Site Event/Activity record ECH6798 - Pott Lords Farmhouse, Sutton: Assessment of Significance

Executive Summary Report to assess the significance of the farmhouse at Pott Lords farm and its setting. Sections 3, 4 and 5 of this report provide an assessment of the significance of the farmhouse at Pott Lords Farm and its setting. Although the farmhouse is dated to 1693, the datestone is positioned within the western arm rather than in the centre and above an entrance, as would usually be expected. The map evidence is incomplete and evidence within the building is confusing. However, what can be deduced is that the evidence within the building is confusing. However, what can be deduced is that the earliest part of the house is the east wing, it seems likely that the whole of the south wall was built at the same time and the north wall of the west wing appears to have been added later. The existing staircase and basement may also have been added later. The farmhouse is significant for its earlier east wing with legible archaeological and architectural differences and built in a vernacular style, largely in locally-sourced materials; the west wing dated to 1693 and also built in a vernacular style and largely in locally-sourced materials; the architectural value of the stone window surrounds, mullions, heads and sills externally and internally of historic chamfered beams on the ground floor and in the basement, a historic kitchen fireplace with an inserted range from around 1900, timber-framed partition walls with wattle-and-daub infill panels, staircase with splat balusters probably dating from late 17th century and possibly inserted at this time; its historic association with the locally important Hadfield family. Any association with the Downes family of Shrigley Hall has not been proven within the research for this report. The listing description is wrong is some quite important respects and should not be taken as indicating that recent alterations have been undertaken without consent. The farmhouse is considered to be of high significance overall.The poor condition of the windows and historic plasterwork is having a negative effect on this significance and repair work needs to be carried out. Section 3 History of the Site ( deyailed history with maps and ownership details) Section 4 Architectural Assessment and Context ( detailed desctiption with interior and exterior photograph and descriptions) Section 5 Significance The listing description is wrong is some quite important respects and should not be taken as indicating that recent alterations have been undertaken without consent. Although the house is recorded as having a stone slate roof, it is shown in a photograph from 1972 with a slate roof. The only window on the north elevation with a stone surround is the cellar window in the projecting wing, not those above and differences also exist on the south elevation where the description does not mention the first-floor 2-light window on the left side, although this is also shown in 1972. This window seems likely to have been associated with the insertion of partitions to the first floor room in the west wing which therefore also appear to pre-date the listing. Certainly, one of the attic windows with leaded diamond-patterned lattice panes has been replaced and the other infilled with plain glass, apparently without consent, although it is impossible to be certain as the description is unreliable. (1) Updated version of report produced January 2021. (2)