26 Andrew’s Shorefield

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A single-storey square plan timber chalet built c.1920. Located off Donaghadee Road, east of Groomsport, with Belfast Lough to the north.

Felt hipped roof surmounted by dual aspect dormer; cast-iron semi-circular gutters; downpipes removed. Smooth rendered brick chimney stack against the external wall terminating with a single clay pot. Weather boarded timber frame structure, raised above ground level on individual masonry plinths. Single-glazed timber casement windows with transoms and mullions. Timber front door with architrave surrounds; six glazed panels to the upper portion with three tall solid rectangular panels below the lock rail; brass ironmongery.

The principal elevation faces north and is asymmetrically arranged with veranda extending full width. The front door is located slightly left of centre; canted bay to the right hand side and bi-partite window to the left. Veranda comprises timber joisted decking; geometrically arranged balustrade with plain square posts supporting over handing roof above. Timber elliptical arch braces between posts with decorative key block centrally located. Bi-partite, flat roofed dormer window projecting from apex of roof.

The left (east) elevation has a single casement window located slightly of centre to the left.

The rear (south) elevation is asymmetrically arranged with a rear door located left of centre, flanked by casement windows. Bi-partite dormer window projecting from apex of roof. Abutting the rear is a narrow timber and glass structure forming a flat roofed link block between the rear door of the principal structure and a small L-shaped flat-corrugated-iron roofed, timber panel shed.

The right (west) elevation has no openings. The chimney stack rises from ground level, left of centre, and partially breaks through the eaves.

Setting

The chalet forms part of a series of single-storey holiday-homes/dwellings, arranged along a small circular road. The site is located on the inner side of the road, affording it a large site comprising a small garden area to the front and larger garden to the rear which includes a separate timber shed. The site is bounded by various species of vegetation to the south and hedgerows to the east and west, obscuring direct views from the road. The front is accessed via a small iron gate with filigree detailing fixed to concrete posts; the rear of the site can be accessed through a timber gate. Adjacent to the east boundary hedge, outside the site, is a small water pump. Two other similar pumps can be found nearby. The accommodation surrounding the chalet is a mixture of timber chalets of similar style and modern replacements. There are no uninterrupted views of the coast.

Roofing: Felt
Walling: Timber weatherboard
Windows: Timber
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

From the late 1920s the stretch of coast to the east of Groomsport began to develop as a resort area with large numbers of static caravans and ‘huts’ noted in valuation records, from the 20s and 30s onwards. Caravan parks and chalets, including the current building, are first shown on the fifth edition OS map of 1939. Andrews’ Shore Field, where the present structure is situated, was filled with wooden chalets until the 1980s when, according to Patton, they began to be replaced by modern mobile homes (Patton, p.66-9) To either side of the field were large caravan parks, that to the west has now been redeveloped.

The current building first enters valuation records in 1929 and is valued at £2. The occupier is William Gray and he leases the property from Hugh Andrews, the owner of the field, although it is not clear whether Andrews constructed the chalets himself or whether they were put up by individuals who purchased the lease on a plot of land. (Annual Revisions)

In the First General Revaluation of 1933 the valuation of the chalet was increased to £8 and a plan and dimensions are given. The chalet was described as a ‘weather board hut’ with a dormer in the roof space and the plan shows a greenhouse of wood and glass and a store and scullery of wood and corrugated iron to the rear of the building. (First General Revaluation)

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/3/2/5 – Fifth Edition OS Map 1939
2. PRONI VAL/12/B/23/17A – Annual Revisions (1923-30)
3. PRONI VAL/12/F/4/17/6 – Annual Revisions (1930-5)
4. PRONI VAL/3/D/4/17L/2 – First General NI Revaluation, Valuers’ RV binder (1933-57)
5. PRONI VAL/3/F/3/2/3A – First General NI Revaluation 25” county series

Secondary Sources

1. Patton, M, “Bangor, An Historical Gazetteer” Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1999

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

A single-storey square plan, timber chalet built c.1920. Erected as part of small development of similar sized and styled chalets. This chalet is a rare surviving example since most of the wider setting is being gradually redeveloped with permanent dwellings. The timberwork veranda is of note and it retains much of its character and historic fabric. The chalet is a good example of a type once common in seaside resort areas.

General comments

Within Groomsport Local Landscape Policy Area