MARGARETTING VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT Interim planning guidance. Approved by Borough Council March 2007 2 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 3

CONTENTS

Aerial photograph of Margaretting settlement

Introduction. 04 The VDS and its purpose 04 VDS production 04 Consultation 05 Map showing the VDS coverage area 06 Area covered 06 Planning policy context 07 The development of Margaretting - a brief history

The landscape and shape of Margaretting. 09 The Village and its landscape setting 10 Landscape character overview 12 Settlement patterns and shape 13 Special features of central village space

14 to 23 Details of special character in Margaretting. 16 Map of character areas of Margaretting

Other design factors 25 Building design, materials and spaces 27 Local employment 27 Redundant farm buildings 28 Highways and infrastructure 30 Country lanes, footpaths and bridleways 31 Car parking

Photograph: Peter Rogers 32 Community facilities and social activities 34 The future

The photograph illustrates the open countryside which surrounds the Appendices built up area of the village and the contribution that the tree canopy makes to the approaches and the overall character of Margaretting. 25 Listed properties 27 Acknowledgements

Front cover: War memorial at the village crossroads 4 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 5

Introduction Margaretting Parish

Writtle Parish

Propose environmental The VDS and its purpose Hylands Park enhancements. The Village Design Statement (VDS) is a record of Margaretting village and its Assist Council officers and Highwood Parish country setting as seen through the Members of Chelmsford Coptfold Estate eyes of those living in the village in Borough Council in the Highlands Golf Course 2004/5. It sets out guidelines affirmed determination of planning by these residents as to how the history Parish applications in the VDS area. Road and character of the village should be A414 Chelmsford Killigrews respected in any development or Ancient monument change. The purpose of the VDS is to : VDS Production A12

The Borough Council has encouraged Guide owners and occupiers Ivy Barn Lane A12 on care for this place. communities to produce individual Village Design Statements based upon Building group at Whitesbridge Guide developers on design consensus following full consultation of Building group at Village Hall aspects that are regarded as village residents. The Parish Council Handley Green Wantz Road Maldon Road acceptable to the community, has been fully supportive of the project including the setting of and several parish councillors have Main Settlement School buildings and the use of served upon the Village Statement Swan Lane materials. team. In early 2002 a working party was Railway set up to undertake the work for A12 Conservation area Guide people undertaking Margaretting. Building group at B1002 to small scale building work. Margaretting Tye River Wid and valley Assist in the protection of Consultation local heritage buildings and The Parish Council’s decision in late artefacts particularly in the 2001 to support the preparation of a Buildings grouped around conservation area. St Margaret's Church statement was reported via the village Stock Parish Newsletter in December and in the Protect and visually improve Ingatestone and following January some 54 businesses, open spaces and the street Fryerning Parish. landowners and village organisers were scene. individually approached for support and Brentwood Based upon the Ordnance Survey mapping with the comment and invited to attend a permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. Ensure the conservation and Borough Council Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown meeting in March. During the spring of Copyright and may lead to prosecution of civil proceedings. protection of those qualities Chelmsford BC Licence No. 100023562 2004 2002 a number of people undertook and characteristics of the ‘walkabout’ surveys of all parts of the village and its environs village and submitted reports and which are most valued by its photographs. Conservation area inhabitants. Main settlement and groups of buildings

Grade 2 protected lanes

River Wid and valley slopes

School and village hall 6 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 7

Margaretting is designated as The development of Area covered a Defined Settlement Margaretting - a brief history (enclosed by the Metropolitan The VDS covers the village envelope Green Belt) where policies Although the historic settlement pattern and all the surrounding countryside are more supportive for of Margaretting we see today is within the parish boundary extending in limited development, including essentially medieval in origin, there was all to 1126.37 hectares (2783.29 acres). infilling, compared to areas earlier activity and occupation. See map on page 5. outside the Defined However, little is known of the pre- Settlement boundary. Local occupation in the area, although flint planning policy and PPG2 artefacts have been recovered from the Planning policy context seek to protect the Green Belt Wid valley indicating pre-historic activity, from inappropriate and there are Roman materials in the Planning policy affecting development, including church. Margaretting is contained in infilling. The settlement sits astride the Roman the Chelmsford Borough Road between London, Chelmsford and Local Development In Margaretting there are Colchester and its present strongest Framework and government However, a suggestion in the summer areas of loose ribbon focal point is the area around the cross planning policy guidance that Margaretting might again be eligible development or low density roads. A limited number of old buildings (PPG and PPS) replacing the for major development put the VDS work scattered development such and other evidence indicate that over Local Plan 1997. ‘on hold’. In February 2003 a as to the west side of Wantz the centuries development has been questionnaire was submitted to the 363 Road and north side of concentrated around the crossroads, The VDS also complements households in the village and there was Maldon Road which are in the with a secondary group of properties the Design Guide, and a 40% response. The responses were Green Belt and these have close to the watercourse near the CBC Residential Design evaluated and used to develop been purposely excluded from junction of what is now Pennys Lane. recommended guidance for future Guidance. the Defined Settlement, as developments and in July a major designated in the Chelmsford exhibition was staged at the annual Borough planning policies Borough development plan, to Village Fete. In October a Village direct development and prevent consolidation into a Character Day was held at the Village change across the Borough continuous ribbon. Hall with some 40 people attending. as well as being responsible During 2004 several draft statements for the Defined Settlements Outside the village the land is were prepared and further photography and the countryside. recognised by planning policy undertaken. In May 2005 the final draft for its nature conservation text as prepared by the team was A strategic objective of and landscape values. submitted to over 152 village residents planning policies is to contain considered as representing a cross development in existing built- Margaretting has a section of the community and their up areas and prevent conservation area and 24 comments were taken into account in unplanned intrusion into the listed buildings covered by the preparation of the final draft. A countryside. specific policies. further presentation of the document was made at the Village Fete on July Another strategic objective is 2nd 2005. The final published to secure the best built document was agreed after consultation environment design for with Margaretting Parish Council. present and future character.

pictured above: pictured right: Consultation at the village fete Killigrews 8 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 9

The landscape and shape of Margaretting However, at Domesday (1086) and into house adjacent to the church was the medieval period the predominant demolished with the arrival of the parish church – much extended in the railway in 1841 and John Attwood of 15C - and associated hall, would have Hylands demolished the Coptfold manor formed the major focus of life in house in about 1850. Today, only Margaretting, possibly because the Killigrews, the house to Shenfields The Village and its living of the church incumbent may have manor remains on its ancient moated landscape setting been in the patronage of the Lord of site on the north-eastern edge of the Margaretting manor. It was only later parish. The village is set within a rural and that a change of focus occurred with a A map of 1777 depicts some of the older unspoilt area of Essex forming part of disassociation of church and buildings of the village including the the Metropolitan Green Belt. The mostly congregation and this may have been church, Canterburys, the Red Lion, arable land rises on both sides of the caused by the increased importance of Peacocks, the Parsonage, Coptfold river Wid valley to become gently the crossroads to traffic passing through Hall, Bearmans and Killigrews together undulating hills and ridges. The soil is a the village. with small clusters of buildings complex mosaic of well-drained, fine elsewhere, whilst a map of 1873 shows and coarse loam and seasonally the addition of several large houses waterlogged slowly permeable clay. The including Eweland Hall, Park Lodge, main settlement is situated on the north Bishops Court, Furze Hill and Ivy Hill. slope above the river Wid floodplain. Larger scale development of smaller The raised embankment of the railway dwellings did not commence until the screens a view of the village from the early 1920s and fuller details of this Wid valley to the south-east, and the development and others are given valley itself is best viewed beyond the elsewhere in this statement. It is level crossing at Parsonage Lane. For Design guidelines. recorded that the population of the the most part the village is only village in 1851 was 517 and in 1901, glimpsed from the surrounding The clear lines of the valley 551. The latest census figure for the countryside and the edge of the village slopes are an important village is 825. In 1851 there were 106 is perhaps most clearly viewed from the feature and care should be inhabited houses and in the early 1900s B1002 Main Road on approaching from taken to maintain their 125. Today’s figure is 363. Over the last the A12 but even here only at a dis- character by resisting any several decades planning policies have tance. All approach roads to the village further intrusions of severely restricted development and are tree lined, although the B1002 from buildings, over the last 25 years only 17 new the A12 and Maldon Road with less telecommunication radio houses have been built. The slow rate of maturity. The effect on approaching the masts or other development has been the main village is to suddenly arrive at the village construction. contributor to the character of the village centre directly from the surrounding as it exists today. countryside. Beyond the A12 trunk road Retention of the open the A414 dual carriageway road to farmland between Chelmsford is attractively landscaped settlements is essential in The Domesday entry refers to and extensively planted with mature preserving the individual Margaretting as forming part of the trees especially to the central identities of communities - King’s land “held by Frebert in the name reservation and is a role model for trunk in particular the spaces of King Edward as a manor…..”. In all roads throughout the area. This part of between Margaretting and there were three manors and three the parish abuts the parkland of Hylands Widford, Ingatestone and manor houses. The Margaretting manor and emphasises the open aspect of the Galleywood. village and its separation from Widford. There should be continued protection of the open countryside for the benefit of pictured above: all. pictured above: Domesday plaque The leafy B1002 approach road from Ingatestone 10 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 11

The semi-wooded dissected by the river Wid, the A12 trunk Design guidelines. approaches to the village road and the railway. The area of are distinctive in this area farmland which surrounds the village Protection by landowners There should be vigilance of Essex and tend to centre is recognised for its landscape and farmers of the historic to ensure that the emphasise the value. Natural features such as elements of the countryside attractiveness of the compactness of the woodlands, lynchets and other boundary such as hedgerows, countryside is maintained developed area of the features are likely to be some of the copses, woodlands, and where possible village. Care should be oldest visible features in the landscape lynchets is of great enhanced. taken to ensure that this with great historic and nature importance. character is not eroded by conservation value. Margaretting has ten the urbanising influence of officially recorded wildlife sites and the Tree cover is an essential new buildings and largest of these are to be found on the element of the character of structures. north and north-eastern boundaries of the village and it must be the parish. Just beyond Hylands Golf safeguarded and Course and just outside the north- strengthened where eastern parish boundary is the similarly appropriate. Landscape character recorded 172 hectare Repton landscape overview of Hylands Park. For the most part land Any new agricultural in the village is held in a limited number buildings should be The area is characterised by numerous of ownerships and much of it in large carefully sited and small woods and larger areas of blocks. Modern farming practice impacts designed to reduce their woodland with frequent hedgerows upon footpath and bridleway access and apparent mass so as to containing trees set in a patchwork of visually in relation to hedge retention and minimise impact on the small irregular pasture and arable fields, maintenance and tree cover in the open wider landscape e.g. by Special features such as with some larger arable fields east of the countryside, and these aspects deserve tree screening or careful the 1770 White’s Bridge and railway. It is crossed by a number of careful consideration by the village and location within the land ancient milestones should rivers and streams and there are farming communities. A particular feature form. be safeguarded. numerous small ponds with hamlets, is the extent of mature tree cover in the cottages and farmsteads strung out park of Peacocks in the centre of the Agricultural and forestry Landowners should be along the country lanes. The Parish is village and to the Coptfold Hall estate to uses of farmland are encouraged to maintain the north. These among other areas in supported; manicured rural roadside hedges and trees the village plus the wider countryside landscape is discouraged. in an ecological way and to provide a wealth of fine mature oaks. undertake further tree The Parish Council has supported a planting within the wider scheme of village tree planting in public landscape. open spaces within the village since 1973 and the greater part of the work has Consideration should be been undertaken in roadside verges. given to a better There is an appointed tree warden and management of hedgerows the village participates in the Chelmsford close to the village centre. Borough Tree Warden scheme. These Views of the countryside plantings have added to the original high could be opened up by level of tree cover which contributes so improved maintenance of much to the overall character of the roadside hedgerows in village. An earlier farm policy of hedge Wantz Road and Main Road. removal has tended to emphasise the importance and value of those hedges which remain, but in some cases a higher level of maintenance is desirable. pictured above: There is ongoing tree protection through White’s Bridge built 1770 pictured above: Tree Preservation Orders. pictured left: View of Margaretting across the Wid Valley Dairy herd grazing on pasture at Margaretting Tye 12 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 13

Special features of central village space (within the conservation area)

Old Bakery enjoys the largest and most open green From Ingatestone in the village. The area to the south-west of the crossroads mostly comprises the Common Land parkland of Peacocks whilst the former Post Box parkland of Eweland Hall together with Pilgrims adjacent land has for the most part been developed with detached houses set in large plots. The area surrounding the village is largely open countryside but Common Land Calcotts there are a number of small groups of Listed Grade 11 buildings set at some distance from the village centre and these add character The Gate House for Peacocks. Listed Grade 11 and visual interest to the country scene. Millennium oak The historic location of St. Margaret's and flower bed Pond House Common Land church makes it isolated from the main core of Margaretting but its history as an Copper Beech original focus of the village gives Yew (TPO) (TPO) Pond Rymers explanation to the multi-focal nature of Settlement patterns Margaretting. Telephone Kiosk and shape Dipping platform (Listed) Interpretation board Yew Tree Cottage Seats Development in the village is Design guidelines. Listed Grade 11 concentrated to the south-east of the Village sign Main Road and in a lineal fashion along Any new infill development should be closely Peacocks Cottage Maldon Road and this configuration has Listed Grade 11 Limes (TPO) tended to create an imbalance of associated with the layout Lynton Lodge housing and population to the areas of the existing main settle- north and south of Main Road. As a ment so as to reinforce the result, the village lacks a strong focal feeling of compactness. Wantz Road point but the relatively small open area Main Road or around the crossroads forms a Any new development should incorporate open Roman Road significant village central space (see Whitewebs page opposite). Housing densities vary spaces and landscaped but nowhere in the village would the areas together with suitable densities be regarded as high by tree planting. War Memorial The Square modern day standards and the village (former Alms houses centre lacks the concentration of Any development of land or development which is evident in so buildings surrounding many Essex villages of comparable village greens should not Proposed flower bed size. The village is fortunate in having encroach upon those three small greens at the crossroads spaces. and another at Parsonage Lane with Seat other small greens within areas of Care should be taken to Village notice board higher density housing. Their inclusion maintain the character of makes a valuable contribution to overall the spaces between character and enables greater flexibility building groups outside the in design and layout. Margaretting Tye main settlement. To Chelmsford Maldon Road pictured above: Wid Valley viewed from B1002 Main Road 14 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 15

Conservation area It is these aspects as well as the built Details of special character in Margaretting environment which need to be safeguarded The number of buildings within the and enhanced where possible. There is conservation area is relatively small in some concern about pollution from street relation to its total area and most are lighting and in particular the design of light located around the crossroads. Thus within standards and the use of sodium lighting in the conservation area, and in the village Main Road. For ease of reference the generally, there is a feeling of openness principal settlement of the which is enhanced by the wide verges on Design guidelines. village has been divided either side of Main Road and along the into a number of areas as The design of new buildings or shown on the plan, page extensions within the 16. The conservation area conservation area should be of falls within the numbered the highest quality. areas and is dealt with separately. Construction should incorporate materials sympathetic to those used elsewhere on the building and in the vicinity.

Conservation area policies in regard to tree preservation should be rigidly enforced. other principal roads and by the concentration of houses in relatively small Existing granite kerbs should be areas. Furthermore, approximately retained and used in all repair seventy-five per cent of the conservation work. area comprises the mature parkland of Peacocks and the effect of this is to bring The location of street signage the surrounding countryside right into the should be carefully considered very centre of the village. At the central and grouped wherever possible crossroads, only the buildings of the former to avoid a cluttered appearance. almshouses which form The Square force a Signage should be limited to the minimum necessary for its Some conservation area presence onto the road edge and each of design features the other three corners of this junction has function both as to content and a grassed area, which in one case extends size. Pictured top left: to embrace the open area of the village Sliding sash window and Sodium lighting should not be eaves. pond. Much of the conservation area has used in any new development top right: good tree cover both in roadside verges, Traditional door casing and and in private gardens and parkland. In and existing lighting of this type head consequence, many of the remaining should be replaced with an Centre left and right: buildings within the conservation area are alternative which creates less Ornate chimney heads and light pollution. Any new or lead flashing wholly or partly screened from the road. replacement street lighting bottom: Conservation area policy in Margaretting Materials in harmony with therefore impacts not only upon its should be chosen in nature. buildings but also, and perhaps more consultation with the Parish importantly, upon those aspects which Council. provide the rural character of the village such as trees, hedges, greens and spaces. The present 'low key' level of advertising in respect of commercial activity within the pictured above: village should be maintained. Red Lion public house - building which has evolved over time. 16 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 17 Character areas in Margaretting. The map shows the 7 character areas in the main settlement, followed by a written description. Area 1 Village centre (Including part of the conservation 09.02.04 Key area) 1:5000 Area 1 Village Centre As in so many villages, the crossing of Town Planning Services two important traffic routes provided the Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford CM1 1PL Area 2 Maldon Road Telephone 01245 544000 (The Square to Parsonage Lane) initial focus for development and even in Area 3 Maldon Road and Parsonage Lane Chapman and Andre's map of 1777 Margaretting is shown with a cluster of BOROUGH COUNCIL Area 4 Orton Close buildings at this point. Most of the present buildings in the general area of Area 5. Maldon Road this road junction are of more recent (south side from Orton Close to the railway bridge date and show a wide diversity of size, Area 6. Main Road through to Maldon Road age, style and an irregular disposition one to another particularly near the Area 7. Pennys Lane and Wantz Road recently restored pond, all of which add to the charm and character of the village centre. A fine granite War Memorial is Conservation area prominently sited on its own green at the junction of Main Road and Wantz Road space. Beyond The Square and the Village envelope and is backed by the mellow brick adjacent cottages in Main Road stands (development plan designation) facade of Whitewebs - one of the the charming lodge bungalow beside village's oldest buildings. The former the imposing gateway, which makes a almshouses which form The Square on fitting introduction to the mature the opposite corner are equally parkland and the stately elevations of prominent and being decorated as an Peacocks. Beyond the cross roads entity make an important visual towards Chelmsford stands the Black statement at this point in the village. Not Bull public house, a pleasing building withstanding the busy nature of the with an attractive side garden which crossroads, these features together with includes a group of mature yew trees. the several greens in this part of the Adjoining the Black Bull is a well village form a significant village central designed group of four detached houses constructed in recent years. They stand well back from the road behind a line of roadside trees and blend well with earlier development.

pictured top: The timeless elegance of Peacocks left: The restrained style of design of the Black Bull public house below: Former alms houses - The Square - uniformity of decoration and mock doorways.

Reproduced from or based upon the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution of civil proceedings. 18 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 19

A number of buildings in this part of the who lived in the village. They are typical Building in front of the header courses, which replace the more village display interesting design of their period and display an existing building line should usual bargeboards to gable verges. The features (see page 14). The village architecture style, which is again popular not be permitted. exposed rafter feet to the main roofs centre displays good tree coverage. and sought after. Built originally as and the dormer construction are both bungalows with a floored roof space they Existing roof pitches should worthwhile design 'touches'. Most of the have undergone subsequent be maintained. original and somewhat stylised but Design guidelines. improvement and extension and most attractive window shutters have rotted now offer accommodation on two floors. and have not been replaced. Short In general, the principles The style of construction ensures that Area 3 Maldon Road lengths of an original field hedge remain which apply to with low-pitched roofs they are not and Parsonage Lane by the roadside and provide a degree of safeguarding the visually intrusive and with the benefit of a screening to the houses beyond, and conservation area apply to wide roadside verge and deep and wide The eight former Local Authority houses help reduce the urban impact of the the whole of this area. front gardens they impart an air of and four bungalows which front Maldon buildings. spaciousness, which is most pleasing. Road and the east side of Parsonage The Parish Council should They enjoy large rear gardens with a Lane slightly pre-date World War Two take steps to further south-east aspect and have an outlook whilst those prominently raised above Design guidelines. enhance the crossroads as to the parkland of Peacocks. Although Maldon Road on the north-east side a focal point for the village the individual buildings are not of high were built as further council housing Care should be taken to by the provision of further architectural value, as a group which are shortly after the war. Many are now in ensure that the existing planting and seating. styled in a particular manner, they make private ownership. The end house near simple, but effective design an important contribution to visual the road junction with Main Road was features are retained and The Highway Authority amenity. built as a police house and the two more are reflected in the design when proposing any traffic modern houses, which adjoin, were built of new work. control measures at the later in the former police house garden. crossroads should aim to Design guidelines The first group of properties are rather The roadside hedge in front avoid ‘urbanising’ plain in design but the latter carry a of numbers 3 to 29 Maldon The design of alterations influences such as traffic number of pleasing features. Also Road should be retained, and extensions to the lights, pedestrian islands noteworthy are the eaves tile 'kneelers' together with the ramped houses that front the south- and bollards. to gable ends and the raking brick footways. west side of Maldon Road between Main Road and pictured below right: Area 2. Maldon Road Parsonage Lane should Door feature reflecting the style of an Area 4 Orton Close ensure that the 1920's earlier period (The Square to Parsonage Lane) design style is maintained below left: The development of Orton Close and and not fragmented. Interesting eaves and verge detail The greater part of the development in the five old persons' bungalows on the the village dates from the last century. south-east side of Maldon Road dates The twelve detached chalet style from the mid-1960s but the differently bungalows, which front Maldon Road pictured below left: styled old persons' bungalows at the Example of chalet style bungalow between The Square and Parsonage end of the close built to an open plan below right: Lane were built in the 1920s by a builder Distinct doorway and arch design, came later. This development of former Local Authority housing differs in design to the earlier development in Maldon Road, which it adjoins. Terraced housing is introduced for the first time and is mixed with semi-detached houses and bungalows. Plot sizes are smaller but the buildings are pleasingly arranged and five small greens each with some tree planting provide welcomed open space. These trees are an important feature of the street scene 20 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 21

and help to maintain a green aspect. The architectural style is simple but the rather plain fletton brickwork is relieved in a number of cases by the use of horizontal boarding and tile hanging.

Design guidelines.

The extent of existing greens should be protected and new access ways should be avoided.

Existing trees should be protected and there may be housing density and with a partial scope for further planting. retention of the original front boundary hedge and ditch. The bungalows are built in pairs on deep plots backing onto agricultural land. The designs are conventional but not displeasing and with low roof levels the buildings are not Area 6 Main Road visually intrusive. through to Maldon Road (including the Shell site.)

Design guidelines. This area covers the north-eastern end of the village with frontage development to In particular, roof space Maldon Road at one end and conversions need to be development on one side of Main Road at undertaken with sensitivity the other. The former comprises a small and in accordance with mixed group of dwellings constructed at Chelmsford Borough various times over the last fifty years on Council guidelines. large and mostly well-screened plots. The larger group fronting Main Road is Dormer windows should even more diverse in age and style and only be installed if they are includes the attractive Spread Eagle compatible with the existing Design guidelines. public house, a building of considerable street scene. Area 5 Maldon Road age and character. The two pairs of The wide diversity of design (south side from Orton Close to the Edwardian houses close by have been evident to this part of the railway bridge.) the subject of some alteration and village is an asset and extension but still retain a number of allows greater scope for The greater part of the development in interesting architectural features. The variation, if accorded a high this section of the villages comprises stretch of land between Main Road and standard of design and some twenty semi-detached bungalows Maldon Road is mainly open space and compatibility with existing constructed in the 1950's to a low includes the Larmar light industrial house designs. building with its associated bungalow and land, a valued contributor to employment The old petrol filling station pictured above: in the village. Adjoining, is the virtually site would benefit from the Example of a small green - Orton Close cleared former site of the Shell petrol removal of semi-derelict above right: filling station. buildings and it is strongly Senior citizens’ bungalows - Orton Close encouraged that the right: Typical 1950’s bungalow - Maldon Road pictured top: existing trees are retained. Spread Eagle public house above right: feature brickwork 22 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 23

Eweland Hall (1866), probably the largest Margaretting Tye and Environment Record shows the church building in this area and now divided into other outlying groups of to be Norman in origin, incorporating three homes. Some former associated buildings 12th and 14th century work, but almost buildings have been converted to completely rebuilt in the early-mid 15th dwellings but some disused buildings century. The walls are mainly flint- Beyond the village centre lie a number remain. At the foot of the hill on the corner rubble, roughly coursed, intermixed with of small groups of buildings often of Pennys Lane stands the village school Roman bricks and tiles with dressings of centred around a principal farmhouse on a rather cramped site and adjacent is limestone in the tower-arch. The tower with its own group of outbuildings, many the site of the former Speedwell garage is possibly 12th century and evidence of of which are likely to be of some age now the location for light industrial uses medieval occupation located around the and character. Nearest to the village associated with the car trade. Permission church is also recorded. Particular centre is the group clustered around the has been given for the construction of two features of interest in this fine building Furze Hill and Ivy Hill Hotel complex at dwellings on the site. Pennys Lane, the A12/Wantz Road interchange. converted to a cul-de-sac on the Slightly more distant on the eastern construction of the by-pass provides edge of the parish is Whitesbridge Farm frontage for a number of mostly large pictured below: with its high boundary wall and an Former farm cottages near Whitesbridge Farm houses constructed in the mid-1950's on interesting collection of buildings whilst pictured bottom: plots ranging up to one hectare. The Handley Green with its associated strip The White Hart public house, Margaretting Tye styled houses are varied in design and perhaps in the best traditions of an English country pub of common land lies close to the the most important amenity feature is the western edge. And in Writtle Road close landscape value of tree cover. to the northern boundary is an Urbanisation in the form of formal kerbs, interesting mix of houses associated garden walls and formalised entrance with the Coptfold estate and the late gateways are considered inappropriate in 19th century house of Park Lodge. this location. There is a similar small These properties are set amongst group of large houses, which front or gain mature oaks and are close to King and access from Wantz Road. The remaining Chapel woods. A further group of section of this particular area of the buildings is centred around Whites village comprises the Recreation Ground Place and is dominated by the large and Village Hall and the attractive industrial style building which houses Wantfield Cottages, which adjoin. Main Ingatestone Saddlery. One of the Road, Pennys Lane and Wantz Road smallest groups of buildings is centred together provide an attractive circular on the church of St Margaret and this walk enjoyed by many village residents. comprises the church itself, the former vicarage, Margaretting Hall and two Design guidelines. farm cottages. The Essex Historic

The ‘country lane’ image of Pennys Lane should be maintained.

Area 7 Pennys Lane The cohesive effect of the and Wantz Road picket fences to Wantfield Cottages is preferable to This part of the village covers a large individual walls or rails. area of land bounded by sections of Main Road, Wantz Road and the by-pass. The houses which front Main Road are varied pictured above left: in age and style and are mostly set well The leafy aspect of Pennys Lane apart. Main Road also gives access to below left: Picket fencing at Wantfield Cottages 24 MARGARETTING VDS 25

Other design factors

Building design, materials and spaces

As will have been noted from the foregoing summaries, the design of individual properties varies considerably and tends to reflect styles appropriate to the date of construction. One and two storey construction is to be found throughout the village, mostly with detached and semi - detached houses but with a few terraced houses on the former Council estate in Orton Close. The density of development is at its highest here but even so there is the same strong are the font, the rare Jesse window, the Design guidelines. sense of space between buildings which sturdy timber framed tower, spire and typifies the built environment generally. belfry and the very early 15C north Care should be taken to Traditional building materials are to be porch. ensure that any found throughout, with local hand made The largest group is undoubtedly development permitted bricks evident to the older buildings in the Margaretting Tye, which possesses its within these dispersed vicinity of the crossroads. There is little own character and identity with a small areas does not detract from timber - framed construction but a but wide variety of dwellings and an existing rural and historic number of buildings are plaster rendered attractive and well patronised public character. and colour washed and this has been house overlooking a carefully maintained applied to the buildings of The Square green. A short distance from The large building which which originally displayed red facing Margaretting Tye is a long established houses Ingatestone brickwork. The decoration of this building residential caravan site. It is well Saddlery would benefit is undertaken as a coordinated operation screened by hedges and is not visually from additional tree notwithstanding separate ownerships and intrusive and its use has not given rise to screening. this treatment is important at this problems. prominent location. The newer All of these small groups of buildings construction of Orton Close displays have benefited from Green Belt policy some tile hanging and painted boarding. which has prevented an excess of Roofs are generally pitched and have development and any new development coverings of clay and concrete, plain or in the parish should be centred on the interlocking tiles. The use of natural slate main village envelope so that these is rather limited and flat roof construction smaller groups are left largely is almost totally absent. Double hung undisturbed. sash windows together in some cases, with complementary door cases are to be pictured opposite page top to bottom: found in some of the older houses, but in above left: Extension reflecting original design features the main, windows are of the casement Building group at Handley Green . New house using traditional materials type. The number of dormer windows is above right: Dormer window in traditional style quite limited. Buildings grouped around St Margaret’s Church New house with jettied first floor projection 26 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 27

Design guidelines. The density of new Local employment developments should relate Extensions and alterations to surrounding property and Fewer people are now employed in the should incorporate original the character of the area. or sympathetic materials, farming industry. Larmar Engineering remains the largest single employer of components and styling to Infill developments should match as closely as labour in the village but many employees retain a proper space are drawn from outside the village. possible those on the relationship with existing building. Furze Hill banqueting suite and Ivy Hill neighbouring properties. Hotel together with four local pubs all contribute to the local economy as do Alterations should reflect Although modest in size, the original building's Ingatestone Saddlery, Baskervilles porches can have an Kennels, Speedwell Garage, P and P characteristics and important impact on the proportions, particularly in Motor Engineers and Hylands Golf street scene and their Course. Furthermore a recent survey Redundant farm buildings relation to windows and design and the materials doors. showed that many small firms operate in used need careful the village often from quite modest consideration. Because of changes in farming practice All schemes of extension premises and with a wide diversity of many farm building are no longer should accord to operation. The diversity of these needed for the purpose for which they Except on open plan estates activities is regarded as valuable to the Chelmsford Borough or where there is risk of were constructed and many are now Council's Residential character of the village and should be used for storage or other commercial obscuring sight lines the sustained. Design Guidance, and in the favoured front boundary use often without formal planning interest of improved treatment is hedging of consent. However it needs to be community safety, design appreciated that there can be problems indigenous species. Design guidelines. should incorporate the with unsightly external storage and principles of ‘Secured by External artificial lighting Any extension of existing businesses related to car repair tend to Design’ to encourage the should not be excessive and commercial uses must take require large external areas for vehicle provision of safe and secure should be commensurate to due regard to location and storage. environments. safety and security needs. likely impact on the landscape. Consideration The scale and proportions New developments or should be given to the of roofs, new buildings and extensions should not possible effect to extensions should unduly obstruct existing neighbouring properties harmonise with publicly accessible views and the need to provide neighbouring properties and into or out of settlements. effective screening. spaces. Owners of semi-detached Advertising associated with Flats roofs should be used and terraced housing are business premises should only in exceptional encouraged to work show constraint and regard circumstances and the pitch together where unified to location. of new roofs should reflect decoration of colour washed existing or neighbouring areas would enable a unity Care should be taken to work. of image. ensure that the activity Government appears sympathetic to this does not overspill the site added income to a pressured farming Dormer windows should onto adjacent highways. industry and at local level the situation only be incorporated if they need not give rise to problems if use is are compatible with the exercised responsibly and with due existing roof scene and with regard to the countryside infrastructure. the existing building and will not have an adverse pictured: affect on the street scene. Two examples of successful conversions of redundant farm buildings 28 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 29

Design guidelines. Highways and infrastructure Design guidelines. of ‘gateway entrances’ to the village especially Alternative uses should be The A12 by-pass was opened in 1974 and The Highway Authority designed to be appropriate considered to promote the later followed by the Chelmsford southern should aim to reduce noise to the character of the regeneration of derelict by-pass and these were intended to impact of highways by the village. buildings for occupation by remove from the village most of the traffic use of porous road small rural businesses and farm which until then had used the present Main surfacing materials. In the New signage should be the diversification projects. Such Road. With the passage of time traffic case of the A12 trunk road minimum necessary and schemes should be designed to volumes have increased and once again consideration should be where possible grouped to enhance the existing fabric of the former trunk road sees increased use. given to the need for further avoid a proliferation of the building. This also applies to the crossing route of tree planting and the individually sited signs.The Wantz Road/Maldon Road and the provision of noise reducing appropriate authority, In relation to redundant farm crossroads which form the intersection of fences. agency or body are buildings any physical works these roads can prove very dangerous encouraged to rationalise affecting a building of historic particularly at peak periods when Whilst road safety must be street furniture, posts and significance should be commuters are driving to Ingatestone regarded as paramount, the poles wherever possible. preceded by an appropriate station or linking to the A12. Many design of traffic control and programme of archaeological residents are concerned that present speed reducing measures The extent of roadside recording. speed restrictions are inadequate and are should take full account of footways and ramps for the not sufficiently enforced but people are aesthetic considerations disabled is also regarded as Owners of premises or equally anxious that speed reduction and be appropriate to a adequate and appropriate. businesses should be measures which might be undertaken rural village. encouraged to reduce external particularly in Main Road should Present levels of street storage and where possible harmonise with the rural aspect of the Speeding traffic remains a lighting are regarded as provide additional tree situation. Other concerns centre on noise problem and there should adequate and appropriate screening of native species in and air pollution particularly from the A12 be greater efforts to slow to a rural location. However, the interest of visual amenity. trunk road and light pollution from the traffic at points of entry into light standards of improved The use of Cupressus leylandhii sodium lighting standards which serve the village. This might be uniform design, but of is not considered desirable. Main Road. Present levels of street achieved by the provision variable height according to signage are considered adequate. location would be preferred. A change to commercial use is Public demand for the convenience of In the case of Main Road preferable to residential use, mobile telephones will ensure a continued the older concrete lighting but where the latter is more proliferation of masts and Margaretting has posts and sodium lighting appropriate because of location, its share. A number are grouped at are unsatisfactory and permission should only be Coptfold Hall and there are others adjacent replacements should granted where the proposal will to the A12 Trunk road. Those at Coptfold ensure future uniformity not lead to loss of form and Hall are located on high ground among and a reduction in light character of the existing trees and are not unduly intrusive. Utility pollution. building. companies should take account of latest Government guidance in formulating their Statutory undertakers pictured below: proposals. should reduce the number A12 trunk road from Wantz Road flyover of unsightly poles and, wherever possible, place electrical and telephone cables underground. This applies to existing services on renewal and in new developments. pictured above left: The clutter of overhead cables Steps should be taken to pictured above right: An example of the difficulty in coordinating and limiting street signage 30 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 31

ensure that historic being effectively widened at the time of Footpaths add to the features in highways such repair and resurfacing as for instance in character of the village and as post boxes, telephone the case of part of Ivy Barn Lane. the surrounding area and boxes, granite kerbs and The long distance public footpath of St. should be kept unobstructed milestones are preserved. Peter's Way passes through the village and stiles and gates etc. and is very well used throughout the properly maintained. These Any future replacement of year. A good footpath system serves the should be of wood to a the two more modern bus village generally except to the traditional design. shelters should be similar northernmost section of the parish in the in style and construction to general area of the Coptfold Hall estate. To help provide further that which is situated Some paths are obstructed and need enjoyment of the area’s opposite the Bull public attention and the number of bridleways countryside character and by house, but with traditional is limited and the provision of a circular agreement with landowners, roofing materials. route would be an advantage to horse permissive footpaths might riders. The footpath system incorporates be created to the north of the Telecommunication masts some green lanes. village, which currently is not Design guidelines. should not be set in well served with footpaths. isolation. Utility companies Opportunities for creating Where appropriate, the when planning locations for new bridleways should be provision of off-street masts need to take the local considered to reduce the concealed parking facilities environment into account current potentially dangerous should be encouraged and and where possible they use of highways. new development should should be grouped together provide adequate parking and sited in association space. with groups of farm Car Parking buildings which in some Wherever possible, large measure can provide a areas of hard standing in Increased car ownership has enabled partial screen. front of homes should be increased mobility for village people and avoided. Where this is this has impacted upon employment, unavoidable owners are shopping habits, the village school, public encouraged to achieve a Country lanes, footpaths transport and the environment. Extensive frontage that maintains a car ownership, with some households and bridleways natural appearance with owning several cars, has brought with it Design guidelines. landscape planting In addition to the principal roads which some attendant disadvantages from a incorporating a surface of serve both local and through traffic the To avoid undue erosion of planning point of view. Many households setts, grass, paviours, gravel village possesses several lanes which roadside verges, passing lack car parking space completely, so and avoid total covering of add considerably to its rural and historic places should be provided look to use limited on-street parking black top, concrete or character. Swan Lane and Ivy Barn Lane in Swan Lane, and must be space with resultant risk of encroachment blocks. are both protected lanes and the single carefully sited so as not to on amenity grassed areas and verges track Church Lane makes a fitting have an adverse effect on and increased risk to pedestrians and access to the ancient parish church the character of the lane. road users. In particular roadside parking pictured above: beyond the level crossing. Parsonage Ditches should be fully in Maldon Road has proved a major Parking problems in Maldon Road Lane is also single track for much of its maintained to avoid problem. There is a proposal to have below: Two examples of timber posts to protect grassed areas length and is effectively a `no through' flooding. designated parking sections to relieve the road. The narrow and untended strip of problem and maintain a safe flow of woodland on each side of the road is a Repair and resurfacing traffic. A compromise adopted by some haven for wild life. The lanes which lead work should not encroach has been the sacrifice of the front garden to Stock and to Fryerning suffer from on verges and hedges. area to create on-plot parking space. increased traffic including some heavy However this may reduce visual amenity of the street scene and also reduce on- vehicles. This can lead to the lanes pictured above: Manually operated crossing gates at Parsonage Lane street parking space. 32 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 33

improvement in recent years but Design guidelines. improved storage facilities and car park surfacing are required. The smaller All alterations and playing field in Maldon Road owned by extensions to the village Chelmsford Borough Council provides hall should be In areas of housing such as play space and a limited range of sub- complementary to the Orton Close incorporating standard play equipment which is owned existing building. parking areas in front of by the Parish Council. New, and more homes, the use of a surface extensive play equipment is urgently The proposal by the Parish treatment which also required and a scheme is actively in Council to provide new play permits the growth of grass progress. The site also accommodates a equipment in the Maldon is desirable. number of allotments behind a screen Road playing field is hedge. strongly supported. Grassed areas within the The beautiful, ancient Church of England, Natural boundary hedges central village area should parish church of St Margaret's is located and trees to the recreation be protected from vehicular at the end of Church Lane beyond the ground and the Maldon encroachment by the railway. The Bishop who presides over Road playing field should provision of small timber the large diocese, of which it forms a part, be regularly maintained to a posts. resides and works at Bishopscourt at the high standard. north-eastern end of the village. The proposed management Fears a few years ago that the village Maldon Road playing field of on-street parking in school would be closed and the pupils is very conveniently Maldon Road should be transferred elsewhere fortunately came to situated to houses in Orton implemented and any nothing and the recent major capital Close and Maldon Road and painted yellow lines kept to expenditure on the building suggests that is a highly valued attribute a minimum width. its future is safeguarded for the present. to the village. It offers The village regards its school as an opportunities for a higher In Parsonage Lane along the important element in the well being of the level of use and improved length of the return frontage community and it would regard its closure level of management and to Guestlings the road edge as a serious loss. Nevertheless the maintenance. should be kerbed to define school labours under considerable the edge of the grassed area difficulty on a small site and with The school should and to provide an extended problems of traffic management on the reconsider the possibility of bay for parking: the green busy Main Road. The school has rejected locating school and opposite should not be a suggestion that staff parking should be business car parking to the kerbed, but provided with on Main Road. north side of Main Road strategically placed bollards between the Speedwell between the existing trees. Service station and The Red Community facilities and Lion PH. social activity below: Village Hall

The Recreation Ground is used by both the local cricket and football clubs. There are modern shower and changing facilities at the ground but the two pitches are squeezed into the available space and the two playing seasons tend to overlap. The site also accommodates

pictured right top: the Village Hall together with its two St Margaret’s church meeting rooms. The hall has been the right above: subject of extensive repair and Margaretting school 34 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 35

The future Where appropriate, Consideration should be It is not easy to regulate the future of New housing should prominent boundaries in given to the need for tree Margaretting since it is impossible to address all local needs, new developments should screening with native predict the future needs of the including affordable be marked by natural species. community, or the way in which society housing so as to stem the vegetation rather than by may change. This point is well illustrated outflow of young people formal fences and walls. Fuller consideration needs by the fact that development of the from the village. This point is especially to be given to acceptable 1960’s failed to predict the full impact of important within the traffic calming measures in car ownership and use, and the effect Good tree cover and the conservation area. Main Road, which will not has been considerable. Furthermore, interspacing of small give rise to untidy highway major planning policy decisions are greens in residential areas Where owners use their clutter or have an made at regional and government level. are essential elements of premises or home in urbanising effect. However, the Village Design Statement Margaretting's character pursuit of business or by providing a thorough understanding and should be reflected in recreational interest The probability of increased of the character of the parish and by any new development. particularly in relation to traffic use of the suggesting practical ways to care for and motor vehicles they should crossroads needs to be enhance, can help, influence, change be encouraged to ensure anticipated and and seek improvements to the area. This that their activities do not consideration given to document attempts to influence the adversely affect their possible solutions which design and character of future neighbours, visual amenity will safeguard both safety development in Margaretting. The or the street scene. and amenity at this focal principal matters for consideration may point of the village. be summarised as follows: Vigilance should be exercised by local people to Existing hedgerows and Every effort should be identify planning trees both in the village made to sustain and contraventions. The centre and in the open enhance the present enforcement authority countryside make an character of the village and should be notified of important contribution to this is especially important alleged infringements as rural amenity and deserve in the conservation area. soon as possible for to be retained and properly appropriate enforcement managed. Land uses or changes action. which have an urbanising Tree wardens should influence on the character Consideration should be continue to monitor the of the village should be given to the provision of trees in the Parish and to resisted. additional playing report to the Planning field/recreational space in Authority those trees that There is support for the event of future are considered under threat development on a modest development in the village. from any anticipated scale provided that it is physical changes. Tree carefully sited and linked to Business activities in the wardens and the Planning the existing settlement. village both large and small Authority are encouraged to are of value to the character further communicate with of the village and should be property owners regarding supported, but care should owner’s responsibilities. be taken to ensure that residential amenity is not right top: Indigenous country hedge impaired. right bottom: A traditional picket fence 36 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 37

Appendix number 1

Owners of property, land and trees in conservation areas, historic building LISTED PROPERTIES owners and owners of other historic or archaeologically important 01. Church of St Margaret, Church Lane Grade II features are encouraged to 02. Margaretting Hall, Church Lane Grade II be aware of their rights 03. The Spread Eagle Inn, Main Road. Grade II and responsibilities. 04. The Limes, Main Road Grade II The Parish Council should 05. Calcotts, Main Road Grade II encourage farmers in the surrounding countryside to 06. The Red Lion Inn, Main Road. Grade II respect rural character and 07. Black Cottage, Main Road. Grade II to promote tree planting and environmentally 08. Yew Tree Cottage and Peacocks Cottage, Main Road. Grade II friendly schemes in the 09. Peacocks, Main Road. Grade II wider landscape. 10. Lodge to Peacocks, Main Road. Grade II Every effort should be 11. Milestone and Cover Plate (45m S.W. of Ivy Cottage) Main Road. Grade II made to sustain the well 12. Killigrews A414. Grade II* being and continued existence of the village 13. Brick revetting to moat and octagonal turrets at North-west and school. south-west angles, Killigrews, A414. Grade II* 14. Whitesbridge Cottages (numbers 1 to 4 consecutive), Maldon Road. Grade II Consideration should be given to acquiring 15. Whitesbridge Farmhouse, Maldon Road. Grade II additional permanent 16. White’s Bridge, Maldon Road. Grade II recreational space 17. Barn immediately N.W. of Coptfold Hall Farmhouse, Writtle Road. Grade II adjacent to, and for the use of the school. 18. Bearmans Farmhouse, Writtle Road. Grade II 19. Barn to S.E. of Bearmans Farmhouse, Writtle Road. Grade II 20. Barn to East of Bearmans Farmhouse, Writtle Road. Grade II 21. Outbuildings at Bearmans Farmhouse, Writtle Road. Grade II 22. Parsonage Farmhouse, Parsonage Lane. Grade II 23. Granary South of Parsonage Farmhouse. Parsonage Lane. Grade II 24. Martin’s Farmhouse, Swan Lane Margaretting Tye. Grade II

pictured top right: Listed milestone right: Post box in the conservation area 38 MARGARETTING VDS MARGARETTING VDS 39

Notes.... Acknowledgements

Chelmsford Borough Council. Rural Community Council of Essex. Margaretting Parish Council. Essex County Council. Residents of Margaretting. Coordinated by Michael Scott. Edited by Arthur Radley. Photographs taken by the VDS Committee. Steering Committee: Harry Blurton, Arthur Radley, Penny and Roy Savill and Michael Scott. Layout: Jennie Scott. Production Tim Boem. Printed by Online Press Ltd. Further copies of this document are available from:

Parish Clerk Margaretting Parish Council Park Lodge Bungalow Writtle Road Margaretting CM4 0EL Essex The publication of the document was funded by a grant from The Community Council of Essex. Essex County Council Map information crown copyright