Building record MDO45317 - Woodbury Cottage, Chapel Lane, Pimperne

This pair of semi-detached cottages, converted to a single dwelling in the 20th century, was built in a vernacular style in the early 19th century. It was probably built for agricultural labourers or estate workers. During the mid-20th century it was remodelled to form a single dwelling. It is constructed of rendered cob and stone rubble, with a thatched roof and rebuilt gable end brick chimney stacks. The fenestration is of various styles and dates. It is a one and a half-storey building that has a rectangular, single-depth plan. There is a single storey extension at its east end and an attached outbuilding of stone rubble and brick against the west gable wall. The principal elevation faces south onto the garden and is an asymmetrical façade of four bays. It retains its two front doors behind gabled porches, although both have been replaced. The ground floor windows which are set under timber lintels mostly date from the mid-20th century and there are four windows above at eaves level. The interior has been much altered since its conversion to a single dwelling.

The Manor of Pimperne, which covered much of the village, was bought by William Portman in 1767 and remained part of the Portman Estate until it was sold off in 1924. On stylistic grounds and from the evidence of the fabric, Woodbury Cottage was originally built as a pair of semi-detached cottages in the early 19th century. It sits in a large garden plot at right angles and to the north east of a second cottage known as Straight Furrow, which does not form part of this assessment. The First Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1888 depicts both buildings as being in multiple occupancy at this time and it is likely that they were built for agricultural labourers or estate workers. During the mid-20th century Woodbury Cottage was remodelled to form a single dwelling.

This pair of semi-detached cottages, now a single dwelling, was built in a vernacular style in the early 19th century. Woodbury Cottage is constructed of rendered cob and stone rubble, with a thatched roof and rebuilt gable end brick chimney stacks. The fenestration is of various styles and dates. It is a one and a half-storey building that has a rectangular, single-depth plan. There is a single storey extension at its east end and an attached outbuilding of stone rubble and brick against the west gable wall. The principal elevation faces south onto the garden and is an asymmetrical façade of four bays. It retains its two front doors behind gabled porches, although both have been replaced. The ground floor windows which are set under timber lintels mostly date from the mid-20th century and there are four windows above at eaves level. The rear (north) elevation has a two-light casement to the ground floor which is probably 19th century, and two further windows at first floor. The interior has been much altered since its conversion to a single dwelling. There are open fireplaces to both ends of the cottage, each with a plain timber bressumer, although the hearths have been altered. Throughout the building, most of the joinery has been replaced: the staircase, doors and architrave date from the mid- to late 20th century. The roof carpentry consists of slender principal trusses with tie beams and is consistent with an early 19th century date; some of the timberwork appears to have been renewed, probably in the mid-20th century.

Woodbury Cottage is a vernacular building the appearance of which is consistent with an early-19th century date. The Revised Principles of Selection for Listing Buildings, as set out in DCLG Circular 01/2007, states that buildings dating from before 1840 and surviving in close to their original condition are good candidates for listing. In order to meet the criteria for national designation, vernacular buildings such as Woodbury Cottage need to show evidence of their building history in the retention of their plan form, fabric, construction and decorative detail, and have a good degree of intactness. The main elevation of Woodbury Cottage survives largely intact, though the windows are largely 20th century replacements. It is, however, of modest architectural quality, being conventionally detailed for a building of its date, and would originally been of a standardised plan form. Furthermore the internal remodelling and alterations that occurred during the building's conversion to a single dwelling in the mid-20th century have impacted upon its claims to special interest. The survival of interior features is poor: the original fireplaces have been altered and most of the joinery has been replaced. Furthermore the original staircases have been removed and there is now no indication of their earlier positions; the existing stair is situated in the western half of the building and is mid-20th century. Similarly, there have been alterations to the plan form and circulation since its conversion to a single dwelling and this has markedly changed the internal character of the building.

It is clear that Woodbury Cottage which was formerly a pair of early-19th century cottages contributes to the character of the area. It is a rare survivor of one of Pimperne's older cottages and in general it retains its traditional appearance. The attractiveness of the building cannot be denied, but the internal remodelling and loss of fixtures and fittings has impacted on its special interest. On balance, therefore, and taking all these factors into account, Woodbury Cottage falls just below the criteria for listing but it remains a building of strong local architectural and historic interest. <1>

<1> English Heritage, English Heritage Listing File, No list case no: 168078 (Scheduling record). SDO17502.

Adviser's report on case 168078

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1510138 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 25 2023 8:56AM