LONDON BOROUGH OF

STRATEGY, REGENERATION & PLANNING

STOCKWELL GREEN CONSERVATION AREA

CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL

August 1999 A conservation area -" an area of special architectural or historic interest".

1. Location.

Stockwell Green Conservation Area lies approximately 1km Northwest of the centre of in the heart of the London Borough of Lambeth.

The topology is totally flat, being part of the great low lying plains of clay deposits formed by the river Thames in the London Basin. Immediately beyond this point to the south the land begins to rise slightly. This geological formation gave rise to spring lines and natural wells that drained water from the nearby higher ground.

The conservation area is roughly diamond shaped with a small outlier extending from the western comer covering an area of 2.09 acres.

It contains a small but dense collection of approximately 80 properties bound on three sides by adjacent roads: Stockwell Road, Landor Road and Combermere Road. A gently curved road - Stockwell Green - crosses the middle of the conservation area linking the eastern and western comers in a distinct arc. The fourth boundary to the south follows a line of rear gardens belonging to this central curve of buildings on Stockwell Green

It is predominantly a residential area also with a small group of local shops, two churches and former long vacant brewery buildings.

2. Origins of development and settlement.

Stockwell was one of the first hamlets to be established in Lambeth. The name came from woodlands or stocks and from the presence of natural wells and springs due to its location at the edge of a low lying plain where a spring line was formed.

Land surrounding this hamlet was mostly agricultural in the early medieval period, some distance from any trade routes and located in a protected pocket between two Roman roads. Protection was afforded by this relative isolation since, after the collapse of the Roman Empire, any major routes might have allowed easy access for marauding bands.

Documentary evidence shows that Stockwell village grew in the medieval period due to the favourable presence of these natural springs and woods that served the surrounding farmlands. Man-made wells were also sunk to take advantage of its good quality water and the area enjoyed some prosperity.

Formal significance was gained when a charter granted manorial status to the area; Stockwell Manor was built during the 13th century and demolished in 1756).

In the 18 century Stockwell became a retreat for wealthy merchants who built substantial houses facing the village green. The merchants settled here enjoying the countryside and clean air yet were within a relatively short carriage ride of London

Rocque's map of 1745 shows a triangular shaped village green surrounded by the hamlet of Stockwell indicated by three lines of buildings, the southern side having a distinct crescent shape. Stockwell Manor was probably located on the north of Stockwell Road. Patterns of building plots seen today follow these building plots exactly and echo the original shape of the green.

The population of Stockwell Green grew and there was a need to provide more places of worship. After successful petitioning Stockwell Chapel was built in 1767 (remodelled in 1867 and renamed St. Andrews) and for non-conformists the United Reform Church was built behind Stockwell Green in 1798.

With the building of Bridge and increased demand for land for ever-expanding London, Stockwell was caught up in the housing boom of the mid 19th century when the Green was finally lost and built upon from 1876.

The advantage of natural springs bringing good quality water was not lost however and Stockwell had two breweries. The oldest was called Hammerton's Stockwell Brewery and was reputed to have existed since 1780 on the comer of Stockwell Green and Lingham Street since demolished. The site is now occupied by an office block and warehouse known as Sanitas House, built in 1964. The second called Waltham's Brewery was built later, probably in the mid 19 century, and survived long after its closure before the First World War as a council depot, although it is now vacant and in poor condition.

3. Landscape.

The roads within the conservation area are lined with more or less continuous terraces of houses with the exceptions of the two churches and the former brewery buildings which are free-standing. The most southerly boundary extends to incorporate the former brewery and an outlier to the west contains the imposing St Andrews Church.

The area is predominantly residential however the majority of buildings on Stockwell Road have small shops, food outlets and offices on the ground floor with residential, storage or offices above. The area is also a centre for worship containing the two religious institutions already mentioned - one Protestant and one which in recent years has been in use as a mosque.

There are no open spaces and few street trees. The only vegetation being small front gardens to south Stockwell Green, elsewhere the properties are hard onto narrow pavements. The terraces on Stockwell Road have no frontage at all and face high volumes of relentless traffic and noise. Stockwell Green is quieter with some protection from noise and fumes of the main road afforded by the wall of terraces.

The area could be described at distinctly hard and urban.

4. Character.

To assess the character of the area it is useful to break down the conservation area into smaller definable groups of buildings which can be easily identified owing to the linear arrangement of similar building styles or uses; they are:

4.1 The early 19th century houses to the south of Stockwell Green. 4.2 The sweeping line of late 19th century houses of north Stockwell Green.

4.3 The flat fronted terraces of Stockwell Road.

4.4 The former Waltham's Brewery.

4.5 St. Andrews Church.

4.6 United Reform Church (now a mosque).

4.1 The 19th century houses to the south of Stockwell Green.

Some houses may date back to the 18th century when merchants moved to the area, but most were built in the early 19th century. Certainly road and plot widths follow closely the pattern of land as shown in Rogue's map of 1745 when houses faced the village green which was set back from a principal route. The backhands of the crescent shaped sweep of houses also echo this map.

This distinguished line of dwellings is arranged in small groups either singly, in pairs, threes or fours back from the road with small front gardens and railings. Overall each group is markedly different in appearance from the others. Some of the front doors are reached by a series of stone steps '•ati4 have basement accommodation, whilst the humbler cottages are at ground level.

But the properties form a cohesive group because they conform to classical proportions and contain a readily identifiable pattern of architectural elements and materials. For example many of the group have a white painted stone architrave and decorative pilasters or columned porches to doors. Deep stone cornices and emphasised stringcourse picked out in stone are also a common feature. Whilst some of the windows have arched heads, others flat, they have the traditional vertically sliding sashes and fine glazing bars of classical design - typified by 6 over 6 or 9 over 9 panes.

For the most part the buildings have simple elevations of London stock brick, but render also occurs on lower floors and some bay windows; and some of the buildings have entirely rendered facades notably the smaller cottages at the eastern end.

Thus variations on a classical themes gives this side. of the street some interest. The individuality of the houses within a tight palette is a refreshing characteristic.

Many of these houses are individually Grade II listed and are identified at the end of this document.

4.2 The sweeping line of late 19th century houses of north Stockwell Green.

Opposite the classical houses and cottages is an entirely different group of houses. These are distinctive because of their uniformity. They consist of an entirely regimental curve of bay fronted mid- Victorian three-storey town houses dating from cl880.

They are all of yellow brick and have contrasting white painted bay windows over two storeys. White painted stone surrounds containing floral carved imposts to the windows and doors add decorative interest and modelling to the facades. Dentil and floral embellishment in low relief appear on the window heads and deep cornices of the front doors. The plinth of each house is also picked out in white render. Stone sills are supported on carved brackets that are repeated under overhanging eaves supporting Welsh slate roofs.

The only alterations to the uniformity would appear to be the variations of materials and design of front garden walls and gates. But even these follow a similar pattern of low-lying walls with gate piers opening onto short paths to the front door.

4.3. The flat fronted terraces of Stockwell Road.

The group is made up of two similar property types. The buildings from numbers 94 - 100 and from 124 - 134 form one terrace. Between these is another group -numbers 102 - 122.

The first type is made up of flat fronted three-storey yellow stock brick properties of the later 19th century accommodating small businesses or shops on the ground floor with flats above. Each property has a wide tri-partite window with decorative imposts and carved capitals containing flowers and fruits on the first floor, and more restrained imposts on the second. The properties have tall parapets and many of the properties have a dentilled cornice and expressed stringcourse.

Whilst they are uniform in architectural style, some have painted brickwork. The ground floors have mid to late 20th century shopfronts. The uniformity of the upper storeys is not echoed in the ground floor treatments being a mixture of shopfront styles.

The second style is set a little way back from the road and is four storeys. This group has a more imposing presence due to the raised ground floors reached by a small flight of steps and front gardens.

The properties face a wide and densely trafficked main road.

4.4 The former Waltham's Brewery.

This large and historic complex fronts the western side of Combermere Road and occupies part of Stockwell Green. The brewery consists of a collection of mid 19th century brick built industrial buildings. The precise date of the brewery is not known but documentary evidence shows that it was established prior to 1860. The brewery is positioned hard onto the pavement of Combermere Road and its yard is contained behind a high wall on Stockwell Green.

The largest building that contained the brewing process itself is located half way along Combermere Road. Its facade is composed of a regular rhythm of buttresses and gables containing tall ventilation windows, finely crafted brickwork bays and decorative brickwork including a small concession to classicism with the inclusion of brick dentils beneath the parapet. The relieving arches and robust elements of this building give a powerful presence by virtue of its scale and striking representation of local industrial archaeology.

Behind the main brewing building is a smaller one with low pyramid roof. This and other buildings have been vacant for many years. The importance of this complex is that the surviving buildings represent the only remaining part of the architectural heritage when the brewing industry occupied Stockwell. Whilst in poor condition, the strong architectural composition makes a striking and positive contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

On the comer of Stockwell Green (number 41) is an imposing mid-Victorian three-storey building of domestic character with the vestige of a public house shopfront on the ground floor. It probably dates from the 1860's and could once have been the public house providing an outlet for ales manufactured there. This is an attractive building that successfully marks the prominent junction site and makes an important link between the domestic scale of the properties of Stockwell Green and the hard industrial buildings of Combermere Road. The composition of the building is a good example of a strong comer treatment in a street scene.

4.5 St. Andrews Church.

In an outlier of the conservation area is the imposing presence of this church whose origins date from 1769 making it one of the oldest in Lambeth second only to St. Mary's of Lambeth. It was built when wealthy merchants occupied Stockwell.

The church was substantially remodelled in 1867 and extended so as to accommodate 1000 worshippers. The original plain Georgian elevations were elaborated at that time in an Italian Romanesque style and the Venetian style campanile and fine east window were added. The red rendered finish is unusual and the pyramidal spire is a distinctive landmark of the surrounding area.

Its Italianate style and commanding scale relative to the surrounding buildings distinguish it in a similar way to the brewery buildings. What is curious is the juxtaposition of the church and the adjacent small terraced houses next door beyond the conservation area boundary.

4.6 The United Reform Church (currently a mosque).

A paved alleyway approaches the former Stockwell Congregational Church from Stockwell Green. It was known as the Stockwell New Chapel even though it is now ironically amongst the earliest churches in the borough - built in 1798. The current appearance of the chapel is somewhat different to its original form, having been extended and re-fronted in 1850. What is seen today, however is a grand and ornate building in the style of a classical Greek temple with pediment over Ionic pilasters and small wing to the left-hand side.

A curious composition of classical elements give the building a certain discordant appearance. The later wing contains references to the main chapel with a continuation of the deep frieze and cornice and echoing the window treatment including volute keystones. However the wing has a rusticated ground floor and the pilasters have been somewhat clumsily truncated at the expense of the later wing; the doorway and entrance lobby could have been imported from an entirely different building. But it represents an interesting and curious example of the agrandisation and remodelling of an 18th century building during the 19th century.

The setting of the chapel is particularly charming - glimpses of the chapel can be gained from few viewpoints in Stockwell Green. However once sighted the observer Ts drawn towards this small flagstone courtyard revealing the elegant facade. The chapel has further historic interest being the venue of the marriage of - founder of the Salvation Army in 1855.

5. Significant vistas.

There is a small alley connecting Stockwell Road to Stockwell Green. This small passageway is a curious vestige from the early 19th century when a pedestrian route crossed the sharp end of the triangular shaped green. It represents today a useful shortcut between two halves of the conservation area and a visual connection between the older classical style houses of the early 19th century and the Victorian terraces on Stockwell Road. As part of the character of the area it could be described as representing a "time corridor" between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

The gentle arc of Stockwell Green follows the original road pattern shown in the earliest known maps of the area. It has the effect of drawing the eye along the terrace on the north side of the road and masking the group of early 18 century houses. Thus one has a continually changing vista with a variety of subtle variations of the predominantly classical architectural style on the south side.

The uniformity of the north is therefore a foil to the mixture on the south. What heightens this experience is the presence of dominant buildings at each end of Stockwell Green - the church and the brewery being "bookends" to the original village of Stockwell before houses obscured its heart and replaced the Green in the mid 1901 century.

6. Summary of character.

The general character of Stockwell Green Conservation Area reflects the gradual development of this part of London between the mid 18th century and the mid 19th century. It includes a variety of late Georgian and early Victorian houses, two public buildings (the churches) the former industrial complex of the brewery, later Victorian housing and a number of ground floor commercial and retailing uses forming a distinct local centre.

The conservation area is therefore composed of a mixture of clearly defined groups of similar styles and eras of construction and large individual buildings, namely the brewery and two churches.

The area has significant historic importance and represents vestiges of early rural settlement patterns overlaid with layers of subsequent, urban development in the 18th and 19th centuries. Thus the essence of an 18 th Century village and green is still evident in the present day despite later development on the Green. The area is arguably significant as much for its historic interest as its present form and architectural interest. That history includes the early manorial status and popularity with the gentry; the village centre - including a green, the churches, and of course the influence of natural features such as spring water which gave rise to Stockwell being a notable local centre for the brewing industry. 7. General Enhancement Objectives.

There are several enhancement suggestions that are included in this document as an initial statement of future study. These are presented in list form.

(i) Improvements to frontage of St. Andrews, Church in form of piazza and street landscaping.

(ii) New paving to all footways.

(iii) Appropriate paving, street lighting and other street furniture (particularly bollards).

(iv) Improved shopfront designs through advice and guidance.

(v) New street trees - as part of traffic calming initiatives.

(vi) Encouragement to owners to unify wall and fence treatments to front boundaries.

(vii) Sensitive re-development of the vacant former brewery site in accordance with the planning guidelines approved by the Council in December 1998.

(viii) The re-development of Sanitas House which harms the setting of the conservation area with a higher quality building more appropriate to its historic context.

(ix) Improve the junction of Stockwell Green and Stockwell Road to narrow the carriageway.

(x) Reduce the impact of heavy traffic by appropriate traffic calming initiatives.

(xi) Encouragement to owners to reinstate/repair front boundary walls/railings.

8. Potential for extensions to the Conservation Area.

Part of the enhancement proposals would include consideration of the extension of the existing conservation area to include other key buildings which it is considered contribute to the history of the area, its character and appearance. These are presented in list form and illustrated on a map.

(i) Church hall adjacent to St. Andrews's church (cl910).

(ii) The terrace of two storey cottages on the south side of Combermere Road (Nos. 1-18)..

(iii) Public House at No.90 Stockwell Road and the Grade II listed No.1 Landor Road.

(iv) Public House at No. 144 Stockwell Road and Nos. 146-166 Stockwell Road (all Grade II listed). 9. APPENDIX.

Listed Building Inventory - Stockwell Green Conservation Area (all Grade II).

1, Stockwell Green (circa 1848)

21 Stockwell Green (early 19 century)

22 Stockwell Green (early 19th century)

23 &24, Stockwell Green (early 19th century)

25 &26 Stockwell Green (early to mid 19th century)

28, 29 & 30, Stockwell Green "Victoria Place"(early to mid 19th century)

31 & 32, Stockwell Green (early 19th century)

Forecourt walls and railings to 31 &32 Stockwell Green (early 19th century)

33. Stockwell Green (early to mid 19th century)

34. Stockwell Green (early 19th century)

Stockwell Green United Reform Church (circa 1830)

Gate piers, gates railings to United Reform Church

35. 36, 37 Stockwell Green (mid 19th Century)

10, Bibliography

A History of Brixton - by Alan Piper.

Survey of London - Volume 26. London County Council 1956. General editor F.H.W. Sheppard.

The Brixton Society Newsletter. Issue no 153 April 1999.

The Buildings of - London 2 - South - Bridget Cherry & Nikolaus Pevsner l994