A Heritage report was prepared to support an ongoing planning application for the replacement of a derelict public house building with a contemporary mid-scale block. The site is on the corner of Kensington Oval and Clayton Street.
The Cricketers is a former pub, known as the Clayton Arms pre-1826, was rebuilt circa 1935 and subsequently renamed in 1966. Since 2003 the property has been rundown and now is shut and boarded up with signs warning of “Dangerous Structure”.
By being located next to the Kennington Conservation Area and abutting a listed industrial structure, the gasholders, the scheme has high heritage implications.
This area was established in the 14th century by the Duchy of Cornwall estate and continually expanded through to the mid-19th century, leaving a mixture of grand houses tenement and apartment blocks, intermingled with leafy and uncluttered streets, green open spaces and garden squares and the large front gardens. It has the character of an industrial neighbourhood centered on the social and economic ties of the gas works. This is strengthened by the location of the Oval cricket Ground, Kennington park, some old schools/ churches and 1970’s estates.
An assessment of the architectural and historical significance of these factors highlighted various heritage issues that the new massing, appearance and scale needed to consider in achieving a sensitive design.
