Building record 1194/2 - Post Medieval Barns Associated with Aston Hall

<1> Peter de Figueiredo (Independent Consultant), 2017, Aston Park Farm, Great Budworth, Cheshire. Heritage Statement (Client Report). SCH8231.

Heritage assessment undertaken in 2017 at Aston Park Farm in support of an application for change of use and alterations to a group of three, redundant farm buildings (buildings A, B and C) to create further residential accommodation. Aston Park was formerly part of the Arley estate, which has been in the ownership of the Warburton family since 1200. Aston Hall is dated 1715 and was built by the Warburton family, possibly as a dower house. It was occupied by the Warburton family between 1755 and 1763, while their ancestral home Arley Hall was being modernised. In 1846, the tithe apportionments record that the owner of Aston Park was Rowland Egerton Warburton and the tenant, Peter Carter. During the 20th century, Aston Park was sold by the Warburton family and the house and farm became separate. In recent years the house fell into disrepair, but it is currently being restored by a new owner. Although the farm buildings that are the subject of the application are in separate ownership from the listed building, they are considered to be within its historic curtilage, and are therefore listed by association. The Heritage Statement considers the significance of the farm buildings as well as their setting and concludes that the comprehensive programme of repairs and refurbishment, to be undertaken as part of the proposed development, would bring the buildings back into beneficial use and ensure their future sustainability.

The tithe map of 1846 shows the house and three farm buildings. The 1875 OS map records a similar footprint, while the 1910 OS map shows that three further outbuildings were subsequently added around the edge of the original group. Sometime after 1910, the long cranked building to the north-west was demolished. The three historic farm buildings (A, B and C) surround a courtyard to the north-east of the listed building. All are built of brick with slate roofs and originally served different functions. Building A, dating from the mid eighteenth century, was originally a threshing barn and retains its cart entrances on east and west sides. Building B, of early to mid nineteenth century date, was possible a cattle barn with storage for hay and feed on the floor above. However, its eastern end appears to have been used as a dutch barn, with open sides and brick piers, for the storage of hay. Building C also dates to the nineteenth century and appears to have been used for storage of carts and other vehicles.

<2> Kathryn Spencer, 2018, Barns A And C, Aston Park Farm, Aston By Budworth, Cheshire: Archaeological Building Recording, R4182 (Client Report). SCH8495.

In October 2017, further survey work, including photographic recording, was undertaken for barns A and C.

<3> Peter de Figueiredo (Independent Consultant), 2018, Aston Park Farm, Great Budworth, Cheshire: Archaeological Building Record Addendum: Building B, R4189 (Client Report). SCH8506.

In April 2018, further survey work, including photographic recording, was undertaken for Barn B; as this barn was not due to be altered apart from repairs to the roof and rainwater goods, the level of recording deemed necessary was not quite as detailed as for Barns A and C.