CONSERVATION AREA STATEMENT - Stroud District Council

CONSERVATION AREA STATEMENT - Stroud District Council CONSERVATION AREA STATEMENT - Stroud District Council

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50 CONSERVATION AREA STATEMENT - Conservation Area No7: FRAMPTON ON SEVERN The Spaces in Sub Area 5: The Canal Open space takes seven main forms within this sub-area: The Canal The ‘neat’ towpath adjacent to houseboat moorings The ’untamed’ towpath Roads Car parks Yards Manicured space Unsurprisingly, this is a very linear sub- area. The Gloucester- Sharpness canal is raised on a causeway and this slightly elevated position affords it fine views over the village to the east, but more particularly across the Severn to the western hills opposite. The water appears as a sharp, flat, highly engineered slice, cutting through the landscape, startling in its contrast with the natural environment. Although the canal is rigidly contained in its hard edged channel, its appearance is slightly softened by the grassy verges of its towpaths, and by the water- loving trees that line them. The Gloucester- Sharpness is still actively used, not only by walkers on the towpaths, but also close to the bridges, as moorings for houseboats. With their flower pots and bicycles, and neatly cut verges, they give their surroundings a quaintly and eccentrically domestic appearance and add a very picturesque element to the scene. At either end of the sub- area are wider pockets, containing the bridges and keepers’ houses, and, at Frampton wharf, the early industrial buildings of the former Cadbury’s factory. Stroud District Council

CONSERVATION AREA STATEMENT - Conservation Area No7: FRAMPTON ON SEVERN The Fretherne Bridge end of the sub- area still has a very functional feel to it: the opening bridge is in frequent use and the area swarms with activity. Boats, visitors and the adjacent industrial estate all contribute towards making this a busy hub. The bridge keeper’s cottage, however, sits sedately behind a hedge. Its little white painted picket gate is quaintly juxtaposed with the cottages columns and portico. The Splatt Bridge end however, is tranquil in comparison. The ground now used as a car park has a naturalistic, impermanent look about it which is suitable for this much quieter location. Here, everything is much sparser and more dominated by the landscape and sky, with only the cottage and the swing bridge making any structural contribution. The keeper’s cottage has the look of a temple in an18th century parkland; its garden, with its architectural pine tree, runs neatly down to the canal. The view of the grouping of the cottage, the bridge and the tower of St Mary’s is one of the most idyllic in the village. Stroud District Council 51

<strong>CONSERVATION</strong> <strong>AREA</strong> <strong>STATEMENT</strong> - Conservation Area No7: FRAMPTON ON SEVERN<br />

The Fretherne Bridge end of the sub- area still has a very functional feel to it: the opening bridge is in frequent use<br />

and the area swarms with activity. Boats, visitors and the adjacent industrial estate all contribute towards making this<br />

a busy hub. The bridge keeper’s cottage, however, sits sedately behind a hedge. Its little white painted picket gate is<br />

quaintly juxtaposed with the cottages columns and portico.<br />

The Splatt Bridge end however, is tranquil in comparison. The ground now used as a car park has a naturalistic,<br />

impermanent look about it which is suitable for this much quieter location.<br />

Here, everything is much sparser and more dominated by the landscape and sky, with only the cottage and the swing<br />

bridge making any structural contribution. The keeper’s cottage has the look of a temple in an18th century parkland;<br />

its garden, with its architectural pine tree, runs neatly down to the canal. The view of the grouping of the cottage, the<br />

bridge and the tower of St Mary’s is one of the most idyllic in the village.<br />

<strong>Stroud</strong> <strong>District</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />

51

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