham Fairclough, Using Historic Landscape Characterisation or English Heritage’s Review of HLC Applications 2002–3, English Heritage and Lancashire County Council, 2004 2 Sustaining the Historic Environment: new perspectives on the future, English Heritage, 2002 3 Marta de la Torre, Assessing theValues of Cultural Heritage: research report, Getty Institute, 2002 4 The Milton Keynes area is now identified by the ODPM as the target area for approximately 70,000 homes over the next generation 5 The report is on www.englishheritage.org.uk/ bletchleypark an analysis of the grain of the Victorian streets and an assessment of the survival of original fabric. The process was sufficient to support a community case for Article 4 direction controls in the railway town, commercial and residential core. The work at Wolverton has demonstrated the role of community research and active participation. The characterisation study has included analysis which has assisted in providing an understanding of the social and economic history of the town and particularly its links with the railway company. For example, the company was responsible for the early establishment of a building society which influenced residential streets inWolverton. Research has shown considerable survival of fabric that reflects the town’s railway history and also represents the social structures that developed from the railway company’s patronage. These include the bathhouse, former temperance house, laundry, market hall, reading rooms, workmen’s clubs and velodrome. It has uncovered the town’s role as a social model which influenced Brunel at Swindon and was in turn itself influenced by Brunel’s work. The process of undertaking the study, working alongside the healthcheck process, has assisted community discussion. It has reinforced the communities’ pride in its railway heritage. The aim of reinforcing this identity is now part of plans for regeneration in Milton Keynes as part of the wider development framework. A company has been established through the community to work with the local delivery vehicle for growth in the city. A building preservation trust has been established, and substantial ODPM funds for the adaptation and retention of the extensive railway buildings have been obtained through working with English Partnerships. The Wolverton character study is yet to be fully completed by the community-based Wolverton Heritage and Arts group, but the information gathered in the community study process as part of the healthcheck and vision forWolverton has been perhaps more significant than the production of a study itself. Name Building components Brief description Summary history Level of significance Dates of significant changes Key issues/vulnerability Source refs to support significance Former Royal Train Shed Red brick, stone dressings, partglazed roof, cast iron windows Unusually long and wide and grand railway lifting shop in exceptionally prominent site Designed by Works Supt CA Park in 1889 as Lifting Shop, latterly served as storage place for Royal Train High Substantially unaltered Listed Grade II. Derelict (same as Triangle). Impressive principal interior needs to be retained as single space, which may make finding a new use difficult – ideally used in relation to Railway Heritage Former Weighbridge Office Junction of Church St and McConnell Drive Red brick, slate roof, sash windows Single storey building facing site of second station Built in mid to late 19th century Medium Little altered Derelict. Slate roof stolen. Vulnerable to vandalism and to demolition in development of Wolverton Former Works Training School, converted from Works Laundry, now retail premises Glyn Square Painted reconstructed brick, stone dressings, slate roof 1954 refronting of 1896 rail workshop Former railway workshop converted with new front block to Works Apprentice Training School Medium 1954 change to Training School. 1990s change to retail unit Vulnerable to changes of use McCorquodale’s Printing Works Stratford Road Red brick, slate roof, stone dressings Single storey factory 1912 extension to Envelope Factory. Extended 1924 Medium 1980 rewindowing with uPVC Change of use with demise of business – imminent Railway Canal Bridge Cast iron, brick and stone abutments Cast iron beamed bridge - at least one beam bears inscription ‘Butterley & Co.’ 1834-5 designed by Robert Stephenson High Widened later 19th century Invisible above track level. Poor maintenance. Loss of railings Grade II*listed Railway Canal Bridge Cast iron, blue and red brick abutments Cast iron beams spanning canal 1865 High Not easily seen Poor maintenance Unlisted Railway Works – working and empty buildings (The Shops) Red brick, stone dressings, partglazed roofs, cast iron windows Single storey gabled train workshops – top and side lit Built earliest 1865 to late 19th and early 20th century as carriage workshops – various specialisms High 20th century alterations Unlisted. Some (particularly those at the west end –ie the earliest) may need individual listing. Need inspection for significance The Bletchley site has the potential to build on its rich past, inspiring current and future generations to develop new technologies. Photo by Patricia Payne, © English Heritage NMR AA044247.
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