Site Event/Activity record EEM14753 - 2018: HBR - The Shippon and Birch Cottage

South West Archaeology Ltd. was commissioned to undertake historic building recording for the Shippon and Birch Cottage, Town Farm, Martinhoe, Exmoor, Devon. This work was undertaken in order to determine the significance of the buildings and help inform a proposed planning submission. Birch Cottage and the Shippon form part of Town Farm at Martinhoe. The Shippon is Grade II Listed and, although Birch Cottage is not, it falls within the curtilage of the Listed building. Both appear to have been misjudged during their listing inspections and appear to form part of a medieval hall complex. The evidential value of the site is high, as many lean-tos and modern rendering treatments obscure the historic fabric of the buildings, masking information relating to their development and functions. Multiple periods of conversion, repair and a fire have all contributed to the loss of a great deal of fittings and historic fabric on the site and the disuse of the shippon in particular puts it at risk of further loss. In overall terms, Birch Cottage and the Shippon have suffered badly in the 19th and 20th centuries from well-meaning but poorly-informed alteration and maintenance. On balance, any negative effect (harm) of the proposals must be set against the benefit of returning a structure in declining condition to good use; in those terms the impact of the proposals is adjudged to be neutral overall.