Summary

Oadby North Memorial Homes and Framework Knitters Cottages Conservation Area was designated in 1988. These two groups of properties each form a compact,

easily identifiable enclave on opposite sides of Stoughton Road, about 140 metres north of its junction with New Street.  Both schemes represent an attempt to create a community with dwellings and a meeting hall laid out around an open space.  While the individual buildings are well designed, these homes have a group value and are examples of early twentieth century town planning. 

 

Overview of the Area

 

The conservation area comprises two sets of well maintained 'open plan' almshouses which sit opposite each other east and west of Stoughton Drive. Although both were built in the early twentieth century of red brick with clay tiled roofs, both comprise homes set within attractive well kept grounds and both are accessed from the road through private gateways, the character of the two groups is rather different. The Framework Knitters Cottages are all single storey. They are quite informally arranged around an open lawn and gardens and have cottages which directly face Stoughton Drive. More recently built cottages stand to the south of the site and effectively create informal courts. The earliest cottages date from 1909; the most recent from 2000, though others are currently under construction. The general forms of the cottages are similar with hipped roofs and tile hung gables but there are considerable differences in detailing particularly between the earlier and more recent cottages. The cottages are built as pairs or small groups of three. Two communal buildings, Corah Hall and Corah House face each other across the green. The former is part of the original foundation and is designed to be a feature building; the latter is modern and takes the general form of the cottages. The North Memorial Homes are all two storey pairs split horizontally as well as vertically. They are quite formally arranged around the central gardens and are well screened from Stoughton Drive. All the houses were built in 1927 and at first sight are virtually identical. Closer inspection reveals that there are two predominant building types, with only one pair, which is effectively the focus of the main view east, being a slight variation. All the pairs have sweeping roofs with central chimney stacks, verandahs, gables (some hipped) and some have hipped roof dormers. The former Memorial Hall, which occupies a quite grand setting on the western boundary, is now the Evangelical Church and is in a restrained Neo Georgian style as opposed to the Vernacular Revival style of the cottages.

 

Conservation Area Appraisal

A conservation area appraisal |has been drawn up for the North Memorial Homes and Framework Knitters Cottages Conservation Area. The appraisal reassesses the character of the area and notes any changes which may have occurred since its designation such as new development, changes to specific buildings and street scapes. 

 

The document was on consultation from Monday, 24 September 2007 to Monday, 22 October 2007. We are currently considering representations received.