South West but National coverage
Dorset
Planning (including environmental), Architectural (including landscape), masterplanning, Built Heritage and archaeological Consultancy.
1. Silverton Paper Mill, Exeter
Developer (Residential)
Built Heritage Survey
In 2021 Terence O’Rourke Heritage undertook a built heritage survey to ensure that historic building recording works were agreed and implemented prior to the demolition of two structures. The project concerned two large remnant sheds (known as Admiralty and Pulp) that formed part of the Silverton Paper Mill dating to 1783.
The Silverton Paper Mill complex was located in the valley of the River Culm, a tributary of the River Exe and within the National Trust-owned Killerton Estate, East Devon. The results of the survey were to be presented as a summary of the history of the site and its heritage significance.
TOR’s assessment of the Admiralty Shed was that, whilst it was of historic interest it was of limited historical value and that the onsite recording of the building would be an adequate process of preservation by record. It was also concluded that the Pulp Shed, built during the 1920’s, had been substantially rebuilt in subsequent years and the onsite analysis confirmed that building fabric from the original structure was limited.
2. Waddon Hill, Dorset
Private Commission
Landscape Setting Assessment
At the invitation of the landowner, TOR Heritage undertook an archaeological and photographic assessment of land at Stoke Knapp Farm, Stoke Abbott, Beaminster, Dorset in collaboration with Bournemouth University, in support of a future grant application and as part of the Dorset AONB protected landscapes programme.
The assessment, centred on the Roman hill fort of Waddon Hill, set out to understand, via desk- based research and site survey, the archaeological baseline and to establish the potential and significance of all known and recorded heritage assets, both designated (scheduled monuments, listed buildings, conservation areas and registered parks and gardens) and non-designated (archaeological sites, and locally important historic buildings or landscapes) for the site and study area and to understand the potential for hitherto unknown features of archaeological interest to be present.
The results of this process of assessment were complemented and informed by a photographic survey, aerial assessment, and LIDAR survey. Collectively, this information was used in collaboration with Bournemouth University’s archaeological department to inform future research and conservation objectives.
The assessment raised an awareness of the importance of Waddon Hill and Stoke Knapp Farm as they are seen within the wider historic landscape and within the overall AONB.
3. Park Stile, Iver, Bucks
Private Commision
Built Heritage Survey and Setting Assessment
The report presented a visual inspection and photographic survey of a former 18th C farmhouse, now manor, undertaken in 2022, and an assessment of the setting of the building, including its relationship to the designated area of the Capability Brown designed landscape of Langley Park. The report concluded that the history of the deer parks at Langley since the medieval period and their changing extent and uses was well understood. The accompanying built heritage survey concluded that although the building retained some historic character this was greatly diminished by the effect of recent changes to the fabric and appearance of the building.
In essence it was found that the buildings former shape and character had been removed, almost in its entirety. The report further concluded that in plan and some noticeably thick interior walls, that were formally external, no remaining 18th century architectural features were preserved.
Name: Dr James Weir
Job title: Associate Director - Heritage
Tel: 07425 637166
Email: james.weir@torltd.co.uk
Historic Building conservation YES
Conservation planning YES
Architectural design and new build in historic areas YES
Historical research YES
Historic area assessments YES
Project Management YES
Archaeology YES
Other