20th century water pump on Red Barn Lane, Great Oakley (EHER 48141)

A 20th century cast iron water pump on Red Barn Lane, Great Oakley. The water pump was installed around 1932 to provide the nearby dwellings with fresh water. It has remained in-situ since its installation although it has not been maintained and has since fallen out of use.

English Heritage were asked to assess the water pump on Red Barn Lane, Great Oakley, Tendring for listing. Despite falling out of use, there was no direct threat to the pump and a decision was made not to add the pump to the list. The water pump in Red Barn Lane, Great Oakley was installed circa 1932 to provide the nearby dwellings with fresh water. It has remained in-situ since its installation although it has not been maintained and has since fallen out of use. Details MATERIALS: cast-iron. EXTERIOR: the pump comprises a ring-shafted column that widens to a fluted head which has a semi-domical cap with a finial. It has a front spout with curved down nozzle, and a 'cow-tail' handle with ball grip. Assessment CONSULTATION Full consultation on the Initial Report was conducted with the Great Oakley Parish Council as both applicant and owner, and Tendring District Council as the local planning authority. No responses have been received. ASSESSMENT The English Heritage Street Furniture Selection Guide (April 2011) states that street furniture is particularly prone to three factors which affect survival: renewal, especially for items made from timber such as stocks or signposts; relocation, for instance, the many re-sited boundary markers and milestones, or transplanted lamp stands; and removal. Questions of authenticity are sometimes difficult to resolve; cast-iron objects, for example, can be deceptive since foundries continued to supply castings from old stock up to about 1950, and modern castings may have been taken from old designs as part of street improvement programmes. Early examples of water pumps, the first major expansion of water provision, tend to be of rudimentary construction, comprising lead pipes with wooden boxes, but with the increasing use of cast iron they became more elaborate. Complete examples from the 18th and 19th century may be eligible for designation, when they survive in reasonable condition. However, the general presumption is to give consideration for protection to all surviving pre-1840 examples. Thereafter, greater selectivity is required based upon rarity, intactness and design quality. Post-1840 structures that were mass produced and survive in very large numbers are unlikely to warrant designation. Those designated are either very early examples, such as the early-19th century water pump in Chadwell Heath, Greater London (Grade II), or are associated with other listed structures or buildings, such as the water pump of 1877 adjacent to the Old Crown House in Hambledon, Buckinghamshire (Grade II). The pump at Great Oakley is of a late-C19 design and was installed in its current position in 1932. This suggests that it was either a C20 re-casting of an original design, or that it was moved from its original position, factors which diminish its special interest. Furthermore, it does not have group value with listed structures and although the water pump has some local interest, it does not possess special interest from a national perspective. After examining all the records and other relevant information and having carefully considered the architectural and historic interest of this case, the criteria for listing are not fulfilled. The water pump, Red Barn Lane, Great Oakley, Tendring, Essex is not of special interest and is not recommended for designation. REASON FOR DESIGNATION DECISION The water pump, Red Barn Lane, Great Oakley, Tendring, Essex is not recommended for designation for the following principal reasons: * Architectural Interest: it is of a standard late-C19 design and may be an early-C20 casting; * Historic Interest: it was not sited in its current position until 1932 making it a late example; * Group Value: it is not associated with, or in cross proximity to other listed structures or buildings. Countersigning comments: Agreed. This water pump does not have the requisite architectural and historic interest from a national perspective to be listed. Annex 1 Factual Details Name: Water Pump Location: Water Pump, RED BARN LANE, County District District Type Parish Essex Tendring District Authority Great Oakley <1>