Update on 16/06/2022: 4 Church Meadow lots, i.e. Parcel A, B, F and the Scheduled Monument, were up for auction with Barney Estate and Auctioneers. None were sold. Parcel A had been ‘sold’ in a previous auction for £104k but this time it didn’t even reach the reserve price of £75k.
To all villagers and other interested parties, who may consider purchasing (part of) the church meadow off Church Street in Weston Sub Edge, please take note of the following information sent from Historic England to Barney Auctioneers, which covers the whole of the Church Meadow Site. Also find an article regarding the Church Meadow in the Telegraph of 21st May 2022 here
“Any works that cause harm to the significance of the monument will not be granted consent.”
“Works would include most below ground impacts, including fencing, building foundations, etc.”
“This will constitute works under the Act and as such may not be granted consent if it is deemed to cause harm to the significance of the monument.”
“Works undertaken without consent are a criminal act and can lead to a prosecution.”
“The earthworks extend outside of the scheduled area, in particular to the south of the Church (Plots A and B). These earthworks although not included in the scheduled area will be of an equivalent significance and may be treated as designated under the Planning system (National Planning Policy Framework footnote 68)”
Original email from Historic England to Barney Auctioneers below. Click on the picture below to view in a bigger size:
Or alternatively, if the above picture is not readable on your device, this is the text copied from the email:
Land off Church Street Weston SubEdge Scheduled Monument
Barge, Melanie Melanie.Barge@HistoricEngland.org.uk
To : sales@barneyestates.co.uk
Dear Sirs
Sale by Auction of Land off Church Street, Weston-Subedge, Chipping Campden, Gl55 6QT
I am writing to you, as the Inspector of Ancient Monuments for Historic England, regarding the sale by auction this Thursday of plots of land at the above site. We were only made aware of this sale this week.
As you state on your website the majority of the site is protected as a scheduled monument known as Moated Site, Monument number GC385, National Heritage List Entry Number 1003588 – https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1003588?section=official-list-entry .
The Moated site is a well-preserved example of a Medieval manor, with a square moated area of the former manor and other associated earthworks – fishponds and earlier structures. The earthworks extend outside of the scheduled area, in particular to the south of the Church (Plots A and B). These earthworks although not included in the scheduled area will be of an equivalent significance and may be treated as designated under the Planning system (National Planning Policy Framework footnote 68).
The manor was built in the 12th century, by the Giffard Family, replacing an earlier building. It had fallen in to decline by 1600 and was completely demolished by about 1800.
The site contains buried evidence of the occupation and use of the site. This forms its archaeological interest and significance. The well-preserved earthworks and buried archaeological evidence was recognised as being of national importance in 1954, when it was added to the schedule attached to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
Under Section 2 of that Act any works within the protected area require the consent of the Secretary of State (SoS) for the Department of Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS). Historic England act as advisors to the SoS and also provide advice to applicants to help with the application process. Works undertaken without consent are a criminal act and can lead to a prosecution.
DCMS’ Scheduled Monument Policy Statement (Oct 2013) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scheduled-monuments-policy-statement ), outlines the requirements DCMS have with regards to works or development on a scheduled monument. The policy document is clear that any works that cause harm to the significance of the monument will not be granted consent.
Works would include most below ground impacts, including fencing, building foundations, etc.
I am concerned that as the site is to be sold off in small plots and they are sold to separate owners, they will then require fencing to be erected to define their ownership. This will constitute works under the Act and as such may not be granted consent if it is deemed to cause harm to the significance of the monument.
For prospective buyers this is not made clear on your website and I am concerned that they may not fully understand the restrictions in place on the land because of the scheduling.
I urge you to ensure that any prospective buyers are made fully aware of this and I direct you to our website which has information on what the responsibilities of owning a scheduled monument are https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/what-is-designation/scheduled-monuments/ , in particular the Owners and Occupiers Guide https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/planning/consents/smc/ .
Please pass this information and my contact details onto the buyers. I am more than happy to be contacted by yourself or any prospective buyers about this.
We have also had a report that a caravan has been dumped on the site within the earthworks. Is the landowner aware of this and are they in a position to remove the caravan from the site?
I look forward to hearing from you,
Kind Regards
Mel Barge (Ms)
Inspector of Ancient Monuments
Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, Bristol,
Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset,
Wiltshire and Swindon
Planning Group
Fermentation North (1st Floor), Hawkins Lane, Bristol, BS1 6WQ
Tel: 0117 9751300
Mobile: 07795 665657