 |
Nos. 6, 7 and 8 St. Mary Magdalene Churchyard, South Molton This group of 3 derelict cottages was the first project to be completed by the Trust following its formation in 1973. The initial site inspection and feasibility assessment was in fact made in August of that year. |
|---|
The cottages, probably early Victorian and built of cob, stone, brick and timber framing with a
slate roof, were not.listed and could not be regarded as being of any special architectural merit.
Nevertheless the Trust considered that as the Churchyard is within a Conservation Area and is
visually and environmentally important as a whole, these particular properties were worthy of
restoration. A scheme was produced converting the 3 cottages to a single dwelling with as little
alteration as possible to the general character of the building commensurate with modern living
standards and current Building Regulations. Unfortunately, since the cottages have passed out of
the Trust’s hands unsuitable alterations to the windows have taken place.
The properties were acquired in August 1974 and the project was set up to coincide with European Architectural Heritage Year 1975 when an official opening ceremony was performed by the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Lord Roborough, the Trust’s first President.
Because the Trust had been able to upgrade these buildings and to help maintain the quality of the town, it undoubtedly influenced the Department of the Environment to raise the status of the Conservation Area and to introduce a Town Scheme in conjunction with the County, District and Town Councils. As a result other buildings have benefited with grants for restoration such as that carried out on the ancient Town Hall. The general desire to improve the Conservation Area which stemmed from the Trust’s pioneering work has led to the Town Square being attractively paved and car parking transferred elsewhere, as well as to other excellent conservation projects.