Former 1930s Witham Magistrates Court, Newland Road, Witham (EHER 80267)

Demolished in 2015. The former Witham Magistrates Court was probably built in 1937 at the same time as the police station. It was a brick-built three storey structure in a Neo-Georgian style and with a flat roof. A single storey 'H' shaped extension with tiled pitched roofs was added sometime during the early 1960s and was remodelled sometime during the 1980s. Internally, the building and modern extension comprise several rooms and some original fixtures and fittings such as the curved wooden magistrates bench.

March 2015. Heritage assessment. The former magistrates court building was constructed sometime between 1924 and 1938, and was probably built in 1937 at the same time as the adjacent police station. The 1924 Ordnance Survey map shows the site as a relatively undeveloped area, but by the time of the publication of the 1938 Ordnance Survey map the police station and Magistrates Courts are represented. The building is sited to the SE of the police station and is in a secluded position, set back from Newland Street. The two buildings are linked by a cell block which sits directly behind the police station. The Magistrates Court is a brick-built rectangular building of three storeys, in a Neo-Georgian style and with a flat roof. The building would have been originally accessible to the public via a centrally-placed door in the SW elevation, whilst to the 'rear' of the building an identical entrance in the NE elevation would have been reserved for court officials. Both doorways are of typical mid-late 1930s design and constructed of hard limestone or granite, and the wooden 18-panel doors are probably original to the building. A modern access ramp leading to the door in the NE elevation indicates changes in the way the public accessed the building during its use. The NE and SW elevations are mirrored and have three Crittall windows in each level of the upper two floors, comprising a central 8-paned window flanked by two 16-pane outer windows. A single storey 'H' shaped extension with tiled pitched roofs was added sometime during the early 1960s. This was similarly constructed in red brick but built in a slightly ornate style reflecting changing architectural tastes, whilst still retaining a utilitarian and slightly austere outward appearance. The NE elevation of the extension provided a further public entranceway via a central, modern, double wooden doorway underneath a glass canopy on wooden piers. The canopy was probably added when the extension was remodelled sometime during the 1980s, which also added UPVC windows and lighter interior decorations to give the building a friendlier aspect. Internally, the building and modern extension comprise several rooms including reception, public waiting room, interview rooms, retiring room, lower and upper court rooms, storage rooms and toilets. Whilst the modern annexe contains little of architectural or historic merit, some original fixtures and fittings are retained in the older building. These include cast iron radiators, a brass door handle, parquet floor, public telephone and the curved wooden magistrates bench. <1> June? 2015. Demolition. The Magistrates Court was demolished in 2015, shortly after being recorded.