Brassington is a village with a strong individual identity, based upon four main factors; its topography, its historic origins as a lead mining settlement; the predominant use of pale grey dolomitic limestone for buildings and means of enclosure; and the fossilised form of the Mediaeval planned village surrounded by historic landscape - crofts and beyond these the 'ridge and furrow' of the former open fields. The setting and landscape is of great importance to Brassington.
Located on a south-facing hillside, the village is contained to the north and east by valley sides, defined by ridges with rocky outcrops. When viewed from the south the village appears to be nestled within a natural 'amphitheatre'. In terms of industries, lead mining in the area reached its peak during the 17th century and this resulted in numerous houses being built or rebuilt throughout the village.
In the 17th century Brassington was also a major stopping place for coaches travelling between Derby and Buxton and numerous inns emerged. Lead mining and farming continued in the area throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. A principal characteristic of Brassington is the predominant use of carboniferous and dolomitic limestone for general construction, with gritstone and dolomitic limestone, being used for building details such as window and door surrounds. Roof material is generally clay tile (Staffordshire Blues) with the occasional use of stone and Welsh slate.
The Brassington Conservation Area is predominantly a rural area, the boundary of which encompasses the built form of the village and which includes land and buildings along Hillside to the north; Kings Hill and Dale End to the north-east, Town Lane to its juncture with Greenway and Ashbourne Road to the south-east, Well Street to the south and West End and Nether Lane to the south-west.
The original designation of Brassington Conservation Area was in August 1971. The boundary was further amended and subsequently approved in January 2008 following a review in the Conservation Area Appraisal. It currently comprises 11.9 hectares.
Historic Assets
Within Brassington Conservation Area there are 177 buildings, of which 27 are listed buildings. Of the listed entries St. James Church on Church Street and The Gate Inn on Well Street are both listed Grade II*. The remaining 25 entries are listed Grade II. The listed buildings in Brassington range from high status Manor Houses to small vernacular cottages and barns. All are recognised for the contribution they make both individually and visually within the street-scene.
Brassington Conservation Area contains no Scheduled Monuments.
Brassington Conservation Area Character Appraisal
In January 2008 a comprehensive Conservation Area Character Appraisal was approved, which assessed the special qualities of the character and appearance of Brassington Conservation Area, both in terms of its buildings and the relationship of its spaces alongside those buildings.
It assessed the archaeology; origins and development of the area; the architectural and historic quality; the setting and landscape of the area; an analysis of the character and considered the negative and neutral factors which impact on the Conservation Area. It also included an assessment of the historic landscape setting of the village. Coupled with this, the document made reference to planning policies and strategies that work to enhance and preserve the special character and appearance of the area. As part of the Appraisal, alterations to the boundary were proposed and subsequently approved.
Buildings at Risk
There are currently no buildings within the Brassington Conservation Area which are registered by the District Council as being 'at risk'.
Article 4 Directions
There are no additional planning controls, such as an Article 4 Direction, on any properties within Brassington Conservation Area.
Related Documents
Brassington Conservation Area Map (PDF 257KB)
Brassington Conservation Area Appraisal - Part 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) (PDF 4100KB)
Brassington Conservation Area Appraisal - Part 2 (Chapters 6 to 12) (PDF 3406KB)
Brassington Conservation Area Appraisal - Committee Report and Minutes (PDF 174KB)
