BARN AND RURAL BUILDING CONVERSIONS

When rural buildings are renovated for housing there is often a need for archaeological recording and survey before changes are made. These would normally be required by the local planning authority before accepting planning applications.

Much of the work in 2003–4 has involved watching briefs on the redevelopment of barns for housing. Many of these are ongoing and so it is not possible to include these here as the reports are not yet in the public domain.

By way of example, a few years ago a survey and watching brief was carried out by Channel Archaeology at Highlight, Barry. The former manor house, which had become a barn and cowhouse, was being rehabilitated back to a dwelling and it was a condition of planning that a watching brief be carried out to record features of archaeological importance. As the building dated back to the 15th century, the structure needed survey during conversion. Although badly damaged, the building was shown to have been radically altered in the 18th century by narrowing some of the walls. The best surviving medieval feature was a stone corner wall oven in what must have been a kitchen.

Click on an image to see an enlarged view.

Elevation drawings of Highlight Manor House before conversion. The medieval walls were still largely standing but had been narrowed in places. The main hall would have been open to the roof originally and had a grand stone fireplace in its gable wall.

The medieval corner oven was a surprise discovery since it had been blocked at a later date. It had been uncovered by the owner who was going to make it into a prominent feature in his new house.

For further information contact Mike Ponsford