Building record MDO47089 - House, Branksome Chine, Poole

A c.1930s house of two storeys and constructed of brick laid to stretcher bond and painted white, with blue-glazed pantiled roof and blue-painted windows, doorways, detail etc. It has a deeply pitched roof with sprocketed eaves, with brick ridge stack to left and end stack to right, both with stepped vaguely Moderne coursing, although that to the right has been truncated. The front elevation comprises four irregular bays, with a large projecting gable to right of centre with doorway under a double-shouldered flat arch with deep architrave, and tall stair light to the left side. Toward the apex of the gable is a two-light leaded casement with curved surround and turned baluster mullion. The left side has two dormers at first floor, both with leaded lights; beneath the left dormer is a wooden casement with plank shutters. To the right of centre is a single storey garage. The garden elevation is more symmetrical, of 5 bays, with the end bays projecting forward under hipped roofs. The first floor is narrow, and rendered to sill band. The windows are all uPVC replacements: those to the upper storey are similar to that at the front with rounded top corners; the ground floor windows and doors are under flat arches.

The house was built in circa 1930s, part of the inter-war development of this western stretch of Bournemouth.

The house is of two storeys and constructed of brick laid to stretcher bond and painted white, with blue-glazed pantiled roof and blue-painted windows, doorways, detail etc. The house faces north west onto Sandbourne Road; the garden to the rear overlooks the sea. It has a deeply pitched roof with sprocketed eaves, with brick ridge stack to left and end stack to right, both with stepped vaguely Moderne coursing, although that to the right has been truncated. The front elevation comprises four irregular bays, with a large projecting gable to right of centre with doorway under a double-shouldered flat arch with deep architrave, and tall stair light to the left side. Toward the apex of the gable is a two-light leaded casement with curved surround and turned baluster mullion. The left side has two dormers at first floor, both with leaded lights; beneath the left dormer is a wooden casement with plank shutters. To the right of centre is a single storey garage. The garden elevation is more symmetrical, of 5 bays, with the end bays projecting forward under hipped roofs. The first floor is narrow, and rendered to sill band. The windows are all uPVC replacements: those to the upper storey are similar to that at the front with rounded top corners; the ground floor windows and doors are under flat arches.

Internally, the house retains its plan form with open well stair rising above the front door, service rooms and stair to east, and reception rooms to the west and south. The west end reception room has a deeply coved ceiling. The first floor rooms retain some built in cupboards, but are otherwise unremarkable.

Houses of the 20th century must meet very exacting standards to merit inclusion on the list and a number of factors must be taken into consideration when assessing them; the quality of composition and detailing, planning and lay-out, relationship with setting, the reputation of the designer as well as the extent to which the original design has survived unaltered. The applicant is right to point out that there are few good examples of houses built in the Cape Dutch style in southern England, but this is certainly not one of them. The deep eaves, low first floor and pantiled roof give the house a loose Cape Dutch appearance, but these are not elements peculiar to this style, and for the 1930s this diluted form of the style is far from atypical. When compared with listed examples such as `Good Hope', Wimbledon, (1905 by Spencer Carey Curtis); `Wickhurst¿, Kent (early 20th century, architect unknown), both listed at Grade II; or Port Lympne, Kent (1912 by Sir Herbert Baker, and listed at Grade II*) it is clear that this example lacks their sophisticated handling, attention to detail and crucially is much later in date. Its blue-glazed pantiled roof is undoubtedly arresting, especially amongst the house's contemporary, but more conventional, neighbours. However blue- and green-glazed roof tiles are not rare, especially in this area, and are to be found on a number of early 20th century houses in Poole and Bournemouth, as well as the wealthier suburbs of London. Houses of this period can be spare and unfussy internally, and lack of opulent decoration does not necessary mean lack of significance. However some indication of quality and craftsmanship is required; in this case, although the interior remains relatively unaltered and there are some features, such as the stair, which are of decent quality, there is nothing that is particularly special or that sets the house apart. The house does not lack charm, and its colourful exterior provides a cheerful contribution to the streetscene. However, when judged on a national basis it lacks the architectural and historic significance necessary to justify listing. <1>

<1> English Heritage, English Heritage Listing File, Adviser's report on case 166108 (Scheduling record). SDO17502.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1484577 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Sep 5 2023 3:24PM