Conservation Area: Weston Favell conservation area (DNN12387)

Weston Favell is situated on the northern ridge of the valley of the Nene and is about 3.5 miles to the East of the town centre, immediately to the south of the main road leading to Wellingborough. The village boundary is very distinct on the north and east sides but to the west and south it is merged with suburban development. The village is linear in character and the ground generally slopes downwards from north to south. Two roads, High Street and Churchway lead off the Wellingborough Road to the centre of the village where the Church of St. Peter’s is the focal point of the area. High Street forms the main street of the village. Churchway skirts the stone wall on the northwest side of the church and passes by the small cemetery and picturesque group of cottages on the western side of the church. The most important building of those listed is the Church of St. Peter which consists of a nave, south porch and chancel with a coped tower at the west end dating from late 12th century, of Transitional Norman character. The stump remains of a spire which on 19th May 1726 was destroyed by lightning. There was a general restoration of the church in 1925, and a sensitively detailed extension in recent years. The church is enclosed by a triangular road system and bounded by a stone wall. The village contains many attractive stone boundary walls. The Rectory is a red-brick house, a short distance from the church, rebuilt and enlarged in 1758. The Grange and No. 56 Churchway are two other listed buildings constructed in local stone. The Priory, which is a listed building in another distinctive stone building, surrounded by a group of trees. These trees together with the church provide one of the most pleasant views in the village. The upper section of High Street contains a further group of important and listed buildings. In the main, the buildings are small stone cottages crowding the narrow High Street, but some larger houses are set back within their own grounds. Weston Favell, perhaps due to good communication links with the town centre, has attracted recent renovation schemes and infill developments, and these have generally recognised and attempted to retain the village character. The Mews at the rear of 96 High Street has recently been redeveloped, whilst proposals for housing redevelopment have been approved for the ‘Horseshoe’ site and Hollyoak Terrace. Through traffic has been reduced since the opening of Lumbertubs Way, but some non-conforming uses and the difficult road junction at St. Peter’s church still give rise to problems. Throughout the area there are items such as unsightly electricity and telegraph poles, television aerials, broken hedges and gates etc that could be removed or repaired, all of which would contribute towards the general improvement of the area. A special characteristic of the area lies in the numerous walls built of local stone which abound and are a major unifying feature. They should be preserved and repaired wherever possible.

Record last edited

Sep 23 2009 5:13PM