FEBRUARY 26, 2018
HERITAGE STATEMENT 1 MOUNT END, MOUNT END ROAD, THEYDON MOUNT, ESSEX
JANICE GOOCH JANICE GOOCH HERITAGE CONSULTANCY Job No:18/082
Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
Document Control Grid Project Name 1 Mount End, Mount End Road, Theydon Mount, Epping, Essex CM16 7PS Author(s) and contact details Janice Gooch MSc CHE AssocRICS IHBC ACIfA Origination date February 2018 Reviser(s) JG Date of last revision May 2018 Version C. Summary of changes Design Tweaks Client Reference 1 Mount End, Mount End Road, Theydon Mount, Epping, Essex CM16 7PS
Table of Contents Document Control Grid ...... 1 1. Summary ...... 2 1.1. Aims and results ...... 2 2. Planning Guidelines ...... 2 3. Description ...... 2 3.1. Development of the Building ...... 3 3.2. Setting of heritage assets ...... 3 3.3 Planning History ...... 3 3.4 Significance ...... 4 3.5 Condition of the asset ...... 4 4. Proposed Scheme ...... 4 4.1. Proposed Works ...... 4 4.2 Design considerations ...... 4 5 Impact Assessment ...... 5 5.1 Impact on the setting of the Listed Buildings ...... 5 5.2 Summary ...... 6 Appendix 1 - Photographs ...... 7 Appendix 2 – Maps ...... 12 Appendix 3 – Listing Description ...... 13 Appendix 4 – Historic Environment Records (HER) ...... 17 British History Online ...... 20 Appendix 5 - Assessment of Significance Summary...... 24
1 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
1. Summary This is a Conservation Statement and Impact Assessment for the proposed scheme for the demolition of a current, metal framed barn and the replacement of 2No new builds to the rear of 1 Mount End, Theydon Mount, Epping Forest.
The proposed site is within the setting of a number of listed buildings (listing descriptions in Appendix 3).
This Desktop review has been written using the drawings provided and a site meeting with ARA Homes Ltd:
• 1A Existing & Proposed Site Layout and Levels • 2 Location Plan and Site Layout • 3 Elevations & Plans
1.1. Aims and results The aim of this statement is to recognise the significance of the listed building and to assess whether the proposed works will affect the significance, character or appearance of the building, or the neighbouring listed buildings, or the character of the area.
As stated in the CIfA guidance ‘Standard and guidance for historic environment desk -based assessment’ (Pub Dec 2014, up-dated Jan 2017):
The ‘desk-based assessment will determine, as far as reasonably possible from existing records, the nature, extent and significance of the historic environment within a specified area. Desk-based assessment will be undertaken using appropriate methods and practices which satisfy the stated aims of the project, and which comply with the Code of conduct and other relevant regulations…’
2. Planning Guidelines To comply with National Policy Planning Framework (2012) section 12, this statement provides:
• An understanding to the significance of the heritage asset • An understanding to the setting of heritage assets • An assessment of the impact of the proposed works on the heritage asset • An assessment of the impact of the proposed works on the setting of the heritage assets
This statement has been undertaken with the consideration of the level and extent of the proposed works and is not to be considered as a full historical report or conservation plan.
This Statement is written to comply with Historic England guidance and the Essex Conservation Officers’ Forum ‘Guidance on preparing Heritage Statements for Listed Building Consent Applications’.
3. Description The proposed site is located to the rear of 1 Mount End, a relatively modern two storey dwelling, set within its own grounds. To the left-hand side of this property is a collection of timber clad/ brick farm buildings, mainly barns, and a number of these are listed (C17) and are laid out in a fairly
2 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex. traditional layout farmstead grouping. The farmhouse sits to the left-hand side of these on the road front. This layout allowed some security to the barns and the goods/livestock they contained.
Historic maps show that this once agricultural group of buildings has been developed and infilled, but it still retains a rural setting. 3.1. Development of the Building The barn was constructed between 1920-1970 and was originally enclosed with weatherboarding. The current owners have removed some of the boarding to allow the space to be used for parking and storage. 3.2. Setting of heritage assets The farm buildings are set within a rural location, with open countryside surrounding them. The proposed site formed part of the development of the farm. Many farm buildings have changed, altered and developed to suit the changing needs of farm and the change of farming methods.
The original farmstead was generally centred around a farm yard, which provided security and safety for the livestock. As farms developed, either through the change of farming type or due to technological changes, the farm buildings reflected these changes. The original farmstead was expanded, with either a second yard being created, or new buildings forming a linear approach to the layout. This allowed for ease of the bigger machinery, such as tractors and the more modern combine-harvesters to access the buildings and the rest of the farm. The introduction of machinery in the late 20th century required bigger sheds and wider access routes to allow safe access into these buildings. The smaller, single storey farm buildings and threshing barns became redundant.
The new barns installed next to the original farmsteads varied in design and construction methods, but they allowed large open spaces. Some were enclosed for storage, others semi-enclosed which provided shelter for cattle and other livestock. The OS maps indicates that the existing barn was installed between 1920 and 1970 and is formed of a metal frame structure with timber weatherboarding.
The 1920 OS map indicates a rural group of a handful of houses, sparsely located. These were likely to be workers and labourer’s cottages, which have slowly been improved, altered and changed over time. This has resulted in the collection of properties we see today within the setting. 3.3 Planning History An online search has been undertaken for this building/ site - http://plan1.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/Generic/StdResults.aspx?PT=Planni ng Applications On- Line&PS=10&XMLLoc=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/Generic/XMLtemp/ascyiiyvgx2r45ti0r5pruon/e6 d8de0c-f83e-4ca8-83d4-62c78f395e21.xml&FT=Planning Application Search Results&XSLTemplate=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/EppingForest/xslt/PL/PLResults. xslt&p=0
Demolition of existing side 1 Mount End Theydon extension and erection of two FINAL Grant Permission EPF/1461/10 003948 Mount Epping Essex storey side extension with 16-08-2010 DECISION CM16 7PS single storey conservatory (With Conditions) rear.
3 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
3.4 Significance The significance of Theydon Barn (formerly Sawkins Farm) is the age of construction and the group setting which it still retains. The OS maps show how this group has developed and expended over time and is still changing following the conversion of the buildings.
The modern barn, though part of the former farmstead setting, is now isolated and separate from the farmstead group. The creation of fences and formal boundaries means this building has little, if any significance and connection to the listed barns. It could be deemed as part of the setting of the listed farmstead due to its connection to the farmstead. However, the farm buildings are closed in on themselves, with the active frontages facing towards the yard areas.
3.5 Condition of the asset Overall the building is in fair condition, but now is redundant due to the conversion of the adjoining farm buildings.
4. Proposed Scheme 4.1. Proposed Works It is proposed to:
• Demolished the existing barn and construct 2No new dwellings with a design influence of traditional barns • Associated soft and hard standing to new builds
4.2 Design considerations The proposed buildings use the influence of the existing barns and farm buildings, with materials to match the historic farm buildings with black weather boarding and clay tile roofs. As the farmstead has developed and evolved over time, it has created an ecliptic collection of ridges and pitches on the various buildings. This development forms part of the significance and character of the farmstead. Very few farms were built as one, these ‘model farms’ as they were called, such as Coleshill Wiltshire, have a very formal, purposeful layout. The buildings were designed with the farming processes in mind, allowing for ergonomic use of time and space. Most farmstead, such as Theydon developed piecemeal in a more organic process. Buildings fitted function (and budget) and artistic appeal or consideration for the neighbouring landscape or views was not part of the decision process. It is this lack of ‘design ethos’ that has been used in the proposed buildings. The changing styles and sizes of buildings within the farmstead should be followed through with further developments to the farmstead and its setting.
The current barn can be seen from the public realm between the farmstead and 1 Mount End. The proposed new building (plot 1) will be the main view from Mount End Road but will give the appearance that a former barn that have been converted, much like the listed farmstead. Plot 2 will be screened from Mount End Road by Plot 1. However, both buildings will be glimpsed on the public footpath, but due to the sensitive design, they will retain the converted barn appearance.
Positive Impacts
• The proposed new builds have a lower ridge height to the existing barn • The design reflects more traditional barns to blend in with the surrounding setting
4 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
• The setting of the new builds opens-up the views of the countryside from the public realm • The proposed layout respects the linear development of farmsteads
5 Impact Assessment In 2008, the then English Heritage (now Historic England) published their ‘Conservation Principles, Policies & Guidance’, which provided a framework and guidance on which to assess proposed works to historic buildings and other heritage assets.
Within this document, they defined ‘conservation’ as:
‘the process of managing change to a significant place in it setting in ways that will best sustain its heritage values, while recognising opportunities to reveal or reinforce those values for present and future generation’
It is this advice and ethos that the proposed impact of the works is assessed against the ‘special architectural and historic interest’ and significance of the building and its setting.
5.1 Impact on the setting of the Listed Buildings The listed barns are set within a group setting and form a collection of farm buildings. Farmsteads have a very distinct pattern, though they have often been extended, developed and altered over time.
The setting of the listed buildings has been altered from their original setting with the slow development of Mount End and then the subsequent conversion of the barns. Though this may have been sensitively undertaken, the influence of domestic use, boundary treatments and clutter has changed the character of the setting from an agricultural to a domestic one.
The proposed new buildings have a lower, but different ridge heights to the current barn and smaller footprints current barn which is a large and dominant building. It is acknowledged that the barn is a recognised building in rural countryside, with the proposed new buildings taking the design influence of the traditional barn and their associated materials.
Plot 1 sits within the footprint of the current barn. The bulk and mass of the existing barn is a feature of the landscape, however, with the proposed reduction in its mass, the visual emphasis is transferred back to the larger group of farm buildings, including the listed barn.
Plot 2 sits on a linear plan, and is of a much-reduced ridge height, not only with building height, but using the slight curving topology of the land. The proposed building leads the eye towards the original farmstead which reinforces the importance and significance of these buildings, rather that the larger mass of the more modern barn. The topology and the grouping of the farmstead will naturally make these buildings become the more significant visual point, with the proposed new barns settling with the landscape and the residential properties on this side of the road.
The proposed layout of the new dwellings continues the linear development that has occurred to the site, retains the slight detachment as the current barn has, and uses materials that work with the neighbouring buildings. The material choice retains the agricultural feel, whereas a use of a render would compete with the houses and give a conflicting appearance. The ‘additions’ to the simple square barn adds to the ad-hoc, peace meal development found within farms. This helps break up the solid mass that could be presented with a just a standard rectangular box.
5 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
5.2 Summary It is considered that the proposed scheme has a neutral impact on the character, appearance and significance to the surrounding heritage asset and the landscape. The proposed scheme works with the development of the farmstead, and the gradual development and change that has occurred to the current residences in the area. The proposed buildings reflect the setting of the site by retaining an agricultural appearance through design and material choice. The c.2000mm space between the buildings is common between many farm buildings and continues that functionality of a farmstead. Boundary treatments and car parking have been dealt with sensitively.
6 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
Appendix 1 - Photographs
Figure 1 - 1 Mount End - the proposed site sits behind this property
Figure 2 - the existing barn - side panels removed by the current owner
7 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
Figure 3 - listed barns to the left-hand side of the photo
Figure 4 - down track towards proposed site
8 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
Figure 5 - existing metal framed barn. Side elevations removed by current owner
Figure 6 - looking up the track towards Mount End Road
9 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
Figure 7 - on public foot path looking towards proposed site
Figure 8 - on public foot path looking back towards barn. Listed barns to the right-hand side of photos
10 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
Figure 9 - on Mount End Road, top of barn can be seen between No1 and adjoining dwelling
Figure 10 - further down Mount End Road, roof of barn is blank by houses. From the other direction, barn is blanked by existing barns
11 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
Appendix 2 – Maps
Figure 11 - 1900 OS Map
12 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
Appendix 3 – Listing Description SAWKINS FARMHOUSE https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1169684
List Entry Summary
Name: SAWKINS FARMHOUSE
List entry Number: 1169684
Grade: II
Date first listed: 11-Apr-1984
Date of most recent amendment: Not applicable to this List entry.
UID: 118050
List entry Description
TL 40 SE THEYDON MOUNT MOUNT END 3/378 Sawkins Farmhouse
GV II
House. C16 house, with C14 remnant wall at rear and C19 red brick crosswing extension. The C16 build with C18 brick facing and moulded brick eaves. Red plain tiled roof. Crosswing to left. 2 storeys. 1:3 window range to first floor, 1:2 to ground floor. Some C19, 3 light casements with late C19 vertical sliding sashes to crosswing. The ground floor of crosswing with a canted bay, with red plain tile roof. To the right of the brick facing the cladding is plastered and weatherboarded. The right return has an original jowled storey post of the C14 build. There is a C20 red tiled, hipped porch, with C20 panelled door and side light. Original red brick chimney stack to left. This chimney with original circa 1550, 3 centred moulded brick fireplaces to ground and first floor. Above the first floor fireplace is a moulded plaster Tudor Rose. Stop chamfered bridging joists. Framed staggered side purlin roof. Bridled scarfs to top plates. Record of a hall on the site c1612.
Listing NGR: TL4874600721
Selected Sources
Legacy Record - This information may be included in the List Entry Details
National Grid Reference: TL 48746 00721
13 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
BARN TO NORTH WEST OF SAWKINS FARMHOUSE https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1337554
List Entry Summary
Name: BARN TO NORTH WEST OF SAWKINS FARMHOUSE
List entry Number: 1337554
Location
BARN TO NORTH WEST OF SAWKINS FARMHOUSE, MOUNT END
Grade: II
Date first listed: 07-Nov-1983
Date of most recent amendment: Not applicable to this List entry.
UID: 118051
List entry Description
TL 40 SE THEYDON MOUNT MOUNT END 3/379 Barn to NW of 7/11/83 Sawkins Farmhouse
GV II
Barn. C17/C18. Timber framed and weatherboarded with half hipped red plain tiled roof, extending forward over lean-to to right and left of central, hipped midstrey. There is a single storey forward extension to right with matching materials and hipped roof. The barn roof is sprocketed at the front and is of staggered side purlin construction. 4 bays. Straight bracing to tie beams. Through bracing to walls.
Listing NGR: TL4872600748
Selected Sources
Legacy Record - This information may be included in the List Entry Details
National Grid Reference: TL 48726 00748
3, MOUNT END https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1123962
List Entry Summary
Name: 3, MOUNT END
List entry Number: 1123962
Grade: II
14 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
Date first listed: 11-Apr-1984
UID: 118049
List entry Description
TL 40 SE THEYDON MOUNT MOUNT END 3/377 No 3
- II
Cottage cl600 with later additions and alterations. Timber framed and plastered, return wall pargetted. Red plain tiled roof with gable end to road and lean-to extension, commencing at half roof height to left. 1:1 window range of small paned casements. C20 boarded door with light to left. Plastered brick chimney stack to ridge. Internally is much exposed timber to the 3 bay cottage. Original back to back fireplaces with mantel beams over. Mullion window slots, bladed scarf joint and remains of original stairs.
Listing NGR: TL4880300766
Selected Sources
Legacy Record - This information may be included in the List Entry Details
National Grid Reference: TL 48803 00766
5 AND 6, MOUNT END https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1169672
List Entry Summary
Name: 5 AND 6, MOUNT END
List entry Number: 1169672
Grade: II
Date first listed: 11-Apr-1984
UID: 118048
List entry Description
TL 40 SE THEYDON MOUNT MOUNT END 3/376 Nos 5 and 6 (Mount End)
- II
Two cottages late C17/early C18, with later alterations and additions. Timber framed and plastered with hipped, red plain tiled roof. Moulded eaves cornice. 2 storeys. 4 window range of small paned casements. To left 3 panel door with moulded pentice board over. To right, tiled, enclosed porch,
15 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex. with C20 board door. External red brick chimney stacks to right and left and central red brick stacks. There is a C20 lean-to addition to right.
Listing NGR: TL4883200804
Selected Sources
Legacy Record - This information may be included in the List Entry Details
National Grid Reference: TL 48832 00804
RENT COTTAGE https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1123961
List Entry Summary
Name: RENT COTTAGE
List entry Number: 1123961
Grade: II
Date first listed: 11-Apr-1984
Date of most recent amendment: Not applicable to this List entry.
UID: 118047
List entry Description
TL 40 SE THEYDON MOUNT MOUNT END 3/375 Rent Cottage
- II
Cottage C16/C17. Timber framed and plastered. Red plain tiled roof, hipped to right, with gabled dormer to hip and 3 gabled dormers to front. 1 storey and attics. 6 window range of C20 leaded casements. Gabled, open porch, with red plain tiled roof, supported by straight brackets. Boarded door with light. Red brick chimney stack to right. Internally are chamfered beams, through bracing to walls. Re-used smoked timbers to roof structure. Original brick fireplace.
Listing NGR: TL4881700926
Selected Sources
Legacy Record - This information may be included in the List Entry Details
National Grid Reference: TL 48817 00926
16 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
Appendix 4 – Historic Environment Records (HER) Search: Mount End
Statutory Data
The National Heritage List for England
The National Heritage List for England is the official and up-to-date database for all nationally designated assets, including Listed Buildings, Scheduled Monuments, Registered Parks and Gardens, Registered Battlefields and Protected Wreck Sites.
The National Heritage List for England returned 10 records matching your search, listed buildings who’s settings may be within the proposed site are identified elsewhere.
National Designation Decisions
Designation Decision Records (De-listed entries)
Recommendations to remove listed buildings, scheduled monuments and protected wreck sites from the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) are made by Historic England. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport will then make a decision. Decisions to remove registered park, garden and battlefield List entries are made by Historic England. A list of decisions made to remove buildings, monuments, landscapes and wreck sites from the NHLE can be found in this section.
No records matched the search criteria.
Designation Decision Records (Non-designated entries)
Recommendations not to add a building, monument or wreck site to the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) are made by Historic England. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport will then make a decision. For parks, gardens and battlefields Historic England makes the decision on whether or not to add it to the NHLE. These decisions are detailed in this section.
No records matched the search criteria.
Non-Statutory National Data
Historic Milestone Society Database
The Milestone society was established in May 2001, we aim to "identify, record, research, conserve and interpret for public benefit the milestones and other waymarkers of the British Isles". Our members' interests also include tollhouses, turnpike history and canal milestones. Please browse http://www.milestonesociety.co.uk/ to learn more about the history of milestones and about restoration techniques, about our activities and our publications.
Historic Milestone Society Database returned 114 records matching your search, none within the vicinity of the site.
17 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
HE PastScape
The information within PastScape is taken directly from the National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE). The NRHE contains over 410,000 records on the archaeology and buildings of England and its territorial waters.
An error has occurred searching the dataset
National Trust HBSMR
The National Trust is the largest private owner of archaeological sites in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our Historic Buildings, Sites & Monuments Record (NT HBSMR) is the key tool for managing, revealing and sharing the historic environment in our care.
National Trust HBSMR returned 1 records matching your search, none within the vicinity of the site.
Parks and Gardens UK
Parks and Gardens UK is a web resource dedicated to historic designed landscapes across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Parks and Gardens UK returned 98 records matching your search, none within the vicinity of the site.
PMSA
The PMSA aims to heighten public appreciation of Britain's public sculpture, and to contribute to its preservation, protection and promotion. It seeks to achieve this through several projects that include: the National Recording Project, the Sculpture Journal, Save our Sculpture and the Marsh Award for Public Sculpture.
No records matched search criteria.
NMR Excavation Index
The Excavation Index (EI) is a guide to the archaeological excavations and interventions carried out in England since the earliest days of scientific archaeology, and an index to the location of the
18 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex. excavation archives and finds. It is part of the National Monuments Record, England's heritage archive.
NMR Excavation Index returned 389 records matching your search, please refer to Essex HER.
Church Heritage Record
The Church Heritage Record is a digital database of church buildings in England developed by ChurchCare, the Church of England's national resource.
No records matched search criteria.
Local Records
Essex HER
The Essex Historic Environment Record (EHER) is a computerised database of all listed and other historic buildings and all known archaeological sites, historic parks and gardens and other historic landscape features in the county, plotted onto linked digital mapping, and backed up in many instances by photographs, drawings and substantial written accounts.
Essex HER returned 16 records matching your search, apart from listing descriptions, the only record is:
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SAWKINS FARM, MOUNT END, THEYDON MOUNT
View this record at the Archaeology Data Service
Description: Site Code: TMSF03. Historic building survey of a barn and curtilage buildings in advance of their proposed residential conversion.
Parish: THEYDON MOUNT
District: EPPING FOREST
County: ESSEX
19 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
Grid reference: TL4880001000
Map reference: [ EPSG:27700 ] 548800, 201000
Period/Subjects: POST MEDIEVAL - BARN
POST MEDIEVAL - FARM BUILDING
Identifiers: [ ADS ] Depositor ID - 1391303
[ ADS ] Associated ID - AIP Record Number: G.22.P001
People Involved:
• [ Publisher ] Historic England
• [ Creator ] Essex County Council Field Archaeology Group
• [ Publisher ] Historic England
• [ Creator ] Essex County Council Field Archaeology Group
Bibliographic References:
• Garwood A/2003/Sawkins Farm, Mount End, Theydon Mount, Esses: historic building survey/Report No 1211. Essex County Council Field Archaeology Group [assessment & evaluation reports].
Images Of England
Images of England, is a groundbreaking initiative which aims to create a 'point in time' photographic record of England's listed buildings.
Images Of England returned 506 records matching your search, photos show some of the listed buildings (prior to conversion).
British History Online Theydon Mount: Introduction
Pages 275-276
20 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
A History of the County of Essex: Volume 4, Ongar Hundred. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1956.
This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.
'Theydon Mount: Introduction', in A History of the County of Essex: Volume 4, Ongar Hundred, ed. W R Powell (London, 1956), pp. 275-276. British History Online http://www.british- history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/pp275-276 [accessed 26 February 2018].
THEYDON MOUNT
Theydon Mount, the most easterly of the three Theydon parishes, lies between Theydon Garnon and Stapleford Tawney at a distance of 3 miles from Epping and 15 miles from London. (fn. 1) The second part of its name is derived from the hill near its centre upon which stand the church and Hill Hall. It has also been called in the past Theydon Paulyn, Theydon Lessington, and Theydon Briwes, from the names of former lords of the manor. The form Theydon Parva (Little Theydon) has also been used. (fn. 2) Theydon Mount is a small rural parish that has been dominated for four centuries by the great mansion of Hill Hall, formerly the seat of the Bowyer-Smijth family, and now an open prison for women. Although so near to London the parish remains entirely rural, and sparsely populated. The area was given in 1838 as 1,500 acres. (fn. 3) Later calculations put it as 1,564 acres. (fn. 4) In 1086 there were 1 villein tenant and 17 bordars in the manor of Theydon Mount. (fn. 5) In 1428 the parish appears to have had a smaller population than at Domesday: it was specially exempted from taxation because there were less than 10 households. (fn. 6) The population was 193 in 1801. (fn. 7) It rose to a peak of 249 in 1831 and then declined steadily to 123 in 1901. The population in 1951 was 162. (fn. 8)
The parish is long and narrow, running from north to south for over 3 miles with an average width of less than ½ mile. The Roding forms the southern boundary. From there the land rises steeply to a height of over 250 ft. at Hill Hall, which stands in a large park. The parish church, ¼ mile south-east of the Hall, adjoins the park. Farther north the ground falls away but rises again to 300 ft. at Mount End and over 350 ft. near the North Weald boundary. There are several patches of woodland in the north of which the largest is Beechet Wood. Apart from Hill Hall with its prisoners the main centres of population are at Mount End, which contains the former parish school, now used as a village hall, and on Mount Hill. A map of 1777 shows a few houses at Mount End. (fn. 9) Some of the surviving houses there appear to date from the first half of the 18th century.
From Mount End roads run north-east to Stanford Rivers, east to Stapleford Tawney, south-east to the church, south-west to Hobbs Cross in Theydon Garnon (a farm lane), and west to Coopersale and Epping. The approach to Hill Hall is by a drive off the Stapleford Tawney road. (fn. 10) North Farm, at the Mount End cross-roads, appears to date from the first half of the 18th century. Tarlings, nearly opposite the north lodge of Hill Hall, was formerly a smithy. (fn. 11) About ¼ mile south-east of North Farm is the site of a former brick and tile works. The new rectory has recently been built here. (fn. 12) Near the rectory, in the lane leading to Beechet Wood, are two pairs of council houses. Coleman's Farm, ¼ mile east of Hill Hall, is about 50 years old. There was a building on this site in 1777, then called Cotes. (fn. 13) Near Coleman's, on the edge of Hill Hall park, is Icehouse Plantation, which probably takes its name from the former icehouse of Hill Hall. This may have dated from the 17th or 18th century. (fn. 14) In the extreme south of the parish is Skinners, a timberframed house to which a gabled brick front was added late in the 19th century. In the dairy is the threecentred arch of a former oak doorway in which a mullioned window has been inserted. This suggests that the
21 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex. house dates from the 16th century or earlier. Brook House, ½ mile west of Skinners, probably dates from the early 18th century. (fn. 15)
The lane from Mount End to Hobbs Cross and part of the road from Mount End to Stanford Rivers follow the line of a Roman road. Roman remains were found in this area in the 19th century. (fn. 16) The Hobbs Cross road was presented at Quarter Sessions in 1582-3 as a 'noisome way'. (fn. 17) The road to Coopersale, which now passes to the north of North Farm, is shown on the 1777 map as farther south. (fn. 18) Between 1777 and about 1800 Hill Hall park was extended to the east. This involved the diversion of the road so as to bring the church within the park, from which it was fenced off in 1953-4. (fn. 19) About this time the old rectory near the church was demolished (fn. 20) and (perhaps somewhat later) the former manor house of Mount Hall was also taken down. (fn. 21)
For transport and postal services Theydon Mount has depended upon Epping and Romford. Piped water is supplied by the Herts. and Essex Waterworks Co. (fn. 22) but there is no main drainage. (fn. 23) Electricity was supplied by the Eastern Electricity Board in 1950. (fn. 24) A branch of the county library was opened in 1935. (fn. 25) The village hall is the former school.
From the 15th century until the 20th most of the and in the parish was in the hands of a single owner. With the building of Hill Hall in the 16th century the parish became more than ever dominated by the manor house. In 1838 Sir John Smijth owned all but some 70 acres of the parish. (fn. 26) The Hill Hall estate had increased in size since 1700, when three other owners had land in the parish. (fn. 27) During its four centuries as a private house Hill Hall must have provided substantial opportunities for local employment. Those of the inhabitants of the parish not employed there were mainly engaged in agriculture. There has been very little industry in Theydon Mount. The market and fair granted to Paulinus de Theydon in 1225 (see below, Manor) did not survive into modern times. One industry, brick- and tile-making, appears to have gone on (perhaps intermittently) from the 16th century to the 20th. The brick-works to the north of Hill Hall was still in operation in 1914. (fn. 28) It was perhaps the successor of the works from which bricks were provided about 1580 for the completion of Hill Hall itself, (fn. 29) and of the brick kiln 'on the top of Mount Hill' in 1655. (fn. 30)
Footnotes
• 1. O.S. 2½ in. Map, sheets 51/49, 52/40.
• 2. P.N. Essex (E.P.N.S.), 82-83, 85, which, however, wrongly assigns the form Theydon Paulyn to Theydon Garnon. For the meaning of Theydon see Theydon Bois.
• 3. E.R.O., D/CT 351.
• 4. O.S. 6 in. Map (1st edn.), sheets 1, lviii.
• 5. V.C.H. Essex, i, 490b.
• 6. Feud. Aids, ii, 205.
• 7. For census figures 1801-1901 see V.C.H. Essex, ii, 350.
• 8. Census, 1951.
• 9. Chapman and André, Map of Essex, 1777, sheet xvi.
• 10. For Hill Hall see Manors, below.
• 11. O.S. 6 in. Map (1st edn.), sheet lviii.
22 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
• 12. See Churches, below.
• 13. Chapman and André, Map of Essex, 1777, sheet xvi.
• 14. Cf. Icehouse Wood near the site of Bellhouse in Stanford Rivers.
• 15. 'Brock House', mentioned 1600 (E.R.O., Q/SR 149/43), may have been on this site.
• 16. Proc. Soc. Antiq. (2nd ser.), ii, 184-6; iv, 446.
• 17. E.R.O., Q/SR 84/24.
• 18. Chapman and André, Map of Essex, 1777, sheet xvi.
• 19. Ibid. Cf. O.S. 1 in. Map (1st edn.).
• 20. See Churches, below.
• 21. In 1838 there was only a cottage on the Mount Hall site: E.R.O., D/CT 351; and see below, Manors.
• 22. Inf. from Herts. & Essex Waterworks Co. About 1900 Mount End was supplied with piped water from a well dug by Sir William Bowyer-Smijth: Howard and Burke, Theydon Mount, xi.
• 23. Inf. from Rev. E. B. Rees.
• 24. Inf. from Eastn. Elec. Bd.
• 25. Inf. from County Librarian.
• 26. E.R.O., D/CT 351.
• 27. J. J. Howard and H. F. Burke, Theydon Mount, xi.
• 28. Kelly's Dir. Essex (1914).
• 29. See Hill Hall.
• 30. E.R.O., D/DSh T2.
23 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
Appendix 5 - Assessment of Significance Summary Table Showing Assessment of Significance:
Rating:
Exceptional - International Significance
Considerable - National Significance
Some - Local Significance
None
Not known - May have some Significance, but further research is required.
Significance Value
Social/ Historical Agriculture and farming The buildings show Farmstead buildings were an important a development are listed due to the source of income to (and decline) of age of the buildings. Essex agriculture in Essex
Archaeological Limited – ground has Unknown had a concrete slab installed
Architectural The barn is of limited None architectural significance
Artistic None (Refer to notes on None setting below)
Communal None None
24 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy Heritage Statement for: Mount End, Theydon Mount, Essex.
25 | P a g e Janice Gooch Heritage Consultancy