MSO12146 - Homeleigh, West Street, Dunster, (Building)

Early 19th century frontage. Colourwashed render, slate roof, eaves. Two storeys. Three windows, 3-light leaded iron casements in wood frames. Recessed door to right-hand side. [1] English Heritage Listed Building Number: 264741. First Listed on 22/05/1969. [2] The building is situated within Dunster's Conservation Area. [3] The building was visited in April 2012 as part of the rapid condition survey of Exmoor's Listed Buildings 2012-13. It received a BAR score of 6. [4] The work was commissioned by Tim Taylor as part of the Dig Dunster Time Team project. It was noted that the building has an early 19th Century frontage but there are fragments of two cruck trusses under a relatively modern roof; these were aligned east to west, perpendicular to West Street, and were heavily smoke blackened, suggesting the building had origins as an open hall structure. It was suggested that the building was constructed in AD 1377 or soon after. No early timbers below wallplate level were noted to survive. [5] The building is depicted but not labelled on 2018 MasterMap data. [6] The building is mentioned in the 2018 Conservation Area Appraisal for Dunster. [7] 18, 20 and 22 High Street was recorded by the SANHS Early Dunster Group. The building is now four dwellings. At the time of the Tithe Map, it was probably used for commercial purposes and as one substantial residence [8, plot 86]. William Lettey, a grocer, draper, auctioneer and agent to the Atlas Insurance Company was recorded as living here in 1839 when the building was known as Broadgate. A rear range parallel to the street was shown on a map of c1780. The plan of the house is irregular and appears to have been rebuilt around earlier fabric, with re-use of timbers evident. In no 22 two original arch brace trusses have been dated to 1377 [9] in a range running a right angles to West Street. The early roof timbers are described and are heavily smoke blackened with carpenters marks. A remnant of external framing survives between nos 20 and 22. [10]