Chelmsford Avenue Almshouses Conservation Area was designated in 2023. The Conservation Area consists of even numbers 6-20, Chelmsford Avenue, Southend-on-Sea.
History of Chelmsford Avenue Almshouses conservation area
In 1892 a Town Council was officially formed in Southend-on-Sea, replacing the old Local Board. The first Mayor elected was Thomas Dowsett. He owned much land in the town through his company, the Southend-on-Sea Estates Company, and was a philanthropist, donating money to schools and the hospital. One of his philanthropic gestures was to establish almshouses on Chelmsford Avenue. There was a group of Trustees appointed to oversee the running of the almshouses.
The Trustees had a duty to insure the properties, maintain them in good condition, pay all taxes and rates, and let them for periods not exceeding 21 years at the best rent that could be obtained. The Trustees would also pay each almshouse seven shillings and sixpence per month during December, January and February (presumably for additional heating costs in the winter months). People had to fulfil certain conditions to be eligible for residence in the almshouses.
The architects were Burles and Harris, who appear to have worked a lot in Southend during the period (other notable buildings in the City designed by them include Southchurch Hall School and The Cornucopia). Burles and Harris' original plans of 1902 show that eight almshouses were arranged around a central courtyard.
Chelmsford Avenue Almshouses conservation area's special interest
The distinctive, special quality of the proposed Chelmsford Avenue Almshouses Conservation Area derives from the attractive group of cottage style almshouses which have survived relatively unaltered and retain their original character and use.
The almshouses have a strong historical association with their benefactor Thomas Dowsett, the first Mayor of Southend. This association continues today as the buildings are still administered by the same Trust in their original use as almshouses. The buildings also have an association with local architects Burles and Harris, who appear to have been prolific in Southend at the time which contributes to their local historic interest.
The almshouses have aesthetic interest as attractive, modestly sized cottages with a consistent design. They are single-storey and arranged around a small courtyard garden which sets them apart from the two-storey semi-detached houses lining the rest of Chelmsford Avenue. Key features which add to their aesthetic interest are:
- the gabled porches with latticework joinery above and to the sides,
- built-in benches within the porches
- dentils to the main cornices and gables
The consistency of these architectural features on each almshouse increases the aesthetic interest through repetition. The tall roofs, with red/brown tiles, dividing ridges between properties and prominent chimneys are also a key design feature.
Development in the conservation area
All development in the Conservation Area, including alterations such as changing windows and roofing materials, should follow guidance set out in the Conservation Area Appraisal and the Design and Townscape Guide (in particular Section 9: Historic Buildings).
It is always advisable to check with us if planning permission is needed before undertaking works to the exterior of a property or any works to a listed building in the Conservation Area.
Article 4 Direction
The Conservation Area Appraisal for Chelmsford Avenue Almshouses (adopted November 2023) makes a recommendation to provide an Article 4 direction for this area.
We recently consulted on a proposed Article 4 Direction for the Conservation Area.
Consultation
Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
Town and Country Planning (general permitted development) (England) Order 2015.
Direction made under Article 4(1) at: 6-20 Chelmsford Avenue (Almshouses), Southend-on-Sea.
Southend-on-Sea City Council is making a Direction under Article 4(1) to restrict the following permitted development rights:
All Buildings:
- installation of hardstanding for vehicles.
- alteration, demolition or construction of a means of enclosure which fronts a highway (including walls, gates and fences).
- enclosing of recessed porches which front a highway.
- rendering of any brickwork which fronts a highway.
- painting over facing brickwork of any part of a building which fronts a highway.
- alteration of any window or doors visible from a highway.
- re-roofing with different materials.
- loss of chimneys.
Document
A copy of the proposed Chelmsford Avenue Almshouses Conservation Area Article 4 Direction is available to download. This is now being reviewed following public consultation and further updates will be provided in due course.
Further information
Chelmsford Avenue Almshouses Conservation Area Appraisal 2021 (see page 4 for boundary map)