107 High Street, Barnstaple, Devon: Heritage Assessment and Statement of Significance

This report presents the results of a heritage assessment and a statement of significance that were carried out by South West Archaeology Ltd. (SWARCH) to assess the condition and to inform discussions about the future of 107 High Street, Barnstaple, Devon. The building at 107 High Street was once a fine middling-status artisan-merchant's premises. It had a high-quality and surprisingly complete interior that evidenced 150 years of design changes and it retained features from all of its primary phases. It also contained obscured fabric from the 17th century and earlier. The building is located on the edge of the former medieval walled settlement, at the eastern end of the High Street, near to the famous Long Bridge. It has been completely compromised by inappropriate and damaging clearance and development work subsequent to the site having been run as an undocumented HMO. This situation has led to a potential change of ownership, with the current ground floor tenant negotiating for control of the whole space. The building should remain designated for its structural form and for its façade as well as for its group value to the conservation area. The interior had not been examined when the building was listed, though flexibility has clearly been created by the sad loss of its interior and options for its restoration should now be explored. This report is an initial appraisal of the current condition of the building and further recording work is required to fully understand the structure.