Building record 1966/0/50 - 71 Church Street

71 Church Street, the barn, outbuildings and walls are believed to date to the late C18 or early C19, and that they formed part of the farmyard to 73 Church Street. The ironstone barn to the north of the site appears on the 1886 Ordnance Survey map as a single structure which formed the northern boundary of a yard, accessed via the track adjacent to no 73 Church Street. By 1900 structures had been built abutting the east and west wall of the yard and by 1926 the original ironstone barn was extended to the north. The modern map shows further alterations to the barn, the yard and the configuration of the access track.

{1} Building recording of one of the barns to the rear of 71 High Street. Deeds suggest that the barn stands on what became known as Barn Close covering 12a, 1r, 36p. The earliest document of this name seems to be of 1830. The barn lies in relative proximity to its former farmhouse, but appears never to have been part of a planned layout. Rather it is part of an organic agglomeration of buildings added one at a time (Dispersed Plan). It comprises walls constructed of ashlar stone in Northampton Ironstone. Floors of concrete, dating to the use of the barn as a garage. The barn was constructed in two distinct phases; the western half was built first and was a self-contained shell with a hay-wain door on both sides. The second phase comprised an added eastern portion to the structure. The barn contained farm-related fixtures or fittings, although marks covered by the lime wash in the eastern extension indicated that animal troughs formerly stood at the northern corners. The extension was also supplied with a hay-loft door. Both indicate that this extension was built specifically for livestock.

No archaeological finds or features were exposed when the barn floors were taken up.

{2} The barn, outbuildings and walls are thought to date to the late C18 or early C19, and that they formed part of the farmyard to 73 Church Street, a Grade II listed building next door. Ironstone has been used elsewhere in the village for quoins and decorative detailing on buildings and it is possible that No 73 and 71a are the only two buildings on Church Street to be built entirely of Ironstone. It is also thought that 73 Church Street and its associated farm yard and walls form a historic whole that illustrates the relationship of history of farm buildings to their associated farm houses at this time.

The ironstone barn to the north of the site appears on the 1886 Ordnance Survey map as a single structure which formed the northern boundary of a yard, accessed via the track adjacent to no 73 Church Street. By 1900 structures had been built abutting the east and west wall of the yard and by 1926 the original ironstone barn was extended to the north. The modern map shows further alterations to the barn, the yard and the configuration of the access track.

71a Church St, Burton Latimer with its barn, outbuildings and farmyard walls has developed piecemeal over a considerable period of time. The original barn is believed to date from the late C18 or early C19, and is of an interesting vernacular style but its relationship to the farmstead is not clear. A continuous boundary separating the barn from the farmhouse is evident on all the historic maps that were readily available as part of this assessment.

* Alteration: the configuration of the farmyard has altered considerably since 1900; the majority of the outbuildings along the east and west boundary walls were added between 1886 and 1900, and the access has been altered. The barn has been converted to a garage;
* Architectural and historic interest: the buildings are of modest interest;
* Group Value: the proximity of 73 Church Street (listed at Grade ll) is a consideration, but is insufficient to confer special interest.

CONCLUSION
71a Church St, Burton Latimer with its barn, outbuildings and farmyard walls is of intrinsic value as an example of the local vernacular style. It also holds a visual and design relationship with other listed buildings in the vicinity. However, based on the information available this farm complex is not of special interest in a national context

<1> Soden I, 2014, Archaeological building recording, investigation and recording on a barn at 71a Church Street, Burton Latimer 2014, checked (Report). SNN110303.

<2> English Heritage, Designation Advice Report, 71 Church Street; Designation Adviser, October 2012 (Report). SNN113190.

Record last edited

Feb 5 2025 7:36PM