Heritage Precincts - A Guide to Development
Introduction
Welcome to York, Western Australia's oldest inland settlement.
Recognising that the heritage of York is a valuable cultural and
economic resource to the community, the Shire of York has adopted the
following general statement of heritage intent:
The York Shire Council acknowledges with pride the contribution made by the York District to the history of Western Australia and encourages the conservation of the cultural heritage of the district.
Heritage protection and the development process in the Shire of York is facilitated through the Shire of York Town Planning Scheme No.2. and augmented by three Shire of York Infill Design Guideline manuals, being, the Indicative Resource Styles Manual, the Residential Infill Design Guidelines and the Commercial Design Guidelines.
These are supported by the Shire's Municipal Inventory which is a list of heritage buildings which the Council considers to be of cultural heritage significance.
Objectives
A heritage precinct is a group of places that form a precinct of cultural heritage significance, even though each place within the precinct may not itself have heritage significance. Heritage precincts are dynamic. They are subject to normal development pressures and growth patterns and usually reflect either a particular era of development or a progression of development through clearly defined architectural styles. The heritage precincts of York variously do all of these.
York's distinctive history and built heritage has been passed down through generations of Western Australians. It is a heritage that was described in the 1981 Illustrated Register of the National Estate as having "survived largely unchanged, and has retained the atmosphere of a 19th-century village, where the built environment is closely integrated with the landscape".
The Infill Design Guidelines define five heritage precincts within the York Townsite, being, those clearly defined areas considered by the Shire of York as containing sufficient places and their environs having particular aesthetic, historic, scientific, or social significance worthy of conservation for the present community and future generations.
The Precincts
Blandstown
AREA: That area bounded by Henrietta / Balladong Streets in
the North; Knotts Road to the South; the railway line to the West and
the Avon River Precinct to the East.
NAME: Named after Rivett Henry Bland who arrived in York 1831.
EARLY HISTORY: Bland established his property 'Balladong' at the
southern end of the York Townsite. This precinct was the focus of
settlement in York during the 1840s - 1860s. Although well established
by the 1860s, Blandstown retained its discrete character on the
outskirts of York. The precinct's mix of large houses and small
cottages represent fine examples of early colonial architecture - which
includes buildings of both mud and clay brick manufacture, traditional
English gables and hipped roofs.
CHARACTER: The precinct still remains discrete from York's
commercial and residential centres and is relatively untouched by
contemporary development. Four quite discrete sub-precincts constitute
the character of Blandstown, being:
- Bland's Brook reflects an English village atmosphere with its mix of two story and cottage residences and traditional gardens
- the Terrace with its commercial stone and brick premises
- the Western sub-precinct of workers cottages
- the semi-rural Redmile Road sub-precinct.
The architectural styles in the Blandstown precinct may be categorised as follows:
- the mix of single and double storied historic buildings located around Bland's Brook
- several commercial stone and brick premises from the 1860s
- a collection of stone and brick cottages from the 1850s to Federation
- a range of old Federation style houses
- workers' cottages, including a handful of fibro houses from around the 1950s or thereabouts
- contemporary buildings
The Glebe
AREA: That area bounded by Clifford & Newcastle Streets
and the River Precinct to the West; New Street to the North; Brook
Street to the South and Panmure Road to the East.
NAME: The Glebe derives its name from Glebe Land, meaning land possessed as part of the revenue of an ecclesiastical benefice.
EARLY HISTORY: In 1851 the first stage of the Convict Depot was
established on the east bank of the river. This government
infrastructure grew to include a building to house convicts, a hospital
and Pensioner Guard cottages. The Holy Trinity Church was built on the
east bank of the river in 1854 and was given a grant of Crown land for
parish purposes.
CHARACTER: The architectural styles in the Glebe precinct may be categorised as follows:
- institutions, the obvious grand historic buildings such as the church and the hospital
- a collection of stone and brick cottages from the 1850s to Federation
- a range of old Federation style houses
- workers' cottages, including a handful of fibro houses from around the 1950s or thereabouts
- contemporary buildings
Monger's Town
AREA: That area bounded by Poole Street to the South; Ford
Street to the North; Alfred Street to the West and the River Precinct
to the East.
NAME: The Precinct takes its name after the pioneering Monger family.
EARLY HISTORY: John Henry Monger was the first merchant in the
district, dealing particularly in sandalwood which, from 1845, became
an important export for the Colony. He established a store, inn and a
large cartage business, and this commercial locale became known as
Monger's Town.
CHARACTER: The architectural styles in the Monger's Town precinct may be categorised as follows:
- the obvious (and not so obvious) grand historic buildings being Faversham House and Joseph Monger's Residence
- stone and brick warehouses namely Sandalwood Yards and 'Our Barn'
- a range of Federation style houses
- The resited Tipperary School House
- contemporary examples of infill such as the Church of Christ building
Town Centre
AREA: That area bounded by Poole Street to the North;
Henrietta / Balladong Streets to the South; the River Precinct to the
East and the railway line to the West.
NAME: So named as the commercial and social centre of the District.
EARLY HISTORY: The townsite of York was gazetted in 1830. With
the notable exception of the Old Gaol (c.1838) development in this
locale remained slow until the 1850s. Settler's House and the Castle
Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Western Australia, were constructed
during this period. Other public and commercial buildings followed
during the 1870s-90s such as the Imperial Hotels, the Freemasons Hall
and the Roman Catholic precinct. Notably, the Court House, Police
Station and adjoining Post Office and the government primary school in
Howick Street were designed during the 1890's by the celebrated
Colonial Architect, Temple Poole.
CHARACTER: The architectural styles in the Town Centre precinct may be categorised as follows:
- the obvious historic icons and public buildings such as the Town Hall, Post Office, Court House, St Patrick's Church and the old York Primary School
- the public houses, ie. The York, The Castle and Imperial Inn hotels and Settlers House
- a range of terraced and semi-detached stone and brick commercial and public buildings from the 1860s
- a small collection of stone and brick cottages from the 1850s to Federation
- a few Federation style houses
- a limited selection of contemporary commercial premises
- a contemporary public building, namely, the York Shire Council Offices
The character of the precinct may most obviously be discerned by its streetscape of commercial properties, terraced double storied buildings, verandahs and balconies, re-entry shop fronts and its commercial village atmosphere. The precinct's character is enhanced by its public amenities and facilities such as its parks and gardens, Town Hall; Railway Station; War Memorial; Primary School and the St Patrick's Church complex all of which combine to produce a 19th Century village feel.
Monger's Pool / Avon River
AREA: The section of the River Avon and its environs bounded
by the Old Monger Bridge site (Ford Street) to the North and the
Southern extremity of York Townsite and an area approximately 100
metres each side (East and West) of the River.
NAME: Monger's Pool was so named after the Monger family who built the first bridges across the river.
EARLY HISTORY: The Avon River was so named after the district
explored by Ensign Dale in 1830. The first ford across the river was at
Redmile. In 1860 a tender was let to J.H. Monger & Co. to '....
construct 2 bridges of Mahogany Timber over the Avon at York.' The Ford
Street bridge was the first to be completed.
CHARACTER: There is no architecture in the River precinct.
However, the River Precinct is the heart of the York's heritage. The
precinct abuts all other precincts and provides a point of reference
for the Town.
The character of the precinct includes:
- its natural heritage
- walk-ways, nature and heritage trails
- open parkland for recreation purposes
- the swinging footbridge is a focal point for the precinct
- the remnants of the old Monger's Bridge
The Architectural Heritage of York
The architectural heritage of York may be defined as six broad styles, which may be summarised as:
- The Colonial Period 1831-1880.
The basic form of this period was a one room deep bungalow with hipped roof and verandah which often surrounded the house. Two story structures of this period include the characteristic bungalow design elements (roof /verandah structure) and also feature first floor balconies with timber balustrading.
The basic range of building materials used during this period include brick, stone and earth. The brickwork includes examples of Flemish, English and Colonial bonds. Early colonial houses typically had gabled roofs pitched at 35-45 degrees. Later examples had hip roofs and broken pitch verandahs. Early roofs were covered with shingles which were later replaced by corrugated iron. Roofs commonly had no guttering. - Gold Boom / Federation 1880 - 1920 (Commercial)
Commercial properties constructed in York over this period incorporate a mix of late Victorian and Edwardian features. Externally, facades, parapets and verandahs feature prominently. Roofing materials are in the main corrugated iron, usually simple hipped or gabled and, in many cases, roofs are hidden behind parapets.
The verandahs are predominantly timber with iron roofing. Verandahs are preferable to cantilevered awnings for the creation of a pedestrian space. Verandah roofs are usually straight skillion, although sometimes hipped or bullnosed. It should be noted that the installation of a bullnosed verandah does not imbue a building with instant heritage qualities.
Most external walls are constructed in solid brick (without cavities) and constructed in English or Flemish bond.
In order to maximise display opportunity windows are typically wider on the ground floor than on the upper levels, often taking up almost the entire area of the ground level facade. Other windows are smaller, usually vertical in proportion and with double hung sashes.
In retail buildings, doors are usually recessed thereby increasing the display area. Entrance doors are commonly topped by fanlights. - Gold Boom / Federation 1880 -1920 (Residential)
There are three essential forms:- Simple rectangular plan form surmounted by a relatively low pitch pyramidal roof, usually 25 -30 degree. Verandah to street with a symmetrical front elevation.
- An asymmetric front with a major room projected forward of the rest of the house and verandahs. Roof pitches are steeper, usually 35-45 degree. Gable roof features.
- A more elaborate house reflecting the greater prosperity of the period. Commonly featuring filigree timberwork, combinations of gable and hip roof, often with gambrel vents, with 35-45 degree pitches and return verandahs.
- Between the Wars 1920 -1940 (Residential)
Characterised by wider frontage houses giving a bungalow profile with a lower pitched roof, prominent ridge capping and mouldings. Facades and verandah columns demonstrate a change in materials at dado level - brick below and rendered above. Verandah columns are often brick based and with timber posts or columns above. Side opening sashed members reduces height of windows, ceilings and walls. - Post War 1945 – 1970
Availability of building materials dictated style and extensive use of timber, asbestos and concrete block characterised the immediate post war period. Weatherboard housing featuring pitched roofs generally sympathetic to existing structures in the district became the predominant style of the 1950s. These typically featured skillion verandahs and casement windows.
Various configurations of add-ons and sleepouts, usually constructed of weatherboard, asbestos and iron were popular. These often radically changed the profile of older houses. Fortunately, most of these additions are reversible.
Double brick and tile emerged as the popular building choice of the 1960s. - Contemporary
Since the 1970s York has played host to a variety of building styles and materials. Contemporary housing variously features steel frames, synthetic cladding, rammed earth, mud brick, pre-cast concrete, clay brick and, more recently, straw bales.
Architectural styles broadly fall in three categories, kit homes, architect / owner designed and built and resited houses.
There are several examples of innovative architecture within these categories which add to the dynamics of York's architectural heritage. There are however, several examples that are unsympathetic to their environment.
Conservation Objectives and Principles
It is the broad object of the Shire of York Town Planning Scheme to retain the character of these precincts within the context of the dynamics of development. Specifically, these guidelines aim to:
- conserve the existing heritage townscape, its buildings, streetscapes and their environs
- ensure that development is of a character appropriate to the environs
- ensure that development respects the scale, mass, proportion, materials and colours of buildings that constitute the character of the precinct
- minimise the effect of development on neighbours
- encourage the conservation of traditional landscaping and private gardens
- prevent the intrusion of structural development and fill in the Avon River precinct
All development, whether alterations to existing buildings or new buildings, should utilise materials, finishes and colours which complement and enhance the historic character of York.
It is neither intended, nor is it desirable, that new buildings should be built as exact reproductions of period houses. The ideal is that infill should be recognisably new and representative to some degree of contemporary design and detailing whilst deferring to the existing character of the streetscape and nearby buildings in terms of scale and overall form.
New houses should be in keeping with existing homes. They should share the same street frontage and setback and be of a similar size and shape as existing homes. Roofs should be steeply pitched and doors should face the street. Traditional materials and colours should be used and modern features such as solar panels should not be visible from the street.
Building extensions in keeping with the character of the original house will add value to the property. Extensions to houses in heritage precincts should not detract from the heritage value of the streetscape. The front facade should not be altered and extensions should not dominate the original house which should remain prominent.
Commercial development should be mindful that heritage buildings in the Town precinct feature re-entrant shop doors, parapets, pediments and verandahs. New development should not dominate the streetscape and should be in keeping with existing building scale and form.
In principle, sympathetic development should:
- complement the historic and essentially rural character of York
- reflect the dominant architectural style of the precinct
- complement the specific character of the precinct
- contribute to the architectural development of the precinct
- be of sufficient quality of material and construction to enhance the architectural values of the precinct
Sympathetic Development:
- considers colours, materials and detailing of surrounding buildings
- reflects the scale and proportion (wall heights and roof pitches) of existing and adjacent houses
- relates to adjacent houses in terms of window arrangements, chimneys, verandahs, parapets and other details.
- utilises building materials consistent with the character of existing and adjacent houses
- addresses the street directly with its facade generally parallel to the line of the street
- preferably conforms to those colours recognised as appropriate to the period of the streetscape in which the development is located
- achieves setbacks for the dwelling, garage or carports which match the environs
- constructs fences/wall/ gates permitting casual street surveillance and semi-public space
- landscapes to complement the established street patterns
- integrates onsite parking with the design and materials of the dwelling as well as established patterns of the streetscape and ensures that parking is not built forward of the building line
- endeavours to meet community expectations of privacy and heritage sensitivity
Planning Your Development
York's heritage management is administered by the Shire's Department of Town Planning supported by the Heritage Advisory Panel of community members with expertise in heritage matters.
It is strongly recommended that development should be discussed with appropriate Shire planning officers who will be pleased to advise you in all development matters.
For further inquires please do not hesitate to contact the Shire's Planning Officer at the Shire Office, Joaquina Street, York, or call (08) 9641 2233.
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