CONSERVATION AREA STATEMENT - Stroud District Council

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CONSERVATION AREA STATEMENT - Conservation Area No7: FRAMPTON ON SEVERN
Beehive Cottage, whose painted frontage belies its timber framing, is noticeable for two things in spite of its humble
size; its very impressive stepped chimney stack, and the carving of the beehive above the front door. Decorative
oddities of one kind or another are common in Frampton.
Other buildings are equally important, but less obvious. There are many quite ordinary, small- scale houses and
cottages in the sub- area, which make valuable contributions to its character, even if only by providing a good
unobtrusive foil or context for more architecturally significant buildings. It is worth pointing out that some of the lesser,
but still important historic buildings, have become prey to disfiguring replacement windows, both UPVc and stained
timber. Such changes have proved to be highly detrimental to the character and appearance of the Conservation
Area.
Modern infill buildings
Many cottages along The Street have been demolished. In their places, and in gap sites, the 19th, 20th and 21st
centuries have seen the construction of buildings that perpetuate Frampton’s extraordinary architectural variations.
Houses built over the last 50 years include humble bungalows, the innovative Bendles and the traditionally built Elgar
House.
The southern end of the Street contains the greatest concentration of mid- late 20th century buildings, of varying
scale. The majority are fairly homogenous and of very little architectural interest, although perfectly innocuous. Apart
from creating enclosure in the streetscape, the majority of modern buildings otherwise make very little contribution to
the character, or the historic interest, of the Conservation Area. Sadly, with regard to some of the modern development,
certain opportunities to enhance key views were missed.
However, some newer buildings play a positive role in the Conservation Area. Edgar House was built very recently.
Aside from a slightly over-large porch, this is a very good example of a simple building that takes its cues, both in
design and materials, from the local vernacular and therefore looks very much at home in its surroundings.
Stroud District Council