SETTLEMENT

Prior to twentieth century changes, Ravensthorpe’s development was concentrated along the High Street and Church Hill, which runs north from the eastern end of the High Street, and the latter’s east/west route. Many of Ravensthorpe’s major buildings are, or have been, sited around Church Hill and its junction with Guilsborough Road, including the church, vicarage, school, village green and Manor Farm.

Surviving cottages and farmhouses in these areas of Ravensthorpe generally are sited either directly onto the street, or set back slightly, with a boundary wall between house and pavement. Access is frequently to the side and behind, with outbuildings along the edge of plots. Such areas are the most densely settled, enclosed and informal parts of Ravensthorpe. Many older properties on the south side of the High Street still retain the long, narrow plots, which run down to the brook. Where older buildings have been replaced by modern layouts, the quality of the streetscape has been seriously weakened.

Despite much later construction, the compact nature of Ravensthorpe’s settlement pattern still exists. The major change has been the growth of housing along what was known as ‘back’ lane of Guilsborough Road, which is an east/west route running to the north of the High Street. Ribbon development has occured along Guilsborough Road’s south side, and there have been several areas of building on its north side.

Further into the village, much of the newer housing has been laid out as culs-de-sac on former fields, allotments and orchards. Whilst they have the advantage of privacy, they can also serve to isolate residents from the rest of the village.

Along the High Street, many of the older cottages have been demolished and, although their replacements are set further back from the street, with a lessening in the historical sense of enclosure, gaps remain between houses, which allow glimpses out of Ravensthorpe, making a vital visual connection with the open countryside. See Plan.

SETTLEMENT GUIDELINES

Ravensthorpe’s settlement patterns vary greatly between old and new areas of the village.

The countryside proximity enjoyed by most parts of the village must be preserved.

  • Streets in the older parts of Ravensthorpe are characteristically winding, with the streetscape being revealed gradually. New houses in these areas should respect the tradition of building close to the street, either through the position of the house, or by means of construction of a suitable boundary wall.
  • All Existing views within the village, and into the countryside should be protected.
  • Infill development or lateral extensions to existing buildings should not interfere with views out of the village.

Generally Culs-de-sac are not satisfactory for Village layout as they can isolate their residents.

  • Any new road/development should include, at least, a pedestrian access to other parts of the village in addition to and separate from the vehicle access.