19,21 AND 23, NORTH STREET

Three cottages, formerly a farmhouse, likely dating to the late 16th or early 17th century. They were probably divided into separate dwellings in the 19th century, and extended in the late 20th century. The construction is rendered rubble walls with a gable-ended asbestos slate roof, and a separate slate roof over the later extension. There are three large rendered rubble stacks – two gable end stacks (the left-hand one is partly obscured by the extension), one projecting with offsets, and a projecting lateral stack at the front.

Originally, the house had a three-room and through-passage plan, with the lower and inner rooms heated by gable end stacks and the lateral stack to the front of the hall. The cottages were divided in the 19th century, and a single-room plan extension was added to the left end in the late 20th century.

The front has an asymmetrical four-window arrangement. Number 19 (on the right) has a 20th-century three-light casement window with simulated leaded panes on the first floor and an early 20th-century two-light casement on the ground floor, with an early 20th-century plank door to its left. A 19th-century three-light casement is to the left of the door. Number 21 (in the centre) has an early 20th-century three-light casement to the left of centre on the first floor and a similar four-light window to the right of centre. The central stack projects forward, with a small window on its right-hand side. To the left of the stack is an early 20th-century three-light casement, and to the right is a 20th-century single fixed light. A 19th-century wide-panelled door gives access to the original passage, sheltered by a slate porch hood. Number 23 (on the left) has a 19th-century three-light casement to the left on the first floor, with a similar window on the ground floor, and a 20th-century part-glazed door to its right, also under a slate porch hood. The late 20th-century extension is on the far left. All windows, except those in the extension, have glazing bars.

The rear includes a 19th or 20th-century outshut attached to number 19 and a rectangular stair projection behind number 21. The interior of number 21 was inspected, revealing the original passage and hall. The hall fireplace has a wooden lintel with a narrow chamfer, partially filled in below on either side. A 17th-century plank and muntin screen at the higher end of the hall has beaded edges to the muntins and head beam. Wooden newel stairs are at the rear of the hall. Two original roof trusses survive in poor condition, partially concealed by a new roof. These trusses consist of substantial straight principals, morticed at the apex with threaded purlins. The collars are halved onto the trusses with notched dovetail joints.