- Introduction~ 1
- Village context~ 2
- Historical background~ 3
- Landscape character~ 4
- Settlement~ 5
- Important spaces~ 6
- Buildings~ 7
- Highways & street furniture~ 8
- Conservation: self-assessment~ 9
- Guidelines summary~ 10
Settlement
The Grotto, The Spectacle and The Hawking Tower
The village of Boughton has a mix of new and old housing. The Local Plan designated it as a Restricted Infill Village (LP 1997, HS22) and part of the village has had a Conservation Area designation since 1971. This area was reviewed and extended by Daventry District Council in 2002. The Conservation Area now includes all of Boughton Park, an additional area of stone walling in Humfrey Lane and Vyse Road, Glenn Cottage in Butchers Lane and a small area of grassland off Spring Close which is important to the character of the village. This additional designation has been very much applauded by the village.
In addition to the properties within the Conservation Area, the village has an estate of 40 houses, built in the late 1960s. There are also ribbon developments of detached residences on all approaches to the village. Most were built in the late 1940s and 50s, although some date back to about 1910. There are also eight Swedish-style pine houses in Humfrey Lane built in 1949 from 'kits'. This housing deserves recognition.
The K6 style red telephone box in Church Street should ideally be listed as it adds greatly to the character of the street scene.
Bunkers Hill
The follies of Boughton
A number of Gothic curiosities were built by the Earl of Strafford during his ownership of the village in the 18th Century. Four are pictured here, but others are known to have been demolished. Bunkers Hill Farm was built in 1776 and named after the American War of Independence battle the year before. The Grotto in Grotto Spinney was built on what was believed to have been a pagan site. The Spectacle is on Spectacle Lane and The Hawking Tower at the western entrance to Boughton Park.
Settlement guidelines
- Boughton is a 'Restricted Infill Village’ (LP 1997 HS 22) with a defined Conservation Area which now includes Boughton Park. Boughton's settlement patterns vary greatly between old and new areas of the village.
- All existing views within the village and into and out of it (see map) should be protected. These include views north and west into Boughton Park, east over Boughton Green; and north east up to Bunker’s Hill Farm; and the field behind the Parish Church.
- Infill development or extensions to buildings should not interfere with these views. The countryside proximity enjoyed by the village must be preserved.