House near [?32] Stockbridge Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Relatively plain one and a half storey gabled farmhouse of probable pre 1834 origin, but which may have been raised to its present height in the early 1900s. The property (which is now vacant and partially derelict) is set close to the roadside on the S side of Stockbridge Road, roughly 1.5 miles NW of Donaghadee. There used to be another house set at a right angle to the NE of this building, but this was demolished c.1990s.

The asymmetrical front façade faces roughly NW and is largely obscured by tree and shrub growth. To the left of centre is a mainly glazed gabled porch. To the left of this is a sash window. To the left is a larger window with a modern (c.1950s) frame. To the far right is a similar window. To the attic level are two gabled half-dormers with sash windows (both 1 pane over 2).

The NE gable has a boarded up opening to the right on the ground floor, which appears to have been a doorway, but looks too low. To the left is the remains of a small lean-to. To the SW the house merges with a large gabled outbuilding.

To the right of centre of the rear elevation is a large single storey lean-to with a c.1950s panelled and glazed door to the SE face along with two small six pane windows. To the SW face is a small four pane window. To the left of this (to main house) is a modern glazed door and two windows with modern frames. To right of the lean-to is a large window with modern (possibly c.1950s) frame.

The front façade is finished in lined render, the rear and NE gable in rough cast. The gabled roof is slated and has two rendered chimney stacks (one to NE gable) and two cast iron skylights (to rear). The lean-to roof is covered in corrugated asbestos [check this]. Sections of PVC rw goods to rear.

Large new house (?replacement dwelling) built to NE.

Historical information

A building matching the plan and positioning of the present is shown on the OS map of 1834. This 1834 dwelling probably corresponds to the house we see today, however, the plain gabled dormers to front suggest that the property may have had its roof raised slightly at some point, perhaps the early 1900s. This theory is supported by the fact that the property is recorded as ‘under value’ in the c.1836 valuation, a phrase which frequently indicates a relatively modest single storey structure.

In the valuation of c.1861-3 the occupant is noted as one John Perry.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS/6/3/2/1 OS map, 1834, Co Down sh 2
2 PRONI OS/6/3/2/2 OS map, 1858-60, Co Down sh 2
3 PRONI Second (‘Griffith’s) valuation, Bangor parish, c.1861-3 [In print in search room.]
4 PRONI OS/6/3/2/3 OS map, c.1901, Co Down sh 2

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Relatively plain one and a half storey gabled farmhouse of probable pre 1834 origin, but which may have been raised to its present height, with some window openings altered, in the early 1900s.