4-18 The Brae,

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two storey terrace of eight houses set on a slope on the NE side of the Brae near the centre of the village of Ballygowan.

The front (SE) façade of each house consists of a doorway to the right, a window to the left of this and another window to the centre of the first floor ,on Nos.4-8, but to the left on the other properties . The window frames to each house are modern, some timber others PVC. All doors are likewise recent (and part glazed) apart from that to No.4 which is panelled. The front façade of each property is constructed in random rubble with brick dressings, but all are now painted, a mixture of cream, white and dark brown.

The NE gable of No.10 is constructed in unpainted random rubble and has no openings.

The writers were able to gain access to the rear of two properties only (Nos.10 and 18). No.10 has a modern glazed door to the left on the ground floor and a PVC window to the right. To the first floor are two smaller PVC windows, that to the left much squatter than that to the right. No.18 has a similar arrangement to the first floor and a conservatory-like lean to the ground floor. The facades at the back of both properties have been painted.

The remainder of the rear facades could only be seen from a distance, and the first floor level was all that could be observed. Nos.12-16 has a similar arrangement to the first floor as Nos.10 and 18 noted above, whilst Nos.4-8 have single windows to this floor. That to the first floor of No.8 still has a sash frame but the others are modern. A modern window and door could be seen to the ground floor of No.6 also. The rear facades of Nos.4-8 appeared to be painted at ground floor level only.

The gabled roofs of the entire terrace are Bangor blue slated with a variety of brick and rendered chimney stacks (all of which appear recently rebuilt). No.12 has a Velux window to the front. The rw goods are mainly PVC though No.10 has a cast iron down spout to the front.

Historical information

Many of the buildings within Ballygowan were constructed in the wake of the arrival of the Belfast & Co. Down Railway line in 1858. This terrace is no exception, dating from c.1870 and actually believed to have been built for railway workers.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Sloping terrace of eight small, plain two storey houses, built c.1870 and now somewhat altered with the inclusion of modern windows and doors. The front facades are now unsuitably painted disguising the original rubble and brick construction.