Early 19th century terraced houses, High Street, Brentwood (EHER 80513)

A terrace of three houses built circa 1809-1811. The terrace is constructed of red brick laid in Flemish bond, number 147 is rendered. Each house has a hipped roof, aligned north-south, with slate coverings to numbers 145 and 147, and concrete tiles to number 143. There are two central chimney stacks with some contemporary pots. Number 145 retains the arched entrance opening. Many of the windows have been replaced with UPVC. An original cast-iron balcony is retained on the first floor of number 147. An early 19th century staircase remains largely intact in number 145 as does the shutters to the front windows on the first and second floor levels. The first floor room of number 147 has a decorative cornice but there are no other contemporary fittings and fixtures. During the 20th century the terrace has been converted to shops and offices.

NRHE data transfer: A terrace of three houses, circa 1809-1811 with 20th century shop fronts and alterations. The terrace is constructed of red brick, laid in Flemish bond, with no. 147 rendered. Each house has a hipped roof, aligned north-south, with slate coverings to nos. 145 and 147 and concrete tiles to no. 143. There are two central chimney stacks with some contemporary square pots. At the façade, the ground floor of no. 143 has been removed and replaced by columns. No. 145 retains the arched entrance opening. There are pairs of windows at each floor of each house. At first floor level the lower sash has been replaced with UPVC, while the upper fenestration, with arched brick heads, comprises diamond and spider-web motifs with ovolo glazing bars. The second floor openings, with straight gauged brick heads, have UPVC fenestration. No. 145 retains cast-iron balconies to the first floor windows. To the rear, there are altered openings with UPVC fenestration. A linked 20th century extension has been added at right angles to the rear of no. 143. The interior of nos. 145 and 147 were inspected. The early 19th century staircase of no. 145 remains largely intact as do the shutters to the front windows at the first and second floor levels. The first floor room of no. 147 has a decorative cornice, but there are no other contemporary fittings and fixtures. At ground, first and second floor nos. 145 and 147 have been integrated to form shop and office accommodation. No. 143 was not inspected. Most buildings dating to between 1700 and 1840 are listed dependent on their architectural quality and intactness. In the Principles of Selection (English Heritage, March 2007) domestic houses dating 1700 - c.1840 should be listed if they survive in anything like their original form. However, 143-147 High Street dates to after 1808, a period when later Georgian terraces survive in considerable numbers nationally. Discretion is required, therefore, when assessing the more standard or more compromised examples. Whether representative of the grander residences or more modest terraces, the survival of the exterior and interior features and plan-form are major considerations. The key factor in this case is whether the extent of alteration has undermined the claim to special interest. Later Georgian terraces are not commonplace in Essex, some 75 houses of this date are designated in Grade II in the county, although nationally they are more numerous. In Brentwood, these include a terrace of 11 early 19th century houses at 4-24 Coptfield Road and a terrace of 4 houses at 1-7 Queens Road, both listed in Grade II. Although modest in scale and detailing, the high degree of intactness in both these examples makes a significant contribution to their special interest and they provide a useful benchmark when considering the aesthetic merits of 143-147 High Street. The roofscape of the terrace has considerable value, retaining both its structure and largely contemporary chimneys. Furthermore, the diamond motif and glazing bars of the upper sashes of the first floor windows, delicate balconet of no. 145 and rubbed brickwork hint at the quality of treatment once possessed by the terrace, but now sadly lost by attrition. The unsympathetic shop fronts at ground floor, particularly to no. 143 where the ground floor has been cut away, replacement of fenestration and alteration of openings to the rear debase the architecture of the terrace and diminish its special interest. From a national perspective, this terrace has been too altered to meet the criteria for listing buildings of this date and type but they do have local interest. Without doubt, they make a positive contribution to the Brentwood Conservation Area. <1>