Woodfield Cottages (Bentalls Concrete Cottages) (EHER 38249)

19th century terraced workers' cottages in three parallel rows and built by Bentalls Ironworks. They are unusual and early examples of concrete-built workers housing, which originally had flat concrete roofs. The roofs were replaced by slate-covered gable roofs in 1918 due to problems with the 'Flat Top' design. Similarly, replacement windows and small porches have since been added to many of the cottages. The houses are listed at Grade II and the listing also includes the paired concrete outhouses (with washing coppers, though it is not possible to know the survival of these), contemporary basin and water pump at the front of Nos. 146 and 154, and a cast-iron lamp standard at Nos. 134 and 135.

September 1971. Grade II listed. 19th century terraced workers housing provided by Bentalls Ironworks (based in Heybridge Basin) for its workforce. Unusual and early examples of concrete construction, pre dating the 1876 first edition OS. Marked on the 2nd Ed as 'Flat Tops'. List description: 40 workers' cottages in 3 parallel terraces. 1873. In-situ concrete, rendered; slate gabled roofs with red-brick ridgeline stacks to party walls. EXTERIOR: single storey; some now have attics within roof space. Contemporary paired outhouses of similar construction face front of units on opposite side of narrow access roadways. As built each unit has 2 small-paned windows and entrance door on front. The rear elevation, as original, had 2 similar sash windows and a small plain sash in the centre. Many units now have 20th century replacement windows and small porches. The outhouses have slate roofs and a plain boarded door and small sash window with small panes, and these have survived unaltered in greater numbers. INTERIOR: not inspected. SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: contemporary basin with low iron pump in front of Nos 146 and 154 and cast-iron lamp standard opposite Nos 134 and 135. HISTORY: originally known as Bentall's concrete cottages, they were built in 1873 by EM Bentall for his workers. <1> See photos. <2> 2005. Field survey. Established by W. Bentall in 1815 on the Blackwater Navigation, the iron foundry at Heybridge profited from its coastal location, excellent canal and rail links to become one of the premier founders and suppliers of agricultural implements in Essex during the 19th and earlier 20th century. This success, underpinned by the invention of the broad shoe plough in 1846 and the development of the agricultural implements side of the business, ultimately led to the provision of purpose-built housing by Bentall to attract employees into an area lacking adequate housing stock. Built in 1873 and locally known as Bentalls concrete cottages, Woodfield Cottages are three parallel terraces of forty, grade II listed, cottages sited to the north east of Bentalls Heybridge Ironworks. All three terraces and the majority of their accompanying outbuildings still survive intact. They are single storey (although some have modern attic conversions) and are constructed using concrete with a render facing. The cottages originally had flat concrete roofs and were referred to as the ‘Flat Tops’, but due to problems with water penetration slate covered gabled roofs and ridgeline stacks were added in 1918. Each cottage was built with small-paned windows flanking a central entrance door, and as original, two similar sash windows to rear with a smaller central plain sash. Replacement windows and small gabled porches have been added to many of the cottages. Contemporary paired concrete outhouses face the units on the opposite side of narrow shared access roadways. These also have slate roofs, small horned sash windows and in many cases a brick stack originating from back to back washing coppers. Restrictions on access meant that survival of coppers, sinks and earth closets typical to these outhouses was not established. A contemporary basin and water pump initially providing a shared source of fresh water to the cottages is still situated to the front of Nos. 146 and 154 and a cast-iron lamp standard lies opposite Nos. 134 and 135. <3> NRHE data transfer: Group of 40 workers cottages built in 1873, of concrete, rendered, with slate gabled roofs. The buildings are single storey (some now have attics within the roof space) built in three parallel terraces with contemporary paired outhouses of similar construction on the opposite side of narrow access roads. Originally known as Bentall's concrete cottages, they were built by EM Bentall for his workers. There is a contemporary basin and low iron pump in front of 146 and 154 and a cast iron lamp standard opposite 134 and 135. <4> <5>