Conservation Area: Hardingstone conservation area (DNN12310)

Many of the buildings forming the old core of the village along the High Street, The Green and Back Lane date from the 18th century and are predominantly of local brown stone. It is this area which forms the basis of the conservation area. To the west of St Edmund’s church, the character of the High Street has been much altered by infill development. Between the church and the war memorial, the street is flanked on the one side by two-storey ashlar fronted cottages, and on the other by large trees over-hanging the road. The ‘Car Mart’ garage, although utilising some of the brownstone buildings as workshops is not in keeping with the scale and character of the rest of the street. A departure from this street pattern is the row of 19th century cottages placed at right angles to the road on the northern side. The main interest of the street is the vista opened up as The Green is approached from the west. Several of the buildings at this point are of high quality, but the pleasing effect is reduced by gaps and unsympathetic infilling. The area surrounding the memorial at the junction of Back Lane, High Street and The Green provides the focal point of the old village. The grassed area around the memorial is too small to allow active use as a ‘village green’, but it might be improved if the traffic system can be adjusted. The Green enjoys a good sense of enclosure, and the buildings bounding the east side form one of the finest groups in the village. These are not all of the same period but the majority date from early to mid 19th century. Although some alterations have been mage, these retain much of their original architectural character. The continuity of this group is marred by a gap which reveals unattractive backland. On the north side of The Green, large trees dominate the exit into Back Lane, and enhance the setting. On the west side, however, some of the more recent piecemeal development detracts from the visual balance of the composition. Further south along The Green, a marked transition point is reached where modern development begins. The fine 18th century barn on the edge of the valley slope is worthy of retention. Back Lane, in plan form describes a long loop on the northern side of the High Street, and divides into two section, each of distinctive character. Running northeast from the memorial, Back Lane retains regular and imposing facades, flanking what has been the main traffic thoroughfare. Buildings are predominantly ashlar fronted. High walls add a sense of enclosure to the street views. In the past this enclosure has caused considerable traffic constriction but the opening of Nene Valley Way through the Delapre estate to the north of the village has reduced traffic flow through this street. To the rear of the buildings on the east side of Back Lane, lie a sprawl of outbuildings, small-holdings and storage areas, giving way to open countryside overlooking the Brackmills development area. It is desirable that this ‘backland’ be improved. A ‘wedge’ of open space is retained between the two built-up areas in the plans for Southern District expansion, published by the Northampton Development Corporation and approved by the Secretary of State. At the junction with Houghton Hill, Back Lane swings to the west and narrows considerably. Large trees on the frontage, interspersed with the buildings emphasise height. An untidy wirescape unfortunately detracts from the pleasant overall effect. The older buildings in this part of Back Lane form two groups: the northern group consists of large distinctive houses of the late 18th/ early 19th century, sited in extensive and well-treed gardens; the other group lies towards the western end of this part of the Lane and comprises a group of very mixed styles and scales, but large trees and high walls create a unifying effect. The steep gradient falling to the north ensures that fine views are gained across Nene Valley Way towards Delapre Wood and the Town Centre.

Record last edited

Dec 2 2019 3:25PM