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REF D.B.C. 4/00453/14/LBC:

Courtyard ‘Outbuilding/Storeroom’ to rear of No. 5. Roughdown Villas. Roughdown Common.

Hemel Hempstead. Herts. HP3, 0AX.

WRITEN SCHEME OF INVESTIGATION (WSI) LEVEL 2:

This document comprises a Written Scheme of Investigation setting out methodologies, resources and

program for recording and analysis of elements of the ‘subterranean brick barrel vaulted outbuilding/ a

brick&flint walled store’. It has been prepared specifically to deploy recording in line with English

Heritage Level 2 building survey, as requested by Helen Cal Fernandes, Dacorum Borough Council

and forms part of and subject to the Listed Building Consent granted condition.

This document is subject to approval by the Local Authority and in accordance with historic buildings

advice set out in a brief issued by Helen Cal Fernandes advisor Dacorum Borough Council 3.07.2014.

The Site:

The structure concerned ‘a Subterranean Outbuilding/Storeroom’ to the rear courtyard of No.5.

Roughdown Villas. HP3, 0AX. was in existence by the time of the Ordnance survey 1st edition 1878.

It is no longer in use and in an advanced state of decay, much overgrown and in semi-ruinous structural

condition. Part of a group of eight residences, Roughdown Villas were built by and for the engineers

and managers employed in the construction of the Boxmoor Railway station 1835.

Aims and Objectives:

The objective of this Level 2 recording is to provide a simple, comprehensive map; visual and

measured record of study structure , before demolition, and where strongly suspected to retain only

limited historic significance. In accordance with the EH procedural document 2006 ‘Understanding

Historic Buildings: A guide to good recording practice’.

Recording Methodology:

Site recording and research include, accurate archaeological record of the building to EH Level 2 (EH

2006/EH 2006b revised 2009), drawn plans, annotated with appropriate constructional details.

Photographic survey of building in present condition. Black and white for archive purposes and colour

digital media for reporting purposes.

Written free-text notes setting out on-site observations of the building.

Summary of background research to phase and date of origins and development.

Reporting and Archive:

Report to be submitted to Dacorum Borough Council/Hertfordshire County Council Archaeological

advisor in order to discharge the L.B.C. planning condition.

The report to include a summary of the deconstruction works to be undertaken and the aims and

methods employed during the course of the recording. Description and interpretation of the structure

recorded, interpretation of phasing, dating and development.

Site-specific: Site name; Pre-start visit; Time-input on site recording; Research days; Reporting days.

Historic map regression; NRO documentation search.

Timetable for reporting; 8-12 weeks from end of field/site work. Note to HCC archaeology 2015.

Health and Safety:

All site/field work to be undertaken under appropriate Health and Safety Policies and procedures. A

simple risk assessment to be prepared prior to deconstruction works commencing.

Safety clothing/PPE will be deployed as required.

J. Titmus (site manager) holds the Construction Site Managers Health and Safety Certificate until 2015.

This Level 2 building survey document has been prepared by J. Titmus / Hertsrestoration Services, 30

years Historic Building works experience and is affiliated/full member of I.H.B.C.S.P.A.B.ICOMOS.

Office: Mr. J. Titmus. 32. Field Road. Oxhey. Hertfordshire. WD19 4DR Tel/Fax 01923 250247

jeff.titmus@btinternet.com

VAT Reg No : 505 5276 58 S.P.A.B. I.H.B.C. ICOMOS VSA. Member.

Historic Recording Surveys Planning Specification Project Management Scaled Drawings Service

Page2

LOCATION / HISTORIC BACKGROUND/CONTEXT

Documentary work was restricted to a search of; County & Local Archive records office, Genealogy

Hertfordshire, HER.

The information obtained was sufficient to meet the levels of historic building recording required

within the context/brief.

The structure lies on the south side of Roughdown Villas Road/South of Hemel Hempstead.

Centered on NGR. 504168 205750: 51’44’26.66 N - 0’ 29’33.00W.

Historic Documentation.

No.5. Roughdown Villas is part of a group of 8 semi-detached properties built by the London & North

West Railway (London to Birmingham) between 1835 – 1837, to house engineers and managers

employed in the construction of the Boxmoor (Hemel Hempstead) Station. Part of the railways

constructional trend of urbanization. The station being completed and opened in July 1837.

Navies employed in the construction, camped in the vicinity of nearby Roughdown Common.

As part of the twenty year building boom following the Napoleonic wars, this newer style of

architecture (Regency period) followed the basic plan of the late Georgian style of the 18c in layout,

and the rise of the detached and semi-detached ‘villa’. Retaining Georgian window proportions, thin

glazing bars, divided sash windows of twelve or more rectangular panes. Gable end / hipped

construction roofs with wide projecting eaves and Welsh slate the preferred covering material,

contrasting the pale stucco/brick walls. These ‘middle-class’ villas, contain twelve or more rooms with

separate family and basement service areas. Externally located, ‘Barrel brick-vaulted outbuildings

/storerooms’ serviced the basement service areas, located either to the front or rear of these properties.

A map from 1897 shows Roughdown Villas, in although a rural location, in a most convenient position

for easy access to the railway station works.

Sold on or let sometime after 1837; an 1851 census found residents of Roughdown Villas;

No.1/ Sarah Christopher, (45, unmarried, find holder), Ann Christopher, (37, sister, unmarried, fund

holder), Thomas Christopher, (40, brother, unmarried, proprietor of houses), visitor & servant.

2/Frank Wilkins, (46, retired farmer), Mary, (27, wife), Francis (son, 3).

3/John Pearce (42, solicitor) wife children, visitor and 2domestic servants.

4/ Unoccupied.

5/ George ??? (53, retired farmer), wife, 5 children, nephew, 4 servants.

6/Unoccupied.

7/Thomas Timms (50, gardener) and wife.

8/ Joseph Christopher (50, annuitant) wife, 2 children and 2 domestic servants.

An 1866 Trade Directory lists the following private residents in ‘Rowdon’ Villas as;

No.1/ Mr. Thomas Christopher

2/ Mrs. Lucy Mary Warr

3/ Miss Elizabeth Akerman

4/ Mr. David Saunders

5/ ???

6/ Miss Mary Ann Reynolds

7/ Miss Jane Winstanley

8/ Mr. Joseph Christopher.

The 1843 Tithe Award lists both owner and occupiers.

An 1857 advert in the East London Observer of October 31st included the following;

‘’Boxmoor Herts: One of those beautiful semi-detached villas residencies, known as Rowdown Villas,

within two minutes’ walk of the station of the North Western Railway, containing six bedrooms, three

siting rooms, two kitchens and abundantly supplied with water, with a two stall stable and coach house

for £32 per annum. These residencies command a view of the surrounding country for twelve miles

around, from the parlour windows. Inquire on the premises.’’

The 1843 Tithe Award lists both owners and occupiers. Photocopies of the award and map are in the

Hemel Hempstead Library and originals at the County Records Office (HALS) @ Hertford.

References: ‘’The Book of Boxmoor’’

‘’Royalty to Commoners: Four Hundred Years of the Boxmoor Trust’’

‘’Hertfordshire Genealogy’’ and ‘’County Records Office Hertford’’

Page 3

SITE LOCATION / GEOLOGY:

The underlying geology of the area comprises typical chalk of the Chilterns downland. The chalk is

exposed along steep escarpments towards Aylesbury and along valley sides. The drift slope is overlaid

by clay with flints which support the extensive surrounding woodlands, medium –grade farmland and

remnant heath. Lewes Nodular Chalk formation and the Sleaford Chalk Formation (undifferentiated).

A chalk sedimentary bedrock formed approx. 84-94 million years ago in the Cretaceous period.

Superficial deposits area recorded as clay with flint formations. A combination of clay, silt, sand and

gravels formed up to 5 million years ago in the Quaternary and Noegene periods, indicating a local

environment previously dominated by weathering process. (http://www.bgs.ac.uk/).

BUILDING SURVEY:

The study structure; a subterranean brick barrel vaulted‘’ Outbuilding/Storeroom’’, located to the rear

courtyard of No5. Roughdown Villas dating from 1835. Constructed of rubble chalk flint and local

‘Luton greys/multi’ handmade brick. Acting as a retaining wall to the steeply rising rear garden, also

forming part of the boundary and dividing the individual rear gardens of the semi-detached building

group of 4. Being part subterranean the barrel brick vault supports a ‘loading weight’ of 7cuM of

soil & chalk equal to 10 tonne. Previous attempts at stabilization include additional brickwork piers,

later brickwork sectional repairs and buttressing now fracturing. The vaulted brickwork ceiling has

deflected to near collapse at the front entrance due to the weight loading. The structures present near

collapsed condition and location has no present function, in its size, shape and layout and in its

semi-ruinous position acting also as a retaining wall, creates a potential danger to the occupants.

The structure was surveyed in April 2014 using a Disto measuring and hand-held GPS equipment.

The structure was unsafe to fully enter and required occasional flash photography to record.

Notations were undertaken regarding the characteristics, including metrical data, thresholds, materials

and building techniques employed.

SURVEY RESULTS:

The study structure, an external subterranean coalhole/store room serviced the basement and domestic

servant requirements accessed via the rear and lower ground rear kitchen courtyard.

Constructed as part retaining wall to the steeply rising rear gardens leading to the wooded ridge N.

The structure comprises local ‘Luton grey/multi’ handmade bricks to front and right flank elevations.

Brick barrel vaulted ceiling. Rubble chalk flints to rear wall and left flank, with later (20c) added

external brick skin as stabilization. Additional later (20c) brick piers and lintel added to front elevation

entrance. Original entrance and vaulted brick ceiling lintel has deflected under soil/chalk loading and

partially collapsed.

PHOTOGRAPHIC INDEX: B&W + DIGITAL COLOUR / FACING / DESCRIPTION:

001: B&W. VIEW S. FROM HOUSE GROUND LEVEL . ANNOTATED.

002: B&W. VIEW SOUTH FACING ENTRANCE BASEMENT/COURTYARD LEVEL.

003: B&W. EXTERNAL LEFT FLANK RISING 2.4M FROM COURTYARD LEVEL.

004: B&W. INTERNAL VIEW BRICK VAULTED COAL/STROEROOM.

005: COLOUR. COLLAPSE BETWEEN INT&EXT ENTRANCE LINTELS

006: COLOUR. COLLAPSE OF CHALK & EARTH LOAD.

007: COLOUR. ORIGINAL BRICK VAULT & LATER SEGMENTAL ARCHES.

008: B&W. EXT VIEW N. EXTERNAL DIMS.

009: B&W. REAR COURTYARD W. OF No.5. ROUGHDOWN VILLAS.

010: B&W. VIEW FROM BASEMENT/COURTYARD RISE OF LAND /\ 2.4m.

011: B&W. INT VIEW S. INTERNAL DIMS.

012: B&W. INT VIEW LEFT FLANK.

013: B&W. EXT VIEW N. FROM REAR GARDEN GROUND LEVEL.

014: B&W. ENTRANCE LINTEL LOAD DEFLECTION/COLLAPSE.

O.S. MAP INDEX:

001: O.S. 1878 16 hectare

002: 1878 zoom

003: O.S. 1898 16 hectare

004: 1898 zoom

005: O.S. 1925 16 hectare

006: O.S. 1:12500 16 HECTARE LOCATION MAP

007: O.S. 1:500 0.9 HECTARE SITE MAP

DRAWING INDEX:

001: LOCATION STUDY BUILDING GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE

002: DRAWING STUDY BUILDING GROUND PLAN 1:50

003: DRAWING STUDY BUILDING FRONT ELEVATION 1:20

004: DRAWING STUDY BUILDING SECTION THROUGH 1:20

005: LOCATION SITE OF STUDY BUILDING MAP

SUMMARY

The study building; rear courtyard subterranean outbuilding cum storeroom/coal hole clearly

had a service function but context had been lost through later life-style ‘improvements’ and the

lack of such a structures’ requirement. Measuring 1.2m internal height, 1.8m internal width and

4.1m internal depth. These utilitarian outbuildings appear to date up and to the last (19) century

have little academic merit. The removal of the structure enables the salvaged material of flint

and brick to be re-used in reconstructing and establishing the required rear garden retaining and

party walls.

DECONSTRUCTION: (site work to include watching brief/monitoring/risk assessed)

Timber brace - shoring to external left flank wall ( steps up to rear garden level. 1m x 2.4m x

2.7m.) 2.4 m rise from basement courtyard level to rear garden level.

Graded layers of the existing top soil and sub-soil chalk (approx. 7cuM total) to be removed via

mechanical excavator and hand tools. Deposits to be monitored and removed from rear garden.

Brick and flint work to the front and left flank and subsequently brick barrel ceiling, as works

proceed, to be carefully dismantled by hand using small mechanical and hand tools.

All salvaged materials to be set aside for re-use in reconstruction of retaining walls.

All surplus rubble and debris to be removed from cleared site of works.

The exposed internal faces of the rear, left and right flank walls to be refaced and reinforced/ tied

using salvaged materials where required.

ARCHIVE:

The archive has been compiled in accordance with the project/brief and the guidelines set out by

English Heritage (1991) and the I.F.A. ( 94/07/08). The archive will be deposited with the

appropriate repository, OASIS with copies donated to the County and Monuments Record.

LOCATION SITE OF STUDY BUILDING DRWG No.005.

GROUND PLAN 1: 50 DRWG No. 002.

FRONT ELEVATION 1:20 DRWG No. 003.

SECTION THROUGH 1:20 DRWG No. 004

0.S. MAP 1878 INDEX No. 001/16ht.

O.S. MAP 1878 INDEX No.002

O.S. MAP 1898 INDEX No. 003

O.S. MAP 1925 INDEX No. 005/16ht

STUDY BUILDING PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY IMAGES

009: REAR COURTYARD AT BASEMENT LEVEL

008: EXT VIEW N. FACING EXT DIMS

010: VIEW FROM COURTYARD/BASEMENT LEVEL / RISE TO REAR LAND

005: INTERNAL VIEW / INT DIMS

0013: VIEW FROM UPPER REAR GARDEN LEVEL N.

0036: REAR GARDEN UPPER LEVEL >N.

007: INERNAL BRICK / HOOP LINTELS

005: COLLAPSE CHALK RUBBLE FLINT SOILS AT ENTRANCE

PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE Nos. 008/010/013/9

0012: INT VIEW LEFT FLANK

0030: INTERNAL RIGHT FLANK / PARTY WALL