Public Consultation For The Draft Pucklechurch Conservation Area Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)
As part of the Council’s statutory obligation to periodically review its conservation areas, the Pucklechurch Conservation Area has been reappraised in accordance with the guidance set out by English Heritage. As part of this process, the special features and boundaries were reviewed and a number of specific character areas were identified through a character appraisal. The draft SPD document also contains a preservation and enhancement strategy for the Pucklechurch Conservation Area, which is part of an ongoing process of character assessment and development of enhancement strategies for each of the conservation areas within South Gloucestershire.
Public consultation is seen as an important part of the appraisal process, as it helps bring valuable public understanding and “ownership” to proposals for the area and so all comments and suggestions will be reported and considered. In light of the need to follow a timeframe towards full adoption of the Pucklechurch Conservation Area SPD.
Consultation is now closed and the SPD will be avalable from July.
Pucklechurch Conservation Area
Pucklechurch was designated as a conservation area on 30th July 1975.
A copy of the full statutory conservation area leaflet and maps - the result of a public consultation process, can now be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.
Setting
The village of Pucklechurch is situated in the south of the the county. It stands on a formerly important route from Bristol to Oxford and London and although situated on the edge of Bristol's suburban fringe, it retains its village atmosphere.
History
Pucklechurch was an important village in Saxon times. It is situated in the heart of the historic royal hunting ground of Kingswood Forest and remained royal property until 950. In 946 Pucklechurch came to historical prominence when King Edmund, ruler of all England and Overlord of the Scots was murdered. He was killed in his palace by Leoff, an outlaw who was banished six years earlier. There is no trace of the royal palace today, but it was probably made of timber as were most Saxon palaces. The site is now farmland. The king was buried at Glastonbury.
The parish church of St Thomas a'Becket is the focal point of the village. It is largely of 13th century origin, although it was restored in 1890. It retains a normal north doorway and a late perpendicular style tower.
The expansion of Pucklechurch was based on its agriculture and coal-mining industries. Farming, the prominent industry for many years, has declined more recently. Coal mining came to an end in 1936 when the mine flooded, although the miners' cottages at Parkfield, about a mile from the centre of the village, still serve as a reminder of Pucklechurch's industrial past.
Character
The parish church forms the heart of the village, situated in a prominent open position. Around the church there are a number of grey stone cottages and fine 17th century houses which form an attractive focal point within the village. These buildings enrich the street scene, in particular Pucklechurch House (grade II-listed) with its interesting doric portico.
To the north-west of the village lie two splendid 17th century buildings - Grey House (grade II*-listed) and Moat House (grade II*-listed). The important Denys family lived at Grey House and also at Dyrham. Both buildings display stone gables and mullioned windows. They enjoy secluded positions, hidden away by their high stone walls and wooded grounds.
The north of the village evokes a sense of openness, enhanced by the green and the spacing of buildings.
Towards the centre of the village the main thoroughfare is characterised by its wide road with traditional stone cottage and large town houses. Numerous mature trees and occasional areas of grassed open space further add to the overall character of the village.