Mid 19th century terraced units, 22-24 Broomfield Road, Chelmsford (EHER 80828)

Nos 22 and 24 Broomfield Road are two units which, together with the Ship Inn, form a mid 19th century terrace on the East side of Broomfield Road. Each unit was built as a retail outlet with two storeys of accommodation above. Both buildings have been extended to the rear to provide extra workspace and WC facilities, and these structures were built at some time between 1919 and 1939. The buildings are not Listed but are considered of local interest.

July 2023. Heritage assessment. Nos 22 and 24 Broomfield Road are two units which, together with the Ship Inn, form a Victorian terrace on the East side of Broomfield Road. Each unit was built as a retail outlet with two storeys of accommodation above. The terrace was built sometime between the making of the 1839 Tithe Map for Writtle and the 1876 OS map, and may have been built to capitalise on the increased footfall to the area, facilitated by the construction of Chelmsford railway station in 1842. The buildings are of typically mid 19th century appearance being built of London Stock brickwork, with grey slate roofs and retaining the remnants of late 19th century shopfront carpentry. Internally, there are few historic features. Both shops retain the upper flights of stick baluster straight staircases but all the fireplaces have been removed. Each shop has a closet with a four panel Victorian style door but all the others are mid 20th century or later. There are a number of 1930s features such as four panel doors and Crittall windows. No. 22 has a large storage shed to the rear, as well as a flat roofed extension. No. 24 has a flat roofed extension divided in half to single storey and double storey units. The two storey extension passes over the boundary with No. 26. All the extensions have Crittall windows, reinforced concrete lintels and date to between 1919 and 1939 by map evidence. The extensions were for extra workspace and WC facilities. The terrace was extended later in the century with buildings that have rat-trap bond walls – an early form of cavity walls. No. 24 is currently occupied by 'Broomfield Opticians' and the building has been newly equipped with the necessary equipment. In 2005, No. 24 was Stratton and Stratton Orthodontists. No.22 was recently vacated by the musical instrument dealer 'James Dace and Son' after 50 years of occupation. The buildings are not Listed but are considered of local interest and are on the Council’s Register of Buildings of Local Value. <1>