Village Character Assessment

Copyright C East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan

EAST BERGHOLT NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN CHARACTER ASSESSMENT

INTRODUCTION AND CONTENTS

This report analyses the village character using seven different criteria. These are: Spaces, Buildings, Greenery & Landscape Features, Light/Dark, Noise & Smell and Spirit of Place.

These criteria are then applied to sixteen areas making up the entire built up area of the Parish. In an anti-clockwise direction from the village centre these are as below; can be seen on the map opposite, and are the detailed reports in the same order on the following pages:

1. The Street 2. Cemetery Lane 3. Rectory Hill 4. Flatford Lane and Flatford Hamlet 5. White Horse Road 6. Gandish Road 7. East End 8. Heath Road 9. Quintons Road 10. Chaplin Road and Richardsons Road 11. B1070 Hadleigh Road to Gaston End 12. Elm Estate 13. Hadleigh Road 14. Gaston Street 15. Fiddlers Lane

The photograph pages show a sample of the diverse properties in each of the 16 areas

A summary of these assessments and the conclusions drawn can be seen in the Neighbourhood Plan

EAST BERGHOLT

Continued – EAST END

EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT – THE STREET

SPACES: The Street is the functional centre of the village housing a small array of essential shops, the Anglican Church and the Red Lion Inn. It represents the best of evolving village development in the form of diverse building styles, some properties set back with gardens and others built directly onto the road.

BUILDINGS: The Street provides a feast of architectural style, size, colour and age. At the Hadleigh Road junction a high brick wall and gate give glimpses of an impressive Tudor house set in large gardens. Opposite is a group of interesting houses and the remains of the village lock-up. The free car park is largely shielded from view by the 17th century Red Lion Inn and Red Lion Cottage. Opposite a low mansard roofed cottage sports the sign “Dealer in Hats” indicating a stage in its history. The houses facing this cottage have significant religious history and their Suffolk brick facing hides 17th century timber framed construction. Clustered around the junction with Cemetery lane are a number of buildings in commercial and retail use and very much the centre of the village. Opposite is the impressive jettied 16th century Fountain House and adjoining Dunthorn Cottage, home and workshop of John Constable’s friend and mentor. Facing this cottage, now a craft and hardware shop is a short spur of attractive cottages, the first of which has had many uses, including a bank and, currently, a bakers shop. The Street bends sharply here and the character changes somewhat. The west side is dominated by a very large Georgian house with a cupola similar to that on the Church. Once the home of Randolph Churchill it originally fronted onto a small village green, now part of the garden. The village sign occupies the remaining vestige of the green. Facing this large property is the site of the Constable Family home, plaques on the railings mark its position now occupied by two detached 20th century houses. There is one handsome timber framed house, Little Court, with 18th century brick façade and a traditional group of Alms Houses behind which may be glimpsed allotments which wrap behind them and meet the Churchyard.

VIEWS: The Street provides so many interesting cameo views that only the longer view back towards Gaston Street seems significant. The random and unstructured features of the village centre are what make it so interesting, showing how it has evolved over centuries to accommodate local needs. The view at the southern end is dominated by St Mary’s Church, a fine “wool church” that has achieved fame due to its incomplete tower and the heavy set of five bells therefore contained in an oak “cage” and rung by hand since its erection as a temporary measure in 1531. The church projects out into the road which has to loop around the unfinished tower. The churchyard has many visitors to the bell cage and graves of Constable’s parents.

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: Whilst The Street has a high level of greenery in private gardens, the architecture and general village centre ambience is the most prevalent feature.

LIGHT/DARK: The Street has an open light feel as the larger structures are set well back from the road.

NOISE & SMELL: The Street is widely accepted as being the functional centre of the village. Cars are essential features of modern life but the village was not designed with them in mind. Despite the problems of noise and parking, the village centre still manages to function well.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: The Street provides an ambience of good village life, of interaction and community. It is considered to be the hub of the village. The Street

EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT – CEMETERY LANE

SPACES: Cemetery Lane is a quiet, narrow lane starting the centre of the village and leading eventually to footpaths in the Dedham Vale. Buildings are confined to the beginning of the lane and the spacing of buildings is variable, some directly onto the road and others set back with impressive gardens. The lane has a very informal character with an interesting array of buildings of various scales and spacing so no two views are the same. As with so many areas in the village, telegraph and overhead electric cables have a negative impact.

BUILDINGS: The buildings in Cemetery Lane are dominated by a large Victorian, red brick Congregational Church and the blank flank wall of the shop funnels the view towards that. The lane starts, however, with two small cottages with small neat gardens, one of which was the original studio used by John Constable. Next to it is a light industrial workshop and beyond that a high red brick garden wall and gravelled entrance to properties which cannot be seen. The gateway to West Lodge, however, affords a glimpse of the substantial garden with mature trees and shrubs. Beyond the church is a scattering of cottages and larger houses. Although totally unplanned in appearance the impression is what you would expect for a rural village and is altogether pleasing. As implied by the name the lane leads to a large cemetery with attractive old brick wall fronting onto the lane.

VIEWS: The views at the beginning of the lane are restricted by walls and for much of the lane by hedges and trees. Eventually it leads to very wide rural views over the river valley. Near to the village end of the lane, there is a point where a beautifully framed view of Dedham Vale can be seen; this is an iconic Constable Country view. The roofscape is dominated by the Congregational Church.

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: The feeling of the lane is that it is leading out of village into the countryside, emphasised by the gentle downhill slope. The cemetery on the right hand side marks the end of the general housing and the sides of the lane are then informally hedged.

LIGHT/DARK: A green and shady lane.

NOISE & SMELL: A very quiet and peaceful lane, with the exception of the area at its start. There is always a lot of activity associated with the shop and the engineering workshop but these do not detract.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: Rural, quiet and supremely unplanned. Cemetery Lane

EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT – RECTORY HILL

SPACES: Starting at the Church it is very open with the Churchyard (several tall yews) and Church Plain. The houses facing onto the Plain have small gardens enclosed by railings and Old Chapel House has white posts and chains which appear to claim ownership of the pavement at its frontage. The high convent walls and hedges of Old Hall reflect that its community of nuns was once enclosed. Further down the hill the houses and cottages string out, with the gaps between for the most part very large. The Hill winds down to the valley of the Riber Brook and up again to Burnt Oak Corner, pinched in at the end of the Church Plain, wide open to the south side with open fields, and well wooded at both ends with tunnels of trees. Cars necessarily park on the Plain and these and white markings detract.

BUILDINGS: The first glimpse of the area is framed by the unfinished tower of St Mary the Virgin. Friary Cottage stands on the corner of Flatford Lane in a substantial garden bordered by a soft brick wall and tall hedges with many mature trees. The conventual buildings, added to the Old Hall manor house in 1857, are Italianate in style with austere striped brickwork and probably incongruous in appearance to visitors to the area. A further incongruity left over from the use of Old Hall as a religious house is the small graveyard containing remains of the Friars who took over when the nuns departed. The houses facing onto the plain are older than their frontages would suggest and form a pleasing group with their front gardens enclosed by railings. Houses wind down the hill from the century right up to the twentieth are mainly set back from the road, several with railings and walls, and placed in substantial gardens of mature trees and shrubs. One, Emanual House, stands alone on the south side. Built in 1904 to replace the Old Rectory and in use as such until 1979, it is a butterfly shaped house designed to catch the sun. At the bottom of the hill fencing becomes wooden picket style with a more rural feel. The 1967 built Riber House sits well back from the road up what was originally the drive to the Old Rectory across the glebe meadow. The Old Rectory itself is completely hidden from view, unless from the Dedham side of the Vale. Rectory Hill winds its way up again to its western end with high hedges and tall trees to the northern side and open fields to the south. Hollybank (twentieth century and originally two cottages) and Kells (Raymond Erith, 1939) sit back with good sized front and rear gardens. The Kings Head has a garden to front and rear and the road widens here and was the site of an annual Toy Fair which survived into the early twentieth century. The access to the Old Rectory is extremely wooded and the first two neighbouring cottages hide behind high hedges of laurel. These two and those sitting right at the pavement edge are all of two storeys but low with dormer windows, including the twentieth century replacement.

VIEWS: At the Church end there is a long view down into the Vale from the top of Flatford Lane. The three focal points here are the Church itself, the Convent buildings and the War Memorial. The Church Plain closes in outside Old Chapel House, widening out again with open fields to the South as it does again at the Burnt Oak end where a tunnel of trees is formed over the road. Telegraph poles and wires are a detrimental contribution to the street whilst a post box (EIIR) makes a Constable splash of red.

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: This is a substantially green and rural area.

LIGHT/DARK: There are no street lights and as a result wonderful night skies across the Vale.

NOISE & SMELL: Natural fresh air. Apart from occasional traffic noise it is possible to hear the wind in the trees, birdsong and the tap tap tapping of ropes against the church flag pole. Double decker buses (it is a bus route) inevitably impinge on this peace and quiet. A reduced speed limit would be beneficial.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: Substantially the same as when John Constable made his way from the family home beyond the Church to the Rectory to court Maria Bicknell. Idyllic. Rectory Hill EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT – FLATFORD LANE AND HAMLET

SPACES: Leaving the crossroads known as Burnt Oak Corner one enters a different world and at the start of the one-way system is the approach to the jewel in the crown of East Bergholt: Flatford. This is an agricultural area with wide views across the Dedham Vale AONB. Several tracks open off Flatford Lane to the east. The first near to Burnt Oak affords a glimpsed view of a sports field, next two are where the descending road ceases to be two-way and two long drives rise up to give access to Clapper Farm House and Flatford Farm. To the west the land falls away divided into small fields of grazing land. At the bottom of the loop is a tree surrounded car park in National Trust ownership. The sunken lane beside it is a complete tunnel of trees, opening out to reveal the Bridge Cottage and wooden bridge across the Stour. BUILDINGS: At Burnt Oak Corner is the Grade II timber framed Townhouse, bought by the parish overseers in 1654 to house paupers and at that time divided into four dwellings. They are little changed, rough cast with beautiful peg tiled roofs and large brick chimneys. On the east side of Flatford Lane is a group of 1969/70 detached houses all set well back from the pavement with large front gardens occupying the site of the Burnt Oak School. Two 21st century houses follow this pattern with mature trees and shrubs. On the west side, Burnt Oak House and its converted stable block, Stable Cottage, are hidden from view down a tree lined driveway. Claycotts is an outstanding late medieval L shaped house, jettied with fine carvings to the corner post and beam, fantastic brick chimneys and peg tiled roof . Clapper Farm House, of Suffolk white brick was extended symmetrically and a cupola added circa 2005. Flatford Farm was built in the 1970s and some original outbuildings still stand. Three further detached 20th century properties on this, the east, side of the lane, all bar one much altered and extended, stand in large well screened gardens and enjoy fantastic views. The Haybarn Cottage is a picturesque thatched property with tall brick chimneys owned by the National Trust. Taking the sunken lane one reaches the most important buildings. Bridge Cottage (Grade II*) is 17th century with 18th century additions. The National Trust acquired it and built a weather boarded café and shop between it and the boat building yard, the brick floor of which is visible. Next is The Granary, originally a wool store serving Flatford fulling mill. It is weather boarded and thatched with a single storey peg tiled range. The oldest building is the 15th century Valley Farm. Restored by private owners in 1938 it was then fully restored to near original condition when it was acquired by the National Trust in 1959. The splendid brick Flatford Mill was rebuilt by Abram Constable in 1753 and much of its exterior is unchanged. Across the pond is Willy Lott’s House, evolving over three centuries, this timber framed building and the Mill are recognisable to millions all over the world as the scene of John Constable’s The Haywain. These buildings are all Grade I, all belong to the National Trust and are all now occupied by the Field Studies Council as a Study Centre and so are in constant use by students of all ages. Back on Flatford Lane, an unmade road runs behind the car park containing three cottages built or rebuilt during the 20th century, all low and with mature gardens. The last house on the lane is Gosnall’s Farm much expanded and altered the original dwelling now forms the central part of the present structure. The old stables are original but now part of the accommodation. Fen Lane is an unmade road leading to Fen Bridge. A large new house replaces a small wooden cottage which nestled virtually unseen at the end of this lane. There are no more houses until the junction with The Street where stands the white washed pebble- dashed Friary Cottage with pantile roof and large brick chimney.

VIEWS: Uninterrupted views across the whole of the Dedham Vale except in the sunken lane which forms a tunnel.

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: Meadows, hedges and trees; substantial gardens to virtually all properties.

LIGHT/DARK: No street lighting. Well shaded by mature trees and high hedges.

NOISE & SMELL: Natural and fresh with no recent instances of smell from the sewage works well concealed behind trees.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: This is the iconic landscape of Constable Country beloved of residents and visitors alike.

Flatford Lane

EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT - WHITE HORSE ROAD, NOTCUTTS, ORVIS LANE, MANNINGTREE ROAD, CORDWINDERS & DAZELEYS LANE

SPACES: White Horse Road is one arm of the Burnt Oak Corner crossroads. It is a two way tarmac road with an open aspect spoilt only by telegraph poles and cables. There is a pavement on one side of the road only, and it is flat with a very gentle bend half way along. The gaps between houses vary immensely and give views to rear buildings, landscape views, and one leads to a discreet private road (Willets Pond) of 5 large houses surrounding a pond. A cul-de-sac (Notcutts) opens on the north side which is open aspect and backs on to the village recreational green which can be seen across the open areas. The houses are not uniform in their distance from road nor in the roof heights which presents as a feeling of openness. At the end on the north side there is agricultural land leading up to Ely’s Corner, a grass triangle, forming a ‘Y’ junction where it joins the B1070 at Manningtree Road. The farmland on the south opens up a view across the Dedham Vale enjoyed by the residents of Cordwinders (cul- de-sac) and Dazeleys Lane (unmade road).

BUILDINGS: The houses give diversity to the road space due to their individuality, variation in plot size from small cottages and bungalows to vast areas around the larger properties. The properties are well maintained and range in age from the 1700’s when the three terraced alms houses were built to the more modern built in the 20th century. Bungalows sit comfortably with two storey houses, cottages and a public house converted to a domestic residence. There is a snooker hall with car park which blends in well due to its positioning, construction material and size. One property has a thatched roof which adds interest to the road. A large number of the properties have had extensions but all done in keeping with the original, using matching materials in most cases. Notcutts contains more modern properties, two storey terraced, semi-detached and detached houses and a few bungalows. There are few boundary markers and so presenting an open rural aspect. At the far end on the left-hand side a small business operates in the former Methodist Chapel

VIEWS: The space within the road was long, open and pleasant. A number of parked cars along White Horse Road detract from the concept of space and the steady flow of cars is unfortunate. The views between houses and across the Dedham Vale are stunning.

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: There is a lot of greenery in the front and rear gardens of the properties, most have hedges at their boundaries. Notcutts has many green swathes and selective trees which give the ‘estate’ a pleasant feel and it benefits from a skyline view of mature trees on the recreation ground behind. On the right hand side the landscape glimpses of the AONB are picturesque.

LIGHT/DARK: This was undertaken on a bright sunny morning and so the area felt light and appealing. There are no street lights and so on clear nights the sky is an open canvas.

NOISE & SMELL: There is quite a lot of traffic noise especially at both ends of White Horse Road, at the junction with Manningtree Road and at Burnt Oak Corner crossroads. Birdsong can be heard and plant smells are occasionally in the air. Tractors pass along the road adding the occasional farmyard smells.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: White Horse Road at one end is on the crossroads to Flatford and so sees many tourists and walkers which gives it a buzzy feeling. The other end leads out of the village and as a consequence is less buzzy but still has a charm of its own with the thatched cottage, ancient alms houses and wonderful views across the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley.

White Horse Road, Notcutts, Orvis Lane, Manningtree Road, Cordwinders, Dazeleys Lane

EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT – GANDISH ROAD & CLOSE

SPACES: The Burnt Oak corner is quite wide and open. Set slightly back from the junction and alone in being on the pavement edge, the red brick exterior of 1 Gandish Road is a charming companion to the white rendered Townhouse cottages on the opposite corner. Looking up the length of Gandish Road one is aware of tall trees and hedges. Once past Gandish Close, it is obvious that the building line, set back from the road some 25 metres, has been respected, particularly on the west side.

BUILDINGS:

There is a great variety of styles and vintages. Gandish Close was constructed in the latter part of the 20th century with steep roofed bungalows. One further infill house, weather boarded with dormer windows, is set back over 50 metres from Gandish Road. All are in a well kept landscape setting. Next is a variety of different styles of two storey detached houses, all set well back and many with such dense hedges and trees to their fronts they can barely be seen. Six classically designed “Georgian style” houses designed by Raymond Erith in the late 1940s/early 1950s face the Constable Hall. These are all at least 30 metres back with narrow gaps to the sides and long rear gardens. They have classical elevations with authentic composition of sliding sash windows, shallow pitched roofs of slates or shingles and pale or white stucco-ed walls. The Constable Hall, also by Raymond Erith but with poor extension, and the simple twin block sports pavilion designed by Peter Barefoot are on the east side. These come at the end of a number of detached 20th century 2 storey houses, also set back but by slightly less (15-20 metres) and more tightly packed with many at 45 degree angle to the road. There are no further houses on this side bar the single cottage beyond the playing fields. The 16th century Gandish House and the old cottages (17th century if not earlier) next to it, have many pleasing period features and are surrounded by large plots. Gandish House was the home of Ann Constable. Beyond is a track leading to the Mill House, hidden from view by trees and hedges.

VIEWS: The junction at Burnt Oak is quite wide and open and looking from here up the road it is wide with houses set well back particularly to the west. The views open out at the Constable Hall with playing area, sports field and tennis courts which are to the back of the field and well screened with hedging. Then comes open fields and grazing land so that the junction with the B1070 is completely rural.

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: There are numerous trees and hedges and substantial well tended gardens particularly at the Burnt Oak end. The trees form arbours over the road at several points. At the B1070 junction, the fields are surrounded by old hedges.

LIGHT/DARK: For the most part the road is so well supplied with trees there is always dappled shade in summer. There is no street lighting.

NOISE & SMELL: Natural environment with no man made smells. The sports and play facilities together with the Constable Hall mean there is plenty of activity but, other than traffic actually attending these facilities, it is not much used by cars.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: This is an area of simple architecture but of high quality and character. The sports and village hall means that it is also very active with a good sense of community.

Gandish Road

EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT - EAST END Lane, BROOM KNOLL, Straight Road, Park Road & MISSION LANE

SPACES: The northern end of East End Lane together with Park Road and Straight Road/ East End Road, are tree lined, winding, sometimes narrow roads, all without street lighting and pedestrian pathways. Mission Lane is a small cul de sac with open aspect surrounded by agricultural land. The pre-war homes boast long gardens (rear or front), whilst Broom Knoll bungalows have little garden space. The Grange Caravan Park consumes 11 acres and embracing 66 homes, has avoided a claustrophobic feel. At the northern end of East End Lane it opens out to agricultural field fronted by a recreational green and children’s playground.

BUILDINGS: The hamlet is a mixture of pre 1900 farm workers cottages, terracotta tiled bungalows (built early 1930’s) and a 1960’s estate of 70 homes, which includes a butchers shop selling local produce. All the aforementioned share pedestrian walk ways, a Royal Mail post box, and a BT phone box. The hamlet boasts The Royal Oak pub (known as The Kicking Donkey in the 1881 census) a hairdressers, and a sprinkling of 17th and 18th century houses. 4 farms with their outbuildings complete the East End makeup.

VIEWS: Views stretch north to Dodnash Woods, east to open farmland; south across fields towards Flatford, and west looks back towards the main village. All are visible from within the relevant area, all areas have adjacent farmland, and all roads boast at least one footpath leading to open spaces.

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: Three boundary roads enjoy high hedges and a mixture of mature trees of many varieties, between them, harbouring an abundance of wildlife. A north easterly winds blows regularly ‘down’ the Stour Estuary, across East End, resulting in a very dry landscape (making the upkeep of well-kept gardens difficult). The northern end of Straight Road/East End Road verges are registered by Suffolk County Council as Roadside Nature Reserves due to the plants growing along them.

LIGHT/DARK: The summer months ensure that the lined boundary roads are darker than usual due to the canopy of trees enveloping the thoroughfare. The rest of East End is very light and open, due to the presence of so many bungalows. The locals describe their locality as ‘big skies’ because 70% of their vista is vast areas of sky above. No light pollution at night ensures a very dark habitat (an astronomer’s delight).

NOISE & SMELL: Four surrounding working farms ensure that at planting and harvesting times, agricultural smells and sounds permeate the area. A dusty air quality can be absorbed on occasions. Any other noise is road traffic at commuter times, otherwise a peaceful environment.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: The history of East End is immersed in farming, and the combination of fields, farms and footpaths, ferment a life of peaceful contentment to the folk that live in the hamlet.

East End East Bergholt

EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT – HEATH ROAD

SPACES: Heath Road is part of the B1070 road running along the north side of the village and is the main link between the A12 and the A137 resulting in a very busy and, at peak times, a massively congested road. It contains a huge variety of buildings ranging from quaint cottages and ancient public houses to modern housing, a school, a garage and a purpose built medical centre. As the road runs away from the village here are three road junctions on the left and two small cul-de-sac housing developments on the right. Where Heath Road becomes Mill Road the scene turns to open countryside.

BUILDINGS: There is a huge variety of buildings, some residential, some commercial. Starting at the junction with Gaston Street, stands the 15c Carriers Arms public house (originally the Carrick Arms) which is next to the impressive Tudor house, Chaplins. Opposite there is a very long red brick wall surrounding the large gardens of The Hermitage which is at the junction with Quintons Road. Further on the left are a number of single storey modern homes and on the right is the 16c Hare and Hounds public house with its renowned pargetted ceiling. Opposite the Woodgates Road junction is the village garage and further along on the left is the entrance to the High School and Sports Centre. At this point the road, whilst quite narrow, is straight but is a real bottleneck at peak times when some 900 children arrive and leave school with the vast majority travelling by buses and cars. Unrestricted parking along Heath Road adds to the congestion. On the other side of the road is the modern Constable Country medical practice serving East Bergholt and other local villages with heavy volumes of traffic leaving its dedicated parking area. At the end of Heath Road is the Putticks Lane junction as the road bends to the right and here views are of open countryside.

VIEWS: Left and right bends at each end of the road restrict views but the main stretch of the road is straight and built up on both sides with a huge variety of old and modern properties, some street side and others with substantial gardens/forecourts. There are several attractive older properties, some painted which leads to a pleasing widely mixed view

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: Large gardens to some properties provide much greenery in places and the garden to one public house creates an impression of open space with allotments just visible to the rear of the roadside garden. The urban view of the more commercial premises is offset by trees at intervals and particularly as a screen to the High School entrance. Towards the eastern end of the road there is lengthy hedging and specimen trees. Left and right bends at each end of the road restrict views but the main stretch of the road is straight and built up on both sides with a huge variety of old and modern properties, some street side and others with substantial gardens/forecourts. There are several attractive older properties, some painted which leads to a pleasing widely mixed view

LIGHT/DARK: During the day substantial shading is found at the eastern end of the road which is open countryside flanked by hedging and large specimen trees. Otherwise the road varies from an open feel where buildings are set well back from the road to tight where rows of houses open directly onto the road.

NOISE & SMELL: Apart from the chatter of children at school arrival and leaving times the principal noise is that of traffic which is fairly continuous and ranges from private cars to agricultural vehicles and, despite weight restriction, some HGVs.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: A constantly busy road with people, traffic and business activities always present.

Heath Rd, Mill Rd and Putticks Lane

EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT – QUINTONS AREA SPACES: The properties occupy sizable plots along Quinton’s Road, particularly those facing the Box Iron. The Box Iron was common grazing land, divided between three owners after the Enclosures Act of 1817 but now in single ownership. It is a jungle with wire fencing only visible in places and a decrepit wooden five bar gate but it is green and natural. The 20th century houses and bungalows beside it are all set in established gardens. Many of the properties facing it have the typical Bergholt railings and all have hedges. The pavement is along one side only and black topped.

BUILDINGS: The Hermitage is a substantial and imposing early 17th century house with red brick wall enclosing a large mature garden. Hermitage Cottage is well back at the end of a long gravel drive. Sparrows is of red brick behind a hedge with a separate coach house; the gap between the two affording a glimpsed view of its gardens and beyond to the open fields. The thatched Quintons has a wing almost abutting the pavement but otherwise sits in the middle of its substantial plot with mature shrubs, hedges and trees. Its bothy, once a wheelwright’s workshop is closer to the Forge. The Forge house is placed well back from the road with its original workshop of circa 1450 (crown post roof) to one side. These properties both have railings, spear headed at the Forge and round topped at Quintons. The Linnets is set back and screened from view as is the Queen Anne High Trees with tall hedge and to its side a gravelled yard with range of outbuildings. Next to these elegant houses is an Anglian Water pumping station, fenced off and overly supplied with signage. Quinton’s Corner is a 20th century development in two distinct parts and styles. Odd numbered are in a cul de sac of link detached houses on the west side. They have front gardens without fencing or division. The even numbered to the east side are detached bungalows, one only an infill chalet bungalow somewhat incongruously higher than the rest. Leaving these behind, there is a group on the bend of Woodgates Road before reaching open fields: Pears Barn Cottage, extended in 2015 and an additional new house under construction facing Pears Barn (the barn having been replaced by a 20th century detached house) well screened behind a high brick wall. Returning to the junction of Quintons Road there are two old cottages, one built right against the pavement edge and next to it one of L-shape with one end to the pavement. The rest of the houses on the east side of Woodgates Road were originally semi detached council houses, now much extended or replaced entirely. They all have substantial gardens backing onto the High School playing fields which can be seen between the houses. They face the other side of the Box Iron. A detached house was recently built on the south west corner at the junction with the B1070 and two more Rose Gardens, one almost as mews to the rear of that facing onto Woodgates Road.

VIEWS: Quintons Road is green with substantial gardens. The Box Iron is a green oasis but overgrown and sadly inaccessible. The newer additions at Quintons Corner have the open unfenced gardens to their fronts. The views across the open fields beyond are redolent of Constable’s paintings (e.g. Cottage at East Bergholt and many other works, particularly in his sketchbooks). Looking back towards the village from near to Woodgates Farm, the High School’s tall lights on their sports fields and the blank elevation and light coloured roof of a sports hall jar the eye. A mast is also visible in the distance. In common with many parts of the village, telegraph poles and wires detract.

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: This is a substantially green area. The Box Iron trees are important to the scene but its jungle of brambles could be improved upon.

LIGHT/DARK: There are no street lights and as a result there are wonderful skies by both night and day.

NOISE & SMELL: Natural fresh air. Apart from occasional traffic noise near to the B1070, it is relatively quiet.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: A charming residential area with good mix of dwellings from the historic Forge, the elegant Queen Anne High Trees and through all the centuries to the present day.

Quintons

EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT – CHAPLIN/RICHARDSONS ROAD

SPACES: The main quality of these two roads is of an open “country” feeling where none of the properties are obtrusive. Contributory factors are wide frontages (typically 30m), wide roadways and wide pavements and large grassed verges and spaces on corners and at junctions. Most gardens are well kept without hedges or dividing fences but with mature shrubs and trees. The low roofs coupled with the fact that houses are well set back and staggered also contribute to the openness and allows views of mature trees in the distance. There is no street furniture or services (sub-stations) as these are in secluded enclosed spaces between or behind properties and there are no overhead services. Traffic is light and typically of cars only. Two small areas where the general ambience is compromised are at Pitts End where a long brick wall dominates the view and on the approach from Heath Road where 7 houses are fronted by garages. These are on the outside of the bend without mitigating vegetation and they dominate the view whilst the bungalows opposite are unobtrusive.

BUILDINGS: The Chaplin Road/Richardsons Road estate consists of a mixture of 3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses, dormer bungalows and bungalows, all designed in the late 60s and the 70s. Properties are red brick or colour washed rendering. Older properties on Chaplin Road have wooden cladding. They are mostly roofed with concrete tiles. The road is light coloured with chippings, footpaths are of tar macadam and driveways are concrete or block paving. There are four or five different styles of properties so no single style dominates. A number of properties have been modified or extended in ways that fit well with the character of the area. In general this has improved the estate by increasing variety. Original features of merit are the low roof heights with the majority having the apex at right angles to the road so that they appear smaller. The houses are well spaced with little on-road parking as all the properties have adequate off-road parking. Flat roofed garages have in many cases been modified with low pitched more visually attractive roofing treatment. The orientation, low roof heights, spacing, appropriate size and openness of the front gardens mitigate the visual effect the size of the houses.

VIEWS: The estate appears much smaller than it is. At any one place it is not possible see more than a few houses (perhaps five or ten). Views are mostly far ranging due to the visibility of tall mature trees in the distance over the tops of the houses giving a natural, rather than built up view of the estate. Richardsons Road to the south is open to the Heath but bounded by mature trees which provide framed. Intimate views rather than it looking like a wide open expanse of farmland

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: Plant life, grass, shrubs flowers and trees of various sizes are dominant within the estate. The wide grass verges and open grassed areas at all points mitigate the grey road surface and black pavements.

LIGHT/DARK: Space between the houses allows a great deal of light into the estate during the day. This coupled with the dappled shade provided by tall mature trees gives most areas a very natural feeling.

NOISE & SMELL: The smell of flowers, newly cut grass and the sound of birdsong dominate the estate, punctuated by the occasional sound of a motor vehicle.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: Calm and openness. Airy and natural with intimate spaces. It does not at first sight appear as large as it actually is, the layout mitigating the effect so that small groups only are visible at any given point. It is acknowledged, however, that it took a couple of decades for its impact to be assimilated by the village.

Chaplin Rd & Richardsons Rd

EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT – B1070 FROM HADLEIGH ROAD TO CARRIERS ARMS including FOXHALL FIELDS, MOORES LANE, BEEHIVE CLOSE

SPACES: This approach from the A12 provides a long view into the village with agricultural land to both sides. Foxhall Fields has a wide green verge to the B1070 so the built up area remains very open. Foxhall Fields is a local authority housing area with typical post-war gardens of generous size both front and back. Moores Lane is a private track running to the north east, the few houses and a barn conversion at its end almost invisible. Beehive Close has six large houses but fairly successfully mitigated with good landscaping. Beehive Corner opposite and on the corner of Fiddlers Lane has new houses built hard on the pavement as well as behind and replacing the Beehive Inn. At the junction with Gaston Street, the road bends sharply so one is facing the Carriers Arms with wide forecourt, parking area and gardens and a good green space surrounding the Tudor Chaplins House. The detached houses on the north side of the road have good sized front gardens though infilling has diminished plot sizes in some cases.

BUILDINGS: Foxhall Fields and Foxhall Close are mid to late 20th century local authority semi-detached housing of solid stock, built of plain brick with generous gardens to front and rear. Later terraced bungalows and further small blocks of houses dating from around 1970 are similarly well gardened. There are several areas of open grass with mature trees. Beehive Close and Beehive Corner, together with the older detached houses along the road are of generally good quality and substantial if not innovative.

VIEWS: The view approaching or leaving the village via this route is across open agricultural land with trees and hedges particularly to the south west. Coming into the village, the wide green verges approaching Foxhall Fields and Foxhall Close keep this open aspect. Approaching the Carriers Arms and the junction, the road has a busier and more built up feel.

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: Plenty of green open space with trees as noted above, together well stocked gardens.

LIGHT/DARK: Some street lighting and trees do not appear to predominate as in other parts of the village.

NOISE & SMELL: This is the main route for through traffic so it is busy with cars, buses and some lorries, despite weight restrictions.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: A busy through route which nonetheless manages to appear green and at least in parts open.

B1070, Foxhall Fields Moores Lane, Beehive Close

EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT – ELM ROAD, ELM ESTATE, SCHOOL LANE, WHITESFIELD, ASKINS ROAD & ALDOUS CLOSE

SPACES: Elm Road is an almost straight road with a variety of residential dwellings. The character of the road changes from the western end, with its far views towards the Stour Valley, and the eastern end that leads to the centre of the village. Although the housing varies along the road the impression is of space with all properties set well back from the road. As with the turnings off, many of the dwellings are single story and thus the preponderance of telephone and overhead electric cables has a negative impact. Elm Estate presents the view of a substantial 1950s open plan community housing project with a large green open space in its centre.

BUILDINGS: At the western end Elm Road has a number of houses some recently built of traditional village style. A crossroad provides a view in one direction to a private road, Whitesfield, with an array of different bungalow styles set well back from the road. Many have been modernised and two are newly built. . Opposite, down a short spur, School Lane, leads to the Primary School. School Lane’s 1960s properties are four detached houses opposite four detached bungalows, all set back from the road with open plan gardens with mature shrubs. Further east the road has mostly 1930/40s bungalows to one side, many modernised and extended. Opposite are mainly 20th century houses also set back with ample gardens. Elm Estate, built in the 1950s consists of bungalows, houses and three 3 storey blocks of flats set in an open configuration. Askins Close, an unmade road has a range of individual bungalows and houses on spacious plots with trees and copious foliage. Aldous Close is a short crescent of 1960s built houses and bungalows set in neat open plan gardens. The eastern end of Elm Road provides interesting views of houses and differing rooflines representing many centuries of architectural styles.

VIEWS: Starting at the western end there are views across agricultural land to the Dedham Vale with a wonderful sense of space and sky. There are no long views from any of the roads but there is a good feeling of space. In Elm Road and elsewhere the low buildings draw attention to overhead cables and the negative effect these have on the scene. At the eastern end of Elm Road there is a feeling of entering the centre of the historic village.

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: Whilst Elm Road no longer sports the trees to match its name, the overall effect is of bushes, trees and hedges. One significant Victorian House has a fine example of a formal hedge. The visual impression is of low level buildings with lots of foliage but not many trees. Elm Estate has many feature trees that help to mitigate the effect of many buildings constructed with the same colour bricks. They help but do not entirely succeed in balancing out the three storey flats.

LIGHT/DARK: The overall feeling is of space & light, enhanced by so many low level buildings. All roads are essentially light.

NOISE & SMELL: Elm Road is essentially a quiet residential rural road but with its close proximity to the Primary School there are periods of high traffic movement and parking. Aldous Close and Askins Road are very quiet with no through traffic. Because of the number of homes on Elm Estate there is a higher degree of traffic but this is low by general standards.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: Elm Estate is clearly the product of a not entirely successful 1950s planning experiment. Many of the homes are now privately owned and exhibit greater variety than when built. There is the feeling of a successful community. Elm Road and the roads off provide a quiet, rural, unstructured feel

Elm Road, Elm Estate, Whites Field, School Lane, Askins Road and Aldous Lane.

EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT – HADLEIGH ROAD, COLLINGWOOD FIELDS & HOP MEADOW

SPACES: Hadleigh Road is the first turning off the B1070 as you enter the village having left the A12 on the dangerous slip roads. On turning off the B1070 the space is dramatic, the north side has open agricultural land along its full length and stretching up to the A12. The south side other than the Collingwood Fields turning are low level detached properties, set back with space around and between. At the junction with Hughes Road, a tight bend leads into the village. Spaces vary but for the most part this is an open area. The high brick wall at the SW corner is softened by the very mature trees visible behind it. All the properties on the west side are set back and screened including the Gattinetts (previously chicken sheds but now rented for office, light industrial and a Montessori nursery), so this is a very green and open area. The east side is of mainly 20th and 21st century houses and a cul de sac development. Most have retained good sized gardens but there has been some replacement of a single original dwelling with two or more. The Primary School playing field breaks up the housing developments but associated parking is problematic.

BUILDINGS: The west side has the Tudor Gables, Georgian fronted Gatton House and Ackworth and Park House (a gardeners cottage currently being rebuilt). Only Ackworth’s small lodge cottage is visible. All properties on the east side, including those in the cul de sac are detached and in varying styles from the mid 20th century up to very recent additions. Whilst these all respect the building line, the most recent additions have cart lodges at their front edges. From Hughes Road to Collingwood Fields the properties are on the south side only and are all single storey bungalows. . Collingwood Fields consists of varying properties, originally built as social housing but now being sold.

VIEWS: Views of the wide East Anglian sky are enjoyed across cultivated fields, parkland and woodland to the south and west. The first glimpse of houses among trees at the north end is seen from the A12. The many trees break up the straight outlines of most buildings.

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: The deciduous trees showing against the skyline varies with the seasons. The Leylandii at Gatton House retains its green colour except where the lowest branches have been lopped to avoid encroaching on the roadway. Shallow ponds in fields next to the road are not normally visible. Ackworth House parkland contains a site of archaeological interest. The landscape is nearly flat here and supports much wildlife.

LIGHT/DARK: Hadleigh Road appears bright during daylight. There are no streetlamps except where light spills from those in Hop Meadow and Collingwood Fields. There is shade during daylight in the summer. Many houses fronting onto the road now have automatic security lights.

NOISE & SMELL: There is noise from intermittent traffic including delivery and waste lorries during day and night. Low flying helicopters and other aircraft are obtrusive as there is little other noise. Children playing at the school during term time and extra activities are welcome. We value birdsong at different times of day including the dawn chorus, owls in woodland at night. Some domestic dogs bark for a long time when they are unhappy.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: Hadleigh Road is a welcoming place to visit and in which to live. The increasing traffic and cars parked on the roadway detract from its tranquillity.

Hadleigh Rd

EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT - GASTON STREET

SPACES: Gaston Street is the main village street leading to the central hub of the shop and Church. There are several bends and the road width varies with no footpath for 200 yards from the Carriers Arms, on the West side from the Elm Road junction and outside Tufnells and Richardsons Farm. It has a narrow start at Gaston End, opening up at Chaplin Road and narrowing again to wind past Little Spencers (once Tufnells coach house) and Tufnells. It widens once more where Elm Road joins opposite Richardsons Farm and then is fairly straight and open until it reaches the Hadleigh Road junction. There are many different styles, shapes and sizes of houses but the overall impression is of houses set back from the road in ample gardens.

BUILDINGS: On the west corner stands Stuarts, 16th century with half timbering visible and across from the forecourt of the Carriers Arms. On both sides of the road are 20th century houses and bungalows in good sized gardens. Verandah Cottage is a recent replacement and set at the back of its pretty garden. Tufnells disguises the fact that it is timber framed. Next to it is a small orchard and the heavily timbered Richardsons Farm with access to the (working) farmyard between it and Marton House. Opposite, all the houses stand in well-established gardens with hedges and tall trees crowding the pavement. Beyond the Elm Road junction the road widens out but with a pavement only on the eastern side. Again, the houses here sit back with ample gardens to both sides of the road except where the group of low, picture post card cottages sit behind small low hedges. On the west side and beyond Elm Road are Jubilee House with mysterious terracotta reliefs showing a bearded face’ and Tudor Cottage, timber framed with brick infill. Next is a group of almshouses built in 1963 and administered locally by the United Charities Trust. Opposite these are several 20th century houses with established gardens. The white Suffolk brick St Martin’s of about 1830 sits in a wide garden behind railings. A white brick house of circa 1830 and divided into two is to the left/north of The Lambe School, now in regular use as one of several village halls, the red brick part was built in 1594 and the white is 19th century. To the right is a red brick former coach house with driveway leading to a 20th century single dwelling, invisible from the road. Stuccoed over mostly half-timbered construction is Gaston House set in ample gardens with wall and railings to the front. The early 19th century Shortacre sits back with railings and shrubbery to its front. Opposite the junction with Hadleigh Road and screened by a high hedge is the important 1500 or earlier hall house with a middle section and two gabled cross wings now divided into three: Gothic House, Little Gothics and Commandree.

VIEWS: The diversity of age and designs of the buildings adds to its attraction. There is a feeling of space. Hedges, walls and railings are generally low and the impression is of green gardens and trees.

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: For most of its length, Gaston Street benefits from the large, well-tended and established gardens and so appears quite green.

LIGHT/DARK: There are no street lights. In day time for most of its length it is bright and light though the high walls of Tuffnells and the tall trees of Richardsons orchard opposite densely shrubbed front gardens means this is an area of quite deep shade.

NOISE & SMELL: Traffic is present but not overwhelming. The slight bends and narrowing here and there, together with on street parking tends to slow traffic. Smells are natural.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: A well established and pleasant residential area leading to the village centre. The well loved Lambe School at its heart provides a home for numerous activities whilst it is still possible to encounter cows being driven to and from Richardsons Farm.

Gaston Street

EAST BERGHOLT CHARACTER ASSESSMENT – FIDDLERS LANE, FIDDLERS CLOSE & THE LINK

SPACES: This is a truly rural lane. It is narrow but carries two-way traffic, private access drives having to provide passing places for cars .There are no footways. The view out of Fiddlers Lane across Elm Road is framed by a very mature oak. The Lane winds very gently with sufficient curve that the whole is not visible at once. The bungalows on the west side, a variety of 1960s and later, are set well back with cared for gardens, but some enclosed with high conifers but well spaced to give an open aspect. Fiddlers Close opens out on the east side of the Lane with four newly erected housing association bungalows set around hard standing without front gardens; only two trees as yet soften the scene. The mid section of the Lane is bounded on the east side by 6 ft close board fencing of the rear gardens of the Elm Estate broken up by two concrete parking areas, also for the Elm Estate. These, particularly the end of the three storey black of flats, are somewhat overpowering juxtaposed to the small bungalows on the Lane. At the B1070 end there are some mature trees but the area is visually dominated by the wirescape. Two footpaths lead off the Lane with fences to either side, creating narrow gaps. There is a sub station, not screened except by fencing and a wire gate but it is tucked back from the roadway and therefore not as obvious as it might be.

BUILDINGS: The majority of dwellings are bungalows of varying ages. At the eastern end there are several houses, two set behind and out of sight. The Link contains two bungalows also almost out of sight.

VIEWS: The lane is so narrow and the dwellings are so low rise that to anybody driving down the Lane they are virtually invisible. There are no long views within the Lane because of its gentle curves switching back and forth but Fiddlers Lane overall presents as a rural view.

GREENERY & LANDSCAPE FEATURES: For the most part, and particularly to the west side, garden shrubbery is abundant but more sparse and punctuated with hard standings and fencing to the east side. It should be possible, even though the Lane is narrow to improve and mitigate with planting.

LIGHT/DARK: There is no street lighting in common with most of the village. During the day, despite the narrowness of the road, it is a light, bright area.

NOISE & SMELL: There is very little noise as it is not used as a cut through for traffic and the smells are natural.

SPIRIT OF PLACE: Something of a back water but a quiet and pleasant one, clean and well kept.

FIDDLERS LANE