Allan House, Newcastle
introduction | desk based assessment | building & photographic survey | building appraisal | conclusions & bibliography
Part 4: General Conclusions and Recommendations
Allan House is a building of some local importance which deserves its current status on the Local List. Its positive contribution to the setting of the conservation area and to the cultural heritage of the Ouseburn Valley is without question. Its historical significance, functioning as an ancillary building for one of the major passenger fleets in the region in the early 20 th century is also an important contributing factor to its overall significance.
The current proposal, whilst resulting in some impact on the existing structure, is considered to have an overall positive impact on the fabric and setting of Allan House. The development will secure and enhance the original fabric and fixtures of both Allan House and its ancillary buildings in addition to improving what is considered to be its most impressive asset, the southwest elevation facing on to City Road. Should the scheme be approved, it is proposed that a programme of additional building recording is implemented to preserve by record any significant fixtures or fittings in the main building that would be removed or obscured. The current proposal seeks to retain and reuse the main stairways, windows and fixtures where possible.
The desk based assessment has indicated that there is a low potential for in situ archaeological deposits to be present within the development area and that the site has undergone a high degree of truncation and remodelling in its recent history. The main areas of impact from the new build will be located at the northwestern end of the courtyard and over the existing garage structure on Ouse Street. It is considered that in view of the low potential of the site and degree of physical truncation, additional archaeological investigation is not merited.
The biggest constraint to the development proposal is the presence of the Victoria Tunnel (Grade II Listed) beneath the courtyard and blacksmith's wing of Allan House. The current proposal seeks to avoid any direct or indirect impact on this structure. Whilst detailed foundation designs have yet to be finalised they will be formulated to achieve this outcome. It is recommended that any foundation designs are assessed and approved prior to commencing groundworks and that the integrity of the tunnel is carefully monitored throughout the building's construction.
Acknowledgements
Mike Griffiths and Associates would like to acknowledge the following for their help, advice and assistance in the project; Jennifer Morrison (NCC), staff at the Local Studies Library, Staff at the Tyne and Wear Archives Service, Mr Terry Sutherland and workers and staff at Allan House.
Bibliography
Cartographic Sources Consulted
Non-Ordnance Survey
Saxton's Map, 1576
Speed's Map, 1610
Astley 's Map, 1638
England's Grievance, 1654
Warburton's Map, 1716
Corbridge's Map, 1723
Horsley's Map, 1732
Bourne's Map, 1736
Thompson's Map, 1746
Kitchen's Map, 1767
Armstrong's County Map, 1769
Hutton's Map, 1772
Beilby's Map, 1788
Brand's Map, 1788
Cole's Map, 1808
Fryer's Map,1820
Wood's Map, 1827
Oliver's Map, 1830
Oliver's Map, 1831
Oliver's Map, 1838
Oliver's Map, 1844
Tithe Award, 1843
MacLauchlan's Map, 1852
Ordnance Survey Maps
1856 First Edition, 25" 1 mile
1861 First Edition, 10ft 1 mile
1896 Second Edition, 10ft 1 mile
1898 Second Edition,6" 1 mile
1912 Third Edition, 25" 1 mile
1919 Third Edition, 6" 1 mile
1942 Fourth Edition, 6" 1 mile
1952 Fifth Edition, 1:2500
1985 scale?
Secondary Sources
Appleby Miller, R. N. 1927. 'Wooden Rails Faced with Iron Treads, 1839-60, The Spital Tongues Colliery Tunnel', Edgar Allen News, May 1927
Brand, J.1788. History of Newcastle, Newcastle
Mathias, P. and Pearsall, A. W. H. (eds) 1971. Shipping: A Survey of Historical Records, Newton Abbott
British Geological Survey (BGS) 1998 Geology of the district around Newcastle Upon Tyne, Gateshead and Consett
Dodds, M. H. 1930. Northumberland County History, Vol. 13, Newcastle
Keys, D. and Smith, K. 2006. Tales from the Tyne, Newcastle
Patrick Parsons Limited (PPL), April 2001, Unpublished. Victoria Tunnel, Ouseburn
Patrick Parsons Limited (PPL), April 2006, Unpublished. Victoria Tunnel, Ouseburn
Room, A. (ed.) 1992. Brewer's Dictionary of Names, Oxford
Speak, C. 1997, Unpublished. 'The Victoria Tunnel, Newcastle Upon Tyne: Archaeological Survey and Historical Assessment', Tyne and Wear Museums Archaeological Department
MacKenzie, E. 1827. Historical Account of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Including the Borough of Gateshead, Institute of Historical Research
Newcastle City Council (NCC) January 2003. Regeneration Strategy for Lower Ouseburn Valley (http://www.newcastle.gov.uk)
Newcastle City Council (NCC) April 2005. Lower Ouseburn Valley Conservation Area Character Statement (http://www.newcastle.gov.uk)
Newcastle City Council (NCC) 21st September 2006. Local List of Buildings, Structures, Parks, Gardens and Open Spaces of Special Local Architectural or Historic Interest Supplementary Planning Document (http://www.newcastle.gov.uk)
Tyne and Wear Museums Archaeology Department (TWMAD) 2002, Unpublished. 'St. Ann's Yard, Byker, Tyne and Wear: Archaeological Assessment and Buildings Survey', Tyne and Wear Museums Archaeology Department
Tyne and Wear Museums Archaeology Department (TWMAD) 2003, Unpublished. 'Heaney Site, Hume Street, Ouseburn, Tyne and Wear: Archaeological Assessment
introduction | desk based assessment | building & photographic survey | building appraisal | conclusions & bibliography