SNN113424 - Observation of works to open up the fireplace in Room G3 at 8-10 West Street, King's Cliffe, Northamptonshire

Following the completion of a Heritage Asset Survey of 8-10 West Street, King’s Cliffe undertaken in 2017 (Prentice J for Iain Soden Heritage Services, 2017, see above) the owner, Mrs J Leeming applied for Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent (19/01258/FUL and 19/01259/LBC) from East Northamptonshire District Council (subsequently North Northamptonshire Council) to make a series of internal alterations to the property. On 25 September 2020 Mrs J Leeming undertook the first of what was intended to be a series of internal alterations which had received approval from the Local Authority. All intended alterations were to be observed and recorded in accordance with Level II of the Historic England document Understanding Historic Buildings - A Guide to Good Recording Practice (2016). That piece of work involved the simple opening-up of a fireplace in order that a wood burning stove could be fitted. It subsequently transpired that in the spring of 2022 the property was placed on the market for sale and therefore no further works, previously approved (see above) were undertaken. As a consequence of this sale, a single visit to observe and record the opening-up of the fireplace in the front room of number 10 (Room G3) comprised the only phase of works which had been approved by the Local Authority to have been undertaken at the property by Mrs Leeming. The following short note therefore comprises the single, though limited, phase of archaeological observation of the fireplace opening-up which was recorded in fulfilment of the above-mentioned requirements. These observations have been added to the original report with the agreement of the Archaeological Advisor, Minerals and Waste Planning Service for Northamptonshire, North Northamptonshire Council.