Building record MDO44123 - K6 telephone box, Deanland, Sixpenny Handley

A K6 telephone box in Deanland village. It is a standardised design made of cast iron, painted red overall with long horizontal glazing in door and sides and with the crowns situated on the top panels being applied not perforated. There are rectangular white display signs, reading TELEPHONE beneath the shallow-curved roof. The kiosk is situated in Deanland, a linear hamlet, and stands on the west side of the road, adjacent to a mid-to late 20th century post box bearing the initials ER. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 for the General Post Office, on the occasion of King George V’s Silver Jubilee. Well over 70,000 K6s were eventually produced and many still remain, continuing to be an iconic feature on Britain's streetscapes. This building was assessed for listing in 2012, but failed to meet the required criteria.

The K6 was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 for the General Post Office, on the occasion of King George V's Silver Jubilee. Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (1880-1960) was one of the most important of modern British architects. The K6 was a development from his earlier highly successful K2 telephone kiosk design of 1924, of Neo-classical inspiration. The K6 was more streamlined aesthetically, more compact and more cost-effective to mass produce. Well over 70,000 K6s were eventually produced and many still remain, continuing to be an iconic feature on Britain's streetscapes.

The K6 is a standardised design made of cast iron, painted red overall with long horizontal glazing in door and sides and with the crowns situated on the top panels being applied not perforated. There are rectangular white display signs, reading TELEPHONE beneath the shallow-curved roof. The kiosk is situated in Deanland, a linear hamlet, and stands on the west side of the road, adjacent to a mid-to late 20th century post box bearing the initials ER. Although no longer operational, it appears to be intact and generally in a good condition; it is understood to still be illuminated at night.

The K6 telephone box as a building type is nationally important for its architectural and historical significance. However, due to the large number of K6 telephone kiosks that have survived, selection is determined on the basis of their close association with other listed buildings. In particular, to meet the criteria for listing a telephone kiosk should have a strong visual relationship with more than one listed building, or must be in the immediate vicinity of one or more listed buildings with which it has a contextual relationship or must otherwise satisfy strong claims to being a setting of exceptional special interest. The K6 in Deanland which is situated in a central position within the hamlet does not meet the criteria for listing for the following principal reasons:

Association: the applicant refers to a listed K6 in Cheltenham that stands alongside, and has group value with a late-19th century letter box which is also listed. Whilst acknowledging that the Deanland post box is not as early as the Cheltenham example, the applicant considers that the K6 in Deanland which also stands adjacent to a post box merits designation as much as the Cheltenham kiosk due to its more attractive location. However, the post box which groups with the K6 in Cheltenham is a rare example of a Penfold-type Victorian pillar, whereas the Deanland post box dates from the mid-to late 20th century and is not listed;

Group value: the applicant has indicated that there are a number of buildings in Deanland that could potentially be listed; however, none are currently designated. Whilst the Deanland kiosk makes a positive contribution to the centre of the hamlet, it is not located close to any listed buildings and does not, therefore, enjoy a visual relationship with any listed buildings;

Setting: although within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty its setting cannot be described as being of exceptional interest in a national context.

Although this kiosk does not meet the criteria for designation in a national context it is certainly greatly valued by the local community and is of local interest. <1>

<1> Historic England, UDS Non-Designation case report, 470038 (Scheduling record). SDO18398.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1578345 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 30 2022 10:07AM