| Description | Stables, Heath House, Warmfield cum Heath.
The stables at Heath House were archaeologically assessed probably by Peter Thornborrow (WYAS) c.1985. The record is transcribed below:
'Former stables to Heath House. c.1745. Probably by James Paine. Well coursed much weathered gritstone with ashlar dressing, stone slate roof survives in part. Two storeys. Five bay symmetrical facade originally. Quoins, plinth, ground floor sill band. Central bay breaks forward and has quoined angles. Venetian window with pilasters, moulded impost and architrave, outer lights solid, centre light broken through as doorway, upper storey missing. Bays either side have window with plain jambs, monolithic lintel and chamfered surround. Right hand bays lack upper storey. Moulded eaves cornice. Hipped roof. Attached to left is added lean to with circular window and coping.
Interior: original stone set floor with 'X' shaped drainage channels. 19th century stable fittings. Two bay fish bone king post truss roof survives.
Though in a dilapidated state of repair, at the time of the resurvey c.1985, the building is of importance as possibly being by Paine the architect of nearby Heath House',
(?Thornborrow, P.H. (WYAS). c.1985. 'Warmfield cum Heath. Stable block to rear of Heath House').
The stables were the subject of a planning application in 2000 for 'Conversion of outbuilding to residential including alterations and extension'. (Wakefield Council planning reference number 00/99/19338/S). The detailed architect's plans have been retained by WYAAS (Charles, G. Lee. Listed Building Consultant. c.2000). Drawings included detailed illustrations of the stone work and isometric drawings.
Peter Thornborrow (Senior Historic Buildings Officer WYAAS) provided the consultation response. Makes reference to the stable's associations with the Palladian phase of Heath House as an early work of James Paine [Heath House is II* listed. See PRN 13243 for further information]. Thornborrow attributes the stables to either James Paine or local architect John Carr. Thornborrow commended the detailed architect's drawings (above) and made a number of suggestions regarding design considerations. Thornborrow recommended revision points for the plans and that a condition should be placed for photographic recording (Thornborrow, P.H. (WYAS), 2001).
WYAAS archives holds a copy of a building survey report relating to the Heath House Stables by Charles G Lee (Listed Buildings Consultant). Although the document is undated it was undertaken as a response to a prerequisite for any revised plans. The report provides a detailed description of the building's interior and exterior, a discussion with comparative evidence and photographic images.
Lee concludes that the building may have been built as something other than a stable. The stone work is fine and the Venetian widow is well carved. It is built in a Classical Palladian tradition, possibly as a dower house, summer house or menagerie for Heath House and is possibly the work of James Paine.
(Lee, C.G. 2001?. 'Heath House Stables, Heath, Wakefield. The report: An archaeological evaluation in support of a listed building application for works at Heath House Stables').
Building still appears in a dilapidated condition (http://www.bing.com/maps/. Web site accessed 07/02/2014). |