Landscape Character Assessment for with Easthorpe

The Parish of Copford with Easthorpe falls within the South Farmlands which is characterised by London Clay Landscapes, including the following:

Mix of small regular pasture and large arable fields

Woodland in the Valley

Enclosed in the northern section more open in the southern

A nucleated mainly linear village/hamlet settlement pattern with farmsteads along dispersed lanes

There are some signs of ‘out of character modern development’

The overall character is described as:

‘ A gently undulating landscape of hedge rowed pasture and arable fields, bisected to the north by the narrow valley of the Roman River’...’.wooded valley sides and small meadows and marshes in the valley bottom’....’Away from the edge of Colchester the area has a tranquil character’

From the Colchester Landscape Character Assessment:

The key characteristics of this area are:

Linear settlement corridor from the western edge of Colchester

Northern boundary delineated by the main A12 and railway corridor

Visually dominant major road junctions/roundabouts

Landscape disturbance by visual movement and noise of cars and fast trains

Copford with Easthorpe contains a core of historic buildings and the historic form of the settlement is still readable.

The underlying geology of the area consists of the clays, silty clays, silts and sandy clays of the London Clay Formation, overlain by deposits of Cover Sand. The Roman River valley has superficial interglacial deposits of clay and silt formed in lakes or shallow seas in the Quaternary Period.

The topography consists of a broad low plateau 30-40 m above sea level with the Roman river Valley and Domsey Brook being the main water course both of which have flood plains and flood risk areas by them.

The overall landscape is of small pastures, some wooded areas and larger arable fields with some linear development, such as London Road, School Road, more modern developments such as the Queensberry and Orchard Close developments together with a conservation area at , scattered dwellings along Easthorpe Road and the smaller hamlet of Easthorpe.

A more detailed analysis of the settlement areas and key landscape features has been compiled.

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Meadowlands development-the Queensberry Estate:

Meadowlands or as it is more commonly known the Queensberry Avenue estate consists of the following roads: Queensberry Avenue, Hedgelands, Foundry Lane, Coppingford End, Westbury Close and Grantley Close.

It is a relatively modern residential development with the majority of the houses being completed in 1997. The plots are generous with most homes having double garages and off road parking in driveways. All homes have front and rear gardens. All of the main adopted roads have pedestrian pathways. There are some grass verges in Queensberry Avenue only. The single entrance road off London Road leads into Queensberry Avenue and all other roads lead off this. Five side roads off Queensberry Avenue are un- adopted roads. Except for the un-adopted roads, all others have adequate street lights.

There are no registered commercial properties in the estate area,(?) although a number of residents work from home.

The housing style, with two exceptions, is a range of modern 2,3,4 and 5 bed-roomed brick built, double storey, timber framed buildings most of which are detached with a few linked homes, there are relatively small number of bungalows on the development. The average purchase values of homes in the development are above local average prices. The two exceptions are an older style brick built property at the end of Foundry Lane dating back to (?) and a wooden bungalow in development land at the end of Foundry Lane.

The development is built in an area that was originally a small scale greenhouse and agricultural area with a number of small scale businesses including a foundry, scrap metal merchant, tyre and car repairers. At some stage the part of the area was use as a rubbish dump and was much lower than the existing land height. When this particular part of the area was developed, inspection pipes for methane, ammonia and other gases were installed in several gardens and regularly inspected, there is no evidence of any dangerous gases or land subsidence.

Just beyond the entrance to Queensberry Avenue is a children’s’ play area and recreation field owned by Copford with Easthorpe Parish Council. This has been registered as an area of public open space. There is a small wooded area at the bottom of the recreation field and derelict, partly filled pond, which them leads onto privately owned woodland adjoining the A12, there is also a wooded track alongside the fields.

At the far end of Westbury Close there is a shared path which allows pedestrians and cyclists access to London Road.

From the end of Foundry Lane, there is access to the wooden bungalow mentioned earlier and a significant amount of land, mainly wooded (size?) This goes from the Queensberry recreation area behind homes in Foundry Lane, Coppingford End and part of Queensberry. At the eastern end of Queensberry Avenue which is a dead end, there is a small ‘ransom strip’ which was originally by the developers but now seems to be owned by a sheltered housing company.

After this strip is a public footpath (FP1) which in one direction has been laid to tarmac and leads down to London Road, in the other direction it leads into Track 1 which is a narrow track wooded on

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both sides-one side is part of the wooded area from the Foundry Lane wood, the other side adjoins land currently used for sheep grazing. Track 1 leads in turn to Roman River which is crossed by a small footbridge, leading alongside the A12 towards the back of Copford Place which is currently a problem site awaiting re-development-the internal staircase and stable block of Copford Place are Grade 2 listed.

The wooded areas at the end of the recreation field, alongside the A12, Footpath 1 and Track 1 contain a number of mature trees and shrubs, some over 70 years old. The tree species include oak, beech, and some conifers. There are currently no trees with TPOs. The area has a range of different animals living there with a deer, rabbits, foxes, a badgers set (??) and numerous smaller mammals, it is also home to a variety of birds including green woodpeckers, crows, magpies and many other species.

London Road and Hall Road

London Road is one of three distinct areas in the Parish of Copford with Easthorpe which seen together, describe a varied landscape, characterised by distinct origins. London Road follows the line of Roman Stane Street, crossing the Roman River over Stanway Bridge, a listed building which occupies the likely site of Coppa’s Ford, which may have given the village its name. The ancient route is bordered by residential and light commercial development, built sporadically over a long period, including 17th century houses; Brook Cottage, Brewers Cottage and Copford Place, with dwellings, business premises and community buildings added through the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, including Hope Villa, the Old Dairy, houses built on the site of the old windmill and a handsome Georgian lodge, named on the 1876 map as Copford Lodge. This eclectic street scene along an ancient route makes a distinct and vital part of the parish. Hall Road adjoins the London Road, running south, partly as metalled road as well as ancient cart and footway, carved into the hillside toward Copford Hall, Copford Church and then joining Aldecar Road. Archaeological study and summaries show the road to have been at least Roman and probably Iron- Age in origin. Archaeological accounts conclude that the wide scattering of Roman brick and tiles, as well as the use of recycled roman brick in the building of Copford church, provide evidence of at least one settlement and the likelihood of a substantial Roman Villa along the line of the Road. Hall Road separates areas of farmland descending to the Roman River to the East and upward to the West, over gently rolling fieldscape to school Road. The road passes through Pits Wood, another rich and important feature of the parish with ancient roots. Hall Road includes well situated cottages and a notable landmark house; Keepers Cottage, which is not listed, but is a significant element of the historic setting of this part of the village.

While the varied built environment along London Road is its visible face, it is the land to the rear on both the North and South sides of London Road which form the fabric of a rich rural and ancient landscape which typifies the quiet beauty and distinct character of Copford. The individually built houses lining the South of London Road have long gardens to the rear which border a large arable field between Hall Road, Pitts Wood and School Road, forming a central ‘Green Lung’ in the village. Views across the rolling fields of the Roman river valley toward Bell House farm are an important example of the rolling topography and rural beauty of the parish and its unchanged setting over millennia. Land to the north of London Road includes grazing and woodland forming an important rural boundary with the A12 trunk road. These areas have equal significance as rich habitat for

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plants, animals and birds, including species which are under pressure elsewhere. The presence of a small trading estate in London Road including light industrial units and a BT exchange built over the 20th century makes this area of Copford distinct and presents flexible potential for the parish.

London Road has been a key route, represented in successive maps including Chapman and Andre (1777). The road can maintain its significance in a re-imagined parish in which connectivity and transport need to be environmentally responsible and responsive to local needs. The road is wider than expected at various points, enabling this to be a green transit corridor, capable of supporting pedestrian and cycle routes, while enabling future sustainable public transport and the exclusion of none-essential heavy commercial traffic. Such re-development underlines the on-going story and significance of this ancient route as part of the parish with the potential to embrace the evolution of human need, while respecting equally, the natural world through which it passes.

School Road Copford

Leading from London Road, School Road is the main artery through the village down the hill past the footpath leading to Pits Wood and the Village Hall and car park, onward past Copford School, and over Copford Green taking the left hand fork continuing on to Easthorpe.

The road is of a reasonable two-lane width, encompassing grass verges outside front garden boundaries giving an open countryside feel, and hedges and ditches where the road passes arable fields on the left hand side, with varying hedging also on the right hand side. Properties,-apart from Allendale Drive- back onto fields with open views to Pits Wood, towards the Church, Roman River and the Plains woodland. On the opposite side of the road (RHS) there is an open field that runs from London Road up to Copford School, passing behind a small reservoir, a bee keeping and cattery. This field was previously orchards, continuing on to soft fruit where the whole village would pick strawberries in summer.

School Road is characterised by a variety of housing of all ages, the result of infilling over years. Housing now tends to be larger, older properties extended and bungalows turned in to chalet buildings. Because of the grass verges and patches of fields, it has an open feel. There are around 15 bungalows, most chalet bungalows extended and modernised as new owners arrive. All housing has a front garden large enough to provide a car parking space/s and are normally provided with shrubs, hedging and/or trees. The back gardens are also of a reasonable size, as is normal in a rural village.

Mascots House, probably the oldest dwelling, was built in 1350, with later additions. Mascots Farm was partly arable, but grew soft fruit in the 1980’s and also provided orchards.

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In 1963, 53 modern houses were built in Allendale Drive and Ashwin Avenue. These have recently been added to by a group of 2 houses and 4 semi-detached bungalows. Our only shop is on the corner of Allendale Drive and is currently a fashion outlet.

After the group of bungalows at the bottom of the hill on both the left and right hand sides, there are open field views before the public footpath to Pits Wood. After the Village Hall and car park, there is another open field with far reaching views past Pits Wood and beyond. Then another grouping of 4 pairs of semi-detached houses before a large open arable field that gives views across two fields (now amalgamated) towards Pits Woods, the Roman River and the Plains woods near Copford Hall and Copford Church.

School Road is well used by children and parents walking and scooting to school, by dog owners, walkers, runners and cyclists. Pits Wood- which was bought by the Parish Council in I983- is well maintained by an excellent team of volunteers. It is an extremely valued and well-used wood. A study was made of the flora and fauna in the 1980’s.Bird boxes are cleaned each summer. A walk through Pits Wood will bring you to the Roman River and a small willow farm, then on up to the Copford Hall and Copford Church.

There are 3 small greens planted with trees. One at the bottom of the hill on the right hand side, one opposite the Village Hall on which our Coat of Arms is displayed and another elongated small green in front of a group of terraced houses and the Ivy house before the cattery. At the entrance to Allendale Drive, there are 2 small greens either side of the road.

The Village Hall was originally built in the 1920’s on land given in perpetuity by ABC Harrison. It was rebuilt in 1991, and is run by a long standing and dedicated group of volunteers.

The road, although quite busy at school times and at rush hours, can be quiet during the day, although increasingly used as a cut through to the A12 via Easthorpe and to Maldon via Tiptree by heavy traffic.

Copford Junior School is situated opposite a large field with wide views across to the Plains woods. Behind the School there are fields leading to Wrigleys Pond and towards Easthorpe. The school has an Ofsted rating of good and is a forest school. Children benefit from studying nature in Pits Woods. There are six classes and one for early years, two buildings are of temporary construction. There is a playground and playing field. The School runs social events such as the Strawberry Tea to raise funds during the academic year.

There are few businesses in School Road, although people do work and run businesses from their homes. An example is a computer programmer, a dressmaker who makes proms dresses for schools and does upholstery, bee keepers and the cattery and others.

School Road is a lovely place to live. It backs onto open farmland which our landowners are happy to share where desirable. The footpath to Pits Wood and the footpath behind the

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School to Wrigleys Pond are well used and profoundly appreciated in terms of mental health and well-being. Copford has been considered a rural village since the 1400’s and although rather more limited since then, continues to protect the countryside.

Copford Green

Copford Green like most Village Greens within the parish was created by clearing woodland, houses then clustered around these cleared areas. The majority of Copford Green is within a registered Conservation area. There are a number of PROW that cross the farmland/woodlands that surround Copford Green.

Copford Green includes the following roads:

Copford Green, Church Road, St Michael’s Chase, Orchard Close, Aldercar Road & Rectory Road.

Copford Green has a long history of settlement probably dating back to the Roman occupation; the manor of Copford Hall was recorded in the Doomsday Book. The most substantial house in the parish, Copford Hall, is listed &was probably built in the early 17th century; it has a Tudor core, was restyled c1760& has been remodelled many times over the last 250 years. Copford is famed for its Church which is Grade 1 listed, situated next to the Hall, it was built about 1125, decorated with striking wall paintings in about 1150, painted over c1550 and not rediscovered until restoration work of 1873. There are 12 other structures of historic interest in Copford Green, including the Cart Lodge near Copford Green Farmhouse, the Boathouse & Stables at Copford Hall & Copford Green Post Office.

A number of the cottages in Rectory Road were built from 1740 onwards. Searle’s Cottages on Copford Green are located on the site of the Copford Workhouse which was sold in 1838.The former Rectory in Rectory Road became a private School in 1958 until 1985 when it became the Springfield’s Nursing Home. The Pinks (listed) on Copford Green; formerly known as Greys is recorded in 1467. The Vineyards (listed) in Church Road is on the site of Pakes, dates from the 16th century. One time divided into tenements and in the 1881 census had more than 30 residents. The cast iron signpost on the Village Green was manufactured in the 1920/30’s.

Orchard Close was developed in the 1960's, followed by St Michaels Chase in 1998. Additional infill plots and rebuilding or replacement of individual properties gives an overall eclectic mix of houses.

Copford School was built in 1851. By 1986 the numbers dropped to 65, rising to 128 in 1999, and in 2018 was 214. The Alma Public House (listed) was built as a brewery in 1857, most recently extended in the 1980's.The Copford Cricket Ground beside the Church and Hall and with an oak tree within the boundary gives the impression of an ancient ground, yet the Club only transferred from Copford College in 1973.

There are a small number of businesses operating from Copford Green, The Alma, Blue Star Aerial Services Ltd & Kids Physio Works Ltd being the largest.

The Plains were an enclosed area of pasture, known by this name from the mid 18th century. Copford is famed for its oaks and in the past planting of oak trees was popular in order to safeguard a future supply for the Royal Navy.

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A substantial proportion of the dwellings in Copford Green back onto or overlook farmland.

Farming around Copford Green is now mainly arable. Copford Plains

The “plains” is the arable area west of Copford Green; the highest point marked as only 40m above sea level, so it may have been flooded after the end of the last ice age. It is signposted from Copford Green and provides a sweeping vista of open farmland interspersed with a number of the ‘Copford Oaks’ and provides a very distinctive rural setting especially when viewed against open skies. Copford Plains was originally a wooded area in the 1700 records.

Copford Oaks

There are a large number of mature oak trees scattered through Copford with Easthorpe, including one outside Copford Church which is at least 300 years old. Oak trees were planted in and around the Parish during the 17century originally to provide timber for building ships for the Royal Navy, the Oak is a symbol for the local Copford Primary School. The oak trees are good links with the historic past of the area and provide excellent habitats for a range of wildlife.

Copford Hall Wood

Copford Hall wood was managed as part of three wooded areas-Plains wood, Potash Wood and Churchfield Wood in the 18th Century. Much of the area around Copford Hall was heavily wooded before his time.

Copford Hall Wood was originally 6 acres of oak and alder in the 17th Century, and is now a managed woodland of mixed deciduous and coniferous trees with some vestiges of the original woodland

Aldercar, Fountains & Boarded Barns

To the south east of the Parish neighbouring Birch and Heckford Bridge lie the roads of Aldercar Road, Fountains Lane and Boarded Barn Road. These are narrow rural roads which dissect gently rolling farmland which is interspersed with wooded copses and crisscrossed by public footpaths.

Aldercar Road links Church Road with Fountains Lane winding away from the Church, Copford Hall and cricket ground towards the Parish of Birch. Aldercar Road and Fountains Lane are single carriageways with passing places. They twist up and down through high sided banks with sloping farmland and woodland either side. Boarded Barns Road heads west towards Easthorpe through more level open farmland and is wider than the other two and much straighter with ditches to each side.

Housing is sparse with individual farmhouses or cottages and a cluster of more modern properties around a junction at the western end of Boarded Barn Road as Copford links into Easthorpe. There are three houses of particular note as regards their architecture namely, Hill Farm, Basketts and Boarded Barn Farmhouse.

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The views are far reaching of rolling farmland dotted with oak trees and wooded copses.

Aldercar woodland has diverse ground flora and large Alder coppice stools, linking it to much older woodland-probably 17th Century attached to Copford Hall-this suggests it is ancient. Stands of Alder wood are scarce in making this streamside wood of considerable interest. There is also a large population of Opposite-leaved Golden –saxifrage, an Essex red Data list species.

Copford Hall

The manor of Copford Hall dates at least from the 10th century, when it was devised by Aeltheric (dc AD 995) to Aelfstan, Bishop of London and his successors. It remained in the possession of the Bishops of London until 1159 when it passed to, and was subsequently sold by the Crown.

The overall aspect of the Hall, its stables and other outbuildings, and the adjacent Church was described by Pevsner as ‘ almost the beau ideal of what is to a foreigner is an English landscape scene’-an observation which was not only true then, but is enhanced today by the addition in the scene of the charming village cricket ground.

The Hall is a stately Grade 11 country house, comprising a square red-brick building with stone dressing and ornamentation. Its current facade is Georgian, the result of alterations in the early 1800’s. But the majority of the structure dates from 1720, and parts of the interior to the early 1600’s; an early 17th century mural painting has been found on an internal timber- framed wall.

Some of the buildings, including the former farmhouse, close to the north side of the house may date from the 16th century or even earlier. The gardens were landscaped by Capability Brown.

Copford Church

The jewel of Copford is undoubtedly the historic Church of St Michael and All Angels, which is found next to Copford Hall to the south-east of the Parish. Built in about 1125,partially using Roman brick and stone still very evident today, the church was described by Pevsner (‘The Buildings of ’) As ‘The most remarkable Norman parish church in the country’.

In 995 AD, the Bishops of London were granted Copford Manor. It seems likely that the Norman Bishops visited Copford Hall regularly, and built a Church beside it to serve as a chapel (there is evidence on site of an Anglo- Saxon structure which pre-dated the existing building). The Bishops of London held the estate until 1559 when the Catholic Bishop Bonner refused to take the Oath of Allegiance to Elizabeth 1 and the estate reverted to The Crown and became (like Westminster Abbey) a ‘Royal Peculiar’.

The Church was built with tunnel- vault roof which is exceedingly rare in England. Unfortunately, this had been removed by 1390 (although the original Norman buttresses still remain), and replaced by an attractive king-post timber roof, but happily the chancel arch survives, and the rare semi circular eastern apse remains almost exactly as it was built, with a semi domed vaulted ceiling. Additions

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were made between 1190 and the fourteenth century, evidenced by some interesting and rare early medieval brickwork, creating the southern aisle which you enter through the main door.

But the Church’s principal glory is its Romanesque medieval wall – paintings, which date from the time the Church was built. Simon Jenkins (‘England’s Thousand Best Churches’) states that ‘Copfords Norman wall –paintings are among the best in England’. In 1547, at the time of the reformation, the church walls were lime –washed to hide the paintings, thereby ensuring their survival until ultimately re- discovered in the nineteenth century.

The surviving paintings cover 34 distinct Biblical stories. The painting of ‘The Raising of Jairus’s Daughter ‘ is of national significance, whereas the painting of The Zodiac on the soffit of the Chancel arch is very rare, possibly unique in England. The painting on the eastern semi- circular apse depicts Christ in Majesty, seated on a Byzantine style throne and gazing down from heaven. The surviving paintings exemplify the compelling vibrancy of colour with which the whole interior of the Church must have once glowed. After some inexpert ‘repair’ in the nineteenth century, the paintings were painstakingly conserved in the early 1990’s with subsequent periodic maintenance.

Otherwise, this remarkable Church houses a twelfth century font basin; a fine fourteenth century oak chest, complete with locks and ten inch keys ; a late fourteenth century bell turret, containing three original bells dating from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and much else besides.

Copford Green to Easthorpe

The walk from Copford Green to Easthorpe starts in rectory Road and transforms into Easthorpe Road about 2/3rds along the way. Mainly flat with rising fields which grow mainly cereal crops, either side of the road. An eclectic mix of house ranging from large, individually designed and built Victorian farm houses, punctuated by 1093s style council houses and farm workers terraced cottages, nearly all extended in some way. Most are built of brick with slate or tiled roves and are two storey in the main, with a few, more modern, scattered bungalows. There are some new wooden barn-style homes at what was originally shown as Mulberry Green on older maps but which is now enclosed as a part of a garden.

The buildings have all sympathetically evolved together and survive in a harmonious and natural layout separated by significant tracts of working farmland projecting a great feeling of space. Due to the age of most properties, individual plot sizes are much larger than the average modern footprint

(Photos here)

The overwhelming feeling of space being the predominant aspect of the housing spread along the road, which is mainly single track with passing places, there are no street lights except near some terraced homes, there is limited pedestrian pathways for the majority of the road. There is a white hand water pump which was used for fresh water; the area has fibre broadband-to the cabinets. The road is criss-crossed by both PROW footpaths and bridle paths connecting the area to Birch, Copford Green and Copford, they are all very well used and popular with cyclists and pedestrians. Sadly the speed of cars, vans and even some HGVs leads to an increased risk to local users of this

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wonderful country lane. The road surface is currently in good condition and is well signposted. The commercial activity is mainly agricultural; there is a small CL listed caravan site.

From the grand buildings of Springfield Nursing home-originally a fee paying independent school in living memory-to the humblest workers cottage, the route from Copford Green to Easthorpe is typical of the rural infrastructure supporting the communities of Copford with Easthorpe

Easthorpe

Easthorpe is a very rural village area of some 872 acres; it was originally a separate parish but was amalgamated with Copford in 1949.

The area has recorded history going back to Romano-British times with Roman bricks found in buildings and Easthorpe Church. Easthorpe road is shown on maps as a Roman Road

The place name from 8th Century Danish means ‘the eastern farm or hamlet’ it is between 30 and 40m above sea level in most of the area on alluvial soil and fertile boulder clay. The area was originally heavily wooded and despite clearance over the centuries a significant amount of woodland and planted forestry is a feature of much of this area. Within Easthorpe, Domsey Brook Pasture represents a meadow in the floodplain of Domsey Brook of approximately 1.6 ha and contains significant numbers of Common Meadow-rue and Common sedge-these are on the Essex Red Data List plants.

The rural nature of the area has meant it has been –and remains-quite sparsely populated, the 2012 census recorded 185 residents.

Easthorpe Road is the main settlement hub from medieval times centred on Easthorpe Church and associated farms and cottages

In the area are number of heritage and non heritage buildings, which are landmark features. Historic England Grade 2 listed early 15th century timber farmed and plastered St Marys Grange, the much altered two bayed hall 15th century Well Cottage and 12th century Easthorpe Church are on this road. There are a number of other significant buildings, including: the 15th century Easthorpe Hall –the manor of Easthorpe is recorded in the Doomsday Book-, the 15th century Easthorpe Green House and Flipses, both close to the A12. Badcocks is reputed to have been an ancient moated manor house. These houses are of significant local importance and have provided evidence of the earlier building such as elaborate painted and plastered chimney stacks from Badcocks now in Colchester museum.

The remainder of the housing is a mix of 19th century cottages and terraced housing with some cottage style council houses being built in the 1920s and a pair of homes in 1950.Most of these are located in Easthorpe Road. A small modern estate was built from 1966 in what is now Churchwell Avenue; in addition there have been a few infill plots.

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The majority of the buildings in the Easthorpe area are well maintained, two storey brick built construction set in small groups-as outlined above-they are set in often long narrow plots of land. (Photos)

Easthorpe Road is a very narrow country road which is several places goes down to single vehicle width, it has some passing places along the road. It is a 30mph zone in most cases but frequently vehicles speed dangerously along here as a cut-through to the A12. There are few roadside hedges but slightly raised banks full of native flowers create a very pleasant aspect. There are very few areas along or off the road with pedestrian pathways and no cycle ways. There is no bus route.

The road is bisected by a number of PROW footpaths and bridleways linking Easthorpe to Birch, Copford and .

There are few street lights, except in the centre of the Village buy the Church and Well Lane, there is a small church hall adjacent to Easthorpe church-next to which is a cemetery-and a single post box. Broadband is available in Easthorpe but for some homes set back from the main road, speeds are very slow. Children go to Copford Primary School then on to Coggeshall or Stanway for secondary education

(Photos of Historic buildings to follow and some of the other types)

The very rural nature of Easthorpe is framed by large expanses of open farmland off the Easthorpe Road, most of which is now used to grow cereal crops. These fields contribute to the very open, rural nature of the area with panoramas of fields set against blue skies.

There are also quite a significant amount of mixed natural woodland and planted forestry, this provides barriers against soil erosion and is used for shooting parties. Whilst agricultural land forms the greater part of Easthorpe, there has been some diversification and several farms have small business and storage units.

Adjacent to the A12 there is a Point to Point race course which was originally a World War 1 night landing field for planes who were stationed at Stow Maries, Goldhanger and St Osyth and who were unable to get back to base. The planes were to prevent Zeppelin attacks locally.

(Photos of agricultural areas showing fields, roads, woodland and views)

Easthorpe Church

The Church of St Mary, Easthorpe, is built of mixed materials including Roman brick. The nave and west end of the chancel of, which originally had an apse, are twelfth century; and the north and south doorways are of the same period. Originally, the chancel walls were probably decorated with the murals: remnants of paintings in the splays of a nave window may be thirteenth century, and the chancel was lengthened. In 1910, the church and its fifteenth century south porch were extensively restored.

The Church is ancient: all or part of five of its windows date from the twelfth century, others from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries; the font is of thirteenth century origin, as is the double piscina; and the Holy Water stoop set into the south wall by the main door is fourteenth century.

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Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

There are no Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty within the Neighbourhood Plan area

Ancient Woodlands

These are defined a woodland that has existed continuously since 1600 and likely to have developed naturally.

There are no Ancient Woodlands in the Neighbourhood Plan area although there is a suggestion that the remains of the Aldercars in Fountain Lane may have been in existence since the 16th Century and there are a large number of individual oak trees scattered throughout the Neighbourhood Plan area some of which are 300+ years old.

Listed Buildings

There are a large number of listed buildings (41) within the Neighbourhood Plan area, the most significant ones are:

Stanway Bridge: crossing the Roman river Stanway/Copford parish border-Grade 2 listed

Brook Cottage London Road: Grade 2 listed

Copford Place and stable block London Road-Grade 2 listed staircase and building

Brewers Cottage: London Road Grade 2 listed

St Marys’ Grange; Easthorpe Road Grade 2 listed

Well Cottage: Well Lane Grade 2 listed

Others are shown in the Appendix

In addition there are a number of non listed heritage buildings of interest throughout the NP area which contribute to the eclectic nature of the area.

Conservation Area

Copford Green is a conservation area.

Scheduled Monuments

There are no scheduled monuments in the NP area

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Registered Parks and Gardens

There are none in the NP area

Designated Open Public Spaces

There are two registered public open spaces owned by the Parish Council, Queensberry Avenue field and Pits Meadow.

Key Views

There are a large number of these including:

Hall Road and views towards Roman river Valley

Copford Green

Aldercar remains of woodland

Copford Hall woodlands, gardens and cricket pitch

Views across Copford Plains

Copford Church and its surroundings

Views across Aldercar Road to the fields

Easthorpe Road and views either side to field areas

Basketts and surrounding fieldscapes

St Marys’ Grange

Easthorpe Church

Well Cottage

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