| Description | Elm Leys Farmhouse, Upton. Early to mid 18th century farmhouse.
'Farmhouse. Early to mid C18; altered and extended. Coursed squared sandstone, stone slate roof. L shaped plan formed by 2 unit front range with rear wing to left end. Two storeys and 3 bays; symmetrical east front; central doorway with plain surround and overlight, two 16 pane boxed sashes at ground floor, three 2 light casement above; gable chimneys (of brick). Left gable wall has an inserted window at ground floor, a blocked narrow window above, and narrow attic window partly broken by inserted chimney. Rear wing with outshut on south has windows on 4 levels of gable wall, mostly with flush mullions: two of 2 lights at ground floor, a larger 2 light stair window above and to the left, a square window at 1st floor altered as horizontal sliding sash, and a 2 light attic window. Lower 2 storey one bay addition at north end of main range, has in the front a doorway near the junction, a 2 light casement on each floor. Interior: house body in 2nd bay, with deep chimney stack (fireplace altered), kitchen moved into addition; parlour in 1st bay: dog legged staircase; cellar steps visible. Derelict at time of survey (1987)'.
(English Heritage listed building description. Date listed 13/10/1987. http://list.english heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1235568. Web site accessed 14/10/2013).
Elm Leys Farm was the subject of a planning application in 1998 for 'Partial demolition of farm buildings and conversion to 3 dwellings and reconstruction of existing farmhouse' (Wakefield Council planning reference number 98/99/58546). The architects associated with this application have been retained by WYAAS (Clayton Rodgers Architect and Designs Partnership). 1997. 'Elm Leys Farm, Badsworth. Existing Site Plan'). Peter Thornborrow (WYAS) provided the consultation response.
Thornborrow described the farm and range of farm buildings as mainly constructed from magensian limestone with later brick outbuildings. The farm house has a three bay facade with brick gable chimney stack, with a rear gables wing. The disposition is suggestive of an 18th century date for the buildings and it is likely that the farm postdates the turnpike road and was built during the third quarter of the 18th century between 1750 and 1771. It has a 'U' shaped plan forming a yard open to the south with a range of stables, barns, cow house and other unidentifiable farm buildings. The buildings are in an isolated position in the middle of fields and are in a dilapidated condition; several of the roof trusses are exposed showing fish bone king post roofs typical of the 18th century.
Thornborrow was sympathetic to the proposed conversion but questioned aspects of design including the introduction of window mullions. As the development would alter, damage or obscure elements of the historic fabric which are important in understanding the nature, extent and function of the farm complex, Thornborrow recommended that the building be recorded prior to development (Thornborrow, P.H. (WYAS). 2001. Consultation response to Wakefield Council planning reference number 98/99/58546. Elm Leys Farmhouse).
The farm appears extant on current on line resources and is in use as a dwelling (https://maps.google.com/. Web site access 14/10/2013). |