Ford Place (EHER 35360)

A late 16th century country house, originally built in around 1590 on a 'half H' plan. It was altered and extended in 1655, and again in 1747 where a Georgian frontage was added to the West façade. An extensive fire in 1987 destroyed much of the building, and it became derelict. Nonetheless, a substantial amount of the building and surrounding walled gardens were unaffected and the property maintained its listed status. A portion of the Georgian frontage which was destroyed by the fire had been rebuilt using bricks from the rubble by the time of a building survey in 2008, and plans were proposed for reconstruction of the building in a similar manner.

1923. Field survey. The house has two storeys with attics; the walls are partly of brick and partly of plastered timber-framing; the roofs are tiled. It was rebuilt around 1655 on an irregular plan with cross-wings. <1> February 1960. Grade II listed. (Listing description amended, no date). A country house, derelict at time of survey following an extensive fire in 1987. The core of the house, originally on a 'half-H' plan, is from around 1590. It was altered and extended in around 1655 in the Artisan Mannerist Style, with a Georgian frontage added to the West façade in around 1747. Subsequently, the building is now on an L-shaped plan. On the West elevation, only the Southernmost three of the original nine bays were extant at the time of survey. On the East elevation are two first floor brick Tuscan pilasters which are thought to be the first examples in Essex. Internally, many 16th and 17th century features remain. <2> At Domesday there were four holders of lands in Stifford. Subsequently, there were 2 manors, Stifford Hall and Stifford Clays. Stifford Hall had a rapid turnover of owners and became fragmented. By 1689, the lords of the manor lived at Ford Place, which had superseded the original manorial site of Stifford Hall. Ford Place had previously been known as Hobbes of Ford, and in the 16th century had been part of South Ockendon. <3> 1994. Field survey. There are two walled gardens to the East of the house. A gardener's cottage pre-dates the walled garden, probably 16th-early 17th century.<4> An L-shaped building, comprising a West range and a North range. There are 19th century additions on the North side. The building was damaged by fire in 1987. <5> October 2008. Heritage assessment. In 2008 a detailed survey was undertaken to show that despite fire damage in 1987, there still remains a substantial amount of the building and surrounding walled gardens to maintain listed status. A design for apartments has been drawn up in detail to show how the building restored to its form before the fire, could be undertaken to keep the main rooms and staircase. A portion of the fire demolished the 18th century front, but it has been rebuilt using mostly existing bricks taken from the rubble. This shows such a repair and use would blend in well with the existing fabric. The report covers the extent of the damage in detail. <6> See also <7>, the building is mentioned in Morant. See also <8>. Information from NRHE Ford Place (NAT). <9> The house was built circa 1655 on an irregular plan with cross wings at the north and south ends and a second wing on the north. Part of the south side wing has since been destroyed and there are modern additions on the west and north sides. It has Dutch gables and is of two storeys and attics; the walls are partly brick and partly of plastered timber-framing. <3> Ford Place. Mid C17 house, with C18 parapet front. Grade II*. <10>