Basildon Council - Billericay Conservation Area Character Appraisal

Transcription

Basildon Council - Billericay Conservation Area Character Appraisal
W W W. B A S I L D O N . G O V. U K
BILLERICAY
CONSERVATION AREA
CHARACTER
APPRAISAL
November 2011
CONTENTS
Introduction
1
Planning Policy Context
4
Location and Setting
6
History and Archaeology
8
Spatial Analysis
14
Character
27
Key Characteristics
44
Summary of Issues
45
Townscape Appraisal Map
49
References
51
Appendices
Listed Buildings
53
Properties Removed from the Conservation Area (September 2011)
61
Contacts
63
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
13
17
CRESCENT
BM 91.73m
CR
22
The Gatehouse
29
16
9 11
19
7a
17
CR
3
ET
HIGH STRE
4
1
11
2
m
1
BM
2
3
21
7
9
46
13
21
19
29
39
13
95
1
51
97
99
49
2
7
R
HIGH
CLOISTE
R
81 83
87
3
15
51b
1
Shelt
er
7
73 75
2
10
Shelt
er
ISTER
ER CLO
LOW
2
41
Shelt
er
6
3 to
ISTER
Sheraday Centre
El Sub Sta
6
32 to
36
S
94.8m
Crescent
Court
11
MEW
1
y
ca ist
leri od
Bil eth rch
M hu
C
5
86.0m
STRE
ET
33
47
TE
26
ES
28
W
RN
a
15
2
Bank
1
24
6
10
0
7m
2
CO
XB
RID
GE
CO
UR
T
S
11a
MEW
12
ES
22
JAM
LB
BM 85.8
HIGH
35
37
PH
Surgery
ST
11
87.5m
41
43
37b
41
1
82
2
Sub Sta
El Sub Sta
CLO
19
Bdy
WESTE
78
86
88
10
CROWN ROAD
El
1
91.4m
88.4m
CR
Ward
AD
RN RO
12
Westgate
Court
8
19
89.6m
66
4 to
8 10
Posts
56
72
13
Alexander Mews
17
36
9 to
WEST
31
13
25
1
1
38
90.8m
8a
42
48
60
4
22
6
2
24c
24d
24a
24b
32
52
Public
Gardens
AD
RN RO
WESTE
14
3
11
6
12
Posts
28
91.42
2
91.4m
4
5
1
2
6
10
43
7
6
Wks
5
ALE
ERD
SUMM
El
Sub Sta
RO
BM 89.27m
47
El Sub
10
11
EY
RS
NO
88.7m
12
19a
DRIVE
20
Ward
Bdy
TANFIELD DRIVE
10
PARK
AD
PH
12
24
BILLERICAY
86.3m
Club
12a
12
WEST
Issues
89.9m
(PH)
12b
53
17
19
Railway
Hotel
12c
20
2
7
5
36
Sinks
14
32
11
Not to Scale
MP .5
5
10
6
51a
10
9
55a
24
11
57
2
1
53
1
2
55
10
15
17
7
44
9
11
UE
Uplands
PH
2
EN
25
11
16
War
Meml
CHANDLERS
CHASE
AV
Hall
42
1
Car Park
RY'S
17
14
MA
5
40
1
ST
1
38
11
1
MIDDLE CLOISTE
WEST PARK
Issues
Sta
SL
2
S
39
MEADOW
11
HOME
Post
12
4
63
1
3
1
67
3
65
69
96.69
m
E
22
BM
46
24
50
14
Sta
81.2m
26
52
77
44
1 to 15
CHAN
TRY
54
Sh
10
WAL
K
2
CLOSE
elte
r
87
RS
31
EA
VE
W
89
REE
T
24 to 26
69
17
80
16
23
97
37 to 47
95
76
78
23
12
13
22
ST
HIG
H
20 to 22
12
6
91
1
45
74
96.6m
FF
SA
6
Museum
93
N
RO
68
21
37
14
85
20
10
33
66
NE
Holly Cottage
Y
39
Lichgate
House
1 to 16
Vicarage Court
PO
N LA
64
LIO
El
Sub Sta
62
15
Bank
Car Park
El Sub Sta
20
WA
1
CHAPEL STREET
58
9
E
NU
AVE
LA
NE
28
1
to
4
Rectory
House
31
IN
RO
SE
56
KL
AN
16
26
86.9m
El Sub
22a
LB
17
48
12
11 13
NU
96.5m
15
25
AVE
a
39
D
SH
4
7
FIEL
5
11
90.6m
48
15
96.3m
47
4
6
BM 94.44m
Bank
Garage
57
AKE
Willow
Cottage
11
5
St Mary
Magdalen
Church
11
9
54
W
7
59
22
Shelter
29
19
99
10
3
36
7
3
32
111
1
1
PH
43
41a
41
SID
HILL
31
2
NE
38
100
119
2
30
CHAPEL STREET
62
64
Chapel
Heights
10
89
91
18
139
85
87
130
28
52
14
96.0m
Builder's
Yard
42
60
32
143
30
151
1
2
1
76
84
147
6
4
3
5
2
1
BURGHSTEAD CLOSE
Rose Hall
Pond
)
Path
39
1a
(um
105
Police
Station
29
Magistrates' Court
LONDON
United
Reformed
Church
BM 97.84m
1
Billericay
Rose
Cottage
T
85.9m
Claremont
3
HILLARY MOUN
140
6
4
11
Stanley Terrace
MALLORY WAY
97
El Sub Sta
PH
12
Collects
Surgery
93
CHAPEL STREET
134
Telephone Exchange
HPO
TCBs
Burghstead
Court
17
CLOSE
Church
12
52
64
135
137
Mayflower
House
The Walk
Library
.3m
24
52
54
56
58
14 to 19
129
1
TENSING GARDENS
128a
56
4
128
GARDENS
85.5m
13
GH
OU
OR
SB
1 to 4
HIGH STREET
71
65
Bank
8
40
9 to 13
22
IN
GA
20
Pond
81
IRVINE WAY
Pilgrim House
57
89.3m
12
121 to 125
50
8
127
12
7
8
16
1
2
20
2
71
El
Sub
LB
29
55
1
St Edith's
Court
El Sub Sta
41
El Sub Sta
The Gables
Hall
2
El Sub Sta
112 to 118
BM
91.68m
Essendene
Mayflower
Sta
20 to 27
ROAD
28
1
Burial
Ground
MEAD
93.1m
ST EDITH'S COURT
TENSING
7
32
50
117
115
OSE
104
d
71
104
a
57
21
E
HILLSID
106
a
106
c
106b
King George
Court
95.7m
HUNTS
19
13
Old Barn Ctt
106
El Sub Sta
LANE
61 to 65
Hall
ST EDITHS
43
40
25
104
1
E CL
62
3
3
113
Garage
55
96.0m
ROAD
148
150
96.0m
Ward Bdy
17
13
7
Garage
19
De
f
ET
SUN STRE
CR
Shelter
Mill Meadows
Def
12
El
Sub Sta
1 to 47
Albion Court
The
Rising Sun
(PH)
FAIRVIEW
7
2
1
IEW
FAIRV
BM
96.54m
(um
1
4
)
Shelter
2
Path
3
11
Water
Tower
15
17
Drain
WYN
Pond
HEND
SOUT
14
WEIR WYND
13
AD
RO
Fire Station
Ambulance
Station
Emmanual C of E
ge
y
rd Bd
CR
WEIR
Hall
Fire Tower
Quilters County
Junior School
School
Wa
D
Hall
21
LAINDON ROAD
Play Area
97.8m
3
96.0m
Infants School
1
2
The Holy Redeemer
Church
Quilters County
Lod
Lockers
31
Pond
TCB
Car Park
Abbeyfield
Archer
House
8
Halls
Millers
37
Hall
9
El Sub Sta
Church View
BM 97.84m
South
43
39
WEST
40
Lodge
Rectory
E
RIDG
25
W
2
38
8
16
ar
CR
24
19
d
Bd
y
28
15
11
Friends Meeting House
SCHOOL ROAD
11a
42
26
SCHOOL ROAD
LB
Shelter
1
7
15
Gas Valve Compound
CR
23
35
33
RIDGE
13
14
19
1
2
43
77
WEST
47
1
Bd
d
ar
W
ge
ve
n
Und
nt
Hill
Mou
Mill
Ha
Red Cotta
Ridge
7
8
29
63
Cable Mount
osts
El Sub Sta
rth
o
lw
Lu
Iona
65
10
11
BM
96.79m
Windy
2
56
9 9a
11
Clinic
10
12
15
14 13
11
15
16
3
Underpass
59
2
1
30
23
24
Hall
ARCHERS CLOSE
89
17
Holly Mount
Roman Way
WA
Y
55
21
22
m
N
12
17
19
BM
97.11m
y
ROMA
79
25
Billericay
School
2
28
2
1
FAIRFIELD
RISE
ERS
DRIVE
69
8
66
4
AY
GEW
RID
2
QUILT
11
1
1
m
15
73
12
SE
LO
LC
HIL
1
19
75
6
2
4
EN
72
GRE
9
79
2
RM
31
H
FA
EIG
91
LL
BE
FOXL
LL
BE
25
N
85
99
8
12
41
42
10
6
10
81
Billericay School
El
Sub Sta
15
89
1
91
9
FO
X
12
93
2
2
7
LO
Tennis Courts
97
A 176
E
CLOS
4
14
6
2
CR
H
IG
AD
ON RO
LAIND
LE
GREENFIELDS
E
4
Tennis Courts
Conservation Area Boundary with Listed Buildings shown hatched
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. (10018871) (2010).
41
10
3a
10
3b
10
3c
10
2
4
5
14
16
36
13
6
5
4
3
2
1
10
34
55
N LA
H
El Sub Sta
ALMA LINK
PH
98
LIO
38
40
53
The Loft
Post
65
CHESTNUT AVENUE
46
48
The Stable
96
TCB
BM 97.03m
61
37
Issues
22
24
39
28
Crown Yard
92a
Garage
Ba
nk
UE
UE
PH
94
AVEN
92
Lion
Lodge
AVEN
TNUT
CHAPEL COURT
11
urt
26
Co
53
to
49
6
CH
ES
TN
UT
27
CHES
96.5m
8
lly
86
Ho
32
8
Surgery
51
El
Sub Sta
INTRODUCTION
Billericay Conservation Area was first designated in September 1969. This initial designation
confined the boundaries to include the whole of High Street, parts of the west side of Chapel
Street and the west end of Sun Street. In September 1983, the boundaries of the Conservation
Area were reviewed and extended, northwards towards the railway cutting at Crown Road,
west and south-west along Western Road, south to include all of Chapel Street, Sun Street and
the west side of Laindon Road to the former Quilters Junior School.
The present Conservation Area thus comprises much of the town centre and its commercial
core. Its two principal streets, High Street and Chapel Street, run almost parallel northwards
and converge at the top of the hill where High Street then meets Norsey Road and Western
Road. This busy junction is within the Conservation Area, which then extends northwards to
Crown Road and north-east to include the visually attractive terraces in Norsey Road and the
Festival Gardens in Crown Road. The properties on the south-east side of Western Road are
also included, together with the backland behind the High Street.
At the bottom of the hill, lies Sun Street, also a busy thoroughfare, where the Conservation
Area continues southwards along the west side of Laindon Road from the playing field at Sun
Corner down to the former Quilters County Junior School.
The Conservation Area in Billericay is the largest in Basildon Borough. Its varied buildings
include over forty which are listed as being of special architectural or historic interest and there
are others which are of significant local historic interest and make a positive contribution to the
street scene.
Although all efforts have been made to ensure that this document provides as full and as
complete an account of the character and appearance of the Billericay Conservation Area, no
appraisal can ever be completely comprehensive. The omission of any particular building,
feature or space should not, therefore, be taken to imply that it is of no interest.
Consultation
This document and the accompanying Management Plan aim to fulfil Basildon Council’s duty to
‘draw up and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement’ of the area as required
by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. The survey was undertaken
in February and March 2010.
The draft Character Appraisal and Management Plan were approved for consultation in August
2010. The consultation period ran from the 13th September to 22nd October 2010, and included:

A staffed consultation exhibition in Billericay Library on Thursday 23rd September and
Friday 24th September;

An unstaffed consultation exhibition in Billericay Library from Monday 13th September
until Sunday 25th September;

A consultation leaflet which included a questionnaire feedback form.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
1

Respondents were given the option of posting their completed feedback forms at the
exhibition, returning them by post, or completing them online;

A webpage on the Council’s website which included details of the exhibition, and
enabled copies of the Appraisal and Management Plan to be downloaded;

The Appraisal and Management Plan were presented using the online consultation tool
Limehouse through the Council’s webpage. This enabled people to comment on any
aspect or section of the documents online;

A webpage on the Billericay Town Council’s website which included details of
the exhibition, and enabled copies of the Appraisal and Management Plan to be
downloaded;

Articles in the local press including the Billericay and Wickford Gazette and The Echo;

Hard copies of the Appraisal and Management Plan were made available to the public
at the exhibition, at Billericay Library, at Billericay Town Council Offices and at the
reception of The Basildon Centre; and

Written comments were also invited either via email or post.
In addition to the above, meetings were held with Basildon Borough Council and Billericay Town
Council.
The organizations and amenity groups that were consulted on the documents are:

Basildon Renaissance Partnership

Billericay Archaeological and Historical Society

Billericay Chamber of Commerce

Billericay Design Statement Association

Billericay District Residents Association

Billericay Town Council

English Heritage

Essex County Council Archaeological Section

Essex County Council Highways and Transportation Service

Essex County Council Historic Buildings and Conservation Team

RIBA

The Billericay Society

Ward Councillors
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
2
Summary of the Character and Special Interest

Billericay is a town of archaeological and historical importance, comprising a small
Roman town and a medieval and post-medieval market town.

The surviving street layout originates from the development of the town in the medieval
period and is therefore of great importance.

Billericay is a bustling and lively and prosperous shopping area.

The town occupies a ridge and land falls away steeply either side of the High Street.

The long High Street is lined mostly with shops and commercial premises, close
together without significant gaps.

Lanes and yards lead off the High Street often to small courtyards.

Traditional buildings are small and low, contrasting sharply with twentieth century
infilling, which frequently detracts.

Early buildings often are timber framed with cross wings, sometimes jettied, which are
gable end on to the road and most are listed buildings.

Eighteenth and nineteenth century buildings are usually flat-fronted (without projections)
and of red brick (and some grey brick) with plain tile roofs or natural slate. The
brickwork is in Flemish bond and hung sash windows are set in reveals.

The church of St. Mary Magdalen is an important landmark and the area to the north,
including the north end of Chapel Street comprises a continuous group of listed
buildings, many weatherboarded in the Essex style.

Chapel Street is less densely built up, but the presence of a car park and rear servicing
is eroding its character.

Sun Street is a busy through route with imposing early nineteenth century terraces clad
in pebbledash or cockle shell harling with slate roofs.

Norsey Road has terraces of brick and weatherboard cottages on the roadside, many of
which are listed and form an attractive group.

Away from the High Street, trees soften the built area and there are fine views out of the
town from open spaces at the Festival Gardens, Mill Meadows and Sun Corner.
Gable end on cross-wings of early buildings along High Street
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
3
PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT
Conservation Areas
Conservation Areas are defined as ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest, the
character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’ (Planning (Listed
Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990).
When a Conservation Area has been designated it increases the planning controls, with planning
applications judged by their impact on the character and appearance of the area. Greater
controls over the demolition of buildings and structures are imposed whilst the rights that owners
have to do works to their properties without the need to obtain planning permission (known as
‘permitted development rights’) are reduced or can be taken away. There are also benefits to
those who reside in Conservation Areas, and their neighbours, such as raised property values
(see Management Plan for further details).
Stricter controls are also exercised over the design of new buildings, and owners must give the
Council six weeks’ notice of their intention to carry out works to trees. Planning applications
affecting a Conservation Area must be advertised on site and in the local press to give people
the opportunity to comment.
‘Special Architectural or Historic Interest’
Billericay’s special interest derives from a combination of elements that together form the town’s
well established character and appearance. These elements include the topography, historical
development, density, massing and built development, prevalent building materials, character
and hierarchy of spaces, quality and relationship of buildings in the area, and trees, and other
green features.
Architectural features, such as distinctive windows, doors and fanlights or other characteristic
details are also very important to Billericay’s distinctive historic character. It is important that
these elements are protected to ensure that the qualities that make the Billericay Conservation
Area appealing are preserved and enhanced, helping to encourage investment in the town and
thus, benefitting the local economy.
Conservation Area Appraisals
There is a duty on the Local Planning Authority to determine what parts of their district are areas
of special architectural or historic interest and then to designate them as Conservation Areas.
Having established a Conservation Area they are also required to regularly review the
designation and boundaries of the area. This is to ensure that the area is still considered to be of
value and to consider whether any areas have been overlooked or changes have occurred which
require the boundaries to be redrawn.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
4
Any pressures for change can be identified and enhancement opportunities highlighted. These
will form the basis of the Conservation Area Management Plan which sets out a strategy to
manage change in the Conservation Area.
This appraisal sets out the historical and economic context for the locality and identifies what it is
that makes the Conservation Area of special interest. It serves to provide clear guidance on what
should be conserved in the area to enhance the character and appearance of the area.
Planning Policy Framework
National planning policy guidance on Conservation Areas is contained within Planning Policy
Statement 5 (PPS 5): Planning for the Historic Environment (March 2010) which groups together
all the parts of the historic environment considered to have historic, archaeological, architectural
or artistic interest, and calls them ‘heritage assets’. A Conservation Area is therefore a ‘heritage
asset’ and the Development Management Policies (HE6 – HE12) of PPS 5 sets out the
Government’s requirements for applicants when submitting planning applications affecting a
heritage asset. PPS 5 is supported by the ‘Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide’ which
provides further detail on how to implement the requirements of the policies.
Regional planning policy guidance on Conservation Areas is currently contained within The East
of England Plan (May 2008) which is the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS 14) for the Eastern
Region. Of particular relevance is Policy ENV 6: The Historic Environment which states that
local planning authorities should identify, protect, conserve and, where appropriate, enhance the
historic environment of the region.
The Basildon District Local Plan Saved Policies document (as approved by the Secretary of
State through a Direction issued on 20th September 2007) sets out the local planning policy
background against which development within the Billericay Conservation Area will be assessed.
Saved Policies are policies that were originally part of the Basildon District Local Plan, adopted
on March 1998, with Alterations in September 1999.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
5
LOCATION AND SETTING
Location, Character and Form
Billericay is an Essex town of around 40,000 people, situated some 25 miles east of central
London and 8 miles south of Chelmsford. It is located at the junction of the roads from London to
Rayleigh/Southend (A129) and Chelmsford to Basildon (B1007); the latter being an historic route
south to the Tilbury ferry across the River Thames (13 miles away).
The railway from London Liverpool Street to Southend has a station in a cutting at the northern
end of the town centre, with frequent trains to the capital. Billericay is located only fifteen minutes
away from the M25 and this position, together with the frequency of trains, has encouraged
the expansion of this former market town, with the development of large housing estates on its
Billericay
Conservation
Area
N
Borough Map
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
6
This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. (10018871) (2010).
Not to Scale
Railway Station
View north along High Street
periphery and a demand for light industrial premises. Parks and woodland enhance the setting
of the town, which retains a strong sense of place, particularly in its centre, which forms the core
of the Conservation Area.
The High Street is lively and busy. It has a range of shops from national retailers to local
specialist stores, with banks, offices, public houses and restaurants adding to the mix. Through
traffic and on-street parking contribute to the bustle, whilst just a short distance from all this are
quieter lanes and residential streets.
Geology and Topography
The London basin lies between the chalklands of The Chilterns and the North Downs. It
comprises the London clay of Eocene age which has been much used for brick making. In
south-west Essex, overlying this clay are the Bagshot ‘Beds’ composed of sands with some
clay. At Billericay, these sands cap the hill on which the town stands and the boundary
between sand and clay provides a spring line which favoured settlement from early times.
The ‘Wellfield’ lay to the rear of The Chequers, off Chapel Street and local supply of water
was from shallow wells until after the Second World War.
Thus Billericay stands at around 90 metres (300 feet) above sea level, overlooking the
valleys of the Rivers Crouch and Thames, the views now much obscured by modern housing
development, and in all directions the land falls away. There is a fall of around 30 metres
(100 feet) to both east and west of the High Street within a short distance. On the east side
of town, open space and woodland are close with nature reserves at Mill Meadows reaching
the Conservation Area at the end of Sun Street and Norsey Wood lying just beyond the
railway. The landscape is gently rolling.
Mill Meadows nature reserve
View west from Sun Corner
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
7
HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY
Historical Development
The very name of Billericay is controversial and its derivation is unclear. Over time it has been
variously spelt, Byllyrica in 1291 and others include Billeryke, Billerykay and Billerica, which
seems to have become standard from the seventeenth century until the letter ‘y’ was added at
the start of the nineteenth. The informative leaflets on Billericay’s history by Wynford P Grant,
which have been reproduced by the Billericay Society, include one on this subject (No.3).
Archaeological evidence points to human occupation here from early times (see below), but
Roman Billericay seems to have been an area of some local importance.
The effects of Roman occupation on the form of the streets which comprise the Conservation
Area are not known, but Saxon occupation eschewed the Roman settlement in preference for
Great Burstead. This Saxon burgh, just a few miles south of Billericay, gave its name to the
parish and in early medieval times was the more important place, with Billericay being simply
within the manor of Burstead, owned by the Cistercian abbey of Stratford Langthorne (then
Essex, but now Stratford in the London Borough of Newham). Indeed Billericay receives no
direct mention in the Domesday Book and the only church in the parish for many centuries was
at Great Burstead.
However, the settlement was to grow during the medieval period and its position on the road
to the Tilbury ferry was of importance, notably after the murder of Thomas a Becket in 1172,
his subsequent canonisation and the development of the Canterbury shrine as a place of
pilgrimage. High Street was (and still is) on one of the routes to the Thames crossing and
pilgrims from places to the north would spend the night before the last leg of the journey to
the ferry which would take them to Kent. Thus, from before 1220, the date of the translation of
Becket’s remains to his shrine, until 1539, when the shrine was suppressed (largely destroyed),
Billericay benefitted from the trade. (It was also on the route to the important medieval shrine at
Walsingham in Norfolk). In 1342 a chantry chapel dedicated to St. John was built and was rebuilt
in brick around 1490. This became a chapel of ease to Great Burstead church. Marriages,
baptisms, churching and burials were held at the main church at Great Burstead, which is why
the present church in Billericay has no churchyard. Parochial status was not achieved until 1844
and in 1937 all the civil parishes in the Billericay Urban District were merged into one ‘Billericay’
parish. (The present civil parish of Billericay did not come into existence until 1997.)
Fragments of medieval prosperity survive in the early timber framed houses and inns on the
High Street, a prosperity which seems to have continued through the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries. The manor of Great Burstead had been granted market rights in 1253 and it is
possible that the wide street of Billericay was used for market purposes from an early date; the
town’s prosperity owing much to the trade in wool, cloth and hides. In 1478 Billericay’s market
charter was confirmed for a weekly market for swine, corn and other merchandise and the market
was able to take advantage of passing traffic. The right to hold two fairs was also granted, to be
held on the 2nd August and the 7th October; the autumn fair specialising in livestock.
Billericay has something of a history of religious dissent. The town embraced the teaching of
Wycliffe and his Lollards and was the scene of a battle in Norsey Wood, during the Peasants’
Revolt of 1381. It is not then surprising to find Billericay also embracing the Reformation and by
the seventeenth century, providing a meeting place for the Pilgrim Fathers before they set sail
in the Mayflower in 1620 for America to escape religious persecution. It is said, though without
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
8
A Selection of Photographs Showing Billericay in the Early 20th Century
West Side High Street
View South along High Street from Junction with Western Road
View South along High Street from in front of Old Reading Room
*All images from ‘Billericay: A Pictorial History’ by Roger Green
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
9
View South along High Street from St. Mary Magdalen Church
View North along High Street from St. Mary Magdalen Church
Sun Street 1914
*All images from ‘Billericay: A Pictorial History’ by Roger Green
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
10
much historical evidence, that the meeting was held at Chantry House (Nos. 57-61 High Street)
and certainly there were five people from Billericay who sailed in the Mayflower. The town of
Billerica was founded subsequently in Massachusetts.
From the seventeenth century onwards, the Puritan faith found expression in the establishment of
meeting houses and chapels in the town. (A plaque outside No.91 High Street states that “This
house was the original meeting place of the Billericay dissenters who were licenced to worship
here on April 2nd 1672 with liberty of conscience”). Initially using private houses and barns,
dissenters gradually began building their own churches. So, for example, the Congregationalists
(now the United Reformed Church) demolished their barn in Chapel Street (used as a meeting
since 1692) and built a new brick ‘Meeting House’ in 1726. A growing congregation outgrew
this building and necessitated an extension in 1814. Finally, new premises were acquired by the
1830s. So the old Meeting House was replaced and demolished, leaving its burial ground as a
quiet garden of peace to this day in Chapel Street. The new church was constructed to the south
between 1837 and 1838 in grey gault brick, in an ‘early English’ style, to the design of James
Fenston.
Brick making assumed importance during the eighteenth century with the establishment of
brickworks off Western Road, close to Lion Lane. New red brick Georgian houses with fine
Flemish-bond brickwork and hung sash windows, set in four inch (100mm) reveals began to
appear as country houses for London gentlemen. Then later in the century, as fashion changed,
the fiery red brick was replaced with calmer grey.
Trade in the town, received further impetus with the development of turnpike roads and the rise
of stagecoaches. The Crown (in its original location on High Street with its brewery along Crown
Yard and its ‘Tap’ on Chapel Street where now stands the Coach & Horses P.H.), the Red Lion
(No.113 High St), the Sun and the Three Horseshoes (No.139 High St) were Billericay’s main
coaching inns. Some of the lanes and courtyards off the High Street owe their origin to the
coaching trade.
The inns of Billericay were often used to billet soldiers; the town being conveniently located for
the military. At the start of the nineteenth century, barracks were constructed in Sun Street in the
grounds of Albion House and the terraces of brick, now pebbledashed (some with cockle shell
harling) form the south-eastern end of the Conservation Area.
The construction of the Great Eastern railway in 1884 marked the demise of the stagecoaches.
In 1889 the line became open for passenger traffic. Yet initially its arrival had little impact on
the growth of the town whose population remained fairly static during the century. Estimated at
1,200 in the fourteenth century, the population was 1,472 by the time of the first national census
of 1801 and was 1,418 in 1882.
Indeed, the mid-nineteenth century marked a period of decline, with Kelly’s Directory of 1874
describing Billericay as “a small decayed town”. The 1882 Directory notes that the town “is
lighted with gas” and “…that a small market is held on Tuesdays, chiefly for pigs.” The market
gradually declined, the last being held in 1939, a private market, on what became the Festival
Gardens on Crown Road.
So it was the twentieth century which marked the rapid growth of the town, particularly in the
post-war years. London overspill population, which gave rise to new towns such as Basildon
also saw the development of housing estates and town centre redevelopment in Billericay.
The new shops and offices built in the town centre, in the heart of the present Conservation
Area, were ‘modern’ in design, of steel, glass, stretcher-bond brick and concrete, square or
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
11
61
T
59
AD
19
59
37
12
57a
57
14
40
35
16
53
38a
37
49
Not to Scale
40a
SYL
VA
N TRY
ST
KN
IGH
SE
38
10
12
a
RO
12
CHA
a
17
CE
14
th
35
18
(Recreation Ground)
52
RA
10a
Pa
20
Boat House
Lake Meadows
7m
92.
Pavilion
30
38
51
124
ATR
IDGE
15
HO
13
Boating
Lake
Boating
Lake
44b
44d
37
20
a
Landing
Stage
Overflow
Pond
Issues
49
36
29
49a
25
54
47A
55
108
67
30a
Dr
EY
13
Tennis Courts
28
FB
NO
37a
26a
26
69
18
91
BM
37
LB
98
75
2
m
.76
D Fn
24
Lake Meadows
72
74
RO
RS
FB
Bowling
Green
Path
AD
30
W
AL
K
St John's School
ain
Dr
ain
39
8
FB
FB
Bowling Green
El Sub Sta
41
Pavilion
RID
GE
45
32
43
51
34
65
Tennis Courts
FB
Pavilion
102
58
.6m
93
Miniature Golf Course
112
61
62
114
91.7m
Pavilion
Pavilion
Boating Lake
TB
47
34a
Playing Field
KN
IGH
120
36
Miniature Golf Course
21
Lake Meadows
(Recreation Ground)
(Recreation Ground)
96a
92.0m
77
94.2m
96
7
33
45
a
Stone
Sinks
45
PCs
rk
r Pa
Ca
31
43
3
1
32
3
38
92.4m
Su
AV
b Sta
1
37
7
She
25a
29
89
'S ROAD
4
22
86
ST JOHN
12
UE
31
25
a
60
TO
N CLO
SE
8
25
81
BM 95.67m
8a
16
33
23
Co
7
w
CL
41
19
29
25
ED
2
S
W
M
HA
1
NE
6
RO
EY
NO
IVE
RS
7
8
25
1
S DR
2
13
15
26
11
17
2
Tank
NO
RSE
Y CLO
SE
AD
EW
8
AVE
NUE
DR
Long Meadow
10
OS
El Sub Sta
AN
3
Works
E
3
R ME
24
2to en)
(ev
ST
CRO
MW
ELL
4
m
Works
TE
UL
CO
Garage
Works
32
7
3
1
14
15
1
13
39 42
33 36
12
5
9
16
34
6
4
20
2
40
6a
6
5
NS
LA
24
12
15 18
28 25
12 22
19
RADFORD COURT
40
37
31 34
23
29
20
26
27
30
21 24
)
17
11
9
3
7
SO
2
1
14
RA
22
31
30
30
32
33
32
GR
EY
36
37
24
1430
AC
E
PL
LA
DY
42
40
ROA
D
CR
FB
STO
CK
7
HIGH STREET
11
1
27
3
11
35
27
13
39
WES
MIDDLE CLOISTER
1
1
13
11
24
1
10
1
32
2
SE
CLO
IMS
GR
PIL
8
3
2
8
2
4
26
28
33
29
8
30
8
15
29
23
21
27
10
1
12
5
2
14
15
K
AR
YL
SK
CHAPEL STREET
21
35
8
11
1
SE
CLO
12
CHAR
12
14
H
CRESCEN
26
40
52
64
4
2
8
18
28
52
42
60
32
143
FINC
93
CHAPEL STREET
134
10
10
89
91
Collects
Surgery
1
22
54
56
51
47
6
20
2
38
58
95
CLOSE
93
E
62
AC
64
R PL
135
23
2
50
12
17
129
39
2
c
103
8
52
41
103
a
103
b
111
PH
117
115
12
91
EA
137
11
32
4
79
32
38
50
121 to 125
16
24
15
119
28
20
11
AT
4
HE
El
Sub
Sta
85
87
130
139
6
W
43
33
31
20
BM 73.64m
30
7
151
1
84
147
6
4
3
5
2
1
2
76
Pond
)
Path
105
39
1a
23
1
BM 97.84m
BURGHSTEAD CLOSE
26
GO
22
United
Reformed
Church
(um
29
Magistrates' Court
ROAD
19
17
13
7
Garage
148
150
96.0m
Ward Bdy
1
LONDON
L
Billericay
Rose Hall
Police
Station
GILMOU
R
RISE
BM 83.26m
12
Claremont
3
1
85.9m
3m
140
6
4
11
HILLARY MOUNT
83.3m
El Sub Sta
PH
12
Rose
Cottage
13
31
MALLORY WAY
T
Burghstead
Court
17
Stanley Terrace
22
97
24
Builder's
Yard
Def
SUN STREET
CR
1
Shelter
1a
Mill Meadows Nature Reserve
Def
12
El
Sub Sta
1 to 47
Albion Court
The
Rising Sun
(PH)
FAIRVIEW
7
2
1
VIEW
FAIR
BM
96.54m
(um)
1
4
Shelter
2
Path
3
11
Water
Tower
15
17
Drain
Mill Meadows Nature Reserve
Pond
d Bdy
CR
War
WEI
Hall
14
THE
13
ROA
D
Fire Station
ND
Quilters County
Junior School
Pond
SOU
WEIR WYND
Fire Tower
Ambulance
Station
Emmanual C of E
e
Path (um)
D
R WYN
Hall
21
LAINDON ROAD
Play Area
97.8m
3
96.0m
Infants School
1
2
The Holy Redeemer
Church
Quilters County
ol Lodg
Scho
Lockers
31
Pond
TCB
Car Park
8
Halls
Abbeyfield
Archer
House
Millers
37
Ward
Hall
Bdy
CP
9
)
Path
(um
El Sub Sta
Church View
Path
(um)
BM 97.84m
Path (um)
South
43
Path
39
Rectory
40
Lodge
RIDGE
(um
WEST
)
25
Wa
rd
2
38
67
BM 82.86m
8
16
CR
24
19
82.9m
15
11a
Pa
Bd
y
th
(um
)
28
Path
(um)
Friends Meeting House
SCHOOL ROAD
11
Path
42
26
SCHOOL ROAD
LB
1
Gas Valve Compound
77
WES
)
Shelter
7
35
T RIDG
47
E
1
h (um
CP
Mill Meadows Nature Reserve
15
23
33
Mill Meadows Nature Reserve
13
4
14
19
El Sub Sta
Bd
rd
Wa
Red Cottage
Ridge
ven
unt
Windy
Und
Hill
Mil
l Ha
7
8
Cable Mount
Posts
h
ort
lw
Lu
a
Ion
65
10
11
BM
96.79m
Mo
2
56
9a
Clinic
9
11
15
12
11
10
14 13
29
s
63
1
Underpas
59
3
15
16
55
2
ARCHERS CLOSE
89
64
Holly Mount
Roman Way
WAY
Hall
23
24
BM
97.11m
12
21
22
17
30
AN
ROM
79
25
17
19
82.5m
y
1
2
43
50
Pat
CR
Billericay
School
2
28
2
Mill House
11
RISE
2
UT
HE
E
ND
OS
15
LL
RO
CL
HI
Gatwick House
AD
Be
LL
2
ll Hi
ll
Spring
GR
19
79
6
2
4
N
72
Issues
Spring
EE
9
83.5m
5
RM
31
H
FA
LEIG
91
75
BE
BE
FOX
LL
1
FAIRFIELD
SO
12
73
72
DRIV
QUIL
1
TERS
69
E
8
1
AY
GEW
RID
2
1
66
4
1
82.1m
Billericay School
81
18
41
42
10
6
10
9
127
25
Issues
85
El Sub Sta
8
99
82
12
Issues
El
Sub Sta
15
89
2
135
1
80.6m
10
9
FO
X
12
NG
93
LO
Pond
Tennis Courts
Spring
2
110
2
2
108
104
4
14
97
A 176
D
ROA
7
SE
CLO
6
2
E
RIS
CR
H
DON
LAIN
IG
LE
GREENFIELDS
2
BM 80.97m
1
El
Sub Sta
91
B RISE
SCRU
LIN
KDA
LE
1
CLOSE
4
Tennis Courts
101
IE
8
LD
11
S
6
ENF
GRE
El
Sub
Sta
LEA
5
3
10
2
14
PLE
MA
24
Y
WA
11
7
107
11
15
(u
ME
AD
6
)
m
26
2
th
Pa
34
46
19
36
8
1
74 BM
.31
m
70.4m
72.5m
56
GAT
WIC
14
79
33
K VIEW
35
10
Scarletlands
8
39
MA
20
115
2
64.1m
SO
PL
41
CRAY
S VIEW
UT
25
7
E ME
HE
ND
AD
RO
ST
13
AD
69
ON
110
T RO
65.7m
HA
28
104
CENT
78.0
1
CRES
m
.89
65
HAM
AD
BM
BM
1
LB
47
EC
MS
(def)
68.0m
108
LANG
TCB
32
0m
2
Brays
85
30
1
81
32
94
2
2
WINDMILL HEIGHTS
59
18
77
GHA
N
M CRE
SCEN
T
10
49
23
17
11
15
5
8
1
6
3
LANGHAM CRESCENT
LAN
3
Dr
6
67
ain
68
4
2
61.6m
59
14
7
BM 92.66m
WELL
Mawney
MEAD
in
)
(um
16
Mawney
BM
11
Dra
62.
80m
13
55
Path
23
Hall
53
18
El Sub Sta
M
HA
NG
LA
17
7
NT
84
CE
ES
CR
Playground
13
EN
UE
45
HU
NT
20
ER
1
S AV
Drain
D
BM
76
.38
m
22
2
74
26
T
EN
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
12
L MEA
8
33
Conservation Area boundary with areas of archaeological finds shown hatched
WEL
21
ESC
CR
(
This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. (10018871) (2010).
10
LK
WA
CLOSE
S
ER
AV
WE
20 to 22
31
40
32
1
16
20
3
1
127
15
13
6
5
4
3
2
1
113
7
9
6
5
7
Pilgrims Walk
2
9
Sta
El Sub
37
elt
Sh
RE
ST
91
93
2
14
5
13
87
er
2
4
41
1 to
7
5
1
55
57
63
67
65
69
96.6
9m
BM
LB
85
36
14
16
36
7
8
6
Shel
55a
34
105
38
40
13
33
14 to 19
42
9
9
16
23
95
99
7
103
28
22
24
46
48
19
9 to 13
10
18
1
2
5
12
89
ET
22
39
26
65
7
12
20
24 to 26
17
33
1
6
12
HIGH
13
25
52
3
97
15
15
53
12
10
33
22
13a
1
12
22
22a
24
77
39
25
1
47
9
12
4
26
6
13
13
6
17
11
21
7
1
WAY
23
2
H
UG
RO
BO
INS
1 to 4
128a
56
128
Telephone Exchange
HPO
TCBs
E
TIN CLOS
MAR
GA
20
Pond
Chapel
Heights
96.0m
Library
29
5
1
11
2
57
47
31
13
1
5
10
15
3
25
ORE
19
8
TH RIDG
SOU
Church
The Walk
85.5m
4
99
9
10
9
11
11
97
2
11
4
7
1
95
51
11
41
Shel
ter
7
87
16
2
25
GEM
28
21
14
E
81
HIGH STREET
Mayflower
House
6
81 83
1
6
17
5
GE
48
2
71
112 to 118
4
1
4
6
STER
T CLOI
2
3
36
H RID
UT
SO
38
40
44
1
2
Bank
TENSING GARDENS
8
3
2
5
53
1
LAN
CLO
16
3
OW
AD
H ME
HIG
15
11
SE
WER
PRO
El Sub Sta
The Gables
G
TIN
BUN
E
LAN
11
30
SE
1
71
65
89.3m
GARDENS
1 to
7
20
19
ter
4
73 75
10
She
lter
9
31
47
49
4
19
43
3 to
1
5
13
16
3
7
T
CROF
9
CLO
106a
106c
106b
55
17
King
dom
Hall
17
41
5
13
7
SIDE
61 to 65
104d
104a
106
Pilgrim House
57
41
TENSING
E
RID
3
3
WEST
14
16
Essendene
22
LB
29
12
11
21
19
39
TS
MEADOW
38
Y
1
HILL
2
Hall
El
Sub
Sta
5
BO
AB
H
1
E WA
WEST
T
CROF
25
IRVINE WAY
15
1 to
47
7a
13
3
HIG
11
24
4
12
55
104
IDE ROAD
Mayflower
El Sub Sta
11
12
49
10
1
21
25
2
9 11
18
17
20
CR
15a
5
25
7
29
15
Sta
19a
11
1
9
47
43
EET
13a
33
13
HIG
H STR
11
9a
2
10
1
1
SID
OR
GEM
ROA
HILL
21
HILLS
Burial
Ground
H RID
UT
SO
E
RK
PA
18
LAN
55
19
13
7
Old Barn Ct
King George
Court
95.7m
BM
91.68m
8
AD
12
2
9
THE AVENU
19
3
2
5
17
E
12
53
13
RO
8
29
El Sub
5
20
1
ON
WS
NK
7
53
to
49
Sinks
D
25
El Sub Sta
St Edith's
Court
ME
R BA
1
45
37 to 47
ROA
67
SIDE
53
43
41a
100
El Sub Sta
LANE
9
HE
66
80
LEY
VAL
41
98
Hall
ST EDITHS
20 to 27
NS
AT
1
1
39
64
GE
D
El Sub Sta
Garage
31
E
10
22
30
The Loft
MEAD
93.1m
ST EDITH'S COURT
HE
CHAPEL STREET
62
78
The Stable
96
62
1
71
Sta
Sub
El
16
Crown Yard
92a
AS
E CH
TH
TCB
Issues
ALMA LINK
96.0m
E
13
14
LB
76
94
NUE
AVE
3
57
12
20
m
63.1m
14
69
59
Post
29
HUNTS
65.72
29
BM 97.03m
LAN
43
15
58
68
12
CHAPEL COURT
Garage
TCB
nk
PH
LION
11
10
16
2
BM
El Sub Sta
19
92
PH
Ba
65
27
13
2
56
6
FRO
SAF
66.7m
61
RO
VA
10
N
1 to 16
86
Lion
Lodge
UT
CHESTNUT AVENUE
AD
EY
LL
75.3m
69.2m
11
37
4
6
WAY
96.5m
8
2c
NTRY
BM 77.97m
74
23
TN
6
CHA
54
15
ES
2b
9
52
9
UE
EN
AV
6
CH
NUE
56m
10
5
17
50
14
81.2m
2
2a
1
83
27
UT AVE
DAVID'S WALK
6
1
11 13
48
26
44
Lichgate
House
Shelter
8
urt
Chri
61.
RO
CK
RLO
HU
86.9m
1
to
4
Rectory
House
6
96.6m
12
Co
e
Plac
Mar
stop
BM
10
54
7
15
1 to 15
El
Sub Sta
Museum
lly
KSO
59
AD
AD
2
10
STN
RO
10
MAYFLOWER ROAD
48
Vicarage Court
PO
N LAN
Ho
ES
42
Uplands
90.6m
46
IN
KL
AN
SH
Bank
LIO
Surgery
5
The Mayflower
(PH)
her
1
5
21
19
13
IN
DA
5
40
1
UE
EN
AV
96.3m
96.5m
LA
NE
El Sub Sta
51
CHE
HU
tin
44
2
3
LD
FIE
KE
WA
5
RO
SE
Car Park
Holly Cottage
RL
2
15
38
Hall
PH
BM 94.44m
15
E
El
Sub Sta
VED
JAC
53
13
36
1
War
Meml
Post
28
15
Cou
dow
AD
K RO
OC
1
2
32 to
CLOIST
18
St Mary
Magdalen
Church
Bank
m
13
KEL
NE
rt
8
26
7
11
1
Willow
Cottage
20
7
29
7
LA
Ganley Close
Mea
HIGH
Garage
11a
13
NS
CLOIST
ER
CHANDLERS
CHASE
11
9
11
CLO
ER
LOWER
10
Sheraday Centre
28
3
15
51b
14
7
SE
ON
VED
KEL
1
2
15
24
94.8m
1
ay
ric dist
lle
Bi etho ch
M ur
Ch
6
11 11a
12
Bank
1
Crescent
Court
El Sub Sta
ME
7
10
SO
1
22
UR
Car Park
AVE
NUE
CK
8
12
41
1
CO
11
51a
MAR
Y'S
JA
4 to
8 10
19
4
GE
T
ST
1
8a
17
8
XB
RID
1
th
37a
2
CO
ER
WS
5
1
68.9m
Pa
PH
ME
WS
84.4m
CROWN ROAD
El
Sub Sta
6
11
12
6
46
13
37b
ES
86.0m
34
3
9 to
El Sub Sta
JAM
ST
N
Sta
El Sub
14
24
Alexander Mews
Westgate
Court
Surgery
ST
2
WE
FEERIN
2
4
6
10
10a
20
4
2
10
ROAD
102
106
110
2
2
2
6
16
ERN
82
87.5m
60
1
Bdy
WEST
78
86
88
26
42
ROAD
CR
10
12
10
4
20
22
90.8m
36
89.6m
LB
m
22
28
38
91.4
G ROAD
ERN
WEST
Posts
91.4m
BM 85.87
m
BM 78.32
6
12
22a
24c
24d
24a
24b
18
76.5m
Public
Gardens
2m
BM
91.4m
12
42
MP .75
12
5
1
2
48
RO
BM 89.27m
88.7m
Wks
6
88.4m
4
11
Bdy
TANFIELD DRIVE
E
K DRIV
10
T PAR
26
EY
RS
NO
56
8
7
Ward
12
WES
AD
PH
32
52
5
BILLERICAY
86.3m
Club
12a
14
Ward
89.9m
(PH)
12b
10
66
E
12c
Issues
Posts
72
D CLOS
Sinks
21
17
3
41
10
WOO
BRITANNIA CLOSE
El
Sub Sta
4
KINGS
4
8
MP .5
Railway
Hotel
1
45
35
1
43
2
4
THE AVENU
E
11
12
83.5m
4a
41
Holley
Gardens
E
1
29
24
OV
39
27
17
18
23
7
GR
37
E
13
14
19
20
5
ND
BM 91.73m
The Gatehouse
16
36
24
11a
33
SL
ALE
8
3
LA
Bdy
CR
22
MERD
11
1
E
GH
GREY LADY PLACE
Langthornes
NS
KSO
JAC LANE
Ward
Billericay
Station
6
SUM
24
GR
HI
1 to 30
84.7m
22
AVE
CRESCEN
ND
24
PARK
38
n
HLA
OV
E
BM 85.1
0m
Statio
HIG
93.6m
24
a
2c
WEST
40
icay
PL
AC
Langthornes
Biller
26
DY
81.4m
TCB
10
LA
29
EY
19
CR
Bdy
14
14
32
N ROAD
34
m
GR
1
Hou
se
2
24
STATIO
.80
BM 80.47m
Ward
16
Issues
24a
2
90
2b
King
dom
Hall
18
18a
20
T
WEST PARK
BM
ford
Billericay
Station
22
28
40
17
Issues
21
S
K CRE
T PAR
WES
44
Oakwood
32
46
13
WS
7m
ns
48
Rad
LB
TCB
Sinks
11
MEADO
13
33
AVENUE
El Sub Sta
1
HOME
92.
Charles House
15
17
2a
2
rde
4
y Ga
Y
SL
6
12
lle
11
18
14
WEST PARK
D WA
10
20
FOR
Garage
Mast
1 to
RAD
Ferndale
24
Ho
DS
89.9m
to
TCB
El Sub Sta
36
38
El
Sub Sta
36
40
42
40
TO
CK
S
13
NE
4
16
CK
to6
42 en
(ev
10
44
46
14
7
to4 d)
25 (od
E
JA
1
52
OS
CL
5
6
8
EY
1
LB
95.1m
2
13
RS
NO
TCB
48
50
38 41
32
35
St
Su
E
9
Hamelin House
5
1
77.4m
11
El
94.5m
52
OS
1
Car Park
4
Bdy
15
ON
WS
DA
11
3
75.6m
CR
Ward
S CL
RN
Works
Works
5
Porters House
BU
WAY
Station Court
56
THE AVENU
23
5
b
WS
ME
Works
Works
a
7
9
75.3m
LB
60
7
93.6m
Works
m
bank
Glyn House
5
BM 93.76
BM 69.51m
BM 75.46
Deer
The
ANDS
PARKL
21
13
Long
55
1
20
68
H
I
J
1
1a
7
1
24
67.7m
RADF
ORD
Fox
F
10
29a
29
3
1
11
Collects
15
11
34
70
12
17
7
Works
El Sub Sta
10
19
94.5m
Surgery
31
s
Tat
32
STO
CK
38
ME
2
Meado
w
WS
N
DO
NG
LA
30
El Sub Sta
Works
ton
19
34
RO
AD
29b
13
7a
33
74
5
9
32
bu
rro
26
E
4
The Billericay
St Andrews
Centre
2
AVENUE
n
Cef
31
d Bdy
29c
CR
War
14
12
11
69
23
31
48
ELL
Goldsmiths
78
93.0m
3
MW
Car Park
AD
14
6
RO
29
UE
CRO
Works
DE
ER
BA
NK
Health Centre
Depot
1
73.8m
ed
D
19
The Laurels
2
AV
Works
ub Sta
Collects
Mid
wo
od
17
BEB
ING
23
21
LA
Court
Works
Alandale
12
10
19
EN
eaux
Cayman House
84
Works
KE
Molin
D
8
BM 92.58m
Works
3
Pat
ROA
84a
The Meadows
8
Works
Works
RA
DF
OR
D CR
ES
CE
NT
Works
2
20
Works
94.5m
21
Works
)
h (um
El Sub Sta
Factory
Stocks
DEERBANK
25
Works
lter
40
KE
EN
22
39
El
LA
Works
2
26
se
2a
Hou
23
4
man
1a
14
CA
TE
R
90
Iss
W
OO
D
ue
s
Issues
Path
East
92
30
Me
ado
w
12
g
FB
NE
N DE
Works
16
SKI
RU
Lon
Min
ste
d
87
1
16a
FB
6
Car Park
31a
Swimming Pool
18
Pat
h
rectangular, tall with flat roofs. Certainly ‘of their time’, they replaced buildings of local style,
form and massing, diluting the historic pattern of the place and are visually uncomfortable. The
population has risen from the nineteenth century ‘norm’ of around 1,500 to an estimated 40,000
today.
The turn of the century offered hope. The new Waitrose supermarket, though tall, presents
a more comfortable elevation to High Street. Completed in 1999, it reflects the gables of the
traditional cross wings and it sits in sympathy with its neighbours. The newly completed (2010)
courtyard behind No.22 High Street, Shereday Mews, includes a restored row of vernacular
outbuildings and new buildings which complement and are sympathetic to the location.
Archaeology
Most towns claim a past which is ‘steeped in history’ and Billericay can claim random finds of
artefacts from Palaeolithic times, but Norsey Wood was certainly well-occupied by the Bronze
Age and into the Iron Age up to the Roman occupation. Indeed it is a Scheduled Monument and
was once a medieval deer park (indicated by the presence of a bank with an internal ditch to
stop deer escaping). When managed as woodland, the area was enclosed by a large system of
banks with external ditches known as Deerbank which were designed to prevent the passage of
deer and cattle over them. Indeed it is a Scheduled Monument and was once a medieval deer
park (indicated by the presence of a bank with an internal ditch to stop deer escaping). When
managed as woodland, the area was enclosed by a large system of banks with external ditches
known as Deerbank which were designed to prevent the passage of deer and cattle over them.
Fragments of the Deerbank survive at Norsey Wood and the system is also remembered in the
local streetname Deerbank Road.
But this is outside the Conservation Area, which has no Scheduled Monument within its
boundaries. It does, however, contain broad areas of archaeological finds, notably of Roman
date and the extent of finds is shown on the map (p12).
There have been numerous excavations and watching-briefs in the area of the Roman Town at
Billericay. The area of the Roman Town has been extensively ploughed in the past, and some
is still in agricultural usage. There appears to be little in the way of surviving stratigraphic layers,
with the exception of metalling for the road and gravel/cobble spreads, although cut features
survive well. The area has suffered quarrying in the past, but this seems to have taken the form
of haphazard localised disturbance.
Fieldwork undertaken within the medieval town has largely proved disappointing, principally
because the areas of development have led to a concentration of archaeological investigation
in the backlands area on the periphery of the main focus of settlement rather than the street
frontage. Some areas also appear to have suffered considerable disturbance from gravel and
brickearth quarrying, although again this was of a haphazard and necessarily smallscale nature.
Waterlogged deposits are only anticipated in deeper features such as wells and cess-pits. Soilconditions are not conducive to the preservation of faunal remains (except cremated bone) but
ceramics, building materials and metal survive well.
Billericay has a reasonable range of medieval and post-medieval documentary source material
for a town of its size and importance. The High Street still retains enough of its historic buildings
to preserve the appearance of a small market town of late medieval origin.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
13
SPATIAL ANALYSIS
Layout & Street Pattern – Evolution of the Settlement
Settlement of the urban area appears to have originated as a ditched enclosure of Late Iron
Age date, growing into a small town in the Roman period. There is no evidence for occupation
of the area during the Saxon period. The area was re-occupied in the thirteenth century, based
on the road-side market-place. A chapel was built to serve the new inhabitants in the midfourteenth century. The town is typical of the type of medieval new town that grew in an organic
manner due to the stimulus of trade, rather than because of official patronage. The postmedieval town expanded in the form of ribbon development along the existing medieval street
structure. It was not until the 20th century that the town took its present form.
Andre & Chapman 1777 Map
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
14
County: ESSEX Scale:1:2,500 Date: 1875
© Crown copyright and Landmark Information Group Limited 2006. All rights reserved. This map may not be reproduced without permission. 45377_29994
1874 Ordnance Survey Map
The principal street in the Conservation Area is High Street which runs with a gentle curve north
to south, approximately 800 metres long (about half a mile) or a ten minute stroll. It provides
a continuous linear town centre. Buildings are close together with few gaps and lanes or
small courts lead off it. At its northernmost end, it is crossed by the railway line, which lies in a
cutting. Crown Road runs parallel to the line, its south-eastwards extension being constructed
in the 1930s. Prior to this, it was simply a link between High Street and Norsey Road.
To the south, High Street is crossed by Norsey Road and Western Road, both originally
narrow streets. The latter, known as Back Lane until the twentieth century, has been
widened at the junction, whilst Norsey Road retains its original width and close terraces.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
15
County: ESSEX Scale:1:2,500 Date: 1896
© Crown copyright and Landmark Information Group Limited 2006. All rights reserved. This map may not be reproduced without permission. 45379_29996
County: ESSEX Scale:1:2,500 Date: 1896
© Crown copyright and Landmark Information Group Limited 2006. All rights reserved. This map may not be reproduced without permission. 45383_30000
1894 Ordnance Survey Map
Next, Chapel Street leaves High Street on its eastern side, close to St. Mary Magdalen Church,
forming an attractive, narrow urban space at the junction of the two. Buildings here are close
together, but Chapel Street then runs south, diverging gradually from High Street, thus increasing
the space between the two, and buildings become more widely spaced. It reaches Sun Street,
the main road to Southend, which then also joins the southern end of High Street a little further to
the west.
This street pattern and linear form was established early on and survived more or less intact until
the late nineteenth century. (The early nineteenth century terraces on Sun Street were built on the
site of Albion House, probably as barracks during the Napoleonic War).
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
16
County: ESSEX Scale:1:2,500 Date: 1922
© Crown copyright and Landmark Information Group Limited 2006. All rights reserved. This map may not be reproduced without permission. 45385_30002
1922 Ordnance Survey Map
The Conservation Area extends southwards into Laindon Road, almost open countryside still in
the nineteenth century, where a gravel pit (now Sun Corner open space), foundry, gas works and
school were located.
The arrival of the railway in 1889 (passenger trains; freight trains started in 1888) initially had little
impact on the form and street pattern of Billericay as the 1896 Ordnance Survey map shows.
The town started its main expansion in the twentieth century; westwards from Lion Lane into
Western Road and the site of the former brickworks.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
17
County: ESSEX Scale:1:2,500 Date: 1937
© Crown copyright and Landmark Information Group Limited 2006. All rights reserved. This map may not be reproduced without permission. 45381_29998
County: ESSEX Scale:1:2,500 Date: 1937
© Crown copyright and Landmark Information Group Limited 2006. All rights reserved. This map may not be reproduced without permission. 45386_30003
1937 Ordnance Survey Map
The construction of Crown Road ultimately ‘opened-up’ the land east of High Street for
residential development, whilst development west of High Street and Western Road continued
in the form of culs de sac. Council housing, built in the inter-war years at School Road, between
Laindon Road and Southend Road encouraged development to the south of the town.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
18
Open Spaces, Trees and Landscape
Although Billericay is a town well-blessed with open spaces, the Conservation Area contains
only the eastern side of the green at Sun Corner and the Festival Gardens on Crown Road. The
former was a former gravel pit, whilst the latter was an anonymous donation to the town in 1951
to commemorate the Festival of Britain. The parish church, formerly a chapel of ease to Great
Burstead, has no churchyard of its own, but only a small area of tarmac to the north and the war
memorial adjacent with two lime trees, providing welcome greenery rather than open space.
Similarly, the trees and planting at the end of Western Road, in gratitude to the work of Jim
Shields, is on the site of a former building and is more incidental than planned. Indeed, there
are few trees in the High Street, though
several form important visual stops
or soften views outwards (eg the lane
alongside The Chequers with the view to
a walnut tree, or the car park on the west
side of the street).
Sun Corner
Festival Gardens
Planting at end of Western Road
War Memorial, High Street
View down lane next to The Chequers PH
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
19
Exceptions include the yews and holm oak at Burghstead Lodge.
17
SL
2
WEST PARK
Issues
CRESCENT
BM 91.73m
CR
22
The Gatehouse
29
9 11
19
CR
3
4
11
2
m
1
2
21
9
46
13
8a
19
29
STRE
ET
33
HIGH
35
43
47
39
13
ISTER
41
6
87
Shelt
er
7
Shelt
er
81 83
3 to
Shelt
er
73 75
2
95
10
1
51
97
99
49
2
36
7
15
51b
R
5
5
10
6
HIGH
CLOISTE
R
19
21
41
ISTER
ER CLO
LOW
1
3
6
32 to
S
Sheraday Centre
26
1
MEW
28
11
15
24
94.8m
El Sub Sta
TE
ay t
ric is
le od
Bil eth rch
M hu
C
86.0m
Bank
1
Crescent
Court
ES
11a
S
7m
11
2
MEW
12
ES
22
JAM
2
W
RN
a
2
13
41
ST
LB
Sub Sta
El Sub Sta
37b
37
PH
Surgery
2
6
10
0
11
BM 85.8
1
Bdy
1
10
4
8
Ward
AD
RN RO
WESTE
87.5m
51a
9
10
55a
55
57
15
17
7
Uplands
10
11
9
UE
44
2
EN
Hall
PH
CHANDLERS
CHASE
AV
24
11
2
1
53
1
2
War
Meml
Car Park
RY'S
25
11
16
1
MA
17
14
42
1
ST
5
40
1
1
38
11
84.4m
CROWN ROAD
El
12
Westgate
Court
91.4m
88.4m
CR
66
72
78
4 to
8 10
19
89.6m
82
13
Alexander Mews
17
36
Posts
86
34
3
9 to
CLO
31
11
25
7
90.8m
56
88
60
1
1
22
6
38
4
2
42
48
Public
Gardens
2
6
24c
24d
24a
24b
28
32
52
91.42
WEST
5
1
BM
91.4m
AD
RN RO
WESTE
14
3
7
6
12
1
2
6
10
12
Posts
El
Sub Sta
4
24
HIGH STRE
ET
BM 89.27m
ALE
MERD
SUM
32
R
RSE
NO
88.7m
Wks
5
47
IVE
11
Y
PH
D
OA
43
El Sub
10
17
TANFIELD DRIVE
RK DR
10
24a
20
BILLERICAY
86.3m
Club
Ward
Bdy
12
PA
WEST
26
Issues
14
89.9m
(PH)
12b
12a
12
19a
7a
12c
20
17
19
Railway
Hotel
53
2
7
5
MP .5
Sinks
24
OAD
Not to Scale
16
36
Sta
y
Station
40
13
S
MIDDLE CLOISTE
11
MEADOW
11
HOME
39
4
However, there are trees beyond the High Street in the backland to the east and west and Tree
Preservation Orders (TPOs) have been served as development of these spaces and yards has
proceeded.
Post
12
4
63
1
3
1
3
67
65
69
96.69
m
E
BM
22
24
50
26
77
Sta
44
14
81.2m
52
1 to 15
CHAN
TRY
Sh
2
10
K
WAL
elte
r
87
ET
24 to 26
69
17
80
16
23
97
37 to 47
95
76
78
23
12
13
22
89
H ST
RE
CLOSE
RS
VE
EA
W
31
20 to 22
12
6
HIG
1
45
91
FF
SA
6
74
93
37
14
85
20
10
68
21
N
RO
1 to 16
Museum
96.6m
BM
39
66
NE
Holly Cottage
33
Lichgate
House
Vicarage Court
PO
N LA
64
15
El Sub Sta
20
LIO
El
Sub Sta
62
Bank
1
CHAPEL STREET
UE
28
1
to
4
Rectory
House
58
9
EN
AV
LA
NE
31
56
IN
KL
RO
SE
WA
Y
54
AN
16
26
86.9m
El Sub
22a
LB
17
48
12
46
SH
4
11 13
NU
96.5m
15
25
AVE
48
15
96.3m
47
D
Bank
Garage
a
39
EL
5
11
32
1
12
4
FI
Willow
Cottage
11
7
St Mary
Magdalen
Church
11
9
90.6m
57
AKE
6
BM 94.44m
5
54
W
7
59
22
Shelter
29
19
99
10
3
36
5
3
32
11
1
55
1
1
PH
43
41a
41
31
2
38
117
115
119
121 to 125
50
8
2
52
30
54
52
64
CHAPEL STREET
135
62
64
10
89
91
18
139
85
87
130
28
52
14
96.0m
Builder's
Yard
42
60
32
143
30
4
1
151
1
2
BURGHSTEAD CLOSE
76
Billericay
84
147
6
2
3
1
Rose Hall
Pond
)
Path
Police
Station
1a
39
(um
29
Magistrates' Court
LONDON
United
Reformed
Church
105
85.9m
Claremont
3
HILLARY MOUNT
140
6
4
11
BM 97.84m
1
5
PH
12
Rose
Cottage
17
Stanley Terrace
MALLORY WAY
97
El Sub Sta
Collects
Surgery
93
CHAPEL STREET
134
Telephone Exchange
HPO
TCBs
Burghstead
Court
CLOSE
40
9 to 13
56
58
14 to 19
129
Chapel
Heights
Church
12
137
8
1 to 4
Mayflower
House
The Walk
Library
83.3m
H
UG
ORO
SB
IN
GA
20
Pond
81
1
TENSING GARDENS
128a
56
4
128
GARDENS
85.5m
13
24
127
12
22
Bank
HIGH STREET
71
65
89.3m
12
50
7
8
16
1
2
20
2
71
IRVINE WAY
Pilgrim House
57
55
El Sub Sta
The Gables
1
2
El
Sub
LB
29
41
Essendene
Mayflower
Hall
El Sub Sta
TENSING
ROAD
28
1
St Edith's
Court
112 to 118
BM
91.68m
32
d
El Sub Sta
MEAD
93.1m
ST EDITH'S COURT
21
HILLSIDE
106
a
106
c
106b
Burial
Ground
Sta
20 to 27
40
E
104
a
71
104
King George
Court
95.7m
57
19
13
7
Old Barn Ctt
106
El Sub Sta
LANE
61 to 65
Hall
ST EDITHS
CLOS
25
104
1
HUNTS
IDE
100
62
3
43
3
HILLS
113
Garage
55
96.0m
NE
ROAD
Garage
148
150
96.0m
Ward Bdy
17
13
7
19
De
f
T
SUN STREE
CR
Shelter
Mill Meadows Nat
Def
12
El
Sub Sta
1 to 47
Albion Court
The
Rising Sun
(PH)
FAIRVIEW
7
2
1
IEW
FAIRV
BM
96.54m
(um
1
4
)
Shelter
2
Path
3
11
Water
Tower
15
17
Drain
Po
The Holy Redeemer
Church
97.8m
y
rd Bd
CR
96.0m
Hall
Hall
AD
RO
Fire Tower
Quilters County
Junior School
Pond
HEND
SOUT
14
Play Area
21
LAINDON ROAD
Infants School
Wa
Quilters County
Fire Station
Ambulance
Station
Emmanual C of E
ge
School
Lod
Lockers
31
Pond
TCB
Car Park
Halls
Abbeyfield
Archer
House
Millers
37
Hall
9
El Sub Sta
Church View
BM 97.84m
South
43
39
Rectory
40
Lodge
WEST
E
RIDG
25
W
2
38
67
8
16
CR
24
19
ar
d
Bd
y
28
15
11
Friends Meeting House
SCHOOL ROAD
11a
42
26
SCHOOL ROAD
LB
Shelter
1
7
15
23
13
77
CR
33
Gas Valve Compound
CP
14
19
Bd
d
ar
W
El Sub Sta
n
Und
Hill
Mou
nt
ve
Ha
Mill
7
8
ge
e
Red Cotta
y Ridg
Clinic
29
Cable Mount
Posts
th
or
lw
Lu
Iona
65
10
11
BM
96.79m
Wind
2
56
9a
15
9
11
11
12
3
10
13
63
1
Underpass
59
2
64
14
Hall
ARCHERS CLOSE
89
17
15
16
55
21
22
82.5m
Holly Mount
Roman Way
WA
Y
23
24
12
17
19
BM
97.11m
30
AN
ROM
79
25
y
1
2
43
35
47
RIDGE
WEST
1
Billericay
School
2
28
2
1
1
4
66
82.1m
Y
DRIVE
2
11
FAIRFIELD
RISE
ERS
QUILT
SO
UTH
1
8
69
GEWA
RID
15
73
12
SE
LO
LC
HIL
19
LL
BE
75
N
FA
2
6
2
4
EN
72
GRE
79
9
25
Billericay School
81
12
41
42
10
6
10
5
RM
31
H
EIG
91
83.5m
85
El
Sub Sta
8
99
82
1
FOXL
LL
BE
15
89
1
0.6m
9
91
80.97m
FO
X
12
20
LO
Tennis Courts
A 17
2
2
4
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
NG
93
7
E
CLOS
Trees protected by Tree Preservation Orders (as at September 2011)
RISE
CR
H
AD
ON RO
LAIND
IG
LE
GREENFIELDS
This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. (10018871) (2010).
7
41
10
3a
10
3b
10
3c
10
2
4
10
14
16
36
El Sub Sta
ALMA LINK
PH
N LA
98
LIO
34
13
6
5
4
3
2
1
Post
65
IDE
HILLS
53
The Loft
BM 97.03m
CHESTNUT AVENUE
67
38
40
The Stable
96
TCB
61
37
Issues
Garage
Ba
nk
46
48
Crown Yard
92a
22
24
39
28
PH
94
UE
26
Lion
Lodge
ENUE
AVEN
CHAPEL COURT
11
rt
AV
TNUT
53
to
49
ou
92
CH
ES
TN
UT
27
CHES
96.5m
8
ly C
86
Hol
6
32
8
Surgery
51
El
Sub Sta
Focal Points and Views
The Conservation Area has few focal points. It possesses no market place or square and has
few landmark buildings which can be viewed from a distance. The church of St. Mary Magdalen
is the predominant landmark with its brick tower and projecting clock. The widened pavement
and area next to it, around the war memorial at the junction of High and Chapel Streets, creates
a very attractive space, enclosed by a fine group of listed buildings. The former Town Hall (No.94
High St) is a large building, creating a focal point in the middle of the High Street, whilst Nos.
127-129 across the road, is dominant because of its size, height and harsh appearance. Unlike
the Town Hall it is not an asset to the street scene, and replaced an eminently more attractive
Victorian gothic building known as St. Ediths.
Church of St. Mary Magdalen, High Street
Former Town Hall, High Street
Nos. 127-129 High Street
Police Station, High Street
The Rising Sun PH, south end of High Street
Three storey terrace at corner of Chapel and Sun Streets
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
21
The Police Station terminates the west side of High Street. Set back from the roadside, it
becomes a focal building when viewed from the east along Sun Street. The Rising Sun public
house terminates the view down the High Street. And at the east end of Sun Street the three
storey terrace at the corner of Chapel Street terminates the view along Southend Road.
There are a number of important views in the Conservation Area and also some which detract.
The most important views are:

Eastwards down Norsey Road (and westwards up Norsey Road) with the terraces on
either side of the road being prominent.

Eastwards from the Festival Gardens looking at the distant view outside of the
Conservation Area.

Views of the church both north and south along High Street.

The view eastwards looking out of the Conservation Area along the lane next to the
Chequers. Here the walnut tree is visually important and the view is only marred by the
triple lines painted on the road and the tall pole at the end of the street (though this is
partially obscured by the tree when in leaf).

Southwards from High Street down Chapel Street; the narrow lane between the church
and the row of listed buildings.

Northwards along High Street from Burghstead House.

Northwards from Southend Road to Sun Street/ Chapel Street.
The view is marred by highway paraphernalia but the three storey terrace is imposing
(as is the cedar tree on Southend Road, but outside the Conservation Area).

Eastwards across Mill Meadow, looking across grassland to distant trees as the land
falls away.

Westwards across the playing field at Sun Corner. Again the view is distant, looking out
of town to the countryside beyond.
There are other fine views looking into
courtyards and down narrow lanes though
these provide glimpses rather than full views.
An example is the glimpse of Crescent
House through the archway.
No.51 High Street, Crescent House
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
22
Views which detract are:

Westwards from Norsey Road to Western Road. The view is across an expanse of
tarmac to blocks of mid-twentieth century shops. This is also seen from the traffic lights
as one approaches or leaves the town.

Northwards from High Street to the railway bridge. The view out of town (and out of the
Conservation Area) is marred by the bridge and particularly the pedestrian walkway.
Then beyond to modern buildings in Radford Way and beside the mini-roundabout.
This is ‘anywhere architecture’ which has no sense of place.

Southwards and northwards in the High Street looking towards Nos. 127-129 at the
curve in the road. This building looms above its surroundings and creates an unwanted
landmark in the street scene by virtue of its height, form, bulk and materials.

Northwards from Sun Corner to the four storey modern building and radio mast beside
the Police Station.

Southwards and northwards along Laindon Road to the gas compound site. This is
simply an eyesore. Though vegetation obscures it to some extent when bushes are
in leaf, the galvanised metal fencing and wire mesh are unattractive. The compound
comprises a gas pressure reduction station with hazardous overground and
underground gas equipment.

Westwards down Crown Yard from Chapel Street. The view here is the backside of
commercial buildings and pot holes in a poorly surfaced street/yard which has lost its
form. (There is a similar view alongside the car park down Alma Link).

Eastwards from Waitrose car park to the garage in Chapel Street. This is a view to a
gap in the street frontage where enclosure has been lost.

Southwards down Chapel Street from Vicarage Court (and northwards from Mayflower
Hall). The street suddenly loses its sense of enclosure and the view is of cars entering
and leaving a main car park and the garage site opposite the car park entrance.

Westwards from Rectory Court in Chapel Street. The view is of the west side of the
northern end of the street where service yards to commercial premises on High Street
are exposed.
Burghstead Lodge gate and railings, No.143 High
Street
No.133 High Street
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
23
Wallinhurst Garage, Chapel Street
Edwardian villas at south end of Chapel Street
Boundaries
Property boundaries do not form visually important features in the Conservation Area. There are
no high walls and few fine railings. Generally properties are situated on the road or pavement
edge without enclosure. Burghstead Lodge (The Library) is an exception to this, set back from
High Street in a driveway behind a substantial brick wall with iron railings and gate and fine trees.
Crescent House, No.51 High Street, is also set well back, this time through an archway. The
separation of private land from public highway in the High Street is delineated by changes in the
brick weave paving, creating visually a wider pavement, but until probably as late as the 1960s,
many buildings in High Street had low walls (and some railings), creating small front gardens.
Some still exist, as at Nos. 24, 41-43, 98-102 and 133 High Street.
The southern end of Chapel Street has Edwardian villas and earlier property set back from the
road, behind low walls in varying states of preservation. The loss of walls and hedging has
detracted here from the street scene, particularly the lack of greenery to soften the Waitrose car
park and the lack of enclosure
of the garage site opposite.
This is also true of Western
Road at the western extremity
of the Conservation Area.
Laindon Road has shrubs
and walls enclosing property
at the southern end of the
Conservation Area, though
the use of mesh and metal
fencing in front of the gas
compound gives a stark
appearance.
Gas compound, Laindon Road
Public Realm
In 2004, the High Street was repaved using buff brick paving set in a herringbone pattern and
the street furniture was redesigned with new bollards, barriers and black painted poles for road
signs and lights. Since then additional signs have been added, but on their own poles, rather than
sharing posts with existing signs and reducing highway clutter (car parking information signs for
example). Some items of street furniture have become redundant and need to be removed.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
24
Pair of telephone kiosks and pillar box
Street clutter and bus shelter on High Street near St. Mary Magdalen
Church
Crown Yard, off High Street
Sheraday Mews, off High Street
Shops at junction of High Street and Western Road
View east along Crown Road
Particular mention should be made of the telephone kiosks, including the grade II listed K6
telephone box beside the old town hall (or the old police station). The pair of kiosks and the
‘double’ pillar box outside the old post office are attractive pieces of street furniture.
The roads and courts leading off High Street have not all been paved and some have road and
pavement surfaces in poor condition. An example of this would be Crown Yard’. (Alma Link was until
recently in a poor condition, but was resurfaced in March 2010). More recent courtyards, developed
privately, have been paved using setts, as at Alexander Mews, Shereday Mews and Cookshop Yard.
The ‘aprons’ of other road junctions with High Street could be similarly paved, Lion Lane for example.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
25
Away from High Street, other roads are all tarmac of varying quality and there is a particularly
wide expanse of it at the east end of Sun Street, where it joins the Southend Road. (This area of
tarmac arose as a result of the mini-roundabout works when provision was made for 2-way traffic
in Sun Street, which was never implemented.) This area has additional visual intrusion in the
form of galvanised crash barriers and tall highway street lights. Elsewhere street lights are less
intrusive, even though they lack the charm of the lanterns they have replaced.
The Norsey Road/ Western Road/ High Street crossroads presents another wide expanse of
tarmac. The parade of shops at the top of Western Road is outside the Conservation Area, the
boundary running along the pavement in front. Here are rows of bollards behind black painted
barriers with an uncomfortable wide expanse of pavement, and across the road is a scruffy area
of greenery next to The Crown. Even the little garden at the end of Western Road has concrete
planters. The whole area here could be redesigned to create a more pleasing environment,
reducing highway clutter and introducing a softer landscape, though in the longer term,
redevelopment of the 1960s shops could improve the appearance at this important entrance to
the town centre.
Some streets away from High Street lack definition at the pavement edge. The western section
of Crown Road has become an access for The Crown and the adjacent restaurant with car
parking on one side and a particularly intrusive wire mesh fence on the railway side, especially
visible when there are no leaves on the trees. The loss of garden walls on Chapel Street and
Western Road, (in the case of the former to create off street car parking), has reduced the sense
of enclosure in places to the detriment of the street scene.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
26
CHARACTER
Building Types
Listed terrace along Chapel Street
Historic and more recent shops along High Street
As the Conservation Area comprises the heart of Billericay, its commercial core, it is unsurprising
that there are numerous shops, offices and places of work, especially along the High Street.
There are a few detached residences mixed in and semi-detached housing occurs especially at
the southern end of Chapel Street. Many present cross wing gables to the road and a number
are jettied (upper floors projecting over the lower floor).
There are terraces of houses, some striking, on Sun Street, Norsey Road, Western Road and at
the northern end of Chapel Street.
Elsewhere chapels and meeting halls occur, but it is the shops which dominate. Some occupy
older buildings with varying degrees of success. Some present very attractive shopfronts to the
High Street, but alas there are others with over-large fascias and signs which detract from the
appearance of the street.
Modern shop parades and offices are often simply too high, too bulky, too rectangular in form
with flat or false pitched roofs. They simply detract and dilute the otherwise attractive miscellany
of buildings, with their gables, jetties and varying roof lines – all in scale.
Listed Buildings
There are around 40 buildings within the Conservation Area listed for their special architectural or
historic interest. With the exceptions of No.6 Norsey Road, which is grade II* (two star), all are
listed grade II. The full list with abridged descriptions is given in Appendix A to this Appraisal.
THe Sheredays, No.22 High Street
The Chequers, Nos.42-44 High Street
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
27
Nos. 57-61 (odds) High Street
The Red Lion PH, No.113 High Street
The list includes buildings of the sixteenth and seventeenth century which are timber framed and
originally plastered. Sometimes the plaster may have been replaced with other material - brick,
pebbledash or weatherboarding. Many present cross wings gable to the road and a number are
jettied with upper floors projecting over the lower floor. Some jetties have been underbuilt and
are no longer visible. These ‘listed’ survivals are part of a rich heritage of timber framed houses
with cross wings along Billericay High
Street, many now sadly replaced.
Earlier, medieval buildings, include the
now much altered Red Lion, dating from
the fifteenth century and the remarkable
Nos. 6-10 Norsey Road, which despite its
weatherboarded exterior, has a complete
late fourteenth century interior – an open
hall house with an unusual roof structure.
The church of St. Mary Magdalen has an
early brick tower of fifteenth century date
with a rebuilt church of the eighteenth
century, also in red brick, attached.
Former Three Horseshoes PH, High Street
Later buildings of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries are mostly also of brick. Red
brick was favoured to begin with, then a grey/buff brick as fashion changed. Brickwork of this
date is in a Flemish bond of alternate headers and stretchers, contrasting sharply with twentieth
century brickwork which is invariably in a bland stretcher bond.
St Mary Magdalen Church
Regis House, No.98 High Street
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
28
Unlisted Buildings
There are, in addition to the listed buildings, a number of properties which are considered
to be ‘buildings of local interest’ which should form a local list and be given protection from
unsympathetic extension, alteration or demolition. These are set out below.
Buildings of Local Interest
Designating Buildings of Local Interest (BLIs) furthers Basildon Council’s objective
of preserving and enhancing the historic fabric and special character of the Borough.
Whilst BLI status does not provide statutory protection, in the manner of nationally listed
buildings, it indicates that these buildings are of special local interest and should be
given protection from unsympathetic alterations and extensions. Their position within the
Conservation Area affords them protection from demolition without authorization, but the
aim of the Local List is to safeguard the buildings and to ensure that repairs, alterations
and extensions are sympathetic to their character.
BLIs are considered to be ‘heritage assets’ as defined and protected by Planning Policy
Statement 5: Planning and the Historic Environment which is the Government’s national
policy on the conservation of the historic environment. BLI status therefore ensures that
the positive contribution of such heritage assets to local character and sense of place is
recognised and valued and is a material consideration which must be taken into account
in development management decisions. BLIs make a contribution to the Borough
because of their architectural merit and, in some cases, their historical associations. They
may contribute to and help to define the character of the townscape of an area, or be
significant in the historical and architectural development of a settlement. Many alterations
and developments require planning permission and proposals relating to these buildings
should pay special attention to preserving features that contribute to their character,
maintaining proportions, preserving the setting and using appropriate materials.
Chapel Street

No.15
This single storey red brick building with a slate roof was the town’s fire engine shed,
built to house the fire tender and of historic interest.
Fire Engine Shed, No.15 Chapel Street
Rose Hall, Chapel Street
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
29

The Old Meeting Burial Ground
The site of the Congregationalists’ Old
Meeting and the place where Roman
interments were discovered. It contains a
number of memorials and gravestones which
are of historic interest, including the Mabbs
family vault.

Mayflower Hall
Built c1920s it is a large 2-storey whiterendered building with a half hipped roof. It
sits gable end on to Chapel Street on the
corner of Hillside Road. It has metal-framed
multi-paned windows with double doors in
the centre of the Chapel Street elevation. It
is an imposing building and commemorates
Billericay’s Mayflower connection.

United Reformed Church
United Reformed Church, Chapel Street
Built as the Congregational Church to replace
the old ‘meeting house’ in 1838 of grey brick with limestone dressings and a slate roof in
the Early English revival style to a design by James Fenston.

Rose Hall
Built in 1858 of grey brick now with a composite slate roof and timber windows. The site
was purchased by the Mabbs Charity to erect a British School (a free school based on
non-sectarian principles). It was later used as a Sunday school and renamed the Rose
Hall, before becoming the headquarters of the local British Legion
High Street (east side)

Buildings to the rear of No.18 High Street
These former stables and outbuildings to Shereday House have been renovated as part
of the Shereday Mews development.
They comprise timber framed and
painted weatherboarded buildings in
a row, with pantiled roofs of differing
pitches including mansards. They form
an attractive group and are arguably
within the historic curtilage of No.22,
Shereday House.

No.94 former Council Chamber (Town
Hall) or Old Police Station (now
Brasserie Gerard)
Cement rendered with a slate roof,
gable to the road and of 5 bays, with
three central tall windows to each
floor and doors either side. Above the
doors are blank round arched niches
and above these a central niche within
the pediment which used to contain
the arms of the county of Essex. Built
Stables and outbuildings to rear of Sheraday House
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
30
in 1830 as the Market House with grammar
school and assembly room. Used as a town
hall from 1862 with part of the ground floor
used as a police station until 1938. Then used
by the Billericay Urban District Council, it was
converted to a restaurant in 2000.

No.136 former Post Office
Red brick with a hipped plain tile roof and round
headed windows divided into small panes. It
was built in 1938.

Pair of telephone boxes outside Royal Mail
The Reading Room, No.73 High Street
sorting office
These traditional items of street furniture are attractive and increasingly rare elements in
the streetscene.
High Street (west side)

No.73 The Reading Room
Built in 1886 of red brick with a plain tile roof. Gable to the road with a half hipped roof
and gablet and a large three light window at first floor with two hung sash windows,
either side of a central canopied door, above which is a frieze with the words “Reading
Room 1886” in moulded brick. Used as a reading room, library and billiard room until
1952 when it became a recreation hall.

The Police Station
Built c1930, the current police station is typical of civic buildings of its era, built in a neoGeorgian style with a restrained facade of brown brick and a simple gabled roof with
substantial ridge stacks. It is a substantial building positioned at an important junction in
the town which lends it townscape significance despite its set back position in the street.
Laindon Road

Nos. 2 and 4
A pair of cottages altered and extended
in recent times, provide an attractive
group on the edge of the playing field.
No.2 is rendered with a plain tile roof,
single storey with attic. L-shaped, it has
the date 1703 on its north gable. No.4 is
of red brick in Flemish bond with a slate
roof and a single stack on its north gable.
It has 8 over 8 pane sash windows and
an archway at its southern end.

No.2 Laindon Road
No.56 Scout Hut
A red brick single storey roadside
building with a slate roof. It was built
as a school and appears on the 1875
Ordnance Survey map as such. On
the 1896 edition, it is listed as a Sunday
school.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
31
No.4 Laindon Road
Scout Hut, No.56 Laindon Road

Former Quilters School, Laindon Road
Quilters School
Now converted to an arts centre, offices and an entertainment venue, this is the former
Board School built in 1878 of red brick with a plain tile roof.
Norsey Road

Nos. 2 and 4; 12-18 (even)
Two groups of weatherboarded
houses which are visually very
important to the street scene and
complement the setting of Nos.
6-10, listed grade II*.
Nos. 2-18 (evens) Norsey Road
Sun Street
Nos. 7-17 (odds)

Stanley Terrace, off Sun Street
Nos. 7-17; 19-27; 29-39 and Stanley Terrace
These groups of terraced houses were built in the early 19th century and used as
barracks during the Napoleonic Wars. Pebble dashed with slate roofs, Nos. 7-17, 1927 and Stanley Terrace are two storeys, whilst Nos. 29-39 are three storeys high and
visually impressive with cockle shell harling covering the walls and, where they survive 6
over 6 pane hung sash windows. This terrace turns the corner into Chapel Street with a
graceful curve.

No.2, The Rising Sun PH
A large rendered public house of two ranges. The main range is of 2 storeys with attics
and is probably 18th century in origin. It has modern casement windows at ground
floor, multi-paned sash windows at first floor, and 2 flat-topped dormers in the slate
roof. Parapet gables and end stacks. The western range is later, probably 19th century,
and lower, of only 2 storeys with a 2-storey bay window. It also has a slate roof, but is
hipped at the west end.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
32

Albion Court Water Tower
This early 20th century structure is something of a landmark in Billericay with its crisp
white lines. It is circular in shape with a solid base and top containing the water tank.
The parapets at lower and upper levels lend this functional structure architectural
interest.
In addition to the listed and locally listed buildings, there are a large number of unlisted historic
buildings in the Conservation Area which make a positive contribution to its character. These are
identified on the map and are too numerous to list.
Building Styles and Materials
The earliest surviving buildings in the Conservation Area are timber framed and originally
plastered. (The exception is the church tower of 1490, which is in red brick). These timber
framed buildings often survive as fragments, but a common form had cross wings at either end
of a hall. The cross wings were frequently jettied and some survive, though some jetties have
since been underbuilt. Roofs are of plain, reddish tile and the cross wings present themselves
gable end on to the road along the High Street in particular. Heights are modest, one and a half
or two storeys high are usual, making use of attic spaces, and quite narrow in depth, usually with
lower outbuildings to the rear.
Some have later fronts, clad in pebbledash, render or weatherboarding and many have been
altered on the ground floor to accommodate inns or other commercial premises. Weatherboard,
often painted white, has become a distinctive feature of vernacular buildings in Essex and
Billericay has some pleasing examples, as along Norsey Road.
Timber framing seems to have prevailed until the eighteenth century when country houses
for gentlemen were built of fashionable red brick. These houses are taller with more
Cockle shell harling on Sun Street terrace
The Old Vicarage, No.50 Chapel Street
Fishscale slates on porch of No.75 Chapel Street
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
33
The Blue Boar, No.39 High Street
Waitrose, No.112 High Street
No.140 High Street
Sheradays Mews, off High Street
generous ceiling heights, but still mostly two storeys and roof spaces are sometimes lit by
dormer windows. The form is Classical and ordered with a pleasing proportion of window
to masonry. The brickwork is of fine quality; narrow jointed with bricks laid in Flemish bond
(rows of alternating headers and stretchers) and gauged brickwork above windows and doors.
Occasionally brickwork projects forwards to create rusticated quoins as at Crescent House.
Some brickwork was colour washed (or ruddled) to maintain a more even appearance. Several
of the older timber framed buildings were given red brick Georgian frontages during this period
in order to update their appearance, as at No.63 High Street.
Windows are set back from the façade, in four inch (100mm) reveals above window cills.
They are made of timber and are usually hung sash types on cords with small panes of glass
between narrow moulded glazing bars. The commonest pattern of window panes is six over six
(giving twelve panes per window) or eight over eight. Some of the earlier timber framed houses
received their ‘Georgian refit’ and now sport hung
sash windows, as at the Red Lion. Front doors
are also elegant, often with fanlights above the
door, which is set in a doorcase. To the front were
low walls with wrought iron railings and gates.
Some of these survive (or have been renewed),
though many are now lost.
Roofs are often of plain tile, but as the century
progressed, roof pitches became less steep
and were clad in slates (brought in, thanks to
improved transport, from Wales and elsewhere),
hidden behind brick parapets. Also as the
century progressed a more fashionable grey
or buff brick was used, often just for the main
front elevation; side walls and the rear being of
red brick. This can be seen at the Old Vicarage
in Chapel Street, wholly of pale brick, or at Hill
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
34
Typical Jettied Timber Frame
House, No.24 High Street, which has red bricks to
the side.
The Classical style continued into the early nineteenth
century, where even more modest terraces
conformed. The terraces on Sun Street have (or had)
hung sashes set in reveals and are roofed in slate.
Pebbledash has been used here to clad the masonry
and at the Chapel Street end a course material of
small stones and cockle shells has been used in a
harling mix. These terraces are usually relatively low,
of two storeys, but at Sun Street, the eastern end is
three storeys, creating an imposing entrance to the
town when approached along the Southend Road.
The Victorian period saw the development of banks,
Typical Jettied Timber Frame
meeting places and institutional buildings and a more
eclectic style evolved. Yet the buildings remained
in scale and proportion. Where brick was favoured, it was in a Flemish bond and generally
windows were set in reveals. Some large windows were installed, as at The Reading Room in
High Street, but they were of timber and the sash style was still preferred. Villas of red brick were
built and the style continued into the
early twentieth century as at the row
of semi-detached houses at the south
end of Chapel Street, built in an Arts
and Crafts style and some still sport
their porches roofed in fish scale
shaped slates.
The mid-twentieth century arrived on
the back of new town development
and town centre redevelopment
which was to scar many historic
Rear of 63 High Street (1947)
towns across the country. Billericay
did not fare well. Buildings of modest scale and size, some of historic interest, were demolished
and replaced with steel framed structures with modern cladding materials, including concrete.
Where brickwork has been used as a cladding, it is invariably in a stretcher bond (rows of bricks
all laid longways on), which gives no visual variety and is quite simply dull. These replacement
buildings were usually out of scale, out of proportion and out of sympathy with the place.
Collectively they remain the greatest scar on the face of Billericay and have severely diluted the
modest country town appearance.
The twenty-first century is faring better. The Waitrose development presents a kinder elevation
to High Street, acknowledging the tradition of gabled, plastered cross wings. It is still large and
inevitably bulky and its car park does nothing for the street scene in Chapel Street. Elsewhere
the shops at No.140 High Street with a date on the front of 2004 are in scale and fit in well,
whilst Shereday Mews reflects the mansard roofs of Shereday House’s stables and coach
houses, creating a pleasant courtyard. Mansard roofs are a traditional feature of Billericay, but
contemporary buildings are often too wide to accommodate mansards comfortably with the
result that they appear inappropriately bulky.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
35
Character Areas – Street by Street Analysis
y
Station
40
SL
2
BM 91.73m
CR
3
HIGH STRE
ET
11
2
1
21
13
19
29
33
HIGH
35
41
39
13
CLO
ISTER
7
95
51
97
99
6
1
1
53
17
16
55a
18
55
2
24
57
25
10
Post
1
11
15
17
12
63
5
MIDDLE CLOISTE
87
5
7
2
10
UE
44
EN
Uplands
PH
CHANDLERS
CHASE
AV
Hall
42
RY'S
5
40
War
Meml
Car Park
MA
15
R
CLOISTE
38
11
1
2
ST
11
2
WEST
41
Shelt
er
Shelt
er
81 83
1
49
13
36
7
R
HIGH
51a
14
Gan
1
2
32 to
3
15
51b
3
73 75
2
10
Shelt
er
LOW
4
19
47
6
ISTER
ER CLO
10
3 to
15
26
1
ay t
ric dis
lle ho
6
11a
Sheraday Centre
El Sub Sta
11
MEW
9
11
13
43
11
94.8m
Crescent
Court
28
TE
1
39
STRE
ET
47
43
25
1
Bank
1
12
CO
URT
24
ES
S
a
22
2
CO
XBR
ID
GE
S
RN
17
8
12
MEW
2
W
15a
4 to
8 10
41
37
PH
JAM
ES
CROWN ROAD
El
Sub Sta
El Sub Sta
37b
Surgery
ST
18
9
8a
19
Westgate
Court
Bdy
1
87.5m
13
15
5
1
7
46
17
89.6m
91.4m
88.4m
1
14
24
34
3
9 to
Alexander Mews
CR
Ward
AD
RN RO
WESTE
Public
Gardens
60
1
1
RN
WESTE
Posts
56
66
72
78
RO
AD
2
STE
22
WE
90.8m
36
91.4m
AD
RN RO
6
2
24c
24d
24a
24b
28
32
38
88.7m
4
14
42
20
19
17
11
4
2
6
12
Posts
48
EY
6
10
52
91.42
RS
13a
7
6
AD
RO
N
m
BM
RO
BM 89.27m
12
DRIVE
12
Wks
1
2
El
Sub Sta
Y
NO
5
ALE
MERD
SUM
NO
RSE
OW
20
19a
7a
TANFIELD DRIVE
10
PARK
AD
CR
PH
Not to Scale
53
17
19
Ward
Bdy
Club
12a
12
WEST
14
BILLERICAY
86.3m
12b
Issues
89.9m
(PH)
13
9 11
7
5
12c
AD
RO
11
29
16
Sinks
24
8
The Gatehouse
MP .5
Railway
Hotel
11
CRESCENT
CR
22
11
WEST PARK
Issues
12
4
Although very much the town centre, the Conservation Area provides marked contrasts between
one street and another. These are now described in a little more detail.
MAYFLOWER ROAD
1
99
6
5
2
10
1
10
K
OS
E
2
WAL
S CL
PILG
RIM
14
8
RS
VE
EA
W
31
20 to 22
2
30
58
64
8
12
8
12
10
64
52
14
42
60
32
143
4
3
151
1
76
84
147
6
2
1
5
Billericay
Rose Hall
United
Reformed
Church
Pond
3
)
Path
39
1a
(um
105
Police
Station
29
ROAD
Garage
T
SUN STREE
CR
19
STREET
SUN
148
150
96.0m
Ward Bdy
17
13
7
Mill Meadows Nature Reserve
Def
12
El
Sub Sta
De
f
1 to 47
Albion Court
The
Rising Sun
(PH)
FAIRVIEW
7
2
1
IEW
FAIRV
BM
96.54m
(um
1
4
)
Shelter
2
Path
3
11
y
rd Bd
CR
ND
ND
WY
THE
14
13
Lockers
31
8
Pond
Millers
37
W
Hall
9
Abbeyfield
Archer
House
Halls
SOU
AD
RO
Ambulance
Station
TCB
Car Park
Pond
HEND
SOUT
Fire Tower
Fire Station
Pond
Wa
WEIR
Hall
WEIR WYND
Emmanual C of E
ge
Lod
97.8m
3
Hall
21
nty
ol
1
2
The Holy Redeemer
Church
LAINDON ROAD
Play Area
School
17
96.0m
LAINDON ROAD
15
nty
ol
AD
RO
Water
Tower
)
Path
El Sub Sta
Church View
BM 97.84m
(um
South
Rectory
43
39
WEST
40
Lodge
E
RIDG
25
W
2
38
8
16
ar
CR
24
19
d
Bd
y
28
Friends Meeting House
SCHOOL ROAD
42
26
Gas Valve Compound
SCHOOL ROAD
LB
47
)
Shelter
1
7
35
th
(um
Pa
15
CR
23
33
13
19
y
d
ar
W
ge
e
Wind
y Ridg
Red Cotta
BM
96.79m
High Street
ve
n
Und
Hill
Mou
nt
Ha
Mill
63
Cable Mount
El Sub Sta
th
or
lw
Lu
10
65
Iona
Chapel Street
Billericay
School
2
28
2
N
Bd
1
2
7
8
9a
56
9
11
Clinic
12
15
10
13
11
14
29
3
Underpass
59
1
15
16
55
23
24
Y
2
ARCHERS CLOSE
17
Holly Mount
Roman Way
WA
Hall
30
AN
BM
97.11m
12
21
22
Mill Meadows Nature Res
43
KEY
ROM
25
17
19
CP
Mill House
1
66
4
2
DRIVE
QUILT
SO
11
1
Sun Street / Southend Road
15
73
12
UTH
SE
CLO
EN
D
RO
1
ILL
Gatwick H
AD
Be
ll H
ill
19
2
4
72
EN
GRE
79
9
Norsey Road / Crown Road
5
RM
BLI
31
H
FA
EIG
LL
75
BE
FOXL
LH
BEL
1
ERS
69
8
Billericay School
81
41
Western Road
18
El Sub Sta
8
85
El
Sub Sta
12
42
10
6
10
9
25
15
89
10
Laindon Road
91
FO
X
NTS
2
12
1
CR
93
Character Areas
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
36
2
A 176
97
Tennis Courts
2
2
7
E
CLOS
AD
ON RO
LAIND
H
IG
LE
RISE
NG
LO
Tennis Courts
LIN
KD
ALE
This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. (10018871) (2010).
2
20
50
52
24
CLOSE
3c
11
1
PH
117
115
CHAPEL STREET
1
50
119
54
12
8
2
38
10
5
4
CHAPEL STREET
12
113
2
9
Sta
CLOSE
Sh
elte
r
24 to 26
93
95
97
32
36
16
56
17
62
15
3
1
121 to 125
28
7
37
T
85
87
RE
H ST
91
HIG
2
4
13
6
5
4
3
10
14
16
36
23
2
1
127
34
20
11
Y
129
E WA
135
EMOR
137
40
32
1
LANG
33
31
139
15
14 to 19
38
40
2
89
ET
TR
EE
HS
10
3
10
3a
10
3b
HIG
28
22
24
46
48
42
11
19
9 to 13
52
9
23
97
Builder's
Yard
BM 97.84m
BURGHSTEAD CLOSE
26
7
11
7
8
13
AY
E
CLOS
1
2
15
17
33
EW
OR
IDE
89
91
Collects
Surgery
Claremont
Rose
Cottage
Stanley Terrace
2
6
13
3
EM
3
BM 73.64m
93
El Sub Sta
PH
140
1
32
24
26
21
33
1
LANG
39
25
31
7
1
2
H
UG
ORO
SB
IN
CHAPEL STREET
134
HPO
Magistrates' Court
Shelter
N CLO
MARTI
Church
Telephone Exchange
4
1
SE
16
85
87
130
Burghstead
Court
6
2
25
GA
20
Pond
Chapel
Heights
96.0m
TCBs
ER CL
PROW
El Sub Sta
The Gables
Hall
The Walk
Library
HILLS
Mayflower
House
128a
56
128
4
1
TENSING GARDENS
OSE
Essendene
Mayflower
1 to 4
71
65
89.3m
14
16
22
Bank
HIGH STREET
55
7
81
IRVINE WAY
LB
Pilgrim House
D
ROA
HILLSIDE
71
112 to 118
El
Sub
2
21
1
2
St Edith's
Court
Sinks
AD
55
1
Burial
Ground
El Sub Sta
57
31
25
19
13
Sta
El Sub Sta
43
41a
41
61 to 65
d
106
a
106
c
106b
93.1m
ST EDITH'S COURT
BM
91.68m
104
a
King George
Court
95.7m
55
100
Old Barn Ct
104
LANE
20 to 27
DE RO
El Sub Sta
Garage
98
96.0m
NE
106
El Sub Sta
ST EDITHS
71
67
HILLSI
53
The Loft
104
Hall
1
The Stable
ALMA LINK
PH
N LA
1
PH
Crown Yard
92a
96
62
1
1
ENUE
LIO
3
45
94
AV
TCB
Post
65
Issues
66.7m
BM 97.03m
CHESTNUT AVENUE
VALL
83
CHAPEL COURT
Garage
Ba
nk
61
37
39
Lion
Lodge
30
29
19
92
CH
ES
TN
UT
22
14
69
59
Shelter
96.5m
53
to
49
urt
12
37 to 47
11
CHAPEL STREET
58
6
8
ly Co
86
Hol
1
69.2m
El Sub Sta
76
8
75.3m
FF
SA
6
80
10
Surgery
51
BM 77.97m
N
Vicarage Court
Museum
78
12
Holly Cottage
WA
RO
1 to 16
74
96.6m
Pilgrims Walk
65
69
BM
22
22a
LB
El Sub
39
77
TRY
68
NE
Lichgate
House
66
PO
N LA
64
El Sub Sta
20
LIO
El
Sub Sta
2
52
CHAN
Y
62
Bank
Car Park
9
50
14
81.2m
1
to
4
Rectory
House
7
4
96.69
m
57
47
17
48
44
56
LA
NE
28
LONDON
26
86.9m
1 to 15
54
RO
SE
6
48
15
96.3m
96.5m
15
10
5
Garage
a
1
46
11
11 13
11
54
Bank
7
Willow
Cottage
5
St Mary
Magdalen
Church
11
90.6m
13
67
3
BM 94.44m
High Street
High Street is wide and busy, with local and through traffic, including lorries on their way to the
Thurrock Container Port. It has always been the main artery of the place, whether taking pilgrims
to and from the ancient ferry at Tilbury or motor traffic to Chelmsford. It is lined with shops on
both sides and the Conservation Area includes the small lanes and yards leading off it and
the backland beyond. The street contains small groups of buildings of sixteenth, seventeenth
and eighteenth century date (and some which have an earlier origin); many of them are listed
buildings, interspersed with later property.
The Railway Inn, No.1 High Street
View south to High Street from railway bridge
No.21 High Street
Nos. 45-47 High Street
Alexander Mews, off High Street
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
37
No.101 High Street
Holly Court, off High Street
The Walk, off High Street
Old Barn Court, off High Street
Police Station, No.153 High Street
Burghstead Lodge, No.143 High Street
From the north, the street is entered over the railway bridge, which with its pedestrian walkway,
is not pretty, and then between two imposing ‘gateway’ buildings, The Crown and The Railway
public houses. It then rises towards the crest of the hill, meeting the junction with Norsey Road
and Western Road. The view is across tarmac to the extended pavement and parade of shops
at Western Road, whilst to the left is a scruffy area of greenery just beyond The Crown. This
entrance is disappointing and not enhanced by the parlous state of Elizabeth Cottage (No.4 High
Street) and the tatty appearance of No.21 High Street, occupied by three restaurants.
From the crest of the hill, looking south, the view is much better; of the bustle of a busy shopping
street. Modern buildings detract on the left, but the mix of old timber framing and Georgian red
brick soon compensate and there are glimpses down courtyards on the left (east) and on the
right to Crescent House, through an archway.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
38
Then the arrival at the triangle in front of the Church at the junction with Chapel Street and views
alongside the Chequers to distant hills and also past timber framed buildings on the east side
of Chapel Street. The character here is of an attractive, historic place, pleasing to the eye. The
appearance of the pebble dashed shops at Nos. 45 and 47 is unfortunate. The render clearly
obscures an attractive historic building as the parapet, tiled roof behind and the single eight over
eight pane remaining sash window testify.
High Street gently descends to the south towards a curve in the road. Despite the presence
of a number of jarring twentieth century runs of shops, the overall appearance is of small scale
buildings, gabled cross wings and variety in roof heights, but all modest.
This changes dramatically at the curve in the road where the sheer scale of Nos. 127129 intrudes. It creates an unwelcome landmark and dwarfs the nearby historic buildings
(contrasting markedly with the new Waitrose store opposite). Here too shopfront design is less
attractive with some, e.g. Iceland, paying no respect to fenestration above. The lanes off are
also variable. Lion Lane runs past the attractive public house, but the entrance to the central
car park and the view down St. Edith’s Lane are not pleasing and the quality of the road surface
in Crown Yard is poor. Holly Court is beginning to require maintenance, but Old Barn Yard and
Cookshop Yard on the east side are pleasant and invite exploration. These yards and courts
provide an intimacy appropriate to the form and scale of the Conservation Area. Even The Walk,
with its shops between brick buttresses, leading to Waitrose car park has charm despite being
behind modern buildings.
The trees in front of Burstead Lodge provide greenery which is rare in the High Street. It is a pity
that the view of this building is now marred by car parking and the entrance gate, now without its
lantern, is uncared-for and permanently locked.
South of here the view is towards the roundabout at the end of Sun Street, the Police Station and
the green at Sun Corner. The Police Station is imposing because of its bulk, but views of parked
cars and the tall, four-storey building behind Audit House jar, particularly when viewed from the
south, looking up the High Street.
Chapel Street
View north along Chapel Street with Vicarage Court on the right
Middle section of Chapel Street with Waitrose access
No.3 Chapel Street
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
39
Chapel Street is narrow at its northern end and starts with an impressive row of listed buildings
opposite the Church. Travelling southwards, downhill the street widens and buildings are less close
together. The new apartment blocks on the east side loom and dwarf nearby buildings. Although an
attempt has been made to provide variety to the street, the sheer bulk is out of keeping.
The form of Chapel Street has been altered in recent years with the provision of a major car park
and rear servicing for retail premises. This has significantly increased traffic along the road and
the provision of traffic calming measures could be considered. This middle section of the street
disappoints and the garage opposite Waitrose car park particularly detracts. The sense of enclosure
has been lost. This occurs again on the eastern side, further south where front garden walls to semidetached houses have been removed to create off street car parking spaces.
On the west side, the setting of the Old Vicarage (No.50) has been compromised by the hard
landscaping around it in brick-weave paving. The Old Burial Ground provides a peaceful open
space, but access to it is restricted through the gate and can only be reached from the car park side.
The Telephone Exchange detracts from the
appearance of the Conservation Area. If
redeveloped the site could provide a courtyard
style development, complementing those in High
Street and Sun Street to the south, with pedestrian
access to High Street. South of this are terraces
leading to Rose Hall on the west side and
spacious housing with mature trees and the fine
United Reformed Church on the east.
Telephone Exchange, Chapel Street
Sun Street (including Southend Road)
North side of Sun Street, view from Southend
Road
The Rising Sun PH, Sun Street
Water Tower, Albion Court, off Sun Street
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
40
Entrance to Mill Meadow
Fairview
On the north side, Sun Street comprises terraces of varying height, the only gap in the frontage
being the former garage. On the south side is the Rising Sun, then modern apartments around
the Water Tower, which can still be seen through the archway at Albion Court. The east end is
formed by the green and trees at Fairview, a small close of semi-detached houses built in 1958
on the site of allotments, which help frame the open view to the tall three storey terrace which
turns gracefully into Chapel Street. The Conservation Area includes the trees and hedges
alongside Mill Meadow and complete this pleasant entrance into the town. The only detraction is
the excessive amount of tarmac and street furniture at the junction.
Laindon Road
Former Quilters School, Laindon Road
Quilters Drive, off Laindon Road
Emmanuel Church, Laindon Road
Laindon Road leads south out of town. Its eastern side is of semi-detached houses, with the Roman
Catholic Church of the Holy Redeemer and the Fire Station, all outside the Conservation Area which
is confined to the west side of the street only. So it includes the eastern edge of the open space at
Sun Corner with its fine views out of town to the west and rows of trees. It includes two properties
opposite the Rising Sun, one of which has the date 1703 in its gable. Then southwards there are few
buildings. The new Emmanuel Church provides a landmark and beyond is the metal fencing of the
gas compound, the Scout hut, clinic (a former school built in 1938) and the former Quilters School,
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
41
now converted to other uses. Behind this
is a modern housing estate, Quilters Drive.
Whilst there are individual buildings of interest,
there is little here in townscape terms; the
impression being suburban or edge of town.
Western Road
The Conservation Area encompasses the
south side of this road and commences with
two small terraces of pebbledashed two
storey houses, then a modern office building
View northeast along Western Road
of brown brick, whose presence is softened
by trees. The rear yard to the former Co-op
shop on High Street, now the Blue Boar, is intrusive. Pavement edge walls have broken down and
hedges have become unkempt. Beyond
is a modern surgery and a house on a
bank, between which is Crescent Court,
apartments built in the rear garden of
Crescent House in High Street.
From this point south-eastwards, the
former backland to High Street has now
been developed with houses in culs de
sac (Coxbridge Court, St. James Mews,
St James Mews, off Western Road
the south end of Western Mews and
Chandlers Chase). These relate more to the other streets of modern houses off Western Road
than to the character of the remainder of the Conservation Area.
Norsey Road and Crown Road
The short stretch of Norsey Road from High Street to the railway lies in the Conservation Area
and is heavily trafficked, an issue that is exacerbated by the lack of footpaths. The views
both up and down the road from the west and up from the east are important, with two storey,
weatherboarded terraces on the one side and a one-and-a-half storey short brick terrace with
large chimneys on the other.
Rear of The Crown PH, Crown Road
Norsey Road viaduct from railway bridge
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
42
Nos. 1-5 Norsey Road
Crown Road provides the northern
boundary with a wire mesh fence and
trees of the railway embankment on one
side and car parking for The Crown on the
other. This is less stark when trees are in
leaf. It crosses Norsey Road by the side
of the viaduct over the railway line, built
of Staffordshire blue engineering bricks,
and then to the south-east includes the
attractive and peaceful Festival Gardens,
which gives fine views out of town to
woods and hills beyond.
Nos.1-5 (odds) Norsey Road
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
43
KEY CHARACTERISTICS
View North along High Street
East side of High Street
Two main streets run almost parallel north-south and converge at their northern ends, where
beyond they meet a crossroads and at their southern end are linked by a main road. This is the
basic form of the Conservation Area.
It is characterised by a collection of buildings dating from the fifteenth to the nineteenth
centuries, modest in scale and rarely above two storeys in height, many of which have been
used as High Street shops. This small scale country town mix of timber frames, jettied cross
wings, plaster, weatherboard, brick, plain tiles and slate has been interspersed with tall and bulky
steel framed buildings of the twentieth century, different in style, but more importantly different in
scale and bulk.
The result is a fragile townscape which could easily be destroyed if further development with
buildings of this form is permitted. Rear servicing and car parking associated with modern retail,
is already eroding the character of Chapel Street, and gradually turning it into a service road.
Changes to shopfronts can also easily erode the quality of the street scene.
There are still parts of the Conservation Area where groups of buildings survive to give a very
pleasing appearance, as around the junction of Chapel and High Streets. The Conservation
Area has over forty listed buildings within its boundary.
Trees and open spaces form a backcloth or are on the edge, rather than providing focal points
within the Conservation Area and High Street is particularly devoid of trees (notable exceptions
being at Burghstead Lodge and outside the greengrocers shop, No.81 High Street).
There are no derelict buildings, though a few require improvement, maintenance or repair, and
there are areas of improvement opportunity for enhancement proposals.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
44
SUMMARY OF ISSUES
Issues and Opportunities
Car parking along the High Street
Modern shopfronts and ‘A-boards
The Conservation Area is busy. Sun Street and High Street are through routes and the latter
takes a mix of through and local traffic generated by its town centre role. Short stay on-street
parking is permitted in High Street and there are accesses to two car parks, where parking is
limited to four hours. Whilst the volume of traffic reduces pedestrian enjoyment to some extent,
it contributes to a liveliness and bustle. The town seems to be trading well and there are few
vacant shops. As in most towns, there is a lack of car parking, but there would appear to be little
opportunity to improve provision within the Conservation Area without visual detriment.
Car parking, though much needed, has exacerbated the visual decline of the middle section of
Chapel Street, now reduced to a service and access road. This is a shame for both ends of the
street are attractive, especially the northern end. The challenge here is to reinstate the sense of
enclosure and ‘recover’ the street. In the longer term there may be a chance to redevelop the
Telephone Exchange and garage sites, but the apartment blocks at the northern end of Chapel
Street should not be the exemplar. A courtyard approach with buildings of modest height and
bulk, sympathetic to the Billericay vernacular would be better.
The arrival at the town centre from the north, across the railway disappoints until the traffic
lights are passed. This area needs improvement and enhancement. It should be brighter and
could be improved, though redevelopment or the re-elevation of the shops beyond the western
boundary of the Conservation Area may be in the longer term. In the short term, landscaping
would help.
The appearance of the High Street is fragile. Incremental changes often of a minor nature can
adversely affect the quality. The loss of well proportioned shopfronts is an example, as stall
risers go, as the framing of shop windows with pilasters is lost and the ever increasing growth
in the width of fascia signs in plastic occurs. There are some good quality shopfronts, but
there are many which are not and there is an increasing number of (temporary) banner signs
and ‘A’ boards which detract and contribute to clutter. A shopfront design guide might help.
There is though a general lack of projecting box and illuminated signs, a policy which should be
encouraged as these detract from the appearance of buildings.
The proliferation of street signs and highway furniture also needs to be controlled. A cull is needed,
wonky signs need straightening and some road surfacing needs repair or renewal (eg Crown Yard).
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
45
There are no derelict buildings in the Conservation Area, but some are shabby. Included are
No.4 High Street (Elizabeth Cottage), No.21 High Street (at the junction with Western Road) and
Nos. 45/47 (Oxfam and Clarkes).
The mid twentieth century rows of shops have diluted the character of the town centre visually.
Wherever possible their appearance needs to be improved, perhaps by improving shopfronts or
by altering the elevations, though in some cases demolition and starting again may be the only
answer.
Other incremental changes have occurred over time throughout the Conservation Area including
the removal of chimney stacks, as at No.6 High Street, the replacement of timber windows with
uPVC casements, as at No.8 Norsey Road, and the installation of satellite dishes, as on the
terraces in Sun Street. Other interesting features have been covered over such as the decorative
timber work at Nos. 65-67 High Street, and paint or render used to cover original brick work,
such as at No.5 Norsey Road.
Areas of Improvement Opportunity
Former garage, Sun Street
Land to the rear of The Blue Boar PH
There are Areas of Improvement Opportunity within the Conservation Area, where the
appearance could be improved. These are:
1.
The junction of High Street, Norsey Road and Western Road, including the wide
pavement area on the west, land south of The Crown and the garden at the end of
Western Road. (The site might also include shops on the western boundary of the
Conservation Area).
2.
Land between Alexander Mews and Shereday Mews on the east side of High Street.
Possible development site with potential to include Nos. 8-10 (evens) High Street.
3.
Land to the rear of the Blue Boar on the south side of Western Road. Possible
development site with potential to include the Blue Boar.
4.
Crown Yard. Opportunity for visual improvement.
5.
Garage site east of Chapel Street. Possible development site.
6.
Telephone Exchange site, between High Street and Chapel Street. Possible
development site or opportunity for visual improvement.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
46
7.
Garage site north of Sun Street. Possible development site.
8.
The junction of Sun Street, Southend Road and Chapel Street. Opportunity for visual
improvement.
9.
Rear boundary of Nos. 58-60 (evens) High Street. Opportunity for visual improvement.
10.
Front boundary or Nos. 37-53 (odds) Chapel Street. Opportunity for visual
improvement.
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
47
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
48
84.4m
1
43
1
29
1
13
TENSING
12
S
20
MEAD
AY
GEW
15
11
9
T RID
11a
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Quilters County
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GREENFIELDS
RID
11
57
11
Infants School
WES
11
85.9m
9
85.5m
41
41
Quilters County
NT
16
HILLARY MOU
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27
El
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7
78
11
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41
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CHESTNUT AVENUE
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51
Holly Cottage
LONDON
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87.5m
72
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71
22
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N LA
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89.3m
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El Sub Sta
BM
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93.1m
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Car Park
Play Area
8
6
48
Lion
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Police
Station
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El Sub Sta
NE
N LA
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42
BLI
BLI
96.0m
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BM
96.54m
96.0m
96.0m
95.7m
PH
CO
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97.11m
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BLI
Hall
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Church View
Car Park
El Sub Sta
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El Sub Sta
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96.5m
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1
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Billericay
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El
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Heights
28
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BLI
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Garage
Shelter
10
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97.8m
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Billericay
United
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Roman Way
Tennis Courts
Billericay School
D
42
19
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South
Lockers
SCHOOL ROA
1
2
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90.6m
29
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CHA
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19
El Sub Sta
Friends Meeting House
Millers
13
BLI
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Alexander Mews
9 to
5
21
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W
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El Sub Sta
CR
BM 97.84m
59
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MP .5
19
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Public
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31
69
86.9m
48
12
89.9m
60
6
Cable Mount
41
Issues
Collects
44
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Holly Mount
20
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BM 89.27m
EY
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NO
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25
88.7m
BILLERICAY
2m
91.4
BM
BLI
El Sub Sta
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BM 94.44m
Builder's
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PH
86.3m
Sheraday Centre
SL
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Lichgate
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90.8m
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96.3m
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The Holy Redeemer
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Water
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17
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11
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SUN ST
Fire Station
2
96.6m
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BLI
2
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Garage
Car Park
32
28
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IN
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43
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16
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119
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148
150
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21
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32
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3
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130
15
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112 to 118
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9 9a
80
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13
106a
106c
106b
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Rose
Cottage
14
104d
Stanley Terrac
YND
WYND
WEIR WY
1
104a
Def
7
106
93
13
104
BM 97.84m
CHAPEL STREET
19
48
105
23
46
97
29
61 to 65
89
91
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100
85
87
1
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1 to 4
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CLO
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9
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9
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19
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NU
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20
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58
11
2
5
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81 83
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28
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5
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Bil eth rch
M hu
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53
to
49
32
11
50
2
4
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14
16
1
11 13
22
24
3
7
1
36
19
1
17
37 to 47
28
44
45
26
42
6
34
40
1
1
40
38
40
26
15
10
42
54
46
48
39
52
12
17
28
13
39
36
33
24
15
31
2
6
1
25
8 10
47
57
38
3
16
10
2
6
25
6
47
2
17
43
1
3
41
4
47
6
41
43
TANFIELD DRIVE
32 to
10
13
9
39
17
22
5
5
7
13
25
8
2
9
17
4
1
1
15
33
15a
12
15
13
15
8a
13
25
13a
19a
24
4
15
7
13
19
29
24a
13
17
12
6
10
13
1
11
9
12
7
RIVE
RK D
1
2
9a
2
11
26
12
7
T PA
WES
53
20
5
16
2
11
9
9
11
War
d Bd
y
4 to
11a
8
15
5
5
7
12
11
7
4
1
2
2
10
GR
2
CR
A 176
ss
Townscape Appraisal Map
81
85
79
LAIN
DO
KEY
Conservation Area Boundary
Listed Building
Building of Townscape Value
89
91
93
97
OA
NR
D
BLI
31
37
12
41
ARCHERS CLOSE
H
IG
LE
7
9
Building of Local Interest
69
73
65
Negative Building
17
Landmark Building
Building Facade Needing
Improvement
Positive Facade
31
Negative Facade
Important Green Space
7
Positive View
SE
CLO
Negative View
9
Negative Floorscape
Area of Improvement Opportunity
(number refers to list in text)
Important Tree / Hedge
Tree Preservation Order
99
Group Tree Preservation Order
79
Not to Scale
REFERENCES
Billericay Design Statement
Association
Billericay Design Statement
BDSA, July 2010
Billericay Town Council
Billericay Town Trail
Billericay TC 2002
Boulter B. C.
The Pilgrim Shrines of England London: Philip Allen 1928
Building Design Partnership
Billericay High Street Survey
London: BDP 1969
Ennis, Trevor
An early Saxon cemetery at
East Anglian Archaeology,
2008
Rayleigh, Essex: excavations
at the former Park School
Grant, Wynford P.
Billericay History Series nos
Billericay Society 2001
1 to 4
Green, Roger
Billericay: An Historical Tour in
Chichester: Phillimore 1997
Pictures
Harper, W. G.
Billericay through the Ages
Billericay: The Cater Museum
1999
Kelly’s Directory
Directory of Essex
1882
Kent, Sylvia
St Mary Magdalen Billericay:
Billericay 2007
The Church in the High Street
Northmore, K.J. et al
Bagshot ‘Beds of South Essex
Quart Journal of Engineering
Geology v.32 no.3 pp215-231
1999
Pevsner, N.revised by Enid
Radcliffe
The Buildings of England:
New Haven: Yale UP 2007
Post Office
Directory of Essex
1874
Richman, Harry
Billericay and its High Street
Billericay: CPRE 1963
Royal Commission on
Historical Monuments
(England)
An Inventory of the Historical
RCHM(E) 1923
Trueman, A. E.
Geology and Scenery in
Some Geotechnical Properties
of the Chalgate ‘Beds’ and
Essex
Monuments in Essex vol IV
England and Wales
Harmondsworth: Penguin
1961
Walker, George
The History of a Little Town
Chelmsford: JH Clarke 1947
Wyke, Ray
Billericay in 1900
Billericay Archaeological &
Historical Society 1999
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
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Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
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APPENDIX A
Listed Buildings
Chapel Street
No.1 (Goodspeeds) grade II
Listed with The Chequers No.42 High Street (see below).
Nos. 3 and 5 (St Aubyns) grade II
Originally a single 16th century-17th century timber-framed and
plastered house. No.5 (St Aubyns) was re-fronted in the 18th
century. No.3 has a jettied upper storey on exposed joists and
has exposed timber-framing.
Nos. 7 and 9 grade II
17th century-18th century timber-framed, weatherboarded. 2
storeys. 2 window range, casements with glazing bars. Boarded
doors. Roofs tiled.
Nos. 11 and 13 grade II
18th century timber-framed houses No.11 is faced with
roughcast and No.13 is pebble dashed. 2 storeys. 2 window
range, casements with glazing bars. Two 20th century doors.
Roofs tiled.
No.50 (The Old Vicarage) grade II
House, early 19th century of gault brick with Welsh slate roof. Of
two storeys with attics and symmetrical front with pedimented
door surround with coupled Doric pilasters. Of 3 bays of double
hung sash windows with small panes and rubbed brick flat
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
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arches. Contemporary 6 panel door with fanlight of Gothick
tracery. Two flat topped dormers behind parapet with small
panes. Gable end chimney stacks. Brick front garden wall
attached to south end corner of building with contemporary cast
and wrought iron gate between brick piers with stone caps.
Nos. 54 and 56 (Spa Cottage) grade II
Pair of cottages 17th and 18th century timber framed and pebble
dashed with gambrel (mansard) roof of clay machine-made plain
tiles. Of one storey with attics with three pantiled dormers. No.56
has central ridge line stack and there is a gable end stack to
No.54.
High Street (east side)
No.12 grade II
The gabled south cross wing of a former 16th century-17th
century timber-framed house. The upper storey has a shallow
jetty and exposed timber-framing. 2 storeys. 1 window range,
3-light casements with lattice leaded lights (20th century). The
ground storey has a 20th century shop front in period style.
No.22 (Sheredays) grade II
A 18th century red brick house with a parapet and raised brick
band. 2 storeys and attics. 3 window range, double-hung sashes
with glazing bars, in stuccoed reveals and with stuccoed flat
arches.
No.24 (Hill House) grade II
An early 19th century red brick house with a yellow brick front
with a parapet with a stucco modillion cornice and a moulded
string course. 2 storeys, attics and basement. A wide stucco
band runs between the storeys and at plinth level.
No.38 grade II
A late 16th century timber-framed house with later additions
and altered in the 18th century . Weatherboarded. 2 storeys. 2
window range, double-hung sashes with glazing bars, 3-light
windows on the first storey. The ground storey has two 20th
century bow windows in 18th century style with glazing bars,
and a 20th century shop front at the south end. Roof tiled, with a
moulded wood eaves cornice. The interior has a beam inscribed
with the date 1577.
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No.40 grade II
A 17th century timber-framed and plastered house with 18th
century features which adjoins No.38 and breaks forward slightly,
with its gable end to the street. 2 storeys and attics. The upper
storey originally was jettied on the front but was underbuilt in the
Cl9 and now has a 20th century shop front.
Nos. 42-44 (The Chequers) and No.1, Chapel Street (Goodspeeds)
grade II
Was originally a single 16th century timber-framed and plastered
house with cross wings at the north and south ends to which
an extension was added in the 17th century (No.42). The
fenestration is of the 18th century or early 19th century, mainly
double-hung sashes with glazing bars. The Chequers Inn has 2
splayed bays on the ground storey and No.1 Chapel Street has a
20th century shop front.
War Memorial grade II
A Portland stone cross of 1921 inscribed with 62 names of the
fallen in the First World War. In 1957 a second memorial was
added to commemorate the fallen in the Second World War
Church of St. Mary Magdalen grade II
A late 18th century red brick church with a good late 15th century
red brick west tower with set back buttresses to about half the
height of the tower, corner piers above, riding to polygonal
pinnacles and a stepped parapet carried on a trefoil arched
corbel table. The west window is of 2 lights with perpendicular
brick tracery. The west ends of the aisles are late 19th century,
(probably 1880), built in the same style as the tower. The church
has a segmental apse on the north and east sides and the
interior has balconies on 3 sides supported on slender cast iron
columns.
No.46 (Church House) grade II
A 18th century and later red brick house with a plain parapet on
the front. 2 storeys. 3 window range, double-hung sashes with
glazing bars, in stuccoed flat arches. A central 6-panel butt and
bead door has narrow fluted pilasters. Roof tiled, hipped at the
north end. A rainwater head bears the date 1804.
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No.72 grade II
The remaining gable of a 17th century timber-framed and
plastered house. 2 storeys. 1 window range, double-hung
sash with glazing bars. The ground storey has a 20th century
shopfront. Roof tiled.
Nos. 74A, 74 (Cater Museum) and 74B grade II
A 18th century red brick front. 2 storeys and attics. 3 window
range, double-hung sashes with glazing bars, in painted
reveals. The centre window on the first storey is blocked (with
painted glazing). The ground storey has 3 central doorways with
fanlights, an early 19th century bow shop window at the south
end and a 20th century bow shop window in 18th century-19th
century style at the north end. Roof tiled, mansard (20th century),
with 2 segmental headed dormers.
Telephone Kiosk next to No.96 (Brasserie Gerard) grade II
Telephone Kiosk. Type K6, Designed 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert
Scott. Made by various contractors. Cast Iron. Square kiosk with
domed roof. Unperforated crowns to top panels and margin
glazing to windows and doors.
No.98 (Regis House) grade II
A 18th century red brick house with a parapet and a moulded
brick cornice. 2 storeys and attics. A raised brick band runs
between the storeys. 5 window range, double-hung sashes with
margin glazing bars, in stuccoed reveals. A central 6-panel door
has a doorcase with narrow panelled pilasters, pulvinated frieze
and a dentilled pediment on brackets.
No.100 (Foxcroft) grade II
A late 18th century or early 19th century white brick front with a
parapet and a cement and brick cornice. 2 storeys and attics.
A raised brick band runs between the storeys. 5 window range,
double-hung sashes with glazing bars, in plastered reveals. A
central doorway with an ornamental fanlight and panelled reveals
has a heavy stuccoed portico with square pillars.
No.106 grade II
A 18th century timber-framed and plastered house with
weatherboarding at the sound end. 2 storeys and attics. 3
window range, double-hung sashes with glazing bars. The
ground storey has a central 20th century door and 2 20th century
shop fronts.
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No.108 grade II
A 17th century timber-framed and plastered house with cross
wings at the north and south ends and a carriage entrance at
the north end under the cross wing. The house was a good
deal altered in the 18th century and there are large 20th century
additions at the rear. 2 storeys. 4 window range, double-hung
sashes with glazing bars. The ground storey has a 20th century
doorcase with pilasters and cornice hood and a 20th century
segmental bow window in 18th century style with glazing bars.
The carriage entrance has exposed beams and joists.
No.138 (The White Hart) grade II
An early 19th century red brick building. 2 storeys and attics. 5
window range, double-hung sashes with glazing bars, in plain
reveals and with segmental arched heads. There are 2 blocked
windows on the 1st storey.
High Street (west side)
No.41 grade II
A small 18th century house with a red brick front. 2 storeys and
attics. A raised brick band runs between the storeys. 3 window
range, double-hung sashes with glazing bars, in flushed cased
frames. The ground storey windows have shaped soffits. A
6-panel door with moulded architrave has a pediment on
condole brackets. Roof tiled, with a moulded wood eaves
cornice end 2 flat headed dormers (20th century).
No.43 grade II
A 18th century red brick front with rusticated brick quoins,
a parapet and a moulded brick cornice, to a timber-framed
building. 2 storeys and attics. 3 window range, the outer windows
are 3-light, double-hung sashes with glazing bars, in plain
reveals. The centre window has a rusticated brick surround.
A central doorway has a shouldered architrave end dentilled
pediment. Roof tiled, mansard, with 2 flat headed dormers.
No.51 (Crescent House) grade II
A 18th century red brick house standing approximately 70 yards
back from the road in its garden. The front has rusticated brick
quoins and the centre part breaks forward slightly with rusticated
brick quoins and is surmounted by a modillion pediment.
2 storeys and attics. 3 window range, the centre window is
blocked, the outer windows are 3-light double-hung sashes with
glazing bars. A central 6 panel door has a Tuscan portico with
plain columns. Roof tiled, mansard, with 2 flat headed dormers.
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Nos. 57-61 (Chantry House) grade II
Originally a 16th century hall house but now considerably altered.
There are cross wings on the north and south ends and an
extension on the south end. The cross wings and extension are
2 storeys and the centre block is 1 storey and attics. Nos. 57 and
59 have 18th century and 19th century windows, double-hung
sashes with glazing bars. The ground storey has a modern shop
front and 1 splayed bay. No.61 has exposed timber-framing and
2 original 2-light windows in the gable, with diamond mullions. A
panel above the north window bears the date 1510. The windows
are 20th century casements with lattice leaded lights and the
ground storey has 2 modern bays. Roof tiled, No.61 has a rebuilt
chimney stack. The interior has exposed ceiling beams and joists.
No.63 grade II
A late 18th century or early 19th century red brick house with
a stuccoed parapet and cornice. 3 storey. 3 window range
double-hung sashes with glazing bars, in stuccoed reveals, with
stuccoed flat arches. The ground storey has a 20th century shop
front in 18th century style with bow window with glazing bars. 2
six-panel doors with small fanlights have panelled reveals.
Nos. 75-79 (Shelleys) grade II
A 18th century timber-framed and plastered house with later
alterations. Now faced with roughcast on the upper part and
weatherboarding on the base. 2 storeys. 1:2:l window range,
casements with glazing bars. The centre part, of 2 window range
is raised slightly and has a cart entrance. The wings have small
20th century shops.
No.91 (The Gables) grade II
This was formerly the offices of the North Thames Gas Board.
A board on the front of the building states “This house was
the original meeting place of the Billericay dissenters who
were licenced to worship here on April 2nd 1672 with liberty
of conscience”. Originally a 16th century-17th century timberframed and plastered house with cross wings at the north and
south ends. Much altered in the 18th century and later. The rear
the house is faced with weatherboarding. The windows are
double-hung sashes with glazing bars, those on the 1st storey
of the wings have louvred shutters. The ground storey has a
splayed bay with a dentilled cornice. The door is 20th century.
Nos. 93 and 95 grade II
A 18th century timber-framed and plastered building adjoining
the south end of No.91. Altered in the 19th century end later.
Renovated in the 20th century. 2 storeys. 5 window range,
double-hung sashes with glazing bars. The ground storey has a
cart entrance at the north end and 2 20th century shop fronts.
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No.113 (The Red Lion) grade II
Part of a 15th century building but very much altered in the
18th century and 19th century. Timber-framed and plastered. 2
storeys. 3 window range, double-hung sashes with glazing bars.
The ground storey has a splayed bay at the south end, paired
windows and bar entrances. Roof slate, hipped at the south end.
Nos. 131 and 133 (The Shambles) grade II
A detached 18th century timber-framed and plastered house,
little altered externally. 2 storeys and attics. 3 window range,
double-hung sashes with glazing bars. A central 4-panel door
with a rectangular fanlight has a doorcase with fluted pilasters,
frieze and a cornice hood on shaped brackets. There is some
weatherboarding at the sides. Roof tiled, mansard, with 3 hipped
dormers and end external chimney stacks.
No.137
grade II
A late 18th century or early 19th century red brick house. 2
storeys. 3 Window range, double-hung sashes with glazing
bars, in plain reveals. A 6 panel door has a segmental hood on
brackets. The ground storey has a 19th century bay and a 20th
century shop window in 18th century style with glazing bars.
No.139 (Three Horseshoes House) grade II
A 18th century red brick house. 2 storeys and attics. 3 window
range, double-hung sashes with glazing bars, in flush cased
frames. The doorway has a wood doorcase with narrow
architrave and a hood on brackets. Roof tiled (20th century),
mansard, with 3 segmantal headed dormers.
No.143 (Burghstead Lodge) grade II
A fine 18th century red brick house, now used as the Register
Office and Citizens’ Advice Bureau, with the Library contained
in the modern side/rear extension. The front has a parapet and
a stone cornice between the 1st and 2nd storeys and a plain
stone band between the ground and 1st storeys. 3 storeys and
basement. 5 window range, double-hung inches with glazing
bars, in plain reveals. The doorway is approached by a flight
of steps. A six-panel door with a semi-circular fanlight with fan
glazing has a wood doorcase with pilasters, triglyph frieze and a
modillion pediment. Roof tiled, hipped.
Norsey Road
Nos. 1 to 5 (odd) grade II
A range of 18th century red brick cottages. 1 storey and attics.
4 window range, casements. Boarded doors (20th century).
Roofs tiled, mansard, with a brick dentil eaves course, 4 gabled
dormers and 2 square chimney stacks.
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Nos. 6, 8 and 10 grade II*
Former house, now three cottages. c.1400 and timber framed
and weatherboarded with gables asbestos slate roof. The front
has 3 entrance doors and a 2 light casement, to each unit with
3 square panes to each light. Off centre small brick stacks and
stacks at each gable end. Small in-line open hall house of late
14th century substantially complete inside. Central hall thus
has cambered tie beam, with heavy arch braces, in situ with
4-way braced, octagonal crown post with moulded cap and
base. Service and parlour partitions are without tie beams, of
the ‘raised collar’ type with the rafters lowered to storey post
upstands. This is the earliest example of this technique yet seen
in Essex and its utilisation, within a ‘closed truss’ format is worthy
of more detailed study. The arched head of the former front door
remains in situ as does a major part of the parlour partition. 17th
century log burning fireplace inserted into hall with contemporary
first floor. The service end (No.l0) shows traces of a probable
smoke bay (kitchen fireplace) against the end wall, replaced in
17th century by a substantial brick stack.
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APPENDIX B
Properties removed from the Conservation Area (September 2011)
Archers Close
•
Nos. 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25,27,29,31,33,35
•
Nos. 2,4,6,8,10,12
Chandlers Chase
•
Nos. 1,2,3,4
Lion Lane
•
Nos. 1,3
•
Nos. 6,8,10
Quilters Drive
•
Nos. 1,3,5,7,9,11
•
No.2
•
Nos. 29,31,33,35,37,39,41,43,45,47
St Edith’s Lane
•
Nos. 1,2,3
St James Mews
•
Nos. 1,3,5,7,9,11,15
•
Nos. 6,8,10,12,14,16
Western Mews
•
Nos. 6,8,10,12,14
•
Nos. 7,9,11,15,17
Western Road
•
No.47 (corner of Coxbridge Court)
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
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Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
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CONTACTS
This document was produced by:
Beacon Planning Ltd
7 Quy Court
Colliers Lane
Stow-cum-Quy
Cambridge
CB25 9AU
T: 01223 810990
F: 01223 810991
E: [email protected]
W: www.beaconplanning.co.uk
For further information, please contact:
Planning Services
Basildon Borough Council
The Basildon Centre
St Martin’s Square
Basildon
Essex
SS14 1DL
T: 01268 533333
W: www.basildon.gov.uk
Billericay Conservation Area – Character Appraisal
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