1960S electronics factory, BAE Systems, Christopher Martin Road (EHER 15934)

A 1960s aviation radio factory, formerly known as Marconi Airadio Division. The factory is in use.

2001. Heritage assessment. The BAE Systems factory was formerly occupied by Marconi Airadio Division of the Marconi Avionics Group, which was acquired by BAE Systems in 1999. Its main activities are the design and manufacture of radio and navigation products for the military and civil aviation markets. The factory occupies a prestigious comer plot of a small 1960s industrial estate fronting on to Christopher Martin Road. At its junction with East Mayne, is a modem, probably built during the 1990s, double-storey grey coloured double-glazed office building. To its West, and separated from it by an internal factory road, is a 1960s two-storey office building, it is six and a half bays in length and is reinforced concrete frame construction, with brick comers, a flat root, and is glazed with Crittall windows. To its rear is a reinforced concrete framed, with brick infill panel, North-lit workshop. The main manufacturing areas are to the South, and rear, of the modem office building, running parallel to East Mayne. The main production shop is ten bays by twelve bays and is of reinforced concrete frame construction with brick panel infill. Light is let into the building by a central glazed strip running the length of the building, although this has been partly blocked by the insertion of fume and dust extraction units. To its rear is a slightly shorter production shop is eight bays in length, but of identical construction The production shops are entered through projecting double doors, to help to maintain the controlled environment within the buildings. The rear of the factory backs on to Paycocke Road and its boundary is lined with low box hedges and ornamental trees. The building in the SW comer of the site is probably the works' canteen. <1> NRHE data transfer: The BAE Systems Electronics Factory occupies a prestigious corner plot of a small industrial estate fronting on to Christopher Martin Road. It remains in good condition and is in operation. <2>