Source/Archive record SCH5318 - Hollies Farm, School Lane, Hartford, Cheshire West and Chester: Archaeological Building Investigation

Redrow Homes submitted a planning application to Vale Royal Borough Council (VRBC) concerning the demolition of redundant agricultural buildings, prior to the construction of new dwellings, on the site known as Hollies Farm, Hartford, Cheshire West and Cheshire (NGR SJ 6427 7200). An archaeological building investigation of English Heritage (2006) Level II standard was recommended by VRBC, in order to provide a permanent record of the farm buildings and the associated farmhouse, although this was not included in the proposed programme of demolition. In response to this, Redrow Homes commissioned Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) to carry out the archaeological building investigation. This was duly carried out in March 2010. Hollies Farm incorporates the farmhouse with a number of ancillary buildings within its gardens, and along with this a farmyard comprising a range of agricultural buildings. The farmhouse is located a short distance away from the farmyard and faces into it. The individual farm buildings within the farmyard comprise a large barn, and the remnants of a cow shed. These have been incorporated within a number of modern buildings of mixed function. According to the datestone present in the eaves of the gable, the farmhouse was constructed in c 1761. At this time it was probably at two dwellings, as suggested by the blocked doorways in the front elevation. The earliest reference of either the farmhouse or farm buildings is included on the 1846 Tithe map and schedule. The map illustrates the house, barn and probable cowshed. According to the tithe schedule, they are neither owned nor occupied by the same person and, as such, were not the cohesive unit known as ‘The Hollies Farm’. The tithe schedule indicated that at this time (1846), the farm buildings were linked to a different farmhouse, and the information on the tithe map appears to suggest that this was the case. By 1882 the form of both the farm buildings and the farmhouse itself has been altered. The farmhouse is no longer totally rectangular in plan, and, although the detail of the map is unclear, the house appears to have been extended to the north-west. It is possible that these structural additions to the house may represent the period at which it was converted into a single dwelling. By 1909, the farmhouse and the farm buildings were both within the same marked plot of land suggesting they were under one ownership or occupancy. The farmhouse is clearly depicted with the projecting wing to the right, and a number of additional buildings are attached to the north-western gable. The 1954 Ordnance Survey map shows the buildings on almost the same plan as the earlier map. The farmhouse was in a semi-derelict state prior to this, and the present occupiers confirmed that it was only shortly following this date, that the majority of the alterations to the house began. The farmhouse was re-inhabited at this point, and the gable end was re-built. The majority of the farm buildings surrounding the two older buildings are post-war in date, having been constructed by the present occupants since the 1950s. The cow shed was mostly upstanding until this date, although it was Hollies Farm, School Lane, Hartford, Cheshire West and Cheshire: Archaeological Building Investigation 3 For the use of Redrow Homes © OA North: June 2010 in a state of some considerable dilapidation, and could not be kept in any form other than is currently seen. The present scheme of investigation and recording, prompted by the demolition of the Hollies Farm and re-development of surrounding areas, will provide a lasting record of the structures in their present condition. No recommendations are made for further work.