3. Introduction
Acknowledgements
The Village Design Group (VDG) was set up by the Osmotherley
Area Parish Council, following recommendations in the Osmotherley
and Thimbleby Parish Plan (2006). Thanks must go in the first instance to
the members of the Osmotherley Area Parish Council for their continual help,
support and guidance, and for providing most of the funds for organising and
printing the Village Design Statement.
1
As chairman, I would like to thank all members of the VDG, past and present,
especially Robert Thorniley-Walker (who did most of the technical drafting),
Shona Padbury (for organising meetings and taking minutes), David Morris (for
talking most of the view photographs), Angela Thomsett (representing the Wild-
life Group), Danny Manging (for his building experience), Carole McSorley (for
her housing knowledge), Brian Hunter (representing Thimbleby), Tim Swales
(for the District and County Council perspective), and Len Cragg (Clerk of the
Parish Council, for his help especially with the printing of the VDS). I would
like to thank Veda Thompson, Rebecca Wright, Tim and Hannah Wilsdon, James
and Esther Thorniley-Walker, Jeff Gardiner and Dominic Lockett for their input,
and the many other villagers who attended meetings and consultation exercises
or who submitted comments on the draft document.
19
The artists for the various sketches are, I hope, acknowledged where we have
2 been able to attribute the work. The design of the overall document is credited
to Lynne Hugill.
The National Park Authority has provided continuous assistance, technical help
with preparations of maps and a financial contribution for printing. In particular,
Sarah Housden, Planning Policy Manager and Edward Freedman, the
Conservation Officer, attended many meetings and gave invaluable help and
guidance. The professional input from the National Park has enabled the VDS’s
Guidelines to be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document.
12
NOEL COWARD
Chairman of the VDG and Osmotherley Area Parish Council
March 2011
8
3
Important views and vistas (see maps)
4 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement 5
4. Introduction Introduction
OSMOTHERLEY
& THIMBLEBY 1.3 How will it be used? the Osmotherley Parish Plan, which
1. Introduction Village
Design a) The National Park Authority has
was published in January 2007 after
much work by many villagers. Under
Statement adopted the guidelines in this the chairmanship of the late Alan
Village Design Statement as a Turner, the Parish Council instigated
1.1 Purpose of the Village alter buildings in Osmotherley, Supplementary Planning Document the formation of a Village Design
Design Statement Thimbleby or the surrounding area. within the North York Moors Local Group in early 2007, and over a
It is relevant to all forms and scales Development Framework. It will period of several months researched,
of development, from porches to supplement the more general policies wrote and edited the document
a) The Village Design Statement
completely new buildings. It is in the Authority’s Core Strategy and for consultation with the local
describes the distinctive character
hoped that it will be used by a wide Development Policies document and community and other organisations.
and surroundings of Osmotherley
range of organisations, groups and the other Supplementary Planning Planning policy officers from the
and Thimbleby that are valued by
individuals including: Documents. Current documents National Park Authority also attended
the local community, it includes
historical, architectural and • The local community businesses are listed in Appendix A, but for the the Design Group meetings.
environmental information about and residents latest status of these and the other b) An open evening was held in
the villages and presents guidelines Supplementary Planning Documents June 2007 during which residents
• The National Park Authority,
for future development based on please refer to the Authority’s web assessed the character of the village
Hambleton District Council (HDC)
an understanding of their past and site: www.northyorkmoors.org.uk in more detail using photographs,
and other organisations which
present. provide services in the area b) This Design Statement provides many of which are included in
more detailed and specific guidance this document. The Statement
b) The Statement takes forward • The Parish Council
for the Osmotherley and Thimbleby also draws on data compiled
a number of points in the • Planners, developers, builders and area but needs to be read in by discussion groups and sub-
Osmotherley Area Parish Plan 2006 architects conjunction with the more general committees for the Parish Plan and
and has been written by members policies in the Core Strategy and represents the views of a wide cross-
of the local community, for the Development Policies and the section of local residents.
community with the overall aim b) It is important that the guidelines
relevant parts of the Design Guide. c) The community has been consulted
of making sure that changes and are used even where formal
planning permission is notrequired c) Since the Village Design Statement on the initial draft of this Village
new developments make a positive
for alterations or repairs to has been approved, its status as a Design Statement to make sure
contribution to the future of the two
properties in the villages. Even Supplementary Planning Document that it reflects the views of the
villages.
small alterations can have means that the guidelines in this people who live in the villages and
asignificant impact on the character Design Statement must be taken into surrounding area. The comments
c) Residents, businesses and other
of the village and should be carried account when decisions on planning have been taken into account to
organisations should take the
out sensitively. and Listed Building applications are produce the final draft version. A
guidelines into account when
made by the National Park Authority. schedule of these comments and
planning new developments or
c) This Design Statement covers This document will assist the the resulting actions can be supplied
alterations to buildings in the
only Osmotherley and the half Parish Council to assess and make by the Clerk to the Parish Council
villages or the surrounding area.
of Thimbleby within the National comments on planning applications and more details of the community
The text contains community
Park. For the rest of Thimbleby in its role as a statutory consultee. consultation are described in
aspirations which are not planning
and other villages within the Items, referred to as “community Appendix D.
matters but refer to actions that
the community would like to see Osmotherley Area Parish Council aspirations” do not have the same d) The National Park Authority used
undertaken, often by other bodies district, please refer to HDC for the status as other Supplementary the Village Design Statement to co-
such as the Parish, District and latest relevant planning policies Planning Documents. ordinate formal consultation. This
County Council. (www.hambleton.gov.uk). However, complied with regulations relating
HDC will have regard to this Design 1.4 How the Village Design to the adoption of the Village Design
1.2 Who is it For? Statement when dealing with Statement was Prepared Statement as a formal planning
applications falling in the Western document.
a) The Design Statement is for anyone part of Thimbleby that is outside the a) The production of this Village Design
who wishes to build, extend or National Park. Statement was a key action point in
6 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement 7
5. The Villages in Context
OSMOTHERLEY
& THIMBLEBY
2. The Villages in Context Village
Design
Statement
2.1 Landscape Characteristics of Osmotherley and Thimbleby
a) Osmotherley and Thimbleby are categorised by the National Park’s
Landscape Character Assessment (2003) as upland fringe settlements with
“pastoral landscape”. The variety of slopes and valleys, together with a
mixture of woodland, helps the settlements to nestle into the landscape.
The two villages have developed very differently, but have much in common
b) That document gives Osmotherley as an example of a “nucleated
settlement” clustered around the road junction.
c) Thimbleby is a good example of a “linear settlement” where houses are
arranged along a short stretch of road.
d) The character of both villages will be spoilt if major development is allowed
beyond the main build areas.
2.2 Housing and Demographics
a) The populations of the villages have tended to remain remarkably
consistent over the last century or so with some 500 to 1000 people in the
two villages.
b) The number of dwellings has increased markedly over the past century,
with a corresponding reduction in the number of occupants per dwelling
as family sizes have decreased. There has also been an increase in the
number of cottages used as holiday homes.
c) Property prices in the area are particularly high, so young people often
have to move away. This has tended to cut the number of young families in
the villages.
8 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement
6. The Villages in Context The Villages in Context
d) At Oswaldene, a housing
association has a sheltered
housing scheme.
e) Many newly-constructed properties
and some older ones(eg some
former housing association
dwellings), have planning
restrictions and can only be resold
for local occupancy.
Two former bakers’ shops in Osmotherley
Former shop at
the centre of
Osmotherley
2.3 Businesses and Services
a) There are an estimated 60
businesses in the two villages and a
relatively high percentage of people
work part- or full-time from home. shooting business at Thimbleby is each month along with many casual
Some residents work locally in also expanding. visitors.
forestry, game-keeping, agriculture,
stone-masonry and associated f) There are four places of worship: the g) The largest visitor attraction in the
trades; while others commute to parish Church of St Peter (C.of E.), a area is Sheepwash where the stream
Northallerton, Darlington, Teesside, Catholic church, a Methodist church and moorland combine with easy
York and elsewhere for work. and a Quaker Meeting House. The access and where many young people
Lady Chapel shrine, on the hill above are introduced to their first taste of
b) Thimbleby is a hamlet that has no Commercial properties serve both
visitors and residents the village, attracts pilgrimages the countryside. Experienced walkers
services or transport service links.
c) Osmotherley is considered a “local
service centre” in the National Park’s
Core Strategy and Development
Policies document.
d) The services cater for villagers and
visitors but businesses report that
visitor numbers during the day are
dropping and some of the services
are under threat at the time of
writing.
e) In 2007, when the design statement
was first drafted, Osmotherley had Service), along with the petrol
a general store/Post Office, a café, forecourt at Clack Lane Ends and
a fish & chip shop, three pubs, a gift two shops, while a motor business
shop, an outdoor shop, two shops was due to shut and a further shop
standing closed and three motor- was on the market. On the other
related businesses. By 2009, the hand, tourism is expanding; the
sub Post Office had closed (being caravan site is expanding and new
replaced by a part time Hosted B&Bs are opening. The clay target Places of Worship in the village and around Osmotherley
10 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement 11
7. The Villages in Context The Villages in Context
also use Osmotherley as a gateway upkeep of the villages.
to the moors.
h) Visitors to the area often stop in Cut stone
2.4 Natural Resources abandoned
Osmotherley to use the public toilets,
to park their cars and to make use of a) The villages and the surrounding when the
area have an extraordinary range of quarries closed
other amenities.
natural resources which have been
i) A public transport service links exploited over the last few centuries
Osmotherley to Northallerton and based on mineral mines, stone
Stokesley. The Moors Bus runs in the quarries, water power, forestry and
summer to Helmsley. farming.
j) Osmotherley has a pre-school facility
and a thriving primary school, which Left: Many
also takes children from Thimbleby, b) The past few years have been a properties still
Ellerbeck and Snilesworth. In the low point in local industry, with four have orchards
centre of the village, the Village decades of stricter planning controls with hedgerows
on commercial developments, made up of
Hall, together with Church House, hazel and Crab
provides facilities for many activities reductions in agriculture use and
Apple.
and societies. Use of the Village Hall reductions in use of local timber and
is increasing eg by the newly formed water stored in the two remaining Right: Farm
Osmotherley Film Club and the Youth reservoirs. However, climate change with wheel
is already starting to reverse these house:
Club.
declines and the area is likely to
k) There is a cemetery at West End, benefit enormously in the short and any development or extension, with in 2007/8 and heavy snowfalls in
which has capacity for at least medium terms as summarised in 2.5. better insulation and low-carbon 2009/10 and 2010/11).
another decade. This will shortly be
materials (eg a shift towards sheep • Marked loss of birds overhead,
transferred to the management of
wool insulation and timber-framed particularly house martins and
the Parish Council. The graveyard 2.5 Climate and Economic or stone construction). swifts.
around St Peter’s church is closed to Change
new burials and access is restricted • Unprecedented summer storms • Rapid colonisation of the moors
because of dangerous tombstones. with eg 75mm of rain in 15 minutes by self-seeded trees, assisted by
a) Some of the first effects of climate
The cutting of the grass is carried out resulting in flooding from surface the foot and mouth epidemic of
change have probably entailed:
by the Parish Council’s caretaker. run-off. 2001, and by the planting of nearby
• Changes to the Building Regulations
l) The Parish Council employs a • Large variations in winter snow and forests.
to reduce the carbon footprint of
caretaker who works part-time on the deep frosts (eg almost no snow • New demand for timber (Silton
Gentle valleys and bleak moorland (by JT-W)
12 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement 13
8. The Villages in Context
Forest) and grain to feed the bio- d) In the longer term, there will be
fuel and bio-ethanol plants on increased pressure on housing.
Teesside.
• Inflation in worldwide food prices. 2.6 General Guidance
• Uncertainty over the continued
supply of plentiful and cheap fuel. 1. Maintain the overall characteristics
of both villages, keeping the
• Consideration by local people of village centres as focal points with
micro hydro-electric and wind restricted peripheral developments.
power schemes for the villages
2. Maintain high quality standards for 28
and by the planning Authority (see
Renewable Energy Supplementary new developments with modern
Planning Document). environmentally friendly and well-
designed buildings in appropriate
• A gradual change in attitudes T4
locations.
as the “Transition Villages”
type models for self-sustained 3. Promote businesses in the villages,
communities are promoted. and try to maintain or create
sufficient new services to keep them
• New interest in vegetable from becoming merely dormitory
gardening and allotments. villages.
4. Reduce the impact of flooding from
b) Such changes will continue to create surface run-off.
many new factors that have not
needed to be considered, but which 29
2.7 Community Aspirations
ideally should be allowed for in any
Village Design Statement.
1. Provide housing that young people,
c) The main issues for the short to especially with families, can afford.
medium term are likely to involve:
2. Provide a car park for visitors and
17
• The return of demand for carbon parking for residents in several
neutral products such as local locations.
stone, timber materials and
3. Reduce the carbon footprint of the
agricultural products
villages.
• The return of low-carbon yet
4. Prepare for the impacts of increased
labour intensive rural industries
fuel costs and climate change.
centred around upland resources
and power supplies.
With no timber industries, many
local trees are simply being felled for
burning as fuel on Teesside.
T6
31
Important views and vistas (see maps)
14 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement 15
9. Historical Perspective Historical Perspective
OSMOTHERLEY
& THIMBLEBY
3. Historical Perspective Village
Design
Statement
3.1. Need for Perspective b) The National Park’s Supplementary
Planning Document, Design
a) One of the aims of this publication Guide: Part 1: General Principles
is to encourage awareness and has general details for the
understanding of the traditional development of buildings in the
forms of building in Osmotherley area. However, another purpose
and Thimbleby and how and of this Village Design Statement
why changes have been made. is to indicate differences between
An appreciation of the key the development of buildings in
characteristics and historical links is Osmotherley and Thimbleby and
needed when planning new designs those elsewhere in the National
for alterations, extensions or new Park.
developments.
Similar buildings in Thimbleby and Osmotherley but with different histories.
Note possible closed off central passages and an evolved roof line showing
possible previous thatching.
3.2. Housing Development
a) Many of the oldest surviving village
houses in the area are detached
and isolated C17th & C18th stone
cottages, which may have replaced
timber-framed thatched and
daubed buildings. These reflected
growing prosperity, especially
among yeoman farmers who held
land, which in previous centuries
had been in feudal or common The Old Hall – with Jacobean
ownership. These cottages were windows outlined in the stonework
usually extended in the C18th or beneath Georgian sash windows,
C19th to the houses that we now yet with a hidden timber frame
suggesting mediaeval construction.
see.
16 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement 17
10. Historical Perspective Historical Perspective
used flues tend to decay and so have weaving, and various forms of mining
been reconstructed in stone or brick. and quarrying. Terraces such as
d) In Osmotherley, purpose-made Paradise Row retained a similar
terraces were introduced to cater scale to the long-house and had a
for non-agricultural workers when character that appears unrelated to
the village developed into one of the other Georgian and Victorian urban
country’s earliest industrial centres. terracing of later towns and mill
A succession of labour was needed villages in West Yorkshire.
for the alum works, linen bleaching,
Typical single houses and associated outbuildings in Osmotherley for well-to-do
yeoman farmers & tradesmen
Paradise Row 1823
Purpose-built residential terrace
b) The style of house that most left
its mark in both Osmotherley and
Thimbleby was the long-house, which
was common in its agricultural form
throughout North Yorkshire. This
consisted of a three-section building,
which had a living room at one end
and a barn for the animals at the e) Weavers also had purpose-designed
other end, separated by a front-to- buildings in and around Osmotherley,
back passage. This long property where the trade was occasionally
proved most adaptable and hay carried out on a communal floor of a
lofts evolved into bedrooms and terrace or within the living room of
the animals were evicted for more individual cottages. Such cottages
living space. The origins of several had extra large windows for daylight,
Many rows of cottages reflect the Osmotherley terraces evolved directly
Long-house as at Osmotherley Cross or at Boville
or indirectly from this form, often Park (formerly Walk Mill), or had
creating a 2-bay-fronted cottage and small “weaving windows” in a corner,
a 1-bay fronted cottage separated often adjacent to the chimney breast.
by the former passage. A butt
joint between the properties could
indicate that the buildings were re-
constructed in stone at different
periods, and most have had the
eaves height altered to give more
room upstairs. Some properties Above: Weavers terrace in North End
retain some of the original timber with communal workshop in the attic,
which would have been poorly lit by
framing, which was usually removed the shallow top windows before the
to accommodate windows and recent dormers. Note the missing
stonework. window preserved in the adjacent out-
c) Chimney flues were sometimes added house.
at a later date, so that flues were
Above is an example of original timber occasionally added externally. Well- Above: Weavers window by the chimney
framing flue.
18 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement 19
11. Historical Perspective Historical Perspective
f) Thimbleby also developed a unique as many barns around the village b) The largest development in the • Conversion of barns;
style in a very different manner. as there were houses in the centre. early 1960s involved the council • Materials that matched adjacent
The village remained firmly under Many barns have been converted houses in South End, and for that properties of whatever character,
the control of the Thimbleby but a few barns and pigsties remain. a special architectural design was (which sometimes resulted in parts
Estate, which constructed rows of commissioned to reflect the village’s of the village tending to depart from
c) Besides other outhouses, each traditional terraces broken up with
agricultural workers houses to an property would have had an earth the character of the village as a
aesthetic design, as indicated by alley-ways or snickets in between. whole).
closet close to the back door, which Other developments at Oswaldene
the photograph at the top of this was then connected to the sewers d) In Thimbleby, the gradual break-
section. and Ruebury Lane tended to reflect
via pipes running parallel to the rear imported fashions, and nearly all up of the Estate from the 1970’s
of the terraces. used imported materials. onwards also allowed opportunity for
3.3. Barns and Outhouses d) Many of the outhouses in a few new developments in different
c) Restrictions by the new National styles, but the essential character and
Osmotherley had (or still have) Park slowed the steady expansion of
chimneys. These buildings were linear nature of the village has been
Osmotherley in the late 1970’s and preserved.
a) Although many village residents used as smithies or washhouses, the policies encouraged:
were not full-time farmers, but also for domestic use where
properties often had a strip of land there were changes in demand • Infill developments of fields and
to the rear or across a back lane to for property and barns over time. parking areas;
supplement their main income, ie Some barns might have also been
the “croft and toft” system. used as weaving sheds at times.
b) There appear to have been nearly
Surviving barns, with one currently Typical important but hidden
being converted to a garage. domestic out-buildings.
3.4. C20th Houses
a) Between the 1930s and the 1970s or have been, examples of 1930s
homes tended to be constructed brick-semis, Art Deco style ( the
on the edge of the village or as previous Osmotherley House), and
infill properties, often in the form even a 1960s lightweight dwelling
of bungalows. In Osmotherley, constructed around a swimming
houses were constructed in the new pool (the previous Hideaway), but
materials and reflected the styles in not all of these have stood the test
vogue at the time. However, most of time.
developments were special and were
architecturally designed. There are, Architecturally designed 1930s bungalow for incoming professionals, used at one
time as a doctors surgery
20 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement 21
12. Historical Perspective Historical Perspective
major highway that became the
3.5. Building Materials
Drovers Road in more recent
times. Other evidence of C17th
a) Some of the local stonework has now again available and use of local to C19th attempts at cultivation
been recycled from older buildings quarries might be encouraged for can also be seen on the moors
such as Mount Grace Priory, but specific building projects. where abandoned walls and farms,
much of the stone was quarried together with lime kilns and
locally. In Thimbleby, this was associated quarries show extreme
probably from the quarries above d) There is now more interest locally in effort to cultivate marginal land.
Sandpit Lane whilst Osmotherley the type of construction in the area,
used several quarries down and the National Park, with help
from the Government, has reviewed b) The edges of the moors and valleys
Quarry Lane towards Sheepwash.
planning restrictions, especially in the C18th & C19th were scarred
Without a nearby railway to help Lath parging to pantile roof in South
within Conservation Areas. For End. by rock outcasts from the numerous
transportation, stone construction
many years, there were no real stone, jet, iron and alum works
tended to persist in Osmotherley
and Thimbleby, sometimes right up restrictions on the introduction of 3.6. Landscape around the area. Construction of
new materials for roofs, windows, the dam, creating the Cod Beck
to the C20th.
doors, walls and paving within a Reservoir in the early 1950’s
Conservation Area. As described a) Evidence of former civilisations would have been the last major
b) The grander houses from as early in the Appendices, materials are can be seen scattered liberally earthworks and quarrying project.
as 1841 had slate roofs, while the now strictly controlled. Outside the throughout the surrounding All these have left fascinating
cheaper buildings used clay pantiles. Conservation Area minor alterations moors. These left burial mounds, features and habitats that have
The roof cladding was underdrawn can easily soften the effect of C20th small necropolises of interment contributed significantly to the area.
on the underside of the laths with a construction with insertion of pitches sites, standing stones, boundary
lime/sand parging spread over thin on flat roofs and the addition of dykes, sunken roads, and the
laths, which was intended to cut the stone porches to cement rendered
facades (see next section). The Drovers Road, descending Black Hambleton, headed straight from Scarth
draught prior to the introduction of
Nick to the ford across the Tees at Yarm. This road was old when the Romans
roofing felt. arrived and moorland settlements, which date back to the Stone Age, would
have serviced this major highway.
e) The former Office of the Deputy
c) In recent decades, restriction on Prime Minister introduced many
local quarrying within the National changes to the Building Regulations,
Park encouraged the use of salvaged particularly to reduce carbon
stone from demolished barns, or the emissions.
import of stone from West Yorkshire.
However, local deltaic sandstone is
Quarrying would have been a
major industry and with stone
easily available, all escarpments
were worked at some time. These
ranged from local pits for nearby
farms to major industries such
as Sandpit Lane that warranted
winches and tramways.
22 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement 23
13. Historical Perspective
c) There remain many narrow strips 3.7. General Guidance For
of land behind properties and some Alterations And New
of these probably date from the Construction
Enclosures Act 1824 when the open
and common land was parcelled
up. The last common field outside i) Planning applicants are encouraged
the villages appears to have been to use professional architects,
the “Fleers” which included the designers and engineers to design
present Thimbleby football and proposed new buildings or major
cricket pitches (see George Jewitt’s alterations and extensions to
book Cross Talk, published by the existing buildings. 21
Osmotherley Society). ii) Designers should consider the
heritage of the villages while also
designing for the future.
d) The biggest recent change in the
landscape was initiated in the 1960s iii) Buildings typical of other parts of 26
when the Forestry Commission the country are unlikely to fit with
started to plant the fringes of the the special characteristics of this
moors, which, beyond the Thimbleby corner of the National Park.
Estate, had been almost treeless. iv) Barns and out-houses are important
assets that give subtle clues to the
history of the landscape and should
11
T3
27
22
Important views and vistas (see maps)
24 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement 25
14. Design Guide for Buildings Design Guide for Buildings
OSMOTHERLEY
& THIMBLEBY
4. Design Guide for Buildings Village
Design
Statement
4.1 Characteristic Shape of Buildings
a) The size, shape and effect of any new building works need to be considered
from an early stage. The National Park’s Design Guide is very relevant, and
the scale and design of any new development or extension will be considered
with respect to the guidance notes below.
b) As discussed in previous sections, the character of both Osmotherley and
Thimbleby comes from the dominant C18th and C19th architecture, which
has been somewhat diluted by C20th developments in some areas.
c) In Thimbleby, buildings typically take the form of long and low houses in a
linear development. In Osmotherley there are also rows of long low houses
but from different angles the heights of buildings vary and roofs are normally
pitched but at various levels and angles to each other. When viewed from the
surrounding hills the village avoids presentation of large areas of wall or roof.
d) Many of the newest dwellings have made use of the numerous barns that
surrounded the original heart of the village.
Typical long low yet Long and low or tall and narrow buildings at
modern architecturally different angles.
designed new house.
4.2 Guidance on Shape and Form of Buildings
1. It is extremely important that well-designed and carefully located new
developments or extensions should preserve the characteristics of the area,
the village layout, and the landscape.
2. New developments should avoid dominating the landscape with their
unbroken mass.
26 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement 27
15. Design Guide for Buildings Design Guide for Buildings
3. Developments should strive for 4.3 Traditional Material b) All traditional buildings from this the gap between the water tables
unity not uniformity. Settings and and Features area have generous roofs with tiles and the roof tiles. The water tables
patterns should vary with terraces, and slates projecting at the eaves may continue across the base of the
cottages and houses located in long to drip away from the walls or into a chimney stack in the form of a drip
plots of land. Many of the details are discussed gutter. stringing course.
and illustrated more fully in the
c) Traditional buildings have 3. Kneelers should finish the top of the
National Park’s Design Guide –
4. Buildings need not necessarily stringcourses immediately below the outer leaf of the gables. Kneelers are
Part 2 Extensions and Alterations
attempt to replicate exactly the eaves at the front and rear elevation, intended to support the lower water
to Dwellings. The points below
traditional style, but modern which cantilever approximately tables and to enable the flashing to
emphasise particular features for
design should be sympathetic 50mm from the face of the wall. extend right to the eaves. The shape
Osmotherley and Thimbleby.
to the traditional style while This allows the bottom tiles to of kneelers should generally reflect
acknowledging the 21st Century. kick out to slow water flow before the tradition of the area although
a) Roofs are generally clad or re-clad the gutter. The stringcourse also several properties in North End
with clay pantiles (eg Sandtoft helps support the kneeler stone and the north part of Back Lane in
5. New developments and extensions Greenwood) or Welsh blue slate, and provides a better fixing for the Osmotherley have “block kneelers”
should reflect construction that was although some properties in rise and fall gutter brackets. The which support no water tables.
traditional to the villages; with the Osmotherley have French tiles. stringcourses sometimes continue
added emphasis that such materials Other environmentally sustainable across gable end.
will have a low-carbon footprint. 4. All houses and most extensions
materials could be considered
Timber and local stone are excellent should have properly constructed
but concrete substitutes are not
in that respect. 4.4 Conservation Area and stone or brick-clad chimneys where
recommended.
Listed Buildings appropriate. These should generally
be set on the ridge at a gable or a
step in roof level.
a) Special criteria that apply to Listed
Buildings and the Conservation Areas
can be found in the Appendices.
Modern design with traditional low
carbon materials
4.5 Guidance on Materials and
Features
1. Guttering should generally be
cast iron or traditional timber in
the Conservation Area and for
Listed Buildings as appropriate.
Attachments for gutters should use
rise and fall brackets (cups and
stakes) while cast iron fall pipes
should be secured to the wall by
drive nails or screws into timber
2. The edges of most larger roofs
should be finished at the gables
with stone water tables which cap
the outer leaf of the gable walls.
The walls should be taken up clear
of the roof slates or tiles to help One of several timber lintels in
Variety of kneelers, string courses, roof cladding and orientation of chimney stacks resist wind uplift at the edges and Osmotherley drawn by the late Tony
to allow lead flashing to waterproof Lester
28 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement 29
16. Design Guide for Buildings Design Guide for Buildings
Stringcourses are often repeated Large openings could have timber
is especially important in any
to help throw water clear. Single beam lintels. Stonework in mullions
terrace. As can be seen in other
flues are uncommon and grouped and lintels is not generally painted.
nearby villages, owners who create
flues in a stack is sensible for future 9. Pointing and walling mortars in this individual houses within a terrace
buildings for traditional heating, log- area should be lime based. Lime- spoil the appearance and character
burning stoves and for future natural based mortar is recommended for of the terrace.
ventilation stacks. historic properties. Pointing should
5. Local stone is generally deltaic be finished flush, bagged or trowel
ironstone-based sandstone, which finished, slightly recessed to minimise 4.6 Guidance for Extensions
is now being quarried again. Stone water penetration and to prolong the
imported from the Yorkshire Dales life of the sandstone
1. Loft extensions should not
and West Yorkshire will never weather 10.Where appropriate, new and significantly alter the appearance
to harmonise with the local stone. replacement joinery in windows of the property although they can
6. The stone should have a punch face and doors should be double glazed sometimes help reduce the impact
finish, unless chiselled with a vertical timber rather than uPVC for aesthetic Above before & below after:
of some bungalows. In traditional Alterations to roofs can provide
or herring- bone pattern. and environmental reasons. Use buildings, conservation roof lights additional space.
7. Although stones should generally of uPVC will be more restricted in or modest dormer windows where
be laid in courses, larger or smaller the Conservation Areas after recent suitable are sometimes installed.
stones are traditionally included in changes discussed in the Appendix. In the Conservation Area, it would
less conspicuous walls to reduce Properties should generally have be anticipated that more stringent
wastage of stone. fittings that harmonise with the requirements would apply.
character of the village. Fitting
8. Openings should have stone lintels. 2. Porches should be in timber or
in with neighbouring properties
stone as previously discussed unless
special conditions apply. Porches
can contribute to the thermal
efficiency of a property, can improve
the character of properties, and can
especially help to soften the impact
of newer properties.
3. Extensions should seek to comply
with the general guidance to fit
Porches can reduce the impact of facades.
Left: Even small amounts of local stone help link properties to the area
Yorkshire sash sliding windows in cottages dating back to early C18th
30 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement 31
17. Design Guide for Buildings Design Guide for Buildings
in with the area as a whole as 4.8 Aspiration for boundaries and restrain animals beams and/or ties between purlins
discussed in this Design Statement. Community Benefit from rather than people. or rafters to remove horizontal
The design might need to be Planning forces on the walls. Ties and
modified slightly to be sympathetic
a) A property can gain hundreds of patress plates work until the stone
to the original building, but not
thousands of pounds in value once it pushes out around the plates. This
to the detriment of the general
receives planning consent. It would problem is discussed in Appendix E
approach. This is especially the
appear ‘just’ therefore, that the
case where there is scope for
neighbours and community should
numerous future extensions that will b) New garages in Thimbleby have
also gain through the donation of
eventually hide much of the original been orientated so that the major
a parking bay, the widening of the
property, or where exacerbation of openings are concealed from public
verge or a similar benefit.
an alien form of construction will view.
detract from the area.
4.9 Guidance on Landscaping
Gardens and Boundaries c) Many outbuildings have chimneys
4.7 Splitting and combining There are few local dry-stone walls as they were at some time used as
of houses and conversion of remaining around the villages except smithies, washhouses or houses.
garages 1. Flooding is a cause for concern in on the moors.
parts of Osmotherley, as discussed
in later sections. Planning 4.10 Outbuildings 4.11 Guidance For
a) Splitting a property is likely to fail Outbuildings
permission may be required for
many of the objectives mentioned
hard surfacing in front of gardens or
elsewhere in this Village Design a) Although barns and other out-
driveways where the area is larger
Statement. Splitting reduces the buildings make an important yet 1 Detached or attached outbuildings
than 5m², so the NPA should be
capacity of a home to house children subtle contribution to both the add character to plots.
contacted for further details [See
while increasing the number of landscape and the village streets,
also 5.9]. 2. Any alterations or repairs to
adults and drivers for the same they are often in poor condition. traditional barns and some houses
property. Obtaining planning 2. Block paving is now available
In particular they tend to suffer should address the inherent
permission for the subdivision of in natural stone with colours to
from eaves spread where the structural defects discussed in
properties will be carefully assessed, complement local sandstone.
open-roof structure tends to push Appendix E.
particularly with regard to the Although the stone is unlikely to be
the front and rear walls outwards,
impact on adjoining properties local, the carbon footprint of stone
leaving cracks in the gable walls
and the amenities of the property, is likely to be lower than concrete
and sagging roofs. Such defects
including gardens and parking substitutes.
are fatal in the long term if not
places. 3. Traditional cobbles should be remedied with structural ridge
considered where the impact will
be conspicuous. A specification for
b) Many of the cottages in Osmotherley
cobbles is available from the Parish
consist of two or three one-up-
Council.
one-down cottages knocked
together. While there is a shortage 4. However, less formal and more
of affordable family houses, permeable surfacing such as gravel
combining small properties might should be used where viable to
be acceptable. Planning permission reduce surface water run off.
is not normally required when two 5. Boundaries have traditionally
properties are combined (unless been formed with local stone walls
one or both are Listed Buildings), or hedges. Other materials are
but this depends on individual unlikely to fit the village character.
circumstances and further advice Problems with Local Buildings.“Before and After”
should be sought from the National 6. Gates and railings should be
Effect of eaves spread on a barn between 2005 and 2009 at Over Silton
Park Authority. subtle. They are intended to define (see Appendix E).
32 Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement Osmotherley and Thimbleby Village Design Statement 33
