SOUTH LOWESTOFT Conservation Area

Character Appraisal Written by the Heritage

Team of Scott Wilson Ltd and the Waveney District

Council Conservation Team ————

Published June 2007

Contents Page 1: Introduction Page 2: Map of existing North

Lowestoft Conservation Area and listed buildings

Page 3: Assessment of Special Interest

Page 4: Historic Development and Archaeology

Page 6: A reconstructed plan of the Town of Lowestoft c.1618

Page 8: Barnes’ map of Lowestoft in 1830

Page 12: Chamber’s plan of Lowestoft and Kirkley, 1878

Page 19: Spatial Analysis Page 22: Character Areas within the

South Lowestoft Conservation Area

Page 23: Character Analysis Page 23: The Harbour Character Area Page 34: The Seafront Character Area Page 46: London Road South Character Area Page 56: St Peter’s Church Character Area Page 63: Special Interest of South

Lowestoft Conservation Area

Page 64: Community Consultation Page a1/1: Appendix 1: Building

Descriptions Page a2/1: Appendix 2: Bibliography Page a3/1: Appendix 3: Useful

Information Page a4/1: Proposed Extensions to the

South Lowestoft Conservation Area

Page a4/2: Appendix 4: Suggested Boundary Changes

Page a5/1: Appendix 5: Management Proposals

Page a5/2: Acknowledgements Mapping reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital data (c) Crown copyright 2007. All rights reserved. License number 0100042052

Waveney Road from the South Pier

St Peter’s Road

Waveney Dock and Outer

London Road South

South Lowestoft Conservation Area Character Appraisal Introduction The historic environment is all around us in the form of buildings, landscapes, archaeology and historic areas; it is a precious and irreplaceable asset. Once gone it is gone forever. Caring for the historic environment is a dynamic process which involves managing change. This does not mean keeping everything from the past, but making careful judgements about the value and significance of buildings and landscapes. Critical to these decisions is an understanding and appreciation of an area’s character, including its social and economic background, and the way in which such factors have shaped its urban fabric. This should be the starting point for making decisions about its management both in the present and the future. This conservation area appraisal:

• Describes the character of the area;

• Identifies its special character; • Puts forward a basis for effective

policy control of development; and

• Identifies proposals for its enhancement

Conservation areas are defined by the government as ‘areas of special interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’. They were introduced through the Civic Amenities Act in 1967 and there are now sixteen in Waveney District. The South Lowestoft Conservation Area was designated in 1978 and was extended in 1996 and 2003. An article 4(2) direction was applied to the conservation area in 1997.

Designation as a conservation area is not intended to prevent new development or stifle the area’s economic life or potential, though it is expected that a high degree of attention will be paid to design, repair and maintenance in such areas. When exercising planning powers, we will pay special attention to the preservation and enhancement of the conservation area according to those policies for the built environment set out in the adopted Waveney District Local Plan of November 1996 and the Interim Local Plan of May 2004. In recognition of these policies, the Core LDF strategy and in line with the requirements of the 1990 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act, we will continue to formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of the conservation area and consult the public on these proposals. The appraisal will be subject to a quinquennial review in order that it remains a relevant and useful document.

1

Map of the existing South Lowestoft Conservation Area and listed buildings

2

3

Assessment of Special Interest Location and setting Lowestoft is situated in East Suffolk, t o t h e northeast of the county. Located on the Suffolk coast, the town is 19km from Great Y a r m o u t h , 35km from Norwich and 71km from Ipswich. In 2 0 0 1

Lowestoft had a population of c.57,746. Following a period of decline in the later 20th century, the l o c a l economy is n o w supported by a number of d i s c i p l i n e s , i n c l u d i n g fishing and m a r i t i m e i n d u s t r i e s , retail, light industry and

administration. Lowestoft is situated on the side of a broad shallow valley between the River Waveney and the North Sea. The valley runs approximately east-west and contains alluvial deposits, man-made channels and recent land-reclamations. The solid geology of the area is formed by Norwich Crag, Red Crag and Chillesford Clay, with superficial deposits of glacial sand, gravel, and blown sand to the east. Lowestoft is now the focus of major regeneration with the formation of the 1st East Urban Regeneration Company (URC). The URC aims to generate economic growth by bringing areas of derelict and under-utilised land back into active use. As such, the town is subject to substantial pressure for the redevelopment of key sites in and around the urban centre. General character and plan form South Lowestoft Conservation Area is formed by the core of the 19th century expansion of the town. This area developed following the establishment of a harbour and river access through Lake Lothing in the early 19th century and was subsequently developed as a pleasure resort from the mid-19th century onwards. The buildings of the conservation area reflect this history and consist principally of townhouses and villas along the seafront, with areas of lower status terraced housing to the west, commercial premises along London Road North and South, and around the harbour and train station. Larger scale detached villas are present to the southwest of the designated area. A linear street plan, laid out parallel to the shore, is retained throughout much of the conservation area and reflects the

28-29 Marine Parade

2 Kirkley Cliff

The Drifter Pub, London Road South

The South Beach

4

formal planning of the seaside resort, with pleasure gardens and promenades along the seafront, whilst a more curvilinear plan is apparent within the area of villas to the southwest. Landscape setting The South Lowestoft Conservation Area is situated to the south of Lake Lothing, adjacent to the South Denes. The town of Lowestoft extends to the north and west to incorporate the surrounding settlements of Oulton Broad, Pakefield and Carlton Colville. The landscape setting of the South Lowestoft Conservation Area is defined by its position on predominantly flat land adjacent to the beach and to the south of Lake Lothing, rising to the south towards Pakefield Cliff. To the east the setting of the conservation area is formed by the presence of a sand and shingle beach and the North Sea, whilst to the west, the area is heavily built up with residential buildings of varied date. Industrial and commercial premises are present around the harbour and London Road North, reflecting the continued use of the harbour and the modern commercial heart of the town. To the north of the harbour, the land rises towards the

5

cl ifftop High Street. Historic Development and Archaeology The origins and historic development of the area Lowes to f t i s located c.2.5 miles from Pakefield, the site of the earliest known human remains in Northern Europe. The discovery of human remains and flint tools in 2005 represents ‘ t h e o l d e s t , unequivocal evidence o f humans i n n o r t h e r n Europe’ (Amos 2006), having been dated to 700,000 years b e f o r e present . W i t h i n

Lowestoft itself, Neolithic activity is suggested by finds of artefacts, including projectiles, in the area of Church Road, Water Lane and Princes Walk (Pers. Comm. D Butcher). Documentary evidence also suggests the former presence of a Bronze Age burial mound in the vicinity of Barnard’s Meadow

Sports Field. W i t h i n L o w e s t o f t there is further potential for well-preserved evidence, as revealed by the discovery of Bronze and Iron Age activity at a s i t e o n H a d e n h a m R o a d i n Pakefield. R o m a n activity around Lowestoft is suggested by a number of s o u r c e s . R e m a i n s t e n t a t i v e l y interpreted as part of a p o s s i b l e Roman road and associated b r i d g e structure were

exposed during 19th century canal excavations near Lake Lothing. The River Waveney is also known to have been used as a communications route and various other Roman finds have been exposed, notably in the area now known as Roman Hill; however, no settlement remains have been found. It is likely that any associated settlement was located on high ground to the west of the present town centre. The current town has its origins in the village recorded as Lothuwistoft in the Domesday Book. The village relied upon

Reproduced with the permission of David Butcher and Ivan Bunn

6

A reconstructed plan of the Town of Lowestoft c.1618

both agriculture and fishing, and the predominance of fishing may be seen in the payment of land rent to Hugh De Montfort in herrings (Williams and Martin 1992, 1187). This settlement was located to the west-south-west of High Street in the vicinity of the junction of St Peter’s Street, Normanston Drive and Rotterdam Road (Butcher and Bunn, ND, 1); however, by the 14th century the settlement had shifted onto higher ground behind the cliffs where the High Street is now laid out. The medieval town was characterised by the layout of burgage plots along High Street, whilst the cliff face to the east was terraced along its length, aiding its stability and providing yards, gardens and storage areas. It is likely these works were undertaken by concerted community effort, most probably under manorial control (Butcher & Bunn, ND, 2). The scores, a characteristic and unique feature of Lowestoft, were established at this time, running between burgage plots to give access from High Street to the Denes below. The topography of the town enabled a separation of domestic and commercial property, with merchants’ housing and commercial premises lining High Street, whilst premises associated with the fishing industry were located on the lower ground adjacent to the Denes. The green and common land were located to the north and south of High Street; however, the parish Church of St Margaret remained close to the original settlement, over a kilometre to the west, suggesting an early shift in the settlement focus brought about by the growth and development of the fishing industry. A plan of Lowestoft reconstructed from manorial evidence of 1618 (Butcher 1995, 27) reveals the form of the medieval settlement. Buildings were

concentrated along the High Street, many with narrow burgage plots extending to the east, where a series of elongated east-west orientated structures are present overlooking the common land of the Denes. To the west, a dense network of east-west streets is laid out between High Street and the common. As the principle street within the town, buildings on High Street tended to be populated by wealthy residents, whilst the streets to the west were populated by the lower classes (Butcher 1995, 25). Throughout the medieval period, Lowestoft continued to grow in size and economic strength. This is shown by its rising place within the taxation lists for the hundred of Mutford and Lothingland, being 14th in 1327, 12th in 1334, and first by 1524 (Butcher 1995, 20). The increasing success of the settlement was recognised by the neighbouring town of Great Yarmouth who, in 1357, sought to restrict Lowestoft’s fishing activity with the Statute of Herrings. This gave the Yarmouth bailiffs control over the autumn herring fishery for a distance of seven leagues from the Yarmouth town quay. By the early 17th century, Lowestoft supported a diverse local economy with over 100 occupations recorded in the town, including textile and clothing manufacture, metalworking, and food and drink production. Central to the growth of the town was agriculture and the weekly market, whilst fishing remained a significant element of the local economy. Increasing civic pride may be seen in the foundation of a Grammar School by Thomas Annott

7

8

Reproduced with permission of Lowestoft Record Office

Barnes’ map of Lowestoft in 1830

navigable waterway between Norwich and Lowestoft, with locks situated at the entrance to Lake Lothing and between Lake Lothing and Oulton Broad. The construction of the waterway and harbour allowed direct river access to Norwich from the sea, thereby avoiding the monopoly of river traffic by the Yarmouth Wherries. This venture failed, however, as its income was insufficient to repay the large sums borrowed from the Public Works Loan Commissioners for its construction. These difficulties were compounded by the infestation of the lock gates by toredo worms, and they became permanently stuck in an open position. This hampered the movement of water needed to keep the channel free of sand, which caused the harbour to silt up, and subsequently led to a fall in trade. The failure of the gates also resulted in the transformation of Lake Lothing, previously known as the Freshwater, into a permanent saltwater lake (Robb 2005, 49). The Lowestoft Harbour and Navigation Company was bought by a local syndicate for approximately £5000 in 1843. Only a year later the syndicate was bought out for £12,500 by Samuel Morton Peto. Sometimes called the ‘father of modern Lowestoft’ (Malster 1991), aged just 21, Peto had inherited a partnership in a firm that went on to build the Houses of Parliament, Nelson’s Column, the Albert Memorial and the Reform Club. This provided Peto with the foundations of a varied and interesting career in which he was a civil engineer, railway pioneer, MP and philanthropist. Having bought Somerleyton Estate in 1843 whilst working on the Eastern Counties Railway, Peto recognised the potential in Lowestoft for economic and leisure development. He began a scheme of major investment in the town,

transforming it to create much of its modern character. Of primary importance to this development was the establishment of better transport links to and from the town. Peto’s boast that he would deliver Lowestoft fish to the tables of Manchester within the same day demonstrates his recognition of the importance of the t ransport infrastructure to the growth and success of his venture. The original harbour undertaking was renamed the Lowestoft Railway and Harbour Company and the harbour was expanded to accommodate 1000 boats. A number of further extensions were constructed to prevent it from silting up, including the Outer North and South stone breakwaters, built in 1846 alongside the original two short piers constructed in 1831. A new fish basin was formed between the two northern piers and the fish market and cattle sheds were built on the North Pier. Livestock were imported to Lowestoft from 1850 and formed a valuable part of the maritime economy. Both salt and ice were important commodities within the fishing industry as is seen in the placement of ice and salt storage facilities to the rear of these structures. The thatched icehouse formed a characteristic element of the quayside, storing ice brought on sailing ships from Norway, until 1911 when it was demolished due to the success of the artificial ice industry. Of greatest importance to the success of Victorian Lowestoft was Peto’s construction of the railway. Peto first built a railway line between Lowestoft and Reedham, opened in 1847, which joined the Wherry Line and gave direct access to Norwich. This was followed between 1854-1859 by the construction of the East Suffolk Line to Ipswich, laid

9

10

out parallel to the original canal along most of its route. The first railway station was opened to the north of the harbour in 1847. This structure was rebuilt in 1855 by the Lucas brothers and remains in use today. Construction of the railway prompted a large increase in the population of Lowestoft, reaching 6580 by 1851 (Robb 2005, 51). The next phase of Peto’s development was the establishment of the town as a pleasure resort. Peto purchased the Lowestoft South Common for a small sum (conflicting sources state either £200 or £500 (Robb 2005, 50; Lowestoft Journal 05/12/52; Anon ND, 1) from the trustees of the Lowestoft Lampland, as the area was then known. The Lampland consisted of undeveloped farmland and common land, and, as such, was considered to be of little value, but was transformed by Peto to the design of the architect John Louth Clemence. Peto’s vision for the town comprised grand terraces of townhouses and lodging houses overlooking the long sandy beach. The initial scheme was formed by five principal blocks of buildings, extending over half a mile of the seafront, including the three surviving terraces of Marine Parade, Wellington Esplanade and Kirkley Cliff (Malster 1991). It has been suggested that Peto’s design for South Lowestoft emulated the work of John Nash in London’s West End, although replacing Nash’s Regency Stucco with gault brick (Malster 1991), sourced from his recently acquired Somerleyton brickfields and more suited to the coastal environment. Development started with the Royal Hotel, the Esplanade and Triton Statues, to the immediate south of the harbour, in

Floor plans of buildings in Wellington Esplanade

Reproduced with permission of Lowestoft Records Office

11

1849. The Esplanade was laid out along the seafront and comprised a series of Italianate paired villas overlooking a walk along the seashore. The Royal Hotel, at the north end of the Esplanade, became Lowestoft’s principal hotel and was built by the Lucas brothers for hotelier Samuel Howett. It is said that Howett provided such a superior service ‘that the most fastidious and cynical of travellers would be at a loss for a subject whereon to indulge their spleen’ (Malster 1991). Summer residences for the gentry were built along the remainder of the Esplanade and described shortly after completion as ‘a terrace of beautiful stately mansions’ (White 2004, 35). Construction work continued in the following years, with Marine Parade constructed as lodging houses in 1851, and Wellington Esplanade in 1853. Marine Parade was laid out parallel and to the west of the Esplanade, with a hotel at its northern end, mirroring the position of the Royal Hotel on the Esplanade. This hotel was named the Harbour Inn and was also owned by Samuel Howett. Marine Parade was, however, considered to provide second-class accommodation for those ‘not quite as pretentious as their peers on the Esplanade’ (Robb 2005, 57). Wellington Esplanade (also known as Wellington Terrace) was built as lodging houses for the Wellington Esplanade Building Society and included the formally planned Wellington Gardens to the front of the terrace, overlooking the sea. This was, and still is, the centrepiece of Peto’s development of Lowestoft. To complete his development of a pleasure resort, Peto also included a church within his new town: the Church of St John. The building was designed by Clemence and constructed by the Lucas

brothers, opening in 1854 at what is now the corner of St Johns Road and Belvedere Road, a landmark site on entrance into South Lowestoft. Sadly the building was demolished in 1978 following a period of structural decline, its congregation amalgamating with that of the Church of St Peter and St John in Kirkley. On a less grand scale, Peto also built an estate of terraced housing for his workers to the north of the harbour and close to the railway station (Robb 2005, 51). This housing survives on the three parallel streets of Selby Street, Clemence Street and Stephens Street (Pers. Comm. I. Bunn). In tandem with the construction of South Lowestoft, Peto sought to provide entertainment for visitors to Lowestoft. The north and south breakwaters of the harbour were transformed into recreational piers in 1853 with the addition of wooden decking, two small octagonal gate lodges and an ornate iron gate located at its entrance. A one-storey reading room was constructed on the South Pier where, for a guinea, subscribers could read the latest periodicals and where ‘Balls are held during the Season which cannot fail to prove a great attraction of the votaries of terpsichore’ (Cherry 1992, 5). Annual regattas also did much to raise the profile of the town and encourage visitors, as may be seen in the description of Lowestoft as an ‘important and rapidly improving town’ in the Illustrated London News of 1855 (August 4th 1855). In the 1860s, Peto was forced to sell his Somerleyton Estate and abandon his work in Lowestoft following the bankruptcy of his bankers and in turn his own firm. However, his development work had already significantly altered the Lowestoft townscape and had been sufficient to trigger the continued

12

Reproduced with permission of Lowestoft Record Office

Extract from Chamber’s Plan of Lowestoft and Kirkley, 1878

13

development of the town in the following decades. This subsequent expansion often incorporated elements of Peto’s original plan, as may be seen in the construction of Victoria Terrace and Villas in 1869 and Kirkley Cliff Terrace in 1870. So successful was Peto’s scheme that the focus of the town gradually shifted away from the High Street, towards the harbour and South Lowestoft, with the south beach becoming the focus for tourism and pleasure activities, whilst the North Denes continued to be used for industry and by smaller fishing vessels. The harbour remained central to the local economy and continued to develop throughout the later 19th century. The new Herring or Waveney Basin, with associated market and offices, was formed in 1883 to the northeast of the Trawl Basin, which had by this point been devoted specifically to the expanding trawling industry. The basin was expanded westwards in 1892-93 (now the Waveney Dock), necessitating the demolition of the cattle sheds. Another herring basin was constructed to the north and opened in 1903 (now the Hamilton Dock), followed by the construction of an associated market and office. Other businesses also developed as a result of Lowestoft’s coastal location, such as the Great Eastern Railway’s sale of three gallon kegs of seawater drawn from the harbour which where delivered for bathing purposes for only six pence (Cherry 1992, 7). To the north of the harbour, the townscape was dominated by the privately-owned Grove Estate and St Margaret’s Villa Estate, situated to the east of London Road North opposite the railway station. Each comprised a large house set within extensive gardens, with

the western boundary of these fronting onto London Road North and giving the road a gentrified, picturesque feel. The Grove Estate was sold following the death of its owner in 1884, with St Margaret’s Villa Estate also sold at a similar date. Development of this land was extremely rapid with the construction of commercial and residential properties across the entire site by 1905. One of the first buildings constructed on the former Grove Estate was Ebenezer Tuttle’s Bon Marche department store on the corner of Suffolk Road in 1888, followed in 1891 by the Turret Buildings (later known as Tuttle’s Corner) which was designed by Thomas Porter for Frederick Savage. It comprised three separate residences with shops on the ground floor and became a popular landmark within the town. To the south of the harbour, the growth of South Lowestoft continued apace. In contrast to the grand terraces of the seafront, more modest lower status development occurred to the west of London Road South. The layout of streets in these areas frequently preserves existing field boundaries, reflecting the purchase of land for development field by field, as may be seen in the line of Lawson Road and Colville Road. Union Place, Grosvenor Road, Mill Road and St Johns Road were constructed by 1878, with Windsor Road and Cleveland Road developed soon after. Expansion to the west was soon constrained by the Kirkley Branch Railway, with a more industrial character developing to the west of the line with the premises of firms such as the Lucas Brothers Works. The area up to the railway line continued to develop throughout the following decades, with further construction of terraced worker’s housing and the Mission Church, later known as Colville Hall, on Colville Road.

The pleasure resort also continued to expand with the development of entertainments and attractions for visitors. Seaside entertainment included musicians, marionettes, Punch and Judy shows, boat hire, phrenologists and goat cart rides, whilst refreshments such as tea, ice cream and rock were readily available along the front. New hotels were constructed throughout South Lowestoft, most notably the Empire Hotel, which opened in 1900 with 200 bedrooms and was the largest seaside hotel in Britain of the time (Robb 2005, 80). Much of the South Pier was rebuilt in 1891 following a fire. The new structure included a fine iron-framed pavilion, containing an assembly room, reading room and refreshment rooms, known as the South Pier Reading Room. At a cost one penny for admission, the popularity of pier was such that in one day in July 1893, over 6000 visitors were recorded (Parking 2001, 42). The Pier continued as a ‘favourite haunt’ for the upper classes throughout the Edwardian period. A guidebook from the period stated that:

‘the Pier, by virtue of its situation, is in the very heart of a number of diversions, and it is rare indeed for a Pier to have the advantage of being in the main current of the shipping, yachting and fishing life of the place … another interesting sight afforded by this Pier is the Breakwater, which in rough weather throws up charming mountains of spray. These occasionally also add to the amusement of visitors as they see one and another receive an u n e x p e c t e d s h o w e r -bath…’ (Malster 1991).

The South Beach in the early 20th century

South Beach in a postcard of c.1904

The Reading Room on the South Pier, c.1906

14

These attractions were added to in the early 20th century with the opening of Claremont Pier in 1903. Constructed by the Coast Development Corporation, the pier served as a landing stage for Belle Steamers, which operated a service between London and Yarmouth. The appeal of the new pier declined when erosion of Kirkley Cliff in the winter of 1903 was blamed on the newly opened pier (Robb 1995, 112). So severe was the erosion of Kirkley Cliff, the sea defences had to be strengthened to prevent the grand hotels and villas on the Upper Esplanade being lost to the sea. The Pier soon regained its popularity, however, with the extension of the pier head in 1912 to accommodate a new pavilion. The modernisation of the resort is reflected in the decision to retire the Victorian bathing machines in 1913 as they were considered out of keeping with a modern resort. An integral part of the seaside character of South Lowestoft was the presence of yachts and pleasure boats. To cater for this demand, the Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club had been founded in 1859 by a few boating gentlemen to control racing along the seafront. The club had gained a clubhouse on the seafront in 1886, a modest single-storey weatherboarded structure, built on the present Yacht Club site and subsequently reused as a pavilion in the Crown Meadow Football Ground. Having attained the title of the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club in 1898, a new ‘custom built yacht club of fairly advanced design for the date’, designed by George John Skipper, was erected in 1902 and opened in 1903. Extensions to the Club in 1920-2 were also undertaken by George John Skipper (Malster 1991). Lowestoft’s foremost attraction, however, remained its situation and built

environment. Advertisements of the 1900s the time described Lowestoft as having ‘the most invigorating air in the British Isles’. In a postcard sent in 1904, one visitor described Royal Plain and the south pier as being ‘Very quaint’ and remarked that ‘This place is so charming I can never come back.’ The southern shift of focus within Lowestoft led to the gradual encroachment of the town onto the hamlet of Kirkley, which officially became part of Lowestoft in 1854. Much of this encroachment had already occurred by 1878, with the area around London Road developed and newly laid out roads depicted between London Road and Kirkley on Chambers’ Map. The historic core of Kirkley had also expanded, but remained distinct from South Lowestoft. By the turn of the century, a picture of increasing urbanisation emerges with the Church of St Peter and St John gradually being enclosed by surrounding housing. Substantial houses were being constructed on Kirkley Cliff Road during the 1890s and 1900s, some of which were situated on land previously forming part of the Kirkley Cliff Estate (LRO 1117/276/70). Despite the growth of Lowestoft as a pleasure resort, the fishing industry continued as a vital part of the economy in the early 20th century. Seasonal workers, such as Scottish herring girls, became a well-known sight within the town every autumn. By 1911, at the peak of production in the British fishing industry, Lowestoft’s population had risen to 37,886. The onset of the First World War, however, greatly reduced fishing as the Admiralty requisitioned steamboats for patrolling and minesweeping resulting in the growth of

15

other industries, such as shipbuilding and engineering. During the First World War Lowestoft was bombarded by both sea and air; the worst raid occurring over Easter 1916 when 240 buildings were damaged and four people killed. The inter-war period witnessed the peak of Lowestoft as a tourist destination, with the beaches, hotels and guest houses regularly full. The success of the resort is seen in a number of civic enterprises of the time. Foremost amongst these was the construction of a new promenade along the base of Kirkley Cliff from Claremont Pier south towards Pakefield. Constructed at a cost of £60,000 and named Jubilee Parade, it was described in a souvenir programme of the time as ‘a fine tangible memorial of the Silver Jubilee of George V and also the fiftieth anniversary of the i n c o rpo ra t i on o f t h e b o r ou gh o f Lowestoft’ (Parkin 2001, 49). As part of this scheme, a number of structures were incorporated within the Parade including the Victoria Bathing Chalets, and Jubilee Parade Chalets. These structures provided private beachside chalets for visitors, as well as a platform from which to observe the beach, creating a three-tier seafront along with the Esplanade and Parade. As part of the modern redevelopment of the seafront, villas on the Esplanade built as part of the Peto scheme were bought by the council and demolished to open up the seafront to the public. A further significant civic work was the establishment of Kensington Gardens at the southern end of the Esplanade. This area was undeveloped heathland before its purchase in 1898 by Spiers and Pond Ltd who constructed the Empire Hotel on the northern part of the site and sold the remaining land to the council in 1914 for £3800. Initially used to grow crops

16

The South Pier in the early 20th century

The South Beach in the early 20 century

Electric boats in Kensington Gardens

for the war effort, it was developed into a park in the 1920s by local businessmen Selwyn Humphrey and Arthur Tuttle, as part of a scheme to provide work for the town’s unemployed (Robb 2005, 86). The original layout of the park is shown on the 1927 OS map, revealing tennis courts to the west, a band stand to the north and a pavilion (now the tearooms) to the south. A boating lake with electric boats was designed by S.W. Mobbs and opened in 1933, whilst other attractions included aviaries, a Japanese themed garden, bowling greens and tearooms. Being situated at the south end of the Esplanade, Kensington Gardens proved a pleasant and popular destination on the seafront. The highlight of the season from the 1920s was the annual summer carnival. During World War II, Lowestoft was an important naval base with surrounding defences of trenches, pillboxes and dense belts of barbed wire. The beach was strewn with mines, the Esplanade covered with barbed wire and sections removed from both piers (Parkin 2001, 49). Wellington Gardens were destroyed by the construction of air raid shelters and trenches. The town suffered 93 enemy raids with 275 people killed. Rebuilding schemes occurred in the following decades, including the re-establishment of Wellington Gardens and substantial rebuilding in London Road North. In the years following the war, tourism returned to Lowestoft, with over 6000 visitors recorded entering the town by train on a single day in August 1956 (Parkin 2001, 54). New attractions were established along the seafront, including a miniature railway and boating lake. The Victorian Pavilion on the South Pier was demolished in 1955 and replaced with a

new structure in the following year, including a 70 foot high observation tower known as the Space Tower. Modernisation of the resort, however, couldn’t rival the growth of air travel and the lure of foreign holidays. Lowestoft’s tourist industry began to decline throughout the 1960s, as demonstrated by the demolition of the Royal Hotel in 1973, a central part of Peto’s scheme for Lowestoft. This key site remained vacant for twenty years until the construction of the East Point Pavilion in 1993. The later decades of the 20th century were a period of considerable change within Lowestoft. Large numbers of historic buildings around the High Street were demolished, and the Beach Village was cleared. The construction of the relief road further exacerbated this situation by cutting through the historic street pattern, although successfully reducing traffic levels on the High Street. South Lowestoft was spared the worst of these changes; however, it did endure a period of several day’s separation from the north of the town when the Victorian bascule bridge broke in 1968. Despite the rebuilding of the fish market in the 1980s, the fishing industry was suffering from problems with fewer catches, over-fishing and ever-increasing costs (Robb 2005, 102). By the close of the century, only a handful of trawlers remained based at the port. In the early years of the 21st century, Lowestoft has been subject to considerable renewal. The development of new industries, such as renewable energy, and a resurgence in maritime skills, have revitalised the local economy. In terms of the built environment, the Sunrise Scheme has improved the public realm through much of the South Lowestoft Conservation Area, revitalising

17

the seafront and the historic core ofSouth Lowestoft.

Archaeological Significance

There are no Scheduled AncientMonuments within Lowestoft.

The proximity of South Lowestoft to thesite of Palaeolithic occupation inPakefield raises uncertain potential forthe discovery of similarly dated depositswithin the town. Some evidence ofNeolithic and Bronze Age activity issuggested by finds by local archaeologistsand documentary evidence, indicatingsome potential for further archaeologicalsurvival. Limited evidence of Romanactivity is known within Lowestoft;however, finds recorded in the 19th

century around Roman Hill, combinedwith the use of the Waveney as acommunication route in this period,raises the potential for the presence ofRoman archaeological evidence. Noarchaeological evidence is currentlyknown of the town’s earliest origins;although some finds of Anglo-Saxonpottery near the Rotterdam Road, StPeter Street, Normanston Driveroundabout are known locally (Pers.Comm. D. Butcher), suggesting a focusfor activity in this period and potentialfor further evidence.

The area covered by Lowestoft SouthConservation Area was largelyundeveloped until the mid-19th centuryand very little archaeological work hasbeen carried out. Therefore, there islimited potential for evidence relating tomedieval and post-medieval activity inthis area.

There are numerous sites on the localHistoric Environment Record relating toLowestoft’s 19th century history in the

18

The Wind Turbine at Ness Point

South Beach

South Lowestoft area, alongside furthersites associated with World War IIstructures.

Spatial Analysis

The South Lowestoft Conservation Areacovers a long narrow area c.2km long,running approximately north-south,along the seashore to the south of LakeLothing. The spatial form of theconservation area reflects itsdevelopment from the 18th centuryonwards, and particularly its plannedexpansion from the mid-19th century. Ofcentral importance to the conservationarea as a whole is the proximity of thebeach and North Sea along its easternboundary. It was these that provided theimpetus for the expansion of Lowestoftand which defined much of its characterand appearance.

Within the designated area, the streetplan is formed predominantly by longstraight roads laid out parallel to theseashore and punctuated by shortperpendicular streets which allow viewstowards the beach. The spine of theconservation area is formed by LondonRoad North and London Road South.Originally a track which linked Lowestoftwith Pakefield, the route was turnpikedin 1785 to provide a road to London, andnow runs continuously from High Streetin the north of Lowestoft, crossing theHarbour, to join London Road Pakefieldto the south.

To the north of the conservation area,the harbour and Lake Lothing serve toseparate and define the north and southportions of the conservation area, andprovide a clear boundary to Peto’sexpansion of the town. The expanse ofLake Lothing and the Trawl Basin toeither side of the Bascule Bridge form

significant spaces and visual componentswithin the setting of the conservationarea. The dockside areas are not readilyaccessible to the public; however they areof historic significance, continuedimportance to the local economy and ofcontribution to the local sense ofidentity. To the north of this, thestreetscape is dominated by tall three-storey buildings forming continuousfrontages and enclosing views within thestreetscape. This character shifts as itcontinues to the south, ranging fromcontinuous commercial frontages to thenorth, to set-back terraced houses withgreen front gardens to the south. Theelongated and built up character of thestreetscape encourages long views bothnorth and south.

To the north of the Bascule Bridge, theconservation area forms part of the towncentre of Lowestoft. Centred aroundStation Square and London Road North,this area is dominated by the passage ofpedestrians between commercialpremises. Continuous and variedfrontages enclose the streetscape andestablish a strong sense of place, furtherenhanced by the presence of public art inStation Square in the form of a metalsculpture entitled ‘Spirits of Lowestoft’and created by Charles Normandale.Shared back lanes run to the rear ofproperties in this area, flanked by hardstandings and providing access to therear of commercial premises. These aremarginal areas, providing service facilitiesfor local businesses, and do not activelycontribute to the conservation area.

Laid out to the east and parallel toLondon Road South are the formalterraces of Marine Parade, VictoriaTerrace, Wellington Esplanade andKirkley Cliff. These streets are formallyplanned to give good vistas eastwards to

19

the sea and westwards to the buildingfrontages, enhanced by the presence ofcompact forecourt gardens. Moving upKirkley Cliff Road, paired and detachedvillas are set within larger private gardens,setting them back from the broad streetand establishing a green and spaciouscharacter. The rise of Kirkley Cliff to thesouth and the presence of long formalstreetscapes provides both a focus forviews to the south and a platform forlong views to the north. A moresuburban character is established to thesouthwest of the conservation areaaround the Church of St Peter and StJohn. Here there is a combination ofterraced and detached houses set withinlarger gardens. These are set well backfrom the streetfront and have longgardens extending to the rear, formingenclosed private spaces.

The eastern boundary of theconservation area is formed by theEsplanade and Upper Esplanade. Thesepedestrian routes run alongside the beachand parallel to the north-south street planof the conservation area, giving strongviews out across the sea. Private gardenslining the Esplanade are largely visible topassing pedestrians, establishing them assemi-private spaces.

A number of public open spaces arepresent along the Esplanade, punctuatingthe seaside townscape. In particular, thenorth end of the Esplanade terminates inthe public open space of Royal Plain.Laid out as part of Peto’s original schemefor South Lowestoft it survives today as akey open space within the town. Therecently completed renewal of the publicrealm in this area, including water jetfountains, paving, street furniture andlighting has established this as asignificant open space within theconservation area, creating a strong sense

Lake Lothing from theBascule Bridge

London Road lookingnorth

Wellington Esplanadefrom the Esplanade

The Esplanade lookingnorth

20

of arrival into the pleasure resort ofSouth Lowestoft and of great enjoymentto both residents and visitors.

Royal Green, located between MarineParade and the Esplanade was createdthrough the demolition of a series ofVictorian villas from the 1930s andhoused seaside attractions such as aswimming pool and miniature railway inthe mid-20th century. Today it is simplylawned, with a car park adjacent to theParade and provides a valuable andflexible public open space. Royal Greenestablishes good visual links between thebeach, Esplanade, and townscape to thewest, encouraging movement betweenthe two.

Wellington Gardens, located in front ofWellington Esplanade, the centrepiece ofPeto’s development, were an integral partof the design of the new town, and areprotected from development by acovenant established by Peto. TheGardens remain today as a formally laidout green space, dominated by lawns andflower beds and lined by gravel paths,retaining much of their historic characterand enabling good views to and from theformal terrace of Wellington Esplanade.

Kensington Gardens is set at the southend of the Esplanade and was laid out inthe 1920s following the acquisition of theland by the Town Council. A compactand pleasant park, the gardens retainmuch of their original plan and planting,forming a good terminus to the UpperEsplanade. Within the park the presenceof mature trees, cottage-style single-storey park buildings, and formal fencingserves to create an enclosed and variedcharacter, largely concealed from theadjacent Upper Esplanade and KirkleyCliff Road, whilst the formal gatewaysfrom these streets encourage pedestrian

movement into the Gardens.

Key Views and VistasA number of key views and vistas arepresent into and out of the conservationarea. These include:

London Road North lookingnorth towards the High Street

Northwest from South Pier acrossthe harbour

Southwest from South Pier acrossthe South Beach

Marine Parade looking southtowards Kirkley Cliff

North and south along LondonRoad South

East along Claremont Roadtowards Claremont Pier

Upper Esplanade eastwards to thesea

Esplanade west towardsWellington Esplanade and KirkleyCliff

Kensington Road eastwards to thesea

Pakefield Road southeast to thesea

21

22

Character areas within the South Lowestoft Conservation Area

23

The Harbour Character Area

CHARACTER ANALYSIS

The South Lowestoft Conservation Areacomprises four areas of distinctcharacter, as indicated by their history,built form, morphology and use. Keybuildings of positive townscapecontribution are identified and mappedin Appendix 1.

Character Area 1: The Harbour

Character Area 1: The HarbourThe Harbour Character Area developedfollowing the passing of the Norwich andLowestoft Navigation Bill in 1827, withthe construction of the harbour and thecutting of the lock into Lake Lothing.Peto’s subsequent development of theharbour in the mid-19th century and theopening of the railway station in 1847ensured that this area was of centralimportance to the growth anddevelopment of modern Lowestoft. Asthe entrance to the town, both by rail and

water, the Harbour Character Arearapidly developed with houses, hotelsand shops, aided by the sale of the GroveEstate and St Margaret’s Villa Estate inthe 1880s. Throughout the 19th and 20th

centuries, this area was a central focuswithin the town, and today it retains abroad mixture of building types andstyles, reflecting its importance to thedevelopment of modern Lowestoft.

In its plan form, the Harbour CharacterArea reflects the importance ofcommunications to Lowestoft’s growth.At its heart lies Station Square, a publicopen space in front of the station, whilstrunning north-south through its centre isLondon Road North, part of the turnpikeroad to London. This in turn leads pastthe trawl basin and across the basculebridge at the entrance to Lake Lothing.Each of these transport links was of greatsignificance in forging the moderncharacter of Lowestoft.

Architectural and Historic Qualities ofBuildingsThe buildings within the HarbourCharacter Area are principally of mid tolate 19th century date and reflect a rangeof building types and functions. Thecentral position of this character areahas resulted in continuous frontagesranging from one to three storeys inheight, with particularly high densitiesalong London Road North and StationSquare.

London Road North is dominated bythe presence of substantial commercialstructures, often with display windows atfirst-floor level. Principal amongst thesebuildings are the Post Office andNatwest Bank, located at numbers 51and 53 London Road North. Theserepresent imposing classical stylebuildings constructed in the late 19th

century and 1860s respectively. Incontrast with the formal styling of thepost office, adjacent commercialbuildings tend towards a moredecorative architectural style, as is mostclearly demonstrated by the ornatetreatment of the former Tuttle’sDepartment Store with its foliate carvingand moulded brickwork. Featurescommonly found within the buildings ofLondon Road North include first-floorbay windows, decorative lintels andmoulded floor bands. Unity within thestreetscape is achieved through the useof similar storey and roof heights.

The flanking streets contain building ofmore modest scale, interspersing shopswith flats above, with more modestshops, townhouses and two-storeyhouses, resulting in an ever-shiftingroofline. Similarities in scale andmassing ensure that the buildings form acoherent streetscape, whilst there isconsiderable contrast in architectural

24

The Post Office, LondonRoad North

Tuttle’s Corner,Station Square

Terraced housing onGrove Road

Much altered historic ware-houses on Battery Green

Road

25

styling. This is aptly demonstrated bynumbers 4 to 8 Suffolk Street; threebuildings of modest and similar scalewhich employ respectively gothic,Palladian and simple moulded brickdecoration. Some good historic shopfronts are retained within these streets.The domestic buildings found on BatteryGreen, Grove Road, Beach Road andCommercial Road use repetitive anduniform facades, employing features suchas bay windows, paired and recessedentrances and continuous eaves heights,to create coherent and pleasantstreetscapes.

A number of historic buildings associatedwith the maritime industries of Lowestoftsurvive around this character area. Ofparticular significance is the grade IIlisted Custom’s House, located on NorthQuay to the north of Lake Lothing, itsformal and understated architecturereflecting the growth of civic pride in theLowestoft’s maritime industries in themid-19th century. A small number ofwarehouses and other industrialstructures survive around Waveney Roadand Battery Green. Typically these aretall, narrow brick structures gabled to thestreet, although now much altered formodern use.

Character AnalysisThe Harbour Character Area centresaround Station Square, a large open spacelocated at the junction of London RoadNorth and South, Denmark Road, BevanStreet East, Suffolk Street and SurreyStreet. The space is enclosed by a rangeof two- and three-storey buildings ofvaried form and date. The presence ofthe busy A12 along the west of StationSquare, with Lowestoft Central Stationlocated on its western edge, makes this asignificant entry point into centralLowestoft. Constructed in 1855 by the

Lucas brothers to replace the originalstation, it remains as a well-detailed andattractive gault brick building of simpleclassically inspired design, characteristicof the buildings of South Lowestoft. Thestation frontage to Denmark Road is welldetailed and forms a positive elementwithin the streetscape. The two-storeystructure to the east, however, iscurrently disused with boarded windowsand doors below a good mid-20th centurystation sign. Internally, the structure hasbeen extensively modernised with theremoval of the roof and insertion ofbrightly coloured platform furniture.The ground adjacent to the Station onStation Square is poorly maintained andserves to create an air of neglect,emphasised by the severing effect of theA12. To the south of the station, a shortstretch of railway line remains in placewhich formerly led to the trawl market.This is a rare survival of the former raillines associated with the harbour.

In contrast, the eastern side of StationSquare is pedestrianised with goodquality paving and a modern sculptureentitled ‘Spirits of Lowestoft’, whilst thebroad streetscape of London RoadNorth extends to the north, encouragingpedestrian movement towards theshopping area. The buildings of TuttlesDepartment Store flank the east side ofStation Square and form an excellent firstimpression of the town with their strongfaçade and good detailing. The northside of Station Square is more disjointedin appearance with Opportunity House, ageneric office block of 1980s dateconstructed on the site of the SuffolkHotel and of no contribution to thehistoric environment. To the west, at thejunction with Denmark Road is theformer Imperial Hotel, now numbers 2-10 Denmark Road, (even numbers), oneof a few surviving Victorian Hotels

within Lowestoft. Now converted foruse as shops at ground-floor level withflats above, the building suffers as aresult of poor quality shop fronts and anover-bearing modern awning; however,the curved corner bay to Station Squarepositively addresses the adjacentstreetscapes and forms an interestinghistoric element. The Denmark Roadstreetscape extends beyond theconservation area, lined by talltownhouses to the north and railwaylines to the south, a view now generallydominated by high levels of stationarytraffic.

London Road North exits through thenorth side of Station Square and isformed by a wide street lined by tallimposing Victorian buildings. Despitethe inauspicious presence of the late 20th

century structures of OpportunityHouse and the Halifax Bank flanking theentrance from Station Square, this is avar ied and visua l ly interest ingstreetscape of elaborate buildings, welldetailed across their upper storeys withmodern shop fronts dominating theground floor. Architecturally thebuildings range in style from theGothicised decoration of numbers 39-45, through the formal classicism of thePost Office, to the understated mouldedbrick decoration present along theeastern side of the street. Number 58London Road South is rare in being theonly building to retain significantarchitectural detailing at ground-floorlevel in the form of a fine recessedcorner entrance, with well-executedfoliate moulding to the doorcase,cornice and lintels. London Road Northextends beyond the conservation area tojoin with the High Street. It has formedthe principal shopping thoroughfaresince the mid-19th century and continues

26

Lowestoft Station fromStation Square

‘Spirits of Lowestoft’

The former ImperialHotel, 2-10 Denmark

London Road North

27

as the focus for the modern town centrein Lowestoft today.

Bevan Street East runs northwest fromStation Square, terminating at KatwijkWay, a significant north-south road routethrough the town centre. This is apleasantly varied streetscape of mixedbuilding height and detail. TowardsStation Square there is a higher density ofbuilding with the presence of three-storey Victorian buildings to the north ofthe street providing shops at groundfloor and accommodation above,commonly using details such as first-floor bay windows, eared architraves, andbracketed cornices. Some good historicshop fronts are retained, such as that tonumber 131-132 Bevan Street East,whilst some first-floor display windowshave been inserted as at the ThistleGallery. To the northwest, the scale ofbuilding decreases with the presence oftwo-storey domestic buildings, nowconverted for commercial use at ground-floor level. Of particular interest arenumbers 1-7 Bevan Street East, a shortterrace of two-storey cottages whichformerly included front gardens, nowincorporated into the street.

Within the boundaries of theconservation area, Surrey Street is achanging streetscape of predominantlylater Victorian character, in stark contrastto the bulk of the mid-20th centuryTelephone Exchange and entrance to themulti-storey car park opposite. To thewest, a terrace of individually designed,substantial terraced houses form thefrontage of the conservation area, mostof which are now in office use. Ofparticular contribution to the streetscapeare numbers 9, 13 and 17 for the qualityof their architectural detailing. Also ofinterest is the Beaconsfield ConservativeClub at number 7, a substantial three-

storey red brick building designed by W.J. Williams, of streetscape presence for itsuse of heraldic panels and large first-floormullion and transom windows, despiteunsympathetic alterations to the groundfloor.

Suffolk Road extends from StationSquare to the east and continues thecommercial character from London RoadNorth and Station Square, although at alesser scale. Curving round to meetBattery Green Road, the streetscapeencloses views and comprises buildingsof late 19th and 20th century date, ofunderstated but varied architectural style.Shop fronts again dominate the groundfloor, with large plate glass windowsacross the Godfreys store to the northand remnants of historic shop fronts tothe south such as pilasters and consolebrackets. The construction of shortterraces and individual buildings byseparate owners along Suffolk Street hasresulted in a shifting roofscapethroughout the street, and particularlyalong its south side. Of local historic andarchitectural interest is the formerInstitute of the Fisherman’s Mission,now incorporated within the Godfreysstore. Used as a public library from1951, the building remains a significantelement within the streetscape due to itselegant use of classical detailing andsignificance to the social history ofLowestoft. Also of interest within thisarea is the site of the mediaeval GoodCross Chapel, a notable local waysideshrine, located close to the site ofGodfrey’s Store.

In contrast with the commercialarchitecture of the adjacent streets, BeachRoad, Grove Road and the north end ofBattery Green Road retain a markedlydomestic character in their architecture.Laid out following the sale of the estates

of St Margaret’s Villa and the Grove inthe 1880s, these streets are lined byterraced houses of two and threestoreys, constructed of red brick withcontrasting coade stone dressings. Indesign, these buildings are unifiedthrough the use of paired entrances,canted bay windows extending throughthree storeys and mansard roofs. Indetail, however, there is some variationincluding the use of skewback lintels,both with and without projecting keystones, chamfered coade stone lintels,first-floor balconies and well-mouldedcornices to the first floor. Numbers 12-15 Grove Road are of significance forthe individual high quality design of thisterrace, and particularly the use of finelymoulded brickwork around the doors,windows and cornices.

Beach House to the east of Beach Roadis a key building within the streetscapedue to its regular stuccoed elevation, anduse of classical detail. Constructed asthe Star Building, it was refronted by R.S. Cockrill for J & W Stuarts, netmanufacturers, in the late 19th century.Subsequently used by the Mission toDeep Sea Fishermen, it is nowconverted for residential use. Also ofinterest is the preservation of a series ofloading doors along the east elevation,now in use as mews housing andforming a pleasing and surprisingelement within the townscape.

To the west of Grove Road a pair ofwell-detailed commercial structuressurvive. Number 11 includes a shapedgable, pediments and parapets towindows, whilst numbers 1 and 3 BeachRoad, formerly the premises of Floodand Son Stationers and Printers, includesa well-detailed corner entrance, flankedby Corinthian columns which include acarved alphabet wrapping around the

28

1-7 Bevan Street East

Numbers 1-3 BeachRoad, formerly Flood and

Sons

Numbers 12 & 14Beach Road

Beach House, Beach Road

29

capitals and a medallion in the parapetabove, showing the crest of Lowestoft.Also of some interest is the street laid outparallel to London Road North namedBon Marche after the department store.Despite their pleasant character, thesestreetscapes are dominated by the rear ofcommercial premises on London RoadNorth and suffer as a result of the vacantsite adjacent to Bon Marche.

In contrast with Station Square andadjacent streets, the area neighbouringthe docks reflects Lowestoft’s maritimehistory. Central to this character is thepresence of the Trawl Basin.Constructed as part of Peto’s originaldevelopment of the docks and extendedin the 1880s, the dock remains in usetoday. The basin is accessible to vesselsfrom the Outer Harbour and is flankedby a long open jetty to the north. Theharbour is not openly accessible to thepublic and is defined by a heavy steelpalisade fence to Waveney Road,severing views from the adjacentstreetscapes: However, it continues toform a significant element within themodern townscape and perception ofLowestoft.

Situated adjacent to the Trawl Basin isWaveney Road; a major road routethrough the conservation area. With acontinuous frontage along its northernside, the streetscape at ground-floor levelis formed by modern frontages of little orno architectural merit. The upperstoreys, however, retain much of theirhistoric character. To the west, WaveneyRoad is lined by a series of tall narrowbuildings of assorted design, punctuatedby regular bay windows running fromfirst to second floor, and unified bycontinuous eaves height andcomplementary detailing. Thestreetscape curves around to the north to

meet Battery Green Road, still flanked bythe palisade fence to the south. At thecorner the black, tarred façade of theFishermen’s Mission hides a wellproportioned classical elevation (possiblyby local architect W. J. Roberts) and anelement of the social history of thedocks. To the east of this is theColumbus Building, constructed in theearly 20th century, the bland styling ofthe ground and first floors support a finesecond floor and parapet, employingcontrasting coloured tile with stylised ArtNouveau foliate capitals and a largemural depicting sailing ships, possibly byDoulton and Co. of Lambeth.

Moving into Battery Green Road, anumber of tall narrow buildings gabled tothe road and of predominantly later 19th

century date are reminiscent of thetraditional building forms oncecommonplace amongst the maritimeindustries of Lowestoft. The buildings ofBoardtal Leisure, to the north of thejunction with Suffolk Street, preserveelements of a historic warehouse, asindicated by its gabled form, as well asthe pantile roof and loading doors. Ofparticular note for its distinctive formand good architectural detailing is theGourock Rope Works building. TheHippodrome Bingo is a contrastinglymodern building that employs largeexpanses of colour and blunt detailing,but sits well within its townscape contextdue to its respect of surrounding scaleand massing.

Returning to the junction of the OuterHarbour and Station Square, theconservation area narrows to cross theBascule Bridge, spanning across the innerand outer harbours, and forming adistinct boundary to this character area.Constructed in the 1970s to replace the19th century swingbridge, the Bascule

Bridge is of functional design,incorporating gantries for traffic signalsand moving barriers to controlmovement. To the northeast of this, theHarbour Master’s Office is a modeststructure constructed contemporarilywith the bridge. Of simple design, thebuilding sits comfortably within theharbour and contrasts favourably withCustoms House, a building of classicalproportions constructed during the1830s development of the harbour andnow grade II listed. The continuation ofthe steel palisade fencing around thedockside in this area provides a definitedivision between the publicly accessiblestreetscape and the private dock areas,constraining both movement and views.

Elements of the architectural style foundacross the seafront can be seen onnumbers 7-11 Station Square andCommercial Road, adjacent to theBascule Bridge. Commercial Road waslaid out for speculative development in1852 and a terrace of two- and three-storey bui ldings was gradual lyconstructed by developers. Comprisingshops with flats above, the terraceenjoys a high level of cohesion despitei t s i n d i v i d u a l c o n s t r u c t i o n .Architecturally, it contains both welldetailed buildings with fine windowcases and moulded cornices, and simplydetailed structures with limitedornamentation. Other features of noteinclude the finely moulded shop front toNumber 1 and the glazed tile pub façadeat numbers 5 and 6. Moving out of theconservation area to the west, thestreetscape becomes more industrial incharacter comprising a number of gapsites and individual structures associatedwith the Inner Harbour.

7-11 Station Square (odd numbers) is athree-storey terrace overlooking the

30

Waveney Road lookingwest

Detail from mural on theCookridge Buildings

The Gourock RopeWorks, Battery Green

Road

Commercial Road lookingwest

27

Trawl Basin. Constructed in pale gaultbrick with good classical decoration and awell proportioned façade, a recentscheme of restoration has revealed thefine detailing of the structure andenhanced its streetscape presence. Ashort row of single-storey shops extendsto the north and retains pilasters andconsole brackets between properties,providing some architectural interestdespite the insertion of poor quality shopfronts.

Local Details and Building MaterialsThe buildings of the Harbour CharacterArea are constructed principally in gaultbrick, with some red brick and occasionaluse of render and colourwash. Recentcleaning of some buildings, such asnumbers 43 and 45 London Road Northhas revealed the pale golden colour ofthe gault brick now obscured on manybuildings by accumulated dirt. Later 20th

century buildings; however, employdifferent materials such as dark sand-finished brick and rendered panels, whichsit uncomfortably within the historictownscape. Typically for buildings of themid-late 19th century, roofing is largely ofslate, although, to their detriment, anumber of buildings now have concretepantile roofs. Dressings, such a lintelsand capitals are generally executed incoade stone, enabling the fine mouldingof decorative details. Finely mouldedbrickwork is also characteristic of thisarea, such as the excellent doorcases andcornices visible on Grove Road.Moulded tiles are also employed in anumber of structures, frequently using afloral motif.

Decorative architectural details aregenerally found above the ground floorand include a wide vocabulary offeatures. Such details are often classicalin form such as the Corinthian pilasters

Local details

31

of 17 Station Square, or the columnssupporting the over-door cornice of 9Surrey Street, whilst more idiosyncraticdetails are also present, as may be seenin the inclusion of the alphabet in thecapitals of the former printer’s premisesat 1-3 Beach Road, the barley twistmoulding of the window jambs at 17Surrey Street, or the timber-framedecoration in the gables of 2-15Waveney Road. A further interestingfeature is the carving of building namesinto lintels, such as the Gourock RopeWorks or Baltic Chambers.

Historic shop fronts are retained by asmall number of properties within thecharacter area and often include well-detailed features such as mouldedspandrels and capitals to pilasters andcolumns, as may be seen in 32 StationSquare. Other frontages often retainhistoric pilasters and console bracketsbetween properties, whilst first-floordisplay windows also feature in anumber of properties.

Intrusive and damaging factorsThe Harbour Character Area is ofconsiderable importance to the SouthLowestoft Conservation Area; however,its quality and significance are degradedby a number of factors.

High traffic levels dominate WaveneyRoad and the A12 through StationSquare, impeding pedestrian passage andresulting in noise and pollution. Thepinch point of the Bascule Bridge leadsto the presence of near stationary trafficalong Station Square, Waveney Roadand Denmark Road. Within the Squarethis detracts from the quality of theadjacent public realm making it feelsomething of a transient space, althoughthis has been improved by recent hardlandscaping.

32

Traffic in Station Square

8-10 Denmark Road

35 & 37 London RoadNorth

15 Surrey Street

33

Inappropriate, incremental alterationshave damaged the historic character ofmany buildings within the character area.Refenestration has occurred across anumber of buildings, often with theremoval of sash windows and theirreplacement with top hung casements oruPVC frames. Such alterations damagethe rhythm and formal design of anelevation and, within a terrace, detractsfrom the unity of the whole. Theinsertion of small or picture windows inplace of sash windows is particularlydamaging in this respect. Similarly thepainting of individual brick buildingswithin a terrace is of detriment to itsoverall design, drawing attention to thespecific structure and obscuring thequality of the original brickwork. Thecumulative impact of these changes iswell demonstrated by the buildings ofCommercial Road.

Major modern intervention into ahistoric structure is demonstrated atnumber 15 Surrey Street, where it hasresulted in a rather curious hybrid ofVictorian and 20th century architecture, ina most unsatisfactory and unsuccessfulmanner.

Poorly designed modern shop frontagesfeature in several buildings within thischaracter area. Frequently employingover large and inappropriately designedsignage and large plate glass windows,these frontages are of detriment to theconservation area and often degrade thecharacter of the historic building thatthey are situated within, as demonstratedby numbers 3 and 4 Commercial Road.Similarly a number of pub and clubfrontages are also of poor quality, both inmaterials and design, as demonstrated bynumber 20-21 Commercial Road.

Within this character area there are anumber of vacant structures that arepoorly maintained, or house poor qualityuses. These buildings contribute to an airof neglect within the character area, asdemonstrated by number 10 DenmarkRoad.

A number of buildings which do notcontribute to the character of theconservation area have been identified inthis assessment. These are:

35 & 37 London Road North

34 & 36 London Road North

15 Surrey Street

34

The Seafront Character Area

Character Area 2: The Seafront The Seafront Character Area covers a linear strip, aligned north-south along the seafront, to the immediate south of the harbour. Prior to the mid-19th century, this area comprised part of the Lowestoft Lampland; however in 1846, it was purchased by Sir Samuel Morton Peto and developed as a pleasure resort. The result was a series of grand seaward-facing terraces of townhouses, lodging houses, villas and a number of large hotels, which provided accommodation for the holidaying gentry. The strip immediately fronting the sea was developed into a promenade (which currently lies outside the conservation area), with a mixture of fine villas and open public spaces set along it. Peto was declared bankrupt in the 1860s, however his vision for Lowestoft was continued by speculative buildings projects, such as the construction of Kirkley Cliff. Lowestoft reached its zenith as a holiday resort in the inter-war years, when many modifications were made to the seafront, including the laying out of Kensington Gardens and the demolition of structures on the Esplanade to open up views to the sea. The area still caters for tourists, with various forms of guest accommodation along the seafront; however, a large number of the properties are now in residential use. Most buildings date from the mid-late 19th century, which, alongside its formally planned design, provides a sense of cohesion to the area and results in a series of grand, spacious streetscapes. The urban morphology of the Seafront Character Area still clearly reflects its origins in the mid-19th century. It is dominated by a series of north-south streets laid out parallel to the seashore and lined by grand Victorian terraces and

villas, and formally laid-out open public spaces. This is punctuated by short east-west streets linking the seafront and the main commercial focus of London Road South. The area to the north is relatively flat, rising gently to the south along Kirkley Cliff. Architectural and Historic Qualities of Buildings The buildings within the Seafront Character Area were constructed from the mid-19th century onwards, with Victorian architecture predominant throughout. The speculative nature of Peto's development is reflected in the repetitive uniform architecture of buildings within the grand terraces such as Marine Parade and Wellington Esplanade. These comprise a series of formal, well-proportioned facades, in a classical architectural style. They are set slightly back from the road with small forecourted gardens, often giving access to the basement, with narrow gardens to the rear. As this area developed over a short period of time, it has a relatively cohesive appearance. This is evident architecturally with a uniformity in scale and design, repetitive design and the use of common building materials. Properties are generally constructed in gault brick and of three storeys in height, with well-detailed features such as doorcases, sash windows with margin glazing, decorative tiles and modillion cornices. Despite its development as a high-status resort, some variety of status between buildings is still apparent. The buildings of highest status originally occupied the seafront along the Esplanade, although many of these structures have now been demolished or heavily altered. Those set to the west of this, and particularly Marine Parade, were

35

deemed to be of secondary status. The buildings of Victoria Terrace, Wellington Esplanade and Kirkley Cliff are designated as grade II listed buildings. Other buildings which contribute to the local character are detailed in full in Appendix 1. Character Analysis The northern point of the Seafront Character Area forms the large open space of Royal Plain. Laid out as part of Peto's development of Lowestoft, Royal Plain has recently been subject to a scheme of improvement. At its centre is situated the war memorial and a modern fountain consisting of 74 water jets. It is flanked to the north by the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club and yacht basin. Built in 1903 by G & F Skipper, the Yacht Club is listed grade II* and, in contrast with Skippers’ other buildings in Lowestoft, displays an overt arts and crafts influence, the building taking inspiration from the work of C. F. Voysey. The Yacht Club uses the arts and crafts style with rendered and asymmetrical elevations, establishing a high level of architectural quality to the open space and contrasting pleasingly with the classical detailing of the Harbour Hotel and numbers 1 and 2 Royal Plain. The south pier projects seawards to the east of Royal Plain. A low, modern building of no intrinsic architectural merit is located at the entrance to the pier, largely deterring pedestrian access onto the pier, which is now limited to a passageway either side of the building. To the south of Royal Plain, however, East Point Pavilion appears rather incongruous, being a large uPVC glazed structure built in 1993, and designed as a modern interpretation of Victorian pavilion architecture. Royal Plain forms the entrance to South Lowestoft from

Wellington Esplanade and Kirkley Cliff from the

Esplanade

The Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

Pedestrian Access to the South Pier

East Point Pavillion

36

the north of the harbour and is an effective congregating point, enhanced by the high quality public realm, street furniture and fountains. The surrounding buildings hold businesses such as pubs, food outlets, tourist information and seaside entertainment, drawing visitors into the area and encouraging its enjoyment. Although contained on most sides by buildings, it still retains a sense of openness, with some views towards the beach and harbour. To the west of Royal Plain, and overlooking the Inner Harbour, Pier Terrace begins to establish the architectural style of South Lowestoft, with the use of classical detailing and well proportioned building elevations. Some Victorian shop fronts are retained, such as that at number 2 Pier Terrace, whilst the presence of a good dentil and modillion cornice and Palladian windows gives visual interest to the upper storeys. Number 9 Pier Terrace was constructed in the late 20th century, but imitates the classical detail across the rest of the terrace and sits comfortably within its historic context. The RNLI statue, located on the harbour-side and to the north of the terrace, provides an evocative reminder of the inherent hazards of Lowestoft's sea-faring history, and its long-established links with the RNLI. To the south, the character of the area is more firmly established. The main north-south road runs parallel to the coast, and is lined to the west by the grand terraces of Peto's new town development: Marine Parade, Victoria Terrace, Wellington Esplanade and Kirkley Cliff. These terraces should be considered as a single townscape group due to their construction resulting from

Peto's planned development of South Lowestoft. The terraces can be viewed from the seafront, promoting a grand sense of scale and status within the townscape. Victoria Terrace, Wellington Esplanade and Kirkley Cliff can also be viewed together from Wellington Gardens, with vistas continuing along the road to the south. Marine Parade, however, is set back slightly from the others, and a curve in the road blocks any long oblique views to and from it along the thoroughfare. Marine Parade, located towards the north of the character area, formed the lower status lodging houses within Peto's Lowestoft. Each pair of properties in the terrace of 50 is of uniform design with hanging tenancies used to create the appearance of a single symmetrical property. Within each pair of buildings, paired doors are flanked to either side by a bay window, rising through first-floor level, with the central 'hanging' window between and a further three windows on the second floor. Each property shares a large ridge chimney of sixteen flues with its neighbour. The central property of the terrace (now numbers 28 and 29) is double-fronted and demarcated with a central pilastered porch and pedimented bay window over. The uniformity of house design along Marine Parade creates a highly repetitive appearance, emphasising the considerable length of the terrace. Long views towards the terrace were established in the 1930s, with the demolition of Peto's original villas on the Esplanade and the establishment of Royal Green. The undeveloped nature of Royal Green enables long, panoramic views out to sea and back towards the principal façade of Marine Parade, creating a sense of spaciousness and emphasising the repetitive formal architecture of the

37

24

buildings. Moving south from Marine Parade the streetscape becomes disjointed with the presence of open areas around Parade Road South, and substantial modern extensions to the rear of the Hotel Hatfield. The ordered townscape is restored, however, by Victoria Terrace, situated between Marine Parade and Wellington Esplanade. This is a short, L-shaped terrace of paired three-storey townhouses of similar form to Marine Parade. Listed grade II, the terrace was constructed in 1869 as lodging houses, and contains a number of well-detailed features, in contrast to the simple decoration of the latter. Details include inlaid tiling between doors, a heavy modillion eaves cornice, and tripartite windows to the curved corner property. A combination of red and gault brick is used within the buildings to highly decorative effect. In contrast with the flanking terraces, Victoria Terrace does not enjoy views to the sea, being situated to the rear of properties fronting the Esplanade. Wellington Esplanade was, and remains today, the centrepiece of Peto's South Lowestoft. Comprising 24 individual properties, the terrace is designed as a single architectural unit. Principally of three storeys with basement, the central block and end pavilions rise to four storeys, emphasising the formal grandeur of the terrace. Contrasting gault and red brick is also used decoratively across the elevation, with gault brick employed for the rusticated ground floor and dressings. Wellington Esplanade also contains many well-detailed features on its principal façade, including a strong dentil eaves cornice, dominant chimney stacks and gault brick quoins. The repetition of bay windows along the terrace, seen similarly

Marine Parade

Victoria Terrace

Wellington Esplanade

38

Pier Terrace

39

on Marine Parade and Kirkley Cliff Terrace, forms a striking architectural characteristic, adding emphasis to the continuous, rhythmic streetscape. The open space of Wellington Gardens, to the east of the terrace, enables extensive views both towards the sea and back towards the principal façade of the terrace. It is these views, in combination with the architectural quality of the building, which promote Wellington Esplanade as of the highest status. The large area from which the terrace can be viewed also elevates it to landmark status within the area. Continuing to the south, Kirkley Cliff Terrace is of similar scale and massing to Wellington Esplanade. Although part of Peto's original design, the terrace was not constructed until 1870. As with Wellington Esplanade, the central and end properties project to a fourth storey, and structure the form of the building as a single architectural unit. The effect is decreased, however, by the rise in ground level, which breaks down the form of the skyline and adds emphasis to individual properties rather than the architectural whole. The terrace is well-detailed, with shouldered dormer windows, dominant chimney stacks and two to three storey bay windows. Balconies survive at first-floor level on all properties, revealing the importance of seaward views. The majority of properties also retain their original hung sash windows with margin glazing. Two semi-detached buildings are located to the north of Kirkley Cliff Terrace. Both were built in 1864 as residential properties, and formed part of Peto's original design for the South Town. They are set back from the road, and both incorporate well-detailed original features, including a turret. The form of

these buildings contrasts with the surrounding terraces, and acts to break up the continuous terraced streetscape along this main thoroughfare. To the east, Kirkley Cliff Terrace and the flanking properties overlook a series of open spaces, constituting a car park, small formal garden and putting green. Between the garden and putting green, the idiosyncratic building of the Thatched Cottage does not obstruct views to and from Kirkley Cliff Terrace, whilst its vernacular style adds charm to the area, in contrast to the grandeur of the surrounding Victorian architecture. The eastern edge of the Seafront Character Area is comprised by a mixture of open space and groups of large detached and semi-detached properties situated along Victoria Terrace, Marine Parade, and Kirkley Cliff Road. These buildings comprise a mixture of dates and architectural styles, including the Arts and Crafts 'Hush-Hush' bar (much altered from an original 19th century villa), and the 1980s Elizabeth Court. Many of the buildings have been subject to a high level of alteration, leading to a rather disjointed character to the area. However, a limited sense of coherence is maintained through their scale and massing; all are large, tall properties set back from the Esplanade within irregularly sized building plots. Some individual buildings do retain much of their historic architectural character, such as Victoria House and Victoria Court. The high level of alteration across this area is due to their location on the seafront, and the greater commercial pressures exerted upon them. These pressures are particularly seen in the development of several shops selling seaside paraphernalia and, although not historic features in themselves, these nevertheless form an integral part of the

area's character. The feature that unites the majority of buildings in this area, and which forms the basis to its character, is their prominent location along the seafront. Most buildings face eastwards to take advantage of their location, enabling good views to and from their principal elevations. These views are central to the character of the area and are enhanced by the maintenance of green spaces along the Esplanade. Local Details and Building Materials Buildings within the Seafront Character Area are constructed predominantly in brick, with some contrasting rendered and painted properties. The grand terraces are generally of gault brick, sourced from Peto's Somerleyton brickfields, whilst later speculative buildings often use red brick, both as a principal material and for decorative contrast, as may be seen along Wellington Esplanade. Further decoration is apparent through the extensive use of decorative brickwork and glazed tiles. The tilework on the door surrounds to Victoria Terrace is part icular ly wel l executed and incorporates a stylised bird and floral design. In terms of building details, the Seafront Character Area uses a number of key design elements, lending a unity to the area as a whole. Large multi-stack chimneys are present across the terraces. These are particularly visible on Marine Parade, Wellington Esplanade, Victoria Terrace and Kirkley Cliff, where their repet i t ion along the roofscape establishes a sense of rhythm across the whole facade. The use of turrets and pedimented gables on individual buildings adds further interest to this

40

Wellington Esplanade and Wellington Gardens

2 Kirkley Cliff

Victoria House and Victoria Court

The terrace on Kirkley Cliff

27

roofscape, as may be seen at 1 Kirkley Cliff Road and Victoria Court. The repetition of other features on the grand terraces, especially the two-storey bay windows, emphasises the scale of speculative building undertaken in this area. Many buildings incorporate balconies, as most aptly demonstrated by Kirkley Cliff, but also seen on Victoria House on Victoria Terrace and the more modern example of Elizabeth Court, Kirkley Cliff Road. This reflects architecturally the importance of sea views to the location of these buildings. The balconies mostly incorporate cast iron railings of a variety of decorative classical styles. The area contains a wide range of wall and railing forms. The use of local materials and traditional construction can be seen in the flint pebble walls to the rear of properties on Marine Parade, Wellington Esplanade and the boundary to Kensington Gardens, as well as in the locally-characteristic chequered design to the utility building in Kensington Gardens. Simple, elegant, classically detailed railings front Wellington Esplanade and parts of Marine Parade; however, substantial portions of the boundaries to Marine Parade have been rebuilt in a variety of designs. Further original classically-styled ironwork survives on some of the Wellington Esplanade properties in the below-stair grilles. Victoria House on Victoria Terrace displays a distinctive nautically-influenced brick wall with circular openings, as well as fine Corinthian capitals to the door. Several individual properties in this area retain good original features such as polychrome tile paths, tiled porch reveals and stained glass. The public realm of the Seafront

27

Local details

41

Character Area has recently been improved as part of the Sunrise Scheme. High quality paving is now used throughout the character area, with modern galvanised street furniture and good lamp standards, providing a contemporary ambience to these areas and a good contrast to the surrounding Victorian features. Of particular note is the lighting on Claremont Road, which forms a series of simple archways that guide the eye down the road towards Claremont Pier and the seafront. Green Space Green space, stretching across most of the eastern seafront, forms a highly significant element of the Seafront Character Area. Each green space has a distinct character and history, which makes an important contribution to its appearance. The Royal Green was first formed as part of Peto's Esplanade development and was laid out as a series of 20 Italianate paired holiday villas for the upper classes in 1849. Intended for upper class holidaymakers, each had its own individual garden facing the sea. Little further development occurred in the area until World War I, when the first two properties were damaged by a shell and subsequently demolished. The land was absorbed into the gardens of the neighbouring Royal Hotel . Demolition continued in the 1930s when the Council systematically bought up and demolished the villas in order to open out the seafront and create a public space. Various amenities were built in this area, including a putting green constructed in 1932, a children's boating lake in the 1950s and a miniature railway added in 1955. A swimming pool was erected to replace the railway in the 1970s, and was later converted for use

42

Wellington Gardens

The Thatched Cottage

The boating pond, Kensington Gardens

The Tearoom, Kensington Gardens

43

by radio-controlled boats. The present layout of the Royal Green as a lawn and car park was established in the 1990s, and is therefore relatively modern. However, it is not the form of the Royal Green that is significant, but its maintenance as a public open space, allowing long views out to sea and towards Marine Parade. The Green creates a sense of spaciousness to the area, which enhances the grandeur of the surrounding architecture. Wellington Gardens, in front of Wellington Esplanade, was formally laid out as a garden with floral displays and lawn areas in the 1850s as part of Peto's original scheme for Lowestoft. The original layout is evident on early maps, which show a network of formal paths, formed primarily of three circular features contained within a rectangular path. Photos from the 1920s show that the Gardens also incorporated two small ponds by this date (Robb 2005, 58-59). During World War II, the Gardens were destroyed through the construction of air raid shelters and trenches. It was restored in the 1990s as a 'sunken garden' (Clements 1999, 37). A small 'sensory garden' is situated to the south of Wellington Gardens. Both areas provide quiet, open spaces, to a degree isolated from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding seafront, yet still with extensive views to the sea and the surrounding townscape. Adjacent to this, situated at the corner of Kirkley Cliff and Cliff Road is the Putting Green, believed to date back over 200 years and reputed to be one of the oldest in the country. The Thatched Cottage Cafe is located within this area, as well as a small circular thatched structure in its northeast corner, contrasting pleasantly with the scale and formality of the surrounding architecture. This green space maintains

the open nature of the seafront, and helps to retain this area as part of the public realm. Kensington Gardens, located to the south of the character area, was developed in the 1920s by local businessmen Selwyn Humphrey and Arthur Tuttle as part of a scheme to provide work for the town's unemployed (Robb 2005, 86). The park today enjoys a distinctive character within South Lowestoft, being the only formally laid out public park within the seafront area. Bowling greens, tennis courts and a boating pond are present within the park, providing amenities for visitors and residents alike, whilst the surrounding area includes areas of mature and seasonal planting with meandering walks and ponds. The Esplanade ends at Kensington Gardens, the latter providing an agreeable terminus to the seafront. Together, these areas form large public domains, joined by the Esplanade and stretching across the majority of the seafront. They provide a sense of openness along the seafront and allow long panoramic vistas out to sea. Intrusive and Damaging Factors The Seafront Character Area forms a cohesive streetscape, and merits its designation within a conservation area. However, a number of intrusive and negative features detract from the special interest of the area. Incremental alteration and extension of individual properties has had a cumulative adverse impact on the conservation area as a whole. This is particularly apparent in the buildings fronting on to the Esplanade, for example in the ice cream parlours added to 17 and 18 The Esplanade. In this case, it is the use of

bright colours and long, low structures of a different scale and massing to the surrounding buildings that proves particularly unsympathetic to the character of the area. Incremental alteration to the formal terraces of Peto's development is particularly detrimental to the character and appearance of the seafront. The painting of individual properties and the replacement of windows and doors with modern alternatives serves to interrupt the regular façade and rhythm of these frontages. The architectural unity of Marine Parade and Victoria Terrace has been particularly badly affected in this way. Original walls and railings have been replaced across much of the area, which disrupts its cohesiveness. Of the original railings that do survive, some are in a very poor state of disrepair, for example those to number 2 Victoria Terrace, despite recent schemes by English Heritage and Waveney District Council to reinstate them. The current condition of these railings detracts from the quality and grandeur of the streetscape. A number of buildings within the Seafront Character Area are held in multiple occupancy. This is a particular issue for the large townhouses of Victoria Terrace and Marine Parade and frequently results in poor maintenance of the building and associated forecourts, contributing to a decline in the character of the adjacent streetscape. A number of buildings within Kensington Gardens are also derelict and poorly maintained, and form negative features within the area. The high traffic levels on the main

44

18 The Esplanade

Poorley designed modern structures on the

Esplanade

38-39 Marine Parade

Railings on Victoria Terrace

29

north-south thoroughfare through the area (Kirkley Cliff Road, Kirkley Cliff, Wellington Esplanade, Victoria Terrace and Marine Parade), also detracts from its character. The dominance of this traffic acts to sever Peto's terraces from the seafront; degrading views both to and from them.

27 45

Esplanade from the seafront

RNLI monument

Looking out to sea

46

London Road South Character Area

Character Area 3: London Road South The London Road South Character Area covers the stretch of London Road South approximately between Parade Road North and Lorne Park Road. London Road North originally formed part of a trackway to Pakefield, turnpiked as part of the route to London in 1785. Small-scale development along the line of the road had occurred by the early 19th century in the area of Economy and Clifton Roads. With Peto’s development of Lowestoft as a pleasure resort, London Road South found itself at the heart of the new development and came to be the focus for commercial activity with the construction of residential and commercial buildings occurring along much of its length. During the later 19th and 20th centuries, London Road South continued to develop as the commercial centre of South Lowestoft, with many houses being converted for commercial use. The urban morphology of this character area reflects its historic development. The turnpike road is apparent in the long straight form of London Road South, whilst the gradual development of the adjacent land is reflected in the preservation of field boundaries in streets such as Lawson Road (to the west of the conservation area), Clifton Road and Economy Road. Continuous streetscapes dominate the character area, reflecting the demand for frontages onto the principal shopping thoroughfare. Architectural and Historic Qualities of Buildings The London Road South Character Area is characterised by buildings dating principally from the second half of the 19th century, interspersed with a limited number of early 19th and 20th century

structures. There are no listed buildings within this area; however, several buildings have been identified as being of local historic and architectural significance (see Appendix 1). The speculative development of this area has resulted in varied streetscapes of individually designed buildings of diverse design and detail, whilst the mixture of purpose-built commercial and domestic buildings has resulted in considerable variety of form and scale. Buildings within the character area range between one and four storeys in height, although principally of two and three storeys. Buildings on London Road South frequently contain shop fronts at ground-floor level of variable quality and design. The upper storeys, however, retain much of their architectural and historic character. Common features include the use of regularly planned elevations, often symmetrically arranged in pairs, sash windows with flat or segmental lintels, canted bay windows and simple cornices. In architectural detail there is considerable variety. Buildings of the mid-19th century tend towards more formal classical details, such as the swags and decorative cornicing of buildings seen at 125 London Road South. In contrast, later buildings exhibit more variety, as may be seen the gothic doorway and green man motif employed on the Royal Oak. More modest architectural details include the contrasting use of red brick, shaped aprons and gables and ornamental window architraves. Despite this variety, unity within the townscape is achieved through the predominant use of gault brick, similar storey heights and the use of regular proportions across principal elevations. Within London Road are a number of two-storey terraced cottages of modest design, being formed by

47

simple two-storey, two-bay structures, with sash windows and pantile roofs. Many are now extended to incorporate a shop front at ground-floor level. Two- and three-storey terraced housing survives on Windsor Road, Grosvenor Road and Cleveland Street retaining a distinctively domestic character. These are varied terraces which are of well detailed construction. Common features include canted and rectangular bay windows, dormer windows with decorative timber frame decoration, decorative coade stone lintels and some good stained glass. Character Analysis Moving into London Road South from Royal Plain and Pier Terrace, the conservation area is dominated by the long, straight London Road South, rising towards Kirkley to the south. Views to north terminate at the tall, formal elevations of Pier Terrace. The north end of the character area forms a rather disjointed and confused streetscape. The east side of the road is bounded by the long rear gardens of Marine Parade, overlooked by the rear elevation of the Parade. The intermittent presence of rear walls to these gardens, occasional presence of small retail units within gardens and the presence of hardstanding for car parking serves to create a disjointed frontage to the character area. Within the character area itself, a similarly incoherent townscape is present. Formerly lined by a continuous terrace of Victorian town houses, this part of London Road South has been subject to piecemeal demolition and redevelopment, resulting in a disjointed appearance. The remaining townhouses at numbers 49-59, and 79-89 (odd numbers only) are of good architectural

167, 169 & 171 London Road South

Lion statue in the garden of 41a St John Street

79-81 London Road South

London Road looking north to the rear of

Marine Parade

48

quality, although many have been subject to high levels of unsympathetic alteration. The front gardens of these houses are undeveloped, setting the buildings back from the street. Modern structures within this area are generally of poor architectural quality and without reference to the surrounding urban form, as demonstrated by the garage at the corner of Mill Road, a large single-storey, flat-roofed structure of corrugated metal, brick and glass. Gap sites, such as that between numbers 55 and 61 serve to create an air of neglect and break up the rhythm of the streetscape. The Hollywood Cinema to the north of London Road South, constructed in the early 20th century, continues the disjointed character with its single-storey and brightly coloured frontage to the substantial cinema hall. The western boundary of this area, towards St John’s Road, is similarly disjointed, containing a series of paved yards and individual light industrial buildings, some of which retain historic fabric. Of interest within this streetscape is the survival of a substantial carved sandstone lion within the garden of number 41a St John’s Street. Now much eroded, this statue was formerly one of two lions, included as part of Peto’s original scheme for Marine Parade. Mill Road runs westwards out of the conservation area, rising to cross one of the railway bridges of the Kirkley Branch Line. Views along Mill Road terminate with the bridge, shielding views towards the recently constructed developments in Kirkley Ham. Number 1 Mill Road and 109a London Road South form a significant element within the streetscape in this area, incorporating a well-detailed shop of late 19th century date.

To the south of Cleveland Road, the west side of London Road North is lined by a series of mid-19th century townhouses, representing the early development of this area. Of varied design, these three-storey buildings begin the establishment of a more coherent and continuous streetscape to London Road South and provide visual interest through the use of restrained decoration, such as dentil cornices and festoons. Interspersed amongst these are a number of late Victorian townhouses, their later construction being apparent by their decreased scale and more idiosyncratic decoration, such as the applied timber-frame decoration of the dormers of numbers 111 and 113 London. Small front gardens remain to several townhouses in this area setting them back from the pavement and creating a pleasant sense of space and scale; however, the beneficial impact of these gardens is frequently decreased by the presence of multiple wheelie bins and hard standing. In contrast to the regular and continuous facades opposite, the west side of London Road South presents an incoherent streetscape, characterised by the presence of single-storey late 20th century buildings of no architectural merit. Of particular detriment is the premises of Kentucky Fried Chicken, located immediately to the south of Marine Parade, a building of generic style inappropriate to its historic setting, with dominant signage and flanking car park that interrupt the surrounding townscape. A more domestic character is established by the streets of Cleveland Road, Grosvenor Road and Windsor Road, which extend to the west of London

49

24

Road South. These are pleasant streets, laid out parallel with one another and terminating at the former Kirkley Branch Line, now a tree-lined footpath. These streets are flanked by terraced houses of principally later 19th century date, of varied design and detail. The speculative nature of development of these streets is reflected in the individual design of short runs of housing. Unity is achieved through the dominant use of gault brick, continuous building heights and proportions. Visual interest in these streetscapes is established by the use of decorative features such as tiled paths, diaper brickwork, and stained glass. Returning to London Road South, the street becomes more enclosed, with the presence of continuous building frontages of two or three storeys, to the south of Windsor Road. Ground-floor shop frontages dominate throughout this area, with well-detailed elevations surviving above. Many of the shops retain good historic frontages, as may be seen at number 133. The individual treatment of many buildings in this area creates a varied streetscape of considerable visual interest across the upper storeys, aided by changes in building height, massing and proximity to the street frontage. The treatment of several key buildings gives particular focus to the streetscape, such as the understated elevation of Kirkley Hall, the green man imagery of the Royal Oak, the contrasting use of red brick and coade stone across numbers 181-183, or the ornately moulded gable and parapets of number 229. Flanking buildings, although less immediately eye-catching, are generally of some architectural quality, through the use of regular proportions and decorative features such as moulded brickwork and tiles, contrasting building materials, and

Shop frontage to 133 London Road South

212 London Road South, Kirkley Hall

Grosvenor Road

50

117-119 London Road South

51

decorative window surrounds. Present amongst this varied townscape are four terraced townhouses of very simple design at numbers 173-179 London Road South. Now much altered and with single-storey shop fronts extending to the street frontage, these buildings were constructed in the first half of the 19th century prior to Peto’s redevelopment of South Lowestoft and they represent a rare survival from this period. Towards the south of the character area, a smaller scale of building becomes apparent, although still interspersed with large buildings. To the south of the junction with Waterloo Road, the eastern side of London Road South is lined by compact two-storey terraced cottages, now with shop fronts inserted at ground-floor level or projecting out to meet the pavement. Similar buildings are also present on the west side of the road from Clifton Road to the south. These buildings reflect the early development of this area and provide agreeable variety within the streetscape. Number 247 is significant as a rare survival of a cottage in its original form. Another significant survival from the early development of London Road South is the Plough and Sail Pub, which was recorded in documents relating to Peto’s purchase of the common land. Also of note is the Drifter Public House located at the junction of Claremont Road, a modest two-storey red brick structure which retains a historic shop frontage and well detailed principal elevation. The presence of wide pavements to either side of London Road South has established this as a pedestrian dominated streetscape, despite high levels of traffic. This enables clear views across buildings lining the street and enables the well-detailed and varied upper storeys to

be easily viewed, whilst at street level the constantly changing array of shop fronts ensures visual interest. Restrained, modern lamp standards and good quality hard landscaping serve to make this a pleasant streetscape of considerable importance to the townscape of South Lowestoft. The streetscape of London Road South is punctuated by the presence of short perpendicular streets to the east and west. The streets of Freemantle Road and Economy Road terminate in unsatisfactory views towards former industrial sites, whilst Clifton Road leads out of the conservation area and reveals views of modest terraced worker’s housing, a pleasing contrast to the busy streetscape of London Road South. Narrow lanes extend to the west between numbers 217 and 221, and 249 and 259. The former of these lanes gives access into Union Place (see Appendix 2). These three tightly packed streets of terraced housing are accessible only by foot and are in contrast with the urban thoroughfare of London Road South. Also of note within the back lanes of London Road South is the survival of a small number of compact service buildings, such as number 221a. Of flint and brick construction, this structure preserves an original flint boundary wall in its lower stages and represents a rare survival of a backland building which would once have been common within London Road South. To the east, the streets of Waterloo Road, and Parade Road South lead to formal terraces adjacent to the beach. These are broad streets which afford good views and encourage pedestrian movement between the two character areas. Claremont Street is principal amongst these, giving views directly

towards the buildings of Claremont Pier, framed by arched streetlights spanning the road. Local Details and Building Materials Buildings within the London Road South Character Area are constructed predominantly in gault brick, with some use of red brick, both as a principal building material and for decorative contrast. There is also some limited use of colourwash, render and roughcast. Dressings are commonly executed in coade stone, whilst other decorative work frequently employs materials such as moulded tiles and decorative timber framing. Sash windows survive throughout much of the area, whilst original panelled doors are retained by a number of buildings. A feature throughout much of this character area is the construction of single-storey shop premises extending to the front of existing buildings, resulting in a two tier appearance to the street, as may be seen in numbers 209-217 London Road South (odd numbers). Decorative architectural details within this character area are highly varied and frequently idiosyncratic, in keeping with the individual character of many buildings. Simple and understated details are employed by the majority of structures, using features such as decorative keystones, the projection and recession of bays, and chamfered decoration of window lintels. Within the larger buildings a wider vocabulary of details is seen, such as the ornate foliate carving over the door to number 154 London Road South, the decorative gable of number 229, or the barley twist mullions of numbers 219-221. Original stained glass is retained by some buildings and ranges from simple

52

Cottage-style buildings on London Road South

173-177 London Road South

221A London Road South

229 London Road South

geometric designs as in 184 London Road South to the nautical imagery of number 255 London Road South. Historic shop fronts are retained in a number of buildings, making a positive contribution to the streetscape, as may be seen at numbers 87 and 103 London Road South. Other buildings retain only the pilasters and console brackets flanking a modern shop front. Historic painted shop signs are retained by a few buildings, such as 219-221 London Road South, giving further visual interest to the upper storeys. The domestic buildings to the west and north of the character area retain a pleasing range of original features and architectural detailing, varying between terraces of independent construction. A common feature is the pairing of recessed doors within the terrace. However treatment of these is much more varied, ranging from square coade stone hood moulds, through decorative moulded timber porches to simple brick openings with segmental heads. Other features of interest are tiled paths, sash windows with margin glazing, 20th century metal gates of simple geometric design and a small number of brick boundary walls with decorative punched motif. Intrusive and Damaging Factors The London Road South Character Area is of considerable importance for its contribution to the conservation area as a whole; however there are a number of features which detract from its special interest. London Road South is a major route into Lowestoft, continuing north towards the harbour. High traffic levels dominate the road, with vehicles regularly queuing

27 27

Local details

53

along the length of the street. The level of traffic has resulted in noise and visual intrusion and detracts from the pleasant pedestrian environment established by the good quality public realm. In terms of the built environment, a variety of incremental changes have degraded the architectural quality of a number of buildings and affected the unity of the townscape as a whole. This is most clearly seen in the painting of individual building elevations within brick-built terraces, serving to break up the regularity of the elevation and detract from the design of the street as a whole, as may be seen for instance in Windsor Road. Also of detriment to the character area is the refenestration of individual buildings. This has often taken the form of replacing sash windows with casement windows of inappropriate form, damaging the rhythm of the elevation and even entire terraces. Poorly designed and inappropriate shop frontages are damaging to the conservation area through the use of large plate glass windows and poorly scaled and sited signs, as at numbers 63 & 65 London Road South. Freestanding signs, such as those of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Gage Estate Agents, also sit uncomfortably with their townscape context. Poor quality reinstatement of building frontages following removal of a shop facade are also damaging to the character and appearance of the area, as may be seen at number 51 London Road South where the materials, scale and form of the structure is out of keeping with the character of the building as a whole. Conversely, if undertaken sensitively with an understanding of the form and appearance of the original structure this can be achieved

54

17-19 Windsor Road

49-51 London Road South

Streetscape impacts of multiple occupancy

Kentucky Fried Chicken

55

successfully, as demonstrated by number 127 London Road South. Poor maintenance of individual structures is currently degrading the appearance of the conservation area, particularly to the north of the character area. Many such buildings are in multiple occupancy, and their forecourts are dominated by multiple wheelie bins and hardstanding. The character area contains a number of buildings which are damaging to the character and appearance of the conservation area due to their scale, massing and form. These are largely buildings of 20th century date which show no reference to the surrounding townscape. These have been identified as:

• 63-65 London Road South • 67 London Road South • Kentucky Fried Chicken • 130-144 London Road South

(even numbers) • 203 London Road South • 259 London Road South

56

St Peter’s Church Character Area

Character Area 4: St Peter's Church This character area covers the southern portion of the Lowestoft South Conservation Area, incorporating the area surrounding the grade I listed Church of St Peter and St John, and the southern portion of Lowestoft Road South. Although close to the historic hamlet of Kirkley and including the medieval parish church, this area was slow to develop its modern character, remaining predominantly as open land until the end of the 19th century when domestic development spread from Lowestoft and Kirkley to the south. The majority of the area was developed in the early 20th century, with terraced housing constructed along London Road South and surrounding St Peter's Church by 1905. Relatively dense development extended over the whole character area by the 1930s. The area was, and remains, predominantly residential in character. The origins of the area are clearly reflected in its present urban morphology. St Peter's Church is set on high land within an historic sub-circular graveyard, and forms a prominent focal point in the area. The historic roads of London Road South, Kirkley Park Road and Kirkley Cliff Road form the main thoroughfares and are lined with mostly large detached or semi-detached properties set within private gardens. The areas between these roads have been in-filled with regularly-spaced, narrower roads, containing more modest terraced housing, reflecting the increasing pressures of development during the expansion of Lowestoft and the shifting social status of the area.

57

Architectural and Historic Qualities of Buildings The buildings in the St Peter's Church C h a r a c t e r Area were constructed in

the late 19th and early 20th century, and mostly range from late Victorian to Arts and Crafts in style. T h e combination of private and s p e c u l a t i v e development

i s reflected in the mixture of repetitive, uniformly

d e s i g n e d houses, for example those on the smaller roads of St Peters Road and St Aubyns Road, and the l a r g e r ind iv idua l l y d e s i g n e d

houses such as those properties on Kirkley Cliff Road and Kirkley Park R o a d . However, a s en s e o f cohesion is maintained in the area by the predominance

of residential buildings, which tend to be set back from the road, with narrow gardens extending to the rear. It is this residential nature that defines the character of the area. Variety in architectural treatment occurs between the higher and lower status properties. The larger high status properties tend to be of three storeys and contain well-detailed features such as doorcases, decorative bargeboards and moulded floral brickwork. In contrast, the more modest terraced housing is generally of two storeys, with less architectural detailing. These properties do, however, still display some well-detailed features, including decorative lintels, floral brickwork and hung sash windows with margin glazing. The area contains several statutory listed buildings and buildings that contribute to the local character. These are detailed in full in Appendix 1. Character Analysis The eastern section of the St Peter's Church Character Area is formed by the north-south aligned Kirkley Cliff Road,

58

Terraced housing on London Road South

Villas on Kirkley Cliff Road

47-48 Kirkley Cliff Road

St Nicholas’s Roman Catholic Church

59

continuing southwards from the formal mid-19th century terraces of the Seafront Character Area. Kirkley Cliff Road is lined by large detached and semi-detached properties, set within large, irregularly sized gardens, many of which were sold for development in 1900 having previously formed part of the Kirkley Cliff Estate (LRO 1117/276/70). The streetscape is characterised by its architectural diversity, comprising a mixture of one-off, architect designed properties, such as the Arts and Crafts number 32 Kirkley Cliff Road, and the late Victorian number 40 Kirkley Cliff Road, and a number of speculative semi-detached properties of similar yet individual design, as revealed by comparison of numbers 47-48; 49-50 and 53-54 Kirkley Cliff Road. These buildings are set back from the street front, but present prominent elevations to the road, enabling clear views both to and from the buildings. The elongated linear form of the road allows distant views northwards to Peto's South Lowestoft development and the old town beyond. To the south, Kirkley Cliff Road forms a junction with Pakefield Road and Kensington Road. The size and status of housing on these roads decreases from that of Kirkley Cliff Road itself. Although similarly of three-storeys, these are mainly terraced townhouses with less architectural detailing. Formerly an area of large villa estates, most of these houses have now disappeared; however, the Coach House, Kensington Road, and the former gate lodge of Cliffe Lodge, Pakefield Road, provide clues to the former grandeur of the area. The former Grand Hotel survives within the CEFAS complex to the east of the conservation area, and is of local historic importance as a rare survival of a Victorian hotel in

L o w e s t o f t . The Arts and C r a f t s building of St N i c o l a s R o m a n C a t h o l i c Church (grade II l isted)

forms a d i s t i n c t i v e f o c u s on Pakefield

Road, with its t o w e r punc tua t ing views towards t h e s e a . Internally, the b u i l d i n g retains many e x c e l l e n t f e a t u r e s , including a

painted reredos by the Arts & Crafts artist, Robert Anning Bell, wrought iron c h a n c e l screens and a baptistry at t h e southeastern extremity. R u n n i n g parallel to Kirkley Cliff Road to the west, London Road South forms part of the former turnpike road b e t w e e n London and G r e a t Y a r m o u t h ,

and remains one of the main thoroughfares in the area carrying large amounts of traffic as the principle road route from the south into Lowestoft. This streetscape is dominated by a mix of terraced houses along its east and west sides. Generally of two or three storeys, often with attic, and set within small private gardens, these buildings establish a repetitive architectural rhythm, articulated by repeated gables and canted bay windows. To the north, a series of identical paired houses are situated on the east side of the road (232-262, even numbers). These buildings represent the suburban expansion of South Lowestoft in the second half of the 19th century, their origins are reflected in their restrained use of classical detailing. To the west of the street are a varied series of terraced townhouses. Of particular contribution to the quality of the streetscape are numbers 283-289 (odd numbers) for their contrasting use of red and gault brick, tile decoration and well-proportioned façade. Contrasting with the surrounding two and three-storey properties, the five-storey building of St Albyns Court forms a prominent local landmark, rising above the surrounding buildings and using contrasting materials of glossy red brick and decorative timber frame decoration across the top floor. Several buildings to the north of the character area on London Road South have been converted for use as shops with the insertion of a shopfront extending out to the front of the property. These additions are executed with varying degrees of historical sympathy and begin to establish the more commercial character which is dominant towards the north of London Road South. The recent improvement of the public realm along London Road South has established a fresh, modern

60

240-242 London Road South

The Church of St Peter and St John

Kirkley Park Road

30-32 Kirkley Park Road

57

feel to the area, contrasting effectively with the surrounding historic buildings. To the south, views extend along the road towards Pakefield. Stradbroke Road Water Tower can also be glimpsed to the southwest, the tower forming a prominent local landmark. To the west of the character area, the area surrounding the Church of St Peter and St John enjoys a more suburban character. At its core stands the Church, a medieval structure, restored and rebuilt in the mid 18th and late 19th centuries. Located within a small sub-circular churchyard of historic origin, the church is a secluded and peaceful green space, with long views out between the surrounding buildings. Rectory Road, running east from the church, was laid out in the 1890s, and now provides striking views of the Church from its junctions with London Road South and Kirkley Cliff Road, whilst allowing views east towards the sea. St Aubyn's Road, Rectory Road and St Peters Road to the north of the church establish a highly domestic character, being lined by modest two-storey terraced housing typical of the late 19th century. These are

27 27 61

Local details

short streetscapes lined by continuous building frontages, set back from the road, with small front and rear gardens and terminating in views towards further terraced housing to the north. These streets have a pleasing scale of building and form. Contributing to this domestic character is Kirkley Church Hall, a charming and compact late 19th century hall of flint and brick construction, situated on the corner of St Peters Road and Carlton Road. In contrast with these modest streetscapes, the southern part of St Peters Road and Kirkley Park Road enjoy a more exclusive character with individually designed houses set within large gardens on broad tree-lined streets. Kirkley Park Road forms the western edge of the conservation area and is a broad, tree-lined street, curving between Carlton Road and London Road South and largely enclosing views within the streetscape. Flanked by a varied selection of substantial detached and semi-detached houses dating from the late 19th to late 20th century, the presence of large gardens creates a spacious character, complemented by the pleasing variety of architectural styles, scale and form of buildings. To the west, the buildings are larger in scale, and include both post-war semi-detached houses of generic but good design, and architect-designed houses of Victorian and Edwardian date. Principal amongst these are the grade II listed buildings at numbers 5 and 7, both by R. S. Cockrill and beautifully executed in the Arts and Crafts style, and reputed to contain fireplaces by Arthur MacMurdo (pers comm. D Butcher). Set back substantially from the road, mature planting is present to the front of many buildings, suggesting a desire for privacy and seclusion in marked contrast with the

62

232-234 London Road South

305 London Road South

252 London Road South

CEFAS

63

highly visible architecture of Kirkley Cliff Road. To the east, a lesser scale of building is apparent with the presence of large and well-detailed Victorian terraces and paired houses, interspersed with more recent buildings. Gaps between these structures allow glimpsed views towards the tower of St Peter’s Church, establishing a firm sense of place within the townscape. Local Details and Building Materials Properties in the St Peter's Church Character Area are predominantly brick-built, including both red and gault brick. A combination of both brick types has been used decoratively on numerous houses, such as those along St Peters Road and Pakefield Road. The use of flint as a building material is a regional characteristic, and its use in St Peter's Church and the Church Hall reflects something of local vernacular tradition and provides some local distinctiveness. Decorative elements such as moulded floral bricks and glazed tiles are found throughout much of the conservation area. Examples in this character area include numbers 283 to 285 London Road South, numbers 49 to 50 Kirkley Cliff Road and numbers 36 to 38 Kirkley Park Road. Polychrome tiled paths survive to some properties, including 10 Pakefield Road, whilst the original stained glass survives in others, such as numbers 25 to 27 St Peters Road. A great variety of railings and walls are evident in the character area, and are predominantly later replacements of the original walls. However some original low gault brick walls with recessed panels do survive in the area, for example to numbers 46 to 52 Kirkley Park Road and numbers 286 to 304 London Road South. Distinctive brick walls

Community Consultation

1 Kirkley Cliff, Ashurst

4 Kirkley Cliff

Kirkley Cliff

2 Kirkley Cliff, South Lodge

64

a1/1

Map of Significant Buildings within South Lowestoft

24 a1/2

20-21 Kirkely Cliff Road, Windsor House

51 London Road North, Post Office

7 Kirkley Park Road

5 Kirkley Park Road

a1/3

Appendix 1: Building Descriptions Listed Buildings within the Conservation Area 1 Kirkley Cliff, Ashurst Listed Grade II Built in 1864 by W.O. Chambers as a pair of houses, now flats. Rendered and whitewashed brick under a hipped slate roof, and built in three storeys and four bays. Square in plan. It has rusticated quoins to the corners and at the division between the two properties. The east elevation is symmetrical, comprising a pair of central 2-storey canted bays now with 20th century fenestration. 2/2 sashes to the right and left to each storey. Four 2/2 sashes to the attic, all with segmental heads. The north return is recessed left of the centre to accommodate a 4-storey square tower under a concave pyramid roof, and containing round-arched sashes. Round-arched entrance to the west of the tower in a single-storey porch extension. Part of the extensive plan for housing originally devised in 1846 by J.L. Clemence for Sir Samuel Morton Peto for the development of Lowestoft as a fashionable holiday resort, made possible by the building of the railway by Peto in the 1840s. 2 Kirkley Cliff, South Lodge Listed Grade II Pair of houses built in 1864 by W.O. Chambers, converted to flats in 1990. Red brick with gault brick dressings and a slate roof. Square main block with external full-height porches to the north and south returns, the former rising above the eaves and elaborated into a tower. The property is of three storeys and three bays with rusticated brick quoins. Each storey is divided by moulded brick string courses. Two-storey canted bays fitted with cross casements. Between them is one 2/2

sash to each floor. The attic storey sashes are all of 1990. Modillion eaves cornice below hipped roof. One wall stack north and south, with gault brick dressings. The south porch is entered through a 1990 double glazed door under a rounded arch. Paired rounded lancets to each floor above. The north porch is externally of 4 stages: 6-panel fielded doorway within a round-headed archway with keyblock. Paired round-headed lancets to each floor above, blind to upper two stages on the east side. Modillion eaves cornice below a swept pyramidical roof, terminating in iron cresting. The north porch leads to a staircase hall. Stick baluster staircase with a ramped and wreathed handrail. Census return of 1881 gives Ellen and Margaret Ringer as mistresses of a school with 25 boarding pupils. It later became part of South Lodge School. Part of the extensive plan for housing originally devised in 1846 by J.L. Clemence for Sir Samuel Morton Peto for the development of Lowestoft as a fashionable holiday resort, made possible by the building of the railway by Peto in the 1840s. 1-19 (consecutive) Kirkley Cliff Road, Kirkley Cliff Terrace Listed Grade II Gault brick terrace of houses, built in 1870. Some slate remains to the roofs, but now mostly concrete corrugated tiles. Of three storeys with a dormer attic and basement, and rising to 4 storeys with dormer attic in the 4-bay end pavilions and 7-bay centre block. These latter pavilions have hipped roofs. Rusticated ground floor. Each house has a two-storey canted bay and fenestration of 3/3 sashes. Half-glazed door to each. Gabled roofs with one segmental-headed dormer to each house, with additional

l a t e 20 t h c e n t u r y dormers to some houses. Wide ridge stacks to each house. Part of the extensive p l a n f o r

housing o r i g i n a l l y devised in 1846 by J.L.

Clemence for Sir Samuel Morton Peto f o r t h e development of Lowestoft a s a f a s h i o n a b l e holiday resort, made possible

by the building of the rai lway by Peto in the

1840s. 20 and 21 Kirkley Cliff R o a d , W i n d s o r House Listed Grade II Pair of red-brick houses

b u i l t c . 1 9 0 0 . C o n c r e t e c o r r u g a t e d tiles to roof. O f t w o storeys with a dormer attic. B a n d e d quoins divide t h e t w o p r o p e r t i e s , each of which consists of a

full-height canted bay under a gabled dormer with, to the right (north), a transomed mullioned window. The bay windows are also transomed and mullioned. Number 20 has a polygonal corner turret rising to a truncated pyramid roof of scalloped machine tiles. Notable as the birthplace and childhood home of composer Benjamin Britten (1913-1975). 5 Kirkley Park Road Listed Grade II House, constructed in 1911 by Ralph Scott Cockrill, and of rendered and pebbledashed brick under plain tile roofs. Of one storey and attics. Asymmetrical east elevation comprising two full-height projecting gabled blocks, the northern one containing the entrance door. Mullioned leaded casements. Between these ranges are a pair of 2-light transomed casements under the deep gabled roof, which has a stack emerging through the east slope. Either side of the gabled ranges are wide overlapping gables lit through leaded casements. Twin external stacks north and south clasp flat-topped dormers. The rear elevation is a study in repeated gablets at

a1/4

52 London Road North

Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

The Roman Catholic Church of St Nicholas

Port House, North Quay

first-floor level above a terrace with continuous mullioned casements. One of two houses – the other being no. 7 – competently executed in Arts and Crafts style by a noteworthy local architect, clearly showing in this instance the influence of contemporary developments in Letchworth and Hampstead Garden Suburb. 7 Kirkley Park Road Listed Grade II House, constructed in 1909 by Ralph Scott Cockrill, and of pebbledashed and whitewashed brick under a plain tile roof. Of two storeys, with an asymmetrical east façade. Central gabled wing projects with the entrance door under a five-light mullioned window with leaded glazing. To the left (south) is a full-height tile-hung bay with wrap-around mullioned windows, and left again is a canted ground-floor bay window below an elongated tile-hung hood. Perched on the apex of the hood is a 3-light mullioned window. At the south corner of the main elevation is a flying cornice. Quadruple diamond-flued external stack to the south return. 51 London Road North, Post Office Listed Grade II Late 19th century brick post office with stone dressings. Of three storeys and five bays, it has a slate roof. Doorway to ground floor, set to left, with a range of top-hung casements to right. Cornice located below first floor, with 5 first-floor sashes above, set within moulded architraves and under pediments. Second-floor sashes have aprons and eared architraves. Wide modillion eaves cornice and panelled parapet.

a1/5

53 London Road North, N a t i o n a l Westminster Bank Listed Grade II B r i c k - b u i l t bank with

s t o n e d r e s s i n g s , cons t ruc t ed c.1860, with a p r o j e c t i n g eaves cornice and hipped r o o f . Frontage onto London Road North is of three storeys and three

b a y s . The ground floor is rusticated with

a doorway set to the right, flanked by 2 w i n d o w s under round-headed arches. Late 20t h century fascia board located at the division between the

ground and f i r s t floors. Three sashes located on the first floor under m o u l d e d hoods. The sashes at second-floor level have aprons. This has been listed primarily for

its value as part of a group. Port House, North Quay Listed Grade II Offices, constructed in 1831 as the Customs House. Built in gault brick, with slate roofs, it is of two storeys. It comprises a long range facing south, with a central transept. The transept has a hipped roof and is lit through one 6/6 sash to each floor to the south and similar fenestration on both the east and west returns. To the right of the transept are five 6/6 sashes at ground-floor level, two are 20th century replacements set within blocked doorways. The first floor contains three similar sashes, with a further three to the left of the transept, some of which have been replaced. All sashes have gauged skewback arches. Central doorway flanked to either side by one 6/6 sash on ground floor, to left of transept. Shallow hipped roof with five stacks, all set to the left. The east return forms the entrance, and is of 4 bays. It contains a late 20th century gabled porch in the second bay (from left), with a pediment. One 6/6 is situated to the left of this, with two to the right. 4 identical sashes are located on the first floor. The interior retains an open well staircase at

a1/6

Church of St Peter and St John, St Peter’s Road

Kirkley Church Hall, St Peter’s Road

Wellington Esplanade

Victoria Terrace

the west end with two turned balusters to each tread, a moulded handrail and heavy turned newels with ball finials. The interior is otherwise modernised for office use. The Roman Catholic Church of St Nicholas, Pakefield Road Listed Grade II Church, constructed in 1900-1903, with extension dating to 1949. By G. Baines. Red brick with stone dressings and a slate roof with terracotta flashings. Arts and Crafts in style, it comprises a nave, chancel and small ritual south-west tower. Windows in perpendicular style with hoodmoulds. West end has 7-light window with jambs rising above gable as small pinnacles. Miniature octagonal tower to left has ogee roof with finial. 3-stage tower to right has diagonal buttresses, single-light windows, bell chamber openings, ornamental parapet and inset spirelet. Nave sides are both similar with the addition of elaborate porch to north. 3- and 4-light windows, the latter in paired transept-like gables. Roof has octagonal lantern and fleche. Extensions to east. Interior contains arcades formed by tapering posts. False hammerbeam roof and boarded ceiling. Naturalistic foliage corbels to transept arch. Royal Plain, Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club Listed Grade II* Purpose-built yacht club, built 1902-3 by G & F Skipper of Norwich. It is of a very advanced design for its date, with an L-shaped plan, and an engaged tower in the inner angle opposing a square observation room at the top of the outer angle. It is of rendered and whitewashed brick with plaintile roofs and is 2-3 storeys.

a1/7

The south front is composed of a three storey, three bay square block with the observation room at the top. In the centre is a low entrance porch with a panelled and glazed door, flanked by a three-light semi-circular window with glazing bars either side. The windows above are casements of varying design. At the first floor is a moulded brick panel with a sailing ship moulded in high relief brick. The observation room is glazed all round under a copper dome. To the right is a two storey wing under a half-hipped roof with a further semi-circular-headed casement to the ground floor. Three windows to the first floor include two round-headed casements with balconies, and, to the left, a canted bay window. The east elevation is lit through a large segmental sash with 18/18 glazing bars, and the upper storey through 3 circular windows with casements. The hip of the roof is pierced by a triangular sash with glazing bars. The north side has, between the arms of the L, a curved and glazed single-storey bow. Behind it rises the three-storey engaged round tower illuminated through casements to the first floor and a band of lights with brick dressings at the second floor. The hipped northern arm of the L has casements with glazing bars. The entrance leads into a square central hall, which is partly top lit from an open ceiling well into the first floor. A concave wall separates the hall from the bar to the north-east, which is entered through bowed double-doors with glazing. The restaurant in the north-west corner has double muntin doors with leaded and glazed upper panels and a segmental overlight. The closed-string staircase has tall square newels tapering above the handrail and terminating in saucer finials, in a style being developed

a1/8

32 Kirkley Cliff Road

The Gourock Rope works, Battery Green

Road

Jubilee Parade Chalets, Jubilee Parade

Victoria Chalets, Jubilee Parade

by Voysey. Reeded balusters. The first floor has an octagonal open well looking into the ground-floor hall and protected by a reeded balustrade. The doors to the two principal rooms on this floor are of muntin type with stained glass panels. The north room also has a fireplace with a 3-panel overmantel. St Peter’s Road, Church of St Peter and St John Listed Grade II* Parish Church. Mostly built between 1875-1887, with an early 15th century north-west tower. Constructed in cut flint with ashlar dressings and slate roofs. Comprises a nave, aisles and chancel, with a baptistery added south of the tower in 1893. 4-stage tower with diagonal stepped buttresses. 3-light perpendicular restored west window. Lancet to the second stage above. Cusped square light to ringing chamber. 2-light louvred belfry windows. 4 corner turrets to the parapet. Between the gabled, apsed, baptistery and the tower is a square vestry lit through square-headed lights. The baptistery has trefoiled lancets with trefoils above. 4-bay aisles with stepped buttresses and 2-light perpendicular windows. 5 square clerestorey windows with quatrefoils or cusped petal motifs. Square south porch. 5-light chancel east window and two 3-light side windows, those to the north omitted to facilitate the canted chancel vestry. Interior contains a 5-bay double-chamfered arcade on octagonal piers of yellow brick with red brick banding. Very wide chancel arch. Arch-braced roof on wall posts dropping to corbels. Polychrome brick to baptistery. Chamfered west tower arch on wave-moulded jambs with one order of engaged columns on high polygonal bases. Plain octagonal 15th century font from Gillingham church, Norfolk:

quatrefoils to bowl facets. Wrought-iron Baptistry screen dated to 1893 and chancel screen of 1896 modified from a design by Arthur Bloomfield. 9-11 Waterloo Road and 16-28 Victoria Road, Victoria Terrace Listed Grade II Terrace of houses built in 1869 specifically as lodging houses for seaside holidaymakers. Built of red brick with gault brick dressings, it has slate roofs with the occasional concrete corrugated tile replacement. It is of three-storeys with a dormer attic. Arranged with paired entrance porches under segmental arches with a 2-storey canted bay right and left, one to each house. Fenestration was originally of 2/2 and 3/3 horned sashes, although these have now mostly been replaced with late 20th century casements. Corner pavilion at junction with Wellington Road is of 4 storeys and has a hipped roof. All other roofs are gabled, with one segmental-headed dormer to each house. Ridge stacks at the division between properties. 1-23 (consecutive) Wellington Esplanade Listed Grade II Terrace of houses built 1852-53 by John Louth Clemence for Sir Samuel Morton Peto. Red brick with gault brick dressings, the roofs were originally of slate, but are now partly concrete tile. The central block and end pavilions are raised, the latter defined by rusticated quoins and hipped roofs. The terrace is of three storeys with basements. Each house has a two-storey bay and a porch entrance. Fenestration was originally of horned sashes without glazing bars, but now mostly comprises mid-late 20th century casements. Each house has a stack on the front and rear roof slopes. The terrace forms part of the extensive

a1/9

plan for housing originally devised in 1846 by J.L. Clemence for Sir Samuel Morton Peto for the development of Lowestoft as a fashionable holiday resort, made possible by the building of the railway by Peto in the 1840s. Candidates for Spot Listing Kirkley Church Hall, St Peter's Road Kirkley Church Hall is a single-storey building of flint construction with red brick and coade stone dressings, and a concrete pantile roof. Set within restricted grounds defined by hedges and a modern wooden fence, the Hall is r e c t a n g u l a r o n p l a n , a l i g n e d approximately east-west, with a lower wing to the north, and low, gabled projections on the north and south elevations. The principle elevation faces west onto St Peter’s Road and is formed by the gable end, finished by a double bell cote at the gable apex. Red bricks are used to define the base and edges of the gable and also for the buttresses to the centre and sides of the elevation. The central buttress is flanked by a pair of tall lancet windows, each containing two lancets with a blind oculus within its head. Contrast ing red br ick is used decoratively around the window head. A gabled projection to the left of this elevation contains a four-pointed doorway within a coade stone surround and provides the principle entrance into the hall. The north elevation contains a series of simple paired lancets, with further architectural embellishment in contrasting red brick around their heads. A further gabled projection is set to the west of the elevation with three lancets in its gable wall. To the south, the building is similarly fenestrated, and includes a pair of chimney stacks within

a1/10

Sailors’ and Fishermen’s Bethel, Battery Green

Road

Jarrold House, 1-3 Beach Road

Loading door on East Elevation, Beach House

Beach House, Beach Road

the side elevation of the main hall and in the east wall of the projection. 32 Kirkley Cliff Road 32 Kirkley Cliff Road is an early 20th century building, designed in the Arts and Crafts style. It is a two-storey building, constructed of brick with rendering and a plain tile roof. The principle elevation has three gabled bays of equal size, whilst to the rear of the building, a further taller gable is visible rising above the roof line. The central bay of the ground floor externally is lower than the flanking bays and contains a low door, set to the left of a three-light leaded window. Three substantial stone corbels project across the bay supporting a balcony at first-floor level. The right bay contains a T-plan bay window, which continues through to first-floor level. Sash windows are retained in the bay, with rectangular leaded panes in the upper sash. The left bay contains a large semi-circular bay window, which also retains its original sashes of similar form to the right bay. Both windows in the left and right bays rise above the corbels of the central bay, creating an appearance of shifting height. At first-floor level, the building contains three sash windows of similar form in the left bay, and the T-plan bay window in the right bay. The central bay contains the corbelled balcony, with a semi-circular opening over. A central door flanked by paired leaded windows to either side, gives access onto the balcony. Green tiles arranged in a diamond pattern ornament the rendered balcony parapet. To either side, the central bay is flanked by metal down pipes with rectangular rainwater heads fed from gutters between the three ranges and

exiting through the parapet. A pair of tall chimneystacks with corbelled heads are visible to either side of the right bay, whilst a further stack is present against the left elevation of the left bay. Victoria Chalets, Jubilee Parade The Victoria Chalets were constructed in the 1930s as part of the creation of Jubilee Parade. Situated at the base of Kirkley Cliffs, the chalets overlook the South Beach and are formed by a two-storey building of concrete construction, with pitched corrugated metal roofs. Of 17 bays in length, each bay houses a separate bathing chalet. Each of the ground-floor chalets are accessed from a doorway in the east elevation with a flanking window (now boarded), arranged in pairs across the elevation. The first floor is accessible from external stairs located at either end of the building and a pair of internal stairs flanking the three central bays. The upper gates employ a sun motif, which is also visible on railings on the Upper Esplanade. At first-floor level the chalets are set back to create a broad walkway, providing common access to the chalets and an area for patrons to sit out. The door and window to each chalet is recessed from the building frontage at this level. A low parapet formed by concrete blocks with central rectangular openings runs across the elevation, forming a strong repetitive feature across the chalets. The central three bays project vertically and horizontally on the first floor, with a raised hipped roof over and a flat-roofed portico extending across the walkway. The parapet across these bays has been replaced with modern concrete blocks with hollow square motif. The end bays each contain a slightly projecting block at first-floor level with independent hipped roof.

a1/11

The Chalets form a striking structure on the South Beach, enhanced by the brightly-coloured painted woodwork which forms a stark contrast to the white painting of the surrounding concrete. Jubilee Parade Chalets, Jubilee Parade Jubilee Parade Chalets are located to the south of Jubilee Parade and were constructed as an integral part of the planning of the Parade in the 1930s. Of concrete construction, the Chalets are formed in two separate parts: that to the north combines private individual chalets and public facilities, whilst that to the south contains private chalets only. Both are of a single storey, with the flat roof providing a promenade and viewing platform. Concrete blocks with central rectangular openings are arranged to form a decorative geometric pattern along the parapet. Access to the upper level is via two external flights of concrete stairs, which give access to this level and also provide a link with the Upper Esplanade above. The southern structure is formed in 11 bays, each of which contains a single chalet with its own brightly coloured painted door and shuttered window. This block curves to the south, terminating with views along the Parade. The northern block is exceptionally long, comprising 19 bays to the left, each of which contains a pair of brightly painted chalets with individual doors and shuttered windows. Further to the right is a small shop with semi-circular bay window and then a covered shelter with wooden benches, flanked by public toilets.

a1/12

Jarrold House, 1-3 Beach Road

1930s shelter by Marine Parade, Esplanade

1930s shelter by Marine Parade, Esplanade

The Morning Star, Carlton Road

Candidates for the List of Buildings of Local Historic or Architectural Importance The Gourock Rope Works, Battery Green Road The Gourock Rope Works building was erected in the late 19th century, following the sale of the Grove Estate in the 1880s. The premises were erected for the Gourock Rope Works Co Ltd, a Scottish-based firm specialising in the production of rope, cloth, and sailcloth. Despite its late date of construction, the Rope Works follows the traditional building form of the Lowestoft docksides, being a tall, narrow structure, gabled to the streetfront. Construction is in red brick with coade stone dressings. Of three storeys, the ground floor contains a good shop front with two-light display window to the right and, double door to the left. A series of small rectangular casements are set above these, and all is set between pilasters with console brackets. The first floor appears lower than the other floors due to the use of a continuous sill course and string course above, combined with a deep coade stone lintel. This floor contains a pair of casement windows at its centre, flanked by individual windows to the left and right with bull nosed brick jambs. These are of unusual form: each window contains a two over three pane window with a small rectangular window above, in the head of the window, lending the storey a distinctive rhythm. The third floor is dominated by the large central, round-headed window. Gault brick is used around the head of the building, whilst around this runs the painted sign recording ‘GOUROCK ROPE WORKS CO LTD’. A pair of bull nosed brick jambs flank the window and give way to

a1/13

four over four sash windows to either side. A continuous sill course runs below the windows, with a small o r n a m e n t a l

motif at its centre.

Sailors’ and Fishermen's Bethel, Battery Green Road T h e Fishermen’s Bethel was founded in the m i d - 1 9 t h

century. O r i g i n a l l y o p e r a t i n g f r o m a mission hall o n L a k e Lothing, the M i s s i o n moved to this purpose-built structure in 1899. It is a r e c t a n g u l a r s t r u c t u r e located on the junction of Battery Green Road and Grove Road, constructed in red brick with a slate roof. The building is of six bays,

aligned east-west, and

gabled to Battery Green Road. A small forecourt survives to the south of the building, defined by a low brick wall with ornamental metal railings atop. The south elevation is articulated by unornamented pilasters between the bays, each containing a large, pointed window above a pair of heavily eroded commemoration plaques. The third bay from the west is defined by a projecting porch with the principal window of the elevation above. The porch has a pitched slate roof and finial and contains a double door with overlight, within a pointed opening, ornamented with coade stone springers, moulded brick hood mould and shaped bargeboards. The east elevation to Battery Green Road is formed by the gable end of the building, flanked by a low porch to the north. To either side, the gable contains a pair of large pointed windows of similar form to the south elevation. A pointed door is situated in the centre of the elevation but has been altered to form a window, although retaining its ornamental overlight and hood mould. In the apex of the gable, are three small,

a1/14

24 Gordon Road

25-26 Kirkley Cliff Road

Thatched Cottage

14-15 Grove Road

pointed windows, set above stone plaques commemorating the foundation of the Bethel in 1899 and its dedication to Jesus Christ. Plain barge boards define the gable, with a plain collar at its head. The porch extending to the north of the elevation is gabled to the north and contains a double door within a pointed opening. Beach House, Beach Road Beach House was known as the Star Building when first constructed in the 1880s and refronted by the local architect R. S. Cockrill in the late 19th century for J & W Stuart, net manufacturers. Later used by the Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, the building has now been converted for residential use. The principal elevation fronts onto Beach Road and is of five bays and of two storeys. Constructed in brick, the principal elevation is stuccoed with banded rustication across the ground floor. A parapet runs across the elevation above a dentil and modillion cornice below. The central bay contains a portico entrance at ground-floor level, with double panelled doors. Paired Doric columns, joined by three thick horizontal bands towards their base and supporting a frieze and cornice ornamented with triglyphs and mutules. A central panel within the frieze records the company name of J & W Stuart. Above the cornice, a scrolled escutcheon is visible behind modern planters. The bays flanking the portico are blind, whilst the outer bays each contain an eight over eight sash window, with a decorative keystone over. The first floor is defined by a moulded floor band and contains five eight-over-eight sash windows with a simply moulded continuous lintel running across the elevation. The central bay, over the portico, projects slightly

a1/15

a n d t h e window is set w i t h i n a m o u l d e d a r c h i t r a v e w i t h o r n a m e n t a l k e y s t o n e feature over.

Each of the flanking windows is finished with a plain block keystone. The ea s t e l e v a t i o n o v e r l o o k s beach mews and the blind elevation of

t h e a d j a c e n t S a l v a t i o n Army Hall. This elevation contains four loading doors at first floor leve l with pulleys over, in terspersed with casement windows, all of which have

f l a t l intels in g a u g e d b r i c k w o r k . Owing to the conversion for residential use, m e t a l b a l u s t r a d e s have been placed across the loading doors. The

ground floor contains

windows of similar form, and two modern doors, inserted into formerly larger openings. An angled corner bay is present to the south of the elevation, and contains an original door on the ground floor, with casement window above. The south elevation also contains a further loading door and window at first-floor level, with a simple modern sash window below. Jarrold House, 1-3 Beach Road Constructed in the 1880s as premises for Flood and Son, a firm of Stationers and Printers, this is a two-storey building located on a corner site at the junction of Grove and Beach Roads. The building is of brick construction, rendered externally, with a slate roof. Situated on a square site, the building has frontages to both Grove Road and Beach Road, with an angled bay on the corner, which houses the main entrance. The Grove Road elevation is of five bays. The left bay contains a secondary entrance, containing modern doors. The remaining bays each hold large plate glass display windows with segmental heads, shouldered architraves and keystones. The heads of all windows are currently blind to create rectangular glazed openings. The three central bays have been subject to some alteration with the lowering of the sills to provide a larger display area. The right bay is defined by pilasters, console brackets and a dentil cornice, suggesting that this formed part of the main shop frontage. At first-floor level are five pairs of top-opening casement windows, flanked by an individual window to either end. A simple cornice is present on the piers between windows in the form of corner-set bricks. The Beach Road elevation is of four

a1/16

47 Kirkley Cliff Road

55 Kirkley Cliff Road

53 Kirkley Cliff Road

50 Kirkley Cliff Road

bays. The ground floor is defined by pilasters and a dentil cornice. Console brackets are present to either side of the left bay, adjacent to the entrance, and against the right, end elevation. Each bay contains a window with shouldered architrave and, similarly to the Grove Road elevation, the head of each window is blind. A convex moulding runs across the elevation from the springing of the shouldered architrave, visually linking the bays. The first-floor contains top-opening casement windows, paired except for the left bay where three are set within the bay. The corner-set brick cornice continues across this elevation. The angled corner bay houses the principal entrance to the premises. The doorway is set below a triangular pediment, supported on a pair of engaged Corinthian columns, the collars of which are moulded with the letters of the alphabet, reflecting the construction of the building for a printing firm. A large shop sign is present at first-floor level. The corner bay terminates in a shaped gable that contains a medallion showing the crest of Lowestoft. A pair of ball finials flank the gable, whilst a

a1/17

further finial is placed at its apex. The Morning Star Pub, Carlton Road The Morning Star pub is

located at the junction o f Carlton Road

and Kirkley Street. This is a two-storey public house, purpose built in 1930. It is constructed of brick with s o m e structural use

of tiles for decorative e f f e c t ; render and

hung tiles are a l s o e m p l o y e d , whilst the roof is of plain tiles. In architectural style, the b u i l d i n g c o m b i n e s elements of vernacular and G e o r g i a n s t y l e s to p l e a s i n g effect. The principal elevation faces Carlton Road and is of five bays, with a hipped roof.

T h e central bay is

wider than the flanking bays and breaks forward and has a gable with plain bargeboards; the principal entrance is situated at ground-floor level within this bay. An open, timber-framed porch with pitched plain tile roof is set before a projecting herringbone brick porch with leaded glass windows and a pair of well-detailed double doors decorated with coloured glass and the word ‘BAR’ incorporated in their design. At first-floor level, the central bay contains four leaded-glass casement windows flanked by panels picked out in contrasting colour in the render. The gable of the bay is finished with hanging tiles and contains two small, narrow casements to illuminate the attic. The flanking two bays are of identical form, each contains two windows with semi-circular arched head and herringbone brickwork below their sills. A continuous tile band runs across the elevation, level with the springing of the window head. The arches over the windows are also executed in vertically-set tiles, with a raised tile keystone. Set above the windows is a decorative oculus, with tile surround and four keystones. The oculus to the east records the date of the building’s construction. The first floor contains paired casement windows with leaded glass, flanked by panels of similar form to the central bay. The east elevation is also of note for containing an imitation Georgian shop front. Defined by pilasters and console brackets to the left and right, a pair of doors flanks a central bay window with fascia over recording the name of the Morning Star and Lacons Ale, a Suffolk brewing company. 29 Carlton Road This is a two-storey villa constructed in 1899, and located at the junction of

a1/18

1-6 Banner Court

1-8 Victoria Court, Kirkley Cliff Road

Hotel Victoria, Kirkley Cliff Road

St Mary’s RC Convent Primary School

Carlton Road and St Aubyn’s Road, terminating a varied terrace of houses to the east. It is constructed in red brick with coade stone dressings and a concrete pantile roof. The principal elevation fronts Carlton Road and is formed in three bays. The left bay contains a canted bay window, extending through the ground and first floors and retaining its plate glass sash windows. Coade stone is used for the lintels, whilst diaper panels are placed below the first-floor windows for decorative effect. A rectangular bay window runs through the ground and first floors of the right bay. Containing a full-size sash window, flanked by narrow sashes to either side, coade stone is used for the mullions, sills and lintels, with a simple fluted motif around the head of the mullions. The central bay contains the front door within a round-headed recess, with hood mould over and foliate decorated keystone. An oriel window corbels out from the keystone. The corbelling is alternately decorated with foliate moulding and a smooth finish. This motif is also continued in spandrels above the arched door opening, intertwined with the numbers ‘18’ and ‘99’, recording the date of construction. 1930s Shelter by Marine Parade, Esplanade This shelter, now used as a lifeguard station, is likely to have been constructed as part of the improvements to the seafront undertaken in the 1930s. Of concrete construction and semi-circular plan, the shelter has an overhanging flat roof and extends east of the Esplanade, rising above the beach. Entrance to the shelter is through the straight, west elevation, and is defined by concrete piers of rounded section facing the Esplanade. Overlooking the beach, the

curved elevation was formerly glazed but now retains only the original metal window frames, the form of which emphasises the horizontal character of the structure. Internally, the shelter retains a raised central platform, now dominated by a modern timber structure for use as part of the lifeguard station. 24 Gordon Road This is a detached villa of late 19th century date, constructed in red brick with coade stone dressings. The principal elevation is of three bays with a low parapet over. The outside bays contain a canted bay window extending through the ground and first floors, executed in coade stone, with projecting cornice running between the floors. The bays contain round-headed windows with hood mould over and foliate label stops. Foliate moulding is also used across the mullions at the springing of the arch, whilst diaper decoration is used between the window heads and the cornice. At first-floor level the bay windows are less ornate, with sash windows with curved corners, set above a panelled base and continuous sill. The central bay contains

a1/19

the entrance within an elaborately moulded surround. A pair of pilasters with foliate capitals and moulded vertical panels support an elliptical-arched opening with fluted keystone, foliate-decorated spandrels and cornice over. The name ‘LYNDHURST’ s inscribed within the frieze above the door. The arch gives entry to a recessed porch with double panelled doors and flanking windows. The coade stone surround continues from the entrance to the first floor, where it contains a pair of round-headed sash windows, separated by a Corinthian column. A small ornamental balconette is set below the window, with decorative metal railing. A broken pediment is placed over the bay, supported on fluted floral brackets and finished with a central medallion decorated with a green man. 13, 14 & 15 Grove Road Terraced of three houses dating from c.1880s, constructed in red brick with slate roofs. Numbers 13 and 14 are arranged symmetrically with paired entrances. Each house contains a canted bay window rising through the ground and first floors, flanked by the recessed front door with single sash window at first-floor level above. A pair of through-passages to the rear of the terrace is placed between numbers 12 and 13, and 14 and 15, with a single sash window placed over. Above each of the bay windows is an attic dormer window. These buildings are of particular significance because of the quality of the decorative detailing which is executed in moulded brick. The ground floor is defined by a finely moulded cornice with egg-and-dart moulding, whilst a good dentil cornice runs over the first-floor. Keystones are present over every window and door opening, extending into the cornice above. The front doors

a1/20

9-16 Kirkley Cliff Road, W elevation

21 Kirkley Park Road

9 Kirkley Park Road

Kirkley House, Kirkley Cliff Road

and through passages are set within elaborately moulded doorcases. Pilasters flank the opening, rising to simply articulated capitals that support a recessed panel in the frieze. The paired doorways of number 13 and 14 are more elaborately treated with a raised lozenge in the frieze. Thatched Cottage, Kirkley Cliff The Thatched Cottage is an idiosyncratic building constructed on Kirkley Cliff around the 1930s and presently housing a café. It is a single-storey structure, rendered and colourwashed externally, with a thatched roof. Constructed on an L-plan, with a short range to Kirkley Cliff, the centre of the long range rises and projects south in its centre, with a low gable projecting to the south. Decorative timber framing is used in the gables. Casement windows run around the structure, creating a light interior. 25-31 Kirkley Cliff Road This is a terrace of seven, three-storey townhouses, constructed in the early 20th century. The terrace is constructed in red brick with a plain tile roof and pierced ridge piece. The attic storey is rendered and colourwashed, with decorative timber-framing. Each house is of two, irregular bays in width, creating a tall, narrow building frontage. The buildings are arranged in symmetrical pairs, with the exception of number 29. Also of interest is the use of half-hipped roofs to numbers 25, 28 and 31, contrasting effectively with the gabled roofs of the rest of the terrace. Each house has a canted bay window rising through the ground and first floors, and in the adjacent bay, a front door and single-light window above. Stone mullions and transoms are used across these windows, and many retain good coloured glass in the upper light. The fenestration of the

second floor varies according to roof form: those buildings with gabled roofs have two sash windows set below a herringbone decorated gable, whilst the buildings with half-hipped roofs have four-light windows, below a close-studded gable with central oculus window. Good metal railings are retained over the bay windows with decorative curved motif. Also of note is the use of plain pilasters with spherical pinnacles between adjoining bay windows. 47-48 Kirkley Cliff Road 47-48 Kirkley Cliff Road were constructed in the late 19th century as a pair of semi-detached townhouses and are constructed of gault brick with a slate roof. Of two storeys with an attic, the buildings are designed to appear as a single structure and are symmetrical in arrangement. Each building is of three bays, with a continuous ground- and first-floor canted bay window in the outer bay. A small moulded brick pediment is placed over the central window on the ground floor. The attic in the outer bays contains dormer windows within a Dutch gable. The gable is ornamented with fluted pilasters and foliate capitals, below a dentil cornice and a pediment filled with diaperwork. The attic window is set within a shaped architrave with apron. The central bay of each building contains the front door at ground-floor level, set within a gabled porch with shaped posts and moulded bargeboards, in contrast with the more classical detail used across the rest of the building. At first-floor level above this is a sash window with dentil pediment and decorative stone lintel. The inner bay of both properties forms a single gable with dentil eaves cornice and finials. Four sash windows are situated within the gable. The inner

a1/21

pair of these windows are set within projecting brickwork, with a long, narrow, recessed archway set below. Floral moulded bricks are situated between the first and attic floors along the majority of the frontage. 49-50 Kirkley Cliff Road Numbers 49-50 Kirkley Cliff Road was constructed in the late 19th century as a pair of semi-detached townhouses. Constructed in gault brick with a slate roof, the properties appear as a single architectural unit and are designed symmetrically. Each building is of three storeys and three bays, the central two bays being united under a large shaped gable with central blind oculus. The outer bay of each house contains a canted bay window, rising through the ground and first floors, with a segmental pediment to the ground floor and dentil cornice over the first floor. Above this is a dormer window to the attic, set below a steeply pitched triangular pediment with diaper decoration, with moulded window frame and fluted pilasters. The central bay of each house contains a single narrow window at ground and first floors, and a shorter window to the attic. The inner, central bays each contain a rectangular bay window, extending through the ground and first floors, with a triangular pediment over the central ground floor window and shaped lintels to the first floor. At attic level, each house contains two sash windows, flanked by a fluted pilaster between the inner and central bays, supporting the shared shaped gable over. Further unifying the two houses is the centrally-placed blind arch, extending from the ground to the top of the first floor, with decorative keystone at its head. The entrance to each house is located along the side elevation, set back from the main façade. Number 49

a1/22

30-32 Kirkley Park Road

84-86 Kirkley Park Road

51-53 Kirkley Park Road

35 Kirkley Park Road

is painted externally, and has been refenestrated with top-hung timber casements. Number 50 retains sash windows across the principal elevation. 53-54 Kirkley Cliff Road 53-54 Kirkley Cliff Road forms a pair of late 19th century semi-detached townhouses. Designed to appear as a single symmetrical structure, the design of the building is similar to that of 47-48 and especially 49-50 Kirkley Cliff Road. Of gault brick construction with a pitched concrete tile roof, each building is of three storeys and three bays. The inner bay of each house contains a continuous square bay window at ground- and first-floor level, with two windows to the second floor, flanked by fluted pilasters. These bays rise into a single shaped pediment, with dentil cornice, containing a blind oculus. The central bay of each house contains a single window to the ground and first floors, contained within raised brickwork. A further single window is located at second-floor level. The outer bays each contain a canted bay window to the ground and first floors, with a single window at second-floor level. Above is a small pediment containing diaperwork. The main entrance to each house projects from the outer elevation, and is recessed substantially from the main elevation. All windows to both properties are uPVC replacements. 55 Kirkley Cliff Road 55 Kirkley Cliff Road is of two storeys and three bays. It is built in red brick laid in Flemish bond and has a hipped concrete tile roof. The main entrance is located centrally, and is housed under a large semi-circular arched doorway. The date of construction – 1901 – is carved above the door. A small bowed oriel

window is located above this at first-floor level which is supported on decorative corbels, one of which incorporates a carved shell motif. The window has a conical metal roof, with decorative ironwork at the apex. The south bay contains a continuous square bay window to the ground and first floor, with decorative stonework at the junction between the two floors. The north bay contains a continuous canted bay to the ground and first floors. Both bay windows are simply decorated, with Doric pilasters to the southern example. Banner Court, Kirkley Cliff Road Banner Court forms a pair of early 20th century townhouses, later converted into 12 flats. The front elevation comprises four gables, each of three storeys. Of brick construction, the first floor is rendered whilst the second floor is tile-hung. The outer two bays project slightly, and contain a continuous square bay window to the ground and first floors. Two hung sash windows are situated at second floor level in the southern bay, with a single hung sash window located in the northern bay. The central two bays contain a continuous canted bay window to the centre, with the door to each house located beside this. A shallow balcony with geometric timber balustrade runs the length of the two bays at first-floor level, accessed by a door and porchway at either end. The northern of the two inner bays contains a four light window beside the porch. At second floor level this bay contains two irregular hung sash windows, with a further small window in the gable. The southern inner bay contains a canted bay window at first floor level. The second floor projects, and contains a hung sash window and a canted oriel window with dentil cornice. A small oeil-de-boeuf window is located within the gable.

a1/23

St Mary's RC Convent Primary School, Kirkley Cliff Road Designed by Hans Fleck of Johns, Slater and Haward Architects, Ipswich, St Mary’s Primary School was constructed in 1969-1971. The plan form and constructional methods both follow those developed by Johns, Slater and Haward, involving a pre-cast reinforced concrete post system and a mixture of pyramidal and flat timber roofs. The building is mostly single storey, but the central hall rises to one and a half storeys in height and has a large pyramidal roof. The hall has celing-height windows along most of the elevations. The walls are clad in vertical cedar boarding, with large uPVC casement windows. A simple rectangular water tower is located to the north of the building, similarly clad in vertical timber boarding. Hotel Victoria, Kirkley Cliff Road Designed by George Skipper, Hotel Victoria forms an imposing building along the seafront. Constructed in red brick with a slate roof and dentil eaves cornice, it is of three storeys with attic and exposed basement. Of seven bays, it has a symmetrical design. The two outer and single central bays rise to form three shaped gables on the main, seaward-facing, façade (facing east). Each gable contains a continuous canted bay window to the basement, first, second and third floors. Each gable contains a pair of windows housed beneath a small brick pediment. The central gable also includes a decorative moulded brick roundel displaying the date of construction – 1897. A balcony with cast iron balustrade is located at first floor level. The bays flanking the central gable are both recessed at first and second floor level, and contain a single window to the basement, first and

a1/24

25 Kirkley Street

212 London Road South, Plough and Sail Pub

147-149 London Road South

39-45 London Road North

second floors. The ground floor contains a large window set beneath a semicircular arch. A further dormer window is situated at attic level. Those bays flanking the two outer gables contain a single window to each level. All windows are uPVC replacements, and are housed beneath squared-headed brick lintels with stone keystones. The second and third floors a separated by a brick double stringcourse, with simple brick ornamentation below the windows to the second floor. To the north, a modern one-storey extension has been added. This is of brick construction, with continuous fenestration to the east elevation. The modern alterations continue along the ground floor of the west elevation. Above, the three central bays are recessed. The end and central bays form three shaped gables, similar to those on the east elevation. The central gable, however, is much narrower on this elevation. It contains a three light window at first and second floor level, with a further three light window with pediment in the gable. The outer two gables contain tripartite windows to the first and second floors, and a pair of windows with pediment to the gable. The bays to either side of the central gable contain two hung sash windows to the first and second floors, with a single dormer above. The bays flanking the outer gables contain single hung sash windows to the first and second floors. A dominant stringcourse runs the length of the elevation between the first and second floors, with decorative brickwork located immediately above this. Victoria Court, Kirkley Cliff Road Victoria Court comprises two semi-detached propert ies , original ly comprising four townhouses, but later

converted in to 16 flats. Of red brick construction with a mansard slate roof, it was designed by G. & F. Skipper of Norwich. Each building is designed symmetrically, and is of three storeys with attic. On the main, east elevation, the central bay to each property contains the main entrance, comprising a modern uPVC door with large overlight. A single window is located above this at first- and second-floor level, with a further dormer window to the attic. The outer bay to each house contains a continuous canted bay window with dentil cornice to the ground, first and second floor. These bays rise to form shaped gables, containing a pair of windows beneath a simple triangular pediment. The first floor contains a balcony with cast iron balustrade. Above, the first and second floors are separated by a simple brick stringcourse, with brick decoration below the second-floor windows. All windows are uPVC replacements, with square-headed brick lintels with stone keystones. On the west elevation, a further two ranges project westwards from the outer bays. These both have pitched slate roofs and a small oeil-de-boeuf window set within the gable. The southern oeil-de-boeuf window on 9-16 Victoria Court has, however, been replaced with a casement window. The ground floor of each contains a square oriel window with dentil cornice, flanked by a large panelled doorway with decorative semi-circular fanlight. A pair of windows are located at both first and second floor level, with a simple brick string course between the two levels. The central bay contains a narrow semi-circular headed alcove, flanked to either side by a narrow window, to all floors, with a dormer window above. This is flanked by further windows at first and second floor level.

a1/25

Kirkley House, Kirkley Cliff Road Kirkley House forms a pair of semi-detached townhouses. Built by G. & F. Skipper, the east elevation to this building matches the design of Victoria Court to form a row of three identical structures along the seafront. However, whereas both buildings forming Victoria Court have doors to the central bays of the ground floor, Kirkley House contains windows in this location. It is likely that the doors to Victoria Court are modern insertions relating to their conversion to flats, whilst those on Kirkley House represent the original design. Although the west elevation to Kirkley House would have originally matched that to Victoria Court, it has been substantially altered. The northern east-west range has been extended further westwards, with a four-light window to the ground floor, paired windows two the first and second floors, and a single hung sash window in the gable. The central portion of the building has also been extended westwards at ground-floor level, forming a modern, slate-hung addition containing two doorways. The north range contains a four-light window to the ground floor. One of the paired windows to the first floor has been replaced with a semi-circular headed door, giving access to an informal balcony space. The original paired windows to the second floor and oeil-de-boeuf window in the gable survive. Projecting above the roofline in this area is an inserted lift-shaft, the exterior of which is hung with slates. 9 Kirkley Park Road Arts and Crafts in style, 9 Kirkley Park Road was built in the early 20th century by R.S. Cockrill. It has a pitched tile roof, with two chimneys to both end

a1/26

247 London Road South

381 London Road South

St Aubyns Court, London Road South

283-285 London Road South (odd)

gables, and is of two storeys and three bays. The two outer bays are rendered, and contain a continuous square bay window to the ground and first floors. Both floors contain casement windows, with those to the ground floor also retaining heraldic stained glass. The central bay is tile-hung, and contains a central doorway to the ground floor, housed under a tiled roof. The first floor contains one central casement window, and rises to form a small gable. 21 Kirkley Park Road Designed by R.S. Cockrill in the early 20th century in an Arts and Crafts style. It is of two storeys and rendered. The principal façade is of three bays, each suromounted by a gable. The ground floor contains a central doorway, housed within a modern fenestrated porch, with a three light casement window to either side. A single casement window is located centrally above the door at first-floor level, with two further casement windows to either side. Above this the gables project slightly. The pitched roofs are tiled, with two chimneys to the south. Two large rainwater heads are located on the front elevation, corresponding to the two valley gutters. 30-32 Kirkley Park Road Forming a pair of semi-detached townhouses, 30-32 Kirkley Park Road is of two-storeys with a pitched concrete tile roof and two ridge chimneys. Construction is of red-brick with coade stone dressings. The properties are symmetrical and of two bays. The inner bay contains the front door, set within a recessed porch with pediment and Corinthian capital detailing. Both entrances retain their original polychrome tile paths. A single hung sash window is situated above the door

at first-floor level, with a decorative Corinthian windowframe. The outer bays contain a continuous canted bay window rising through the ground and first floors, and with matching Corinthian detail. Above each bay is a steep gable with a single hung-sash window and decorative bargeboards. 35 Kirkley Park Road Constructed in the late 19th century, 35 Kirkley Park Road is built in red brick, and of two storeys with attic. The main portion of the house is of three bays. It contains a central doorway housed under a semi-circular arch with Corinthian capitals and a dentil cornice. A single hung sash window is located above this. The door is flanked to either side by canted bay windows, which rise to first-floor level. These bays have a simple brick stringcourse and floral swag moulded brick decoration between the ground and first floors, and crenulations to the top. Both bays rise into gables, and contain single semi-circular headed windows. A further structure is located to the south of this. Of one storey, it contains a bowed bay window with original stained glass and crenulated top. A small modern extension is also located to the north. 51-53 Kirkley Park Road Of early 20th century date, 51-53 Kirkley Park Road comprises a pair of semi-detached houses, arranged symmetrically. The main portion of the building is housed under a deep hipped tiled roof with overhanging eaves and five chimneys, whilst to the east are two gables each containing a canted bay window. The bay windows rise through the ground and first floors and are tile-hung. Between these, and under the deep tiled roof, the main entrances to the properties are located, each flanked by a

a1/27

narrow casement window. All windows are uPVC replacements. 84-86 Kirkley Park Road 84-86 Kirkley Park Road was built in the early 20th century as a pair of semi-detached houses. Brick-built, it has a hipped tile roof and a central ridge chimney. The two properties are arranged symmetrically and are each of two bays. The central bay to each property projects slightly from the remainder of the main elevation, and houses a wide casement window to both floors. The outer corner to both the windows and the bay as a whole curves. The outer bay to each house contains a door to the ground floor, with stone surround. A further door is located at first-floor level, which provides access to a small balcony. The balcony to the right property retains a simple balustrade, whilst that to the left has no balustrade. A one-storey garage is located to either side of the property. The garages appear to be integral to the original design of the house, and contains a large garage door on its main elevation. 25 Kirkley Street Brick-built, of two storeys with attic and three bays, 25 Kirkley Street is of early 18th century date. It has a steeply pitched tile roof with tumbling brickwork to the gables and two end ridge chimneys. Originally a detached property, it is now abutted by properties to either side. The ground floor contains a central doorway housed within a brick porch. This is flanked to either side by a single casement window. Two further casement windows are located at first-floor level. In addition, there is a single, centrally located dormer window at attic level. Within the frontgarden is an original gaslight.

a1/28

167, 169 & 171 London Road South

Lion statue in the garden of 411 St John Street

79-81 London Road South

London Road looking north to the rear of

Marine Parade

39-45 (odd) London Road North A series of four matching terraced townhouses, each of three storeys with attic, built in the late 19th century. Constructed in gault brick, each property is separated by a raised pilaster with Corinthian capital. The ground floors have been converted to shop frontages with varying degrees of success. That to 45 London Road North (now the shop ‘Poundworld’) is of particularly poor architectural quality. At first-floor level, numbers 39, 41 and 43 retain canted oriel windows, with fine semi-circular headed windows and floral capital motifs. A moulded brick stringcourse is located above. The oriel window to 45 London Road North has been replaced by a first-floor level shop window. This contains an early 20th century large shop window, with ‘HOME FURNISHINGS’ inscribed above. Such first-floor shop windows are characteristic to this area of Lowestoft. To the second floor, each property contains paired segmental-headed sash windows with margin glazing. These are housed under large moulded stone lintels, and separated by a cylindrical pilaster with Corinthian capital. Red brick to the window surround and a further red brick stringcourse at this level provides contrasts markedly with the surrounding gault brick. 45 London Road North retains the original slate covering to the pitched roof, whilst the others have been replaced with concrete tiles. Each property has a dentil eaves cornice and single semi-circular headed dormer window, with heavy cornice and surmounted by a decorative finial. The finials to properties 39 and 41 have not survived. 147-149 London Road South 147-149 London Road South was constructed in gault brick in the late 19th

century, at the corner of London Road South and Windsor Road. It is of three-storeys with attic. The London Road South elevation (east) is of three bays. The ground floor is divided into two shopfronts, with a further doorway located within a semi-circular arched porchway to the south. The first-floor level contains variously a single hung sash window, a canted oriel and a tripartite window with dentil cornice. The oriel window rises to second-floor level, and is flanked to either side by hung sash windows. A dormer containing two windows cuts through the dentil eaves cornice, with a further dormer located at attic level. The corner of the property between London Road South and Windsor Road is chamfered, and contains windows to all levels, with a small pediment containing a further semi-circular window located above. The shopfront to 147 London Road South continues on the Windsor Road elevation (north), with a further three windows located to the west of this. At first-floor level, three raised square features are located above the shopfront, with a similar arrangement at second-floor level. To the west, three windows are located at first-floor level, with a blocked opening flanked by two windows at second-floor level. A single dormer window is located above this. A smaller two-storey structure is located to the west of this. Similarly of gault brick, it contains a door and window at ground-floor level, with a further window and blocked opening above. It has a hipped slate roof. 157-159 London Road South, Kirkley Hall 157-159 London Road South comprises a three bay rendered building, dating to the early 20th century. The ground floor has

a1/29

and bargeboard. There is a prominent chimney situated along the north elevation. 431-433 London Road South Constructed in the late 19th century as a single, detached property (Edgecumbe Villa), 431-433 London Road South now forms a pair of semi-detached residences. Of three bays and two storeys, the building is built in gault brick, with a hipped slate and concrete tile roof and dentil eaves cornice. There are four tall gault-brick chimneystacks. The original door is located within the central bay, within a semi-circular archway. The central portion of the bay is recessed slightly, and contains a single sash window with gauged lintel at first-floor level. The southern bay contains a continuous canted bay window to the ground and first floors. The northern bay contains a further bay window to the ground floor, with a single sash window to the first floor. A simple sill band runs along the whole elevation at first-floor level, with a stringcourse above. The northern bay is now divided from the remainder of the original house to form a separate property (431 London Road South). The property includes a modern extension to the north, incorporating the entrance to 431 London Road North. 537 London Road South Built in red brick with a steep hipped slate roof, the principal elevation of 537 London Road South is of two storeys and three bays and faces east. On the ground floor, the door is located centrally within a recessed porch. The opening to the porch forms a semi-circular archway, with simply moulded brickwork and projecting keystone. This is flanked to either side by a rectangular bay window containing hung sash windows with margin glazing. At first-floor level is a

408 London Road South

537 London Road South

431-433 London Road South

429 London Road South, The Old Coach House

a1/30

balcony with geometric timber railing running the full length of the elevation and situated above the two bay windows. The central bay contains a single hung sash window, with a tripartite window to each outer bay. These windows all contain margin glazing, and are housed under segmental-arched lintels. A prominent rectangular bay window, rising from ground to first floor, is also located on the southern elevation. 539 London Road South Of three bays and two storeys, 539 London Road South is built in gault brick and Flemish bond, with a hipped slate roof. The door is located centrally within a heavy, elaborate surround. This is flanked to either side by a continuous canted bay window, which rises to first-floor level, and is capped by a low pyramidal roof. A semi-circular-headed window with moulded brick surround and projecting keystone is located at first-floor level above the door. A polychrome tile path leading to the front door also survives. 554-556 (even) London Road South 554 and 556 London Road South form a pair of symmetrically arranged terraced houses. Each property is of two bays and two storeys. It is constructed in gault brick, with a pitched roof and decorative modillion eaves cornice. The doors are paired within the inner bays. Originally the doors were both located within a recessed porchway, but a secondary door has been inserted into number 556 so that the entrance is now flush with the façade. Both entrances are housed under elaborate faience door surrounds, containing a pediment, keystone and Corinthian capital decoration. A single window, with matching decorative treatment, is located above each door at first-floor level. Each

of the outer bays contains a continuous canted bay to the ground and first floors, with decorative elements again matching those described above. These rise to form a small gable with pitched roof, with timber framing to the gable and a decorative bargeboard. A simple faience stringcourse divides the ground and first floors. The Drifter Public House, London Road South Constructed in red brick laid in Flemish bond, The Drifter Public House is situated on the corner of London Road South and Claremont Road. The slate roof is pitched to the south, and hipped to the north. The building is of two storeys, and contains a single ridge chimney. It is presently vacant and all openings are boarded. The principal elevation faces west on to London Road South. It contains a timber shopfront to the north at ground-floor level. This is flanked to the south by a single square-headed window, paired with a door with semi-circular head. To the north of this is a further pair of windows – one squared-headed, the other with a semi-circular head. Three square-headed windows are situated irregularly at first-floor level. The elevation to Claremont Road contains a square-headed window to the ground and first floors, with a further blocked window at first-floor level. A one-storey extension with dentil eaves cornice has been added rather clumsily to the east. This contains a door with rectangular overlight to the west, with continuous fenestration to the east. Each opening is separated by simply decorated pilasters.

a1/31

24

Royal Oak Public House, London Road South Situated on the corner of Clifton Road and London Road South, the Royal Oak Public House is built in gault brick, with contrasting red brick to the eaves cornice. It is of three bays and three storeys with a small parapet above. The central bay breaks forward, and contains the main door with rectangular overlight. Lettering above this reads ‘ROYAL OAK’. The door is flanked to either side by three windows, each separated by a brick pier with green man decoration to the capital. The piers support modern signage reading ‘ROYAL OAK’, with a restrained entablature with decorative console brackets and a dentil cornice. At first-floor level is a centrally located rectangular bay window resting on two large console brackets with elaborate green man decoration. The outer bays both contain a tripartite hung sash window, with coade stone lintel and decorative brickwork above. The division between the first and second floors is marked by a simple stringcourse. A single sash window is located within the central bay at third-floor level, with three sash windows set to either side. The central bay rises into a small pediment, containing a decorative carved green man. Lodge to Cemetery, 525 London Road South Positioned to the south of the entrance to Kirkley Cemetery, 525 London Road South was constructed in the late 19th century in a style characteristic to lodge houses of this period. It is brick-built and of two storeys, with a steeply pitched tiled roof, exposed rafters and decorative bargeboards. The main range is aligned north-south, intersected by a, second, east-west aligned range. The principal elevation faces east and is dominated by

a1/32

539 London Road South

Royal Oak Public House, London Road South

The Drifter Public House, London Road South

554-556 (even) London Road South

a1/33

the gable end of the east-west range, which contains tripartite windows at both ground and first-floor level. The windows both have moulded terracotta sills, lintels and mullions. To the south of the gable the ground floor extends the east, to align with the gable-end, and is housed under a hipped, tiled roof. It contains a single small window, with a single window above at first-floor level. To the north of the gable, a single window is located at ground-floor level, with a dormer window above. The building is dominated by two, large chimneys with recessed brick panels. Marina Theatre, Marina Erected on the site of a former roller-skating rink, the Marina Theatre was designed by Ernest Runtz and Co. in 1901. The principal elevation faces north. It is of eight bays, four storeys and is rendered. The eastern bay forms a stair tower. It is stylistically rusticated, with a small window with semi-circular hood mould to the ground floor. A further oval window with elaborate moulded plaster surround, featuring foliate, scroll and shell motifs, is situated at second-floor level. The remaining seven bays form the main frontage to the theatre and are arranged symmetrically. The ground floor is rusticated, whilst each bay to the first and second floor is separated by a simple pilaster. Further pilasters to the second floor form a blind colonnade. The central bay is bowed, and contains three windows to the ground and first floors. This is flanked by a window and two doors to either side at ground-floor level, each with a semi-circular overlight. The window to the west is blind. To the first floor, each bay contains a single window, with those to the outer bays of half height. Further windows are contained in the outer bays at second-floor level. There is a heavy

modillion eaves cornice above the second floor, which forms a semi-circular pediment above the central bay. Lettering within the pediment reads ‘MARINA THEATRE’. The central five bays rise to form a third floor, in which the pilaster decoration extends. The central bay of this contains the semi-circular pediment, whilst the remaining four bays each contains a single oculus window. The outer bays are surmounted by a shaped parapet. 1-50 Marine Parade Properties on Marine Parade were constructed as secondary status lodging houses in the late 19th century as part of Peto’s development of South Lowestoft into a seaside resort. A long terrace of 50 buildings, it has a pitched roof variously of slate, tile and concrete tile, with a simple modillion cornice. Each pair of properties is of a uniform design, with hanging tenancies used to create the appearance of a single symmetrical property. This is further accentuated by the use of plain pilasters at the boundary to each pair of properties. The pilasters are rusticated to the ground floor. Within each pair of buildings, paired doors are flanked to either side by a continuous canted bay window, rising through to first-floor level. A central 'hanging' window is located above the door, with a further three windows on the second floor. Each property shares a large ridge chimney of sixteen flues with its neighbour. The central property of the terrace (now numbers 28 and 29) is double-fronted and demarcated with a central pilastered porch and pedimented bay window over. Railway Bridge, Mill Road Built as part of the Kirkley Branch Railway in the 19th century, the bridge on Mill Road is constructed in red and blue

brick, with decorative treatment in contrasting gault brick. The archway itself is a four-centred arch, utilising extensive gault brick set on end to form the arch, alongside a stylised keystone and projecting stringcourse. The spandrels have recessed brick panels. Gault brick is used to form quoins either side of the archway. Brick retaining walls project to the side of this. The Former Grand Hotel, Pakefield Cliff Now part of the CEFAS complex, the former Grand Hotel is a late 19th century building facing directly onto the seafront. The building is constructed in red brick and rendered, with pitched and hipped slate roofs. The principal elevation, facing east, is of 19 bays and three storeys with attic. It is comprised of a series of north-south aligned ranges, interspersed with seven east-facing gables. Starting from the south, the first two bays form a single gable, containing two windows at first-floor level, four to the second floor, and a further two paired windows within the gable. There is a small, one-storey, flat-roofed addition extending to the east within the second bay, flanked to the south by a single window. Bays 3, 4 and 5 contain a single window each to the ground, first and second floor, with two dormer windows at attic level. Bays 6, 7 and 8 form three intersecting gables, each with a single window to the second floor and gable. The ground floor has been extended to the east. Bays 6 and 8 contain a canted bay window to the first floor, with a single casement window between. A door is situated at ground-floor level in bay 9, flanked to the north by a single window. Above, there are two windows at first and second-floor level, with two dormer windows to the attic. There is a turret situated to the

a1/34

Lodge to Cemetery, London Road South

Railway Bridge, Mill Road

28 and 29 Marine Parade

Marina Theatre, Marina

rear of the ninth bay. Bay 11 forms a gable, with a single window in the gable itself, and two further mullioned windows below. Bays 12 and 13 have been extended at ground-floor level, with two windows to the first and second floor, and a single dormer above. Bay 14 forms another gable, with a continuous rectangular bay window to the ground and first floors, a single window above with a further window within the gable. Bay 15 contains a single window to each floor. The remaining bays have been extended at ground floor level. Bays 16 and 17 contain a single window to the first and second floors, with a dormer above. Bays 18 and 19 form the final gable, with two windows to the first and second floors, and a single window in the gable. All windows are uPVC replacements. Several intrusive modern extensions have been erected to the north and west. 1-8 Pier Terrace 1-8 Pier Terrace comprises a terrace of late 19th century buildings, constructed in gault brick with pitched slate roofs and rusticated pilasters separating the properties. All of the properties have shopfronts of varying quality to the ground floor, with a dentil cornice above. Number 3 (ATLAS Private Hire Ltd) and numbers 7 to 8 (Lucky Star Chinese Restaurant) retain early shopfronts of relatively good architectural quality. Properties 2 to 8 are of three storeys, with a canted oriel window to the first floor, flanked by a window. The exact design of these windows differs, although all are set within a raised brick window surround: That to number 2 Pier Terrace is of a tripartite form, whilst numbers 4 and 5 form a pair, with that to number 4 a modern casement, and that to number 5 blind. The remainder are single hung sash windows. A projecting stringcourse

separates the first and second floors. Above, properties 6, 7, 8 contain two hung sash windows at second-floor level, retained within raised brick surrounds. The second floor to numbers 4 and 5 contain three semi-circular-headed tripartite windows with pillar-style mullions, hood moulds and decorative keystones, with three dormer windows -above. Three matching tripartite windows are located on properties 2 and 3 to the second floor, alongside a single hung sash, with a further three dormer windows above. Number 1 Pier Terrace is of four storeys. Of two bays, the northern bay contains a single window to the first, second and third floors, all held within a stylised raised brick surround. The southern bay contains a canted oriel window to the first floor, with tripartite sash windows to the second and third floors above. Greater stylistic treatment has been applied to the third floor, combined with a decorative plaster and dentil eaves cornice. Each floor is divided by a plain stringcourse. RNLI statue, Pier Terrace Situated between 1 Pier Terrace and the Bascule Bridge, the RNLI statue commemorates Lowestoft’s long association with the RNLI. The statue depicts a lifeboatman standing on rocky ground, with one hand to his brow, scanning the eastern horizon. The man is wearing a life jacket with the letters ‘RNLI’ across the front. A life belt rests upon his right leg. The dedication reads ‘In dedication to all Lowestoft lifeboatmen past, present and future for their sterling duty to seafarers of the world’. Rectory, Rectory Road Constructed in red brick with a pitched tile roof, the Rectory is of two storeys. It was built in the late 19th century as the Rectory for the adjacent Church of St

a1/35

Rectory, Rectory Road

RNLI Statue

Peter and St John. The main section of the house is of three bays, forming three gables, surmounted by ball finials. It contains a central door with overlight, set within a recessed porch with a Tudor-arch brick lintel. A single window is located at first-floor level above. This is flanked to the east by two paired sash windows, with a single window over. The windows all have Tudor-arched brick and rusticated stone lintels. To the west is a continuous canted bay window to the ground and first floors. The windows to the ground floor here contain Tudor-arched lintels, with square-headed lintels above. Carved stonework to the top of this window reads ‘ERECTED 1892’ and ‘KIRKLEY RECTORY HOUSE’. There is a string course and sill band between the first and second floors. A decorative cast iron rainwater head is also present to the east of the door. A further gable extends to the west, set back from the main building. Similarly built in red brick laid in Flemish bond, it contains two sash windows at both ground and first-floor level. It retains a decorative bargeboard and timber framing to the gable. It is likely that the gable dates to a later phase of construction. 1 St Peters Road Of two storeys and three bays with a hipped tiled roof, 1 St Peters Road is a detached late 19th century residence. The central bay advances slightly, and contains a doorway, with overlight, set within a semi-circular archway. Above, at first-floor level, is a bowed oriel window with conical roof, surmounted by a weather vane. The south bay contains a continuous canted bay window to the ground and first floors. The north bay contains a continuous

a1/36

The former Grand Hotel, Pakefield Cliff

Pier Terrace

rectangular bay window at ground and first-floor level. It rises to form a gable, with mock timber framing and decorative bargeboard to the gable. 11 St Peters Road 11 St Peters Road is built in brick with a hipped slate roof and dentil eaves cornice. It is of two bays and two storeys. The ground floor contains a door to the north, with original stained glass and rectangular overlight. The door surround has two brick pilasters, supporting a decorative lintel with scroll motifs and cornice. Above is a single sash window at first-floor level with stone sill and lintel. To the south is a continuous canted bay window rising through the ground and first floors. 7, 9, 11 Station Square A three storey gault brick building comprising a terrace of three properties, each of two bays. The slate roof is pitched, with a deep moulded dentil eaves cornice. The ground floor contains a shopfront to each property, separated by pilasters with circular motif decoration. Above, further pilasters with Corinthian capitals separate the properties. Numbers 7 and 9 Station Square both contain two hung sash windows to the first floor, with semi-circular pediments supported on console brackets. Two further windows with moulded cornice and console brackets are located at second-floor level on both properties. 11 Station Square contains a tripartite window with semi-circular stone pediment, moulded cornice, console brackets and mullions to the first floor and a decorative carved stone sill band below. Two sash windows with moulded cornice and console brackets are situated above at second-floor level. A plain sill band stretches across the full elevation at this level. A painted

advertisement relating to the locally important Tuttles department store survives on the southern elevation. Station, Station Square The second station building on this site, the present Lowestoft Central Station was built by the Lucas Brothers, Peto’s -local building contractors, in 1855. Engravings and photos surviving of the building in its heyday show a grand building with three Italianate turrets along its principal (north) elevation. It is evident that what survives is a much reduced form of the original building. Built in gault brick, the building is principally of one storey with parapet and moulded stone eaves cornice. A stringcourse and sillband run along all elevations of the building. The parapet has recessed rectangular panels along its length. The north elevation comprises three main sections. The central section is of six bays, with a mono-pitched roof and low parapet. It contains two doors to the central bays, with blue brickwork to the base, carved stone panels above, and held within semi-circular arched openings. These are flanked to either side by a blind semi-circular headed opening and window. A canopy, supported on large iron brackets, runs the full length of the section. This section is a relatively modern extension to the ticket hall, but conceals the original entrance building to its south. This is of seven bays, with a hipped slate roof with a chimneystack to the east and west, and is flanked by the bases of two Italianate towers. A window has been inserted into the north elevation of both towers and a further semi-circular headed window flanks the east tower. The west section has been largely rebuilt. It contains nine archways, half of which are glazed, the remainder being blind. The eastern section contains seven arched

a1/37

openings, three of which are doorways, with blue engineering bricks to the base, and large boarded overlights. One of the remaining openings is blind, whilst the rest form windows. The east elevation to this section contains two semi-circular headed windows, and a segmental headed doorway, with shaped lintel and panelled door. Beside the door is a wide pilaster with recessed panels, blue engineering bricks to the base and a modillion cornice. The east elevation, fronting directly on to Station Square, contains a blind arcade of nine semi-circular archways to the ground floor, some of which retain moulded plaster panels within the semi-circular head. There are three grilled openings to basement level below. Above, the eaves cornice has been roughly cut back, to lie flush with the elevation, below which are areas of moulded brickwork. The southernmost bay rises to two-storeys in height, with a hipped roof and central chimneystack. A good mid-20th century station sign is situated at first-floor level, and reads ‘BRITISH RAILWAYS’ and ‘LOWESTOFT CENTRAL’. The sign obstructs four window openings. The south elevation to this building is of four bays, and is symmetrically arranged. Each bay contains a recessed semi-circular archway, which rises from ground to first-floor level. Each archway contains a window to the first floor, with a further recessed rectangular panel below. At ground-floor level, the outer two archways contain doors with semi-circular overlights, whilst the inner two archways contain square-headed windows with sandstone lintels. The central section rises to form a shaped gable, in which a pair of segmental-headed windows is situated. To the west of this, the elevation projects

a1/38

1 St Peters Road

Tuttles Corner

Lowestoft Central Station

11 St Peters Road

southwards, and extends for a substantial distance to the west. This originally formed the west wall of the departure hall, which was housed beneath a large, hipped timber roof. As the roof no longer survives, the wall no longer performs a structural function but instead forms the southern boundary wall of the station complex. Most of the wall contains blind arcading, with phases of reconstruction evident. There is a wide entrance allowing access to the station platforms. To the east of this, pilasters with recessed panels and modillion cornices separate the archways. The parapet also only survives on this section of the wall. A single door is contained at the very eastern end of the elevation. 18-32 Station Square (Tuttles Corner) Situated on the corner of Station Square and Waveney Road, 18-32 Station Square is known locally as ‘Tuttles Corner’, after Tuttles Bon Marche Department Store, which was located at these premises from the late 19th century till its closure in 1981. The building comprises two main constructional phases. That to the north forms the original Tuttles department store, constructed in 1888. The southern, more decorative, portion was designed by local architect Thomas Porter, and built by local labour. Originally constructed for Frederick Savage, and known as the Turret Buildings, the property comprised three separate residences with shops to the ground floor, including Savage’s family butcher shop. The whole building was later occupied by Tuttles. Constructed in red brick with stone dressings, Turret Buildings is of three storeys with a low parapet and dentil eaves cornice. The ground floor comprises a series of shopfronts of varying architectural quality. The corner

to the building curves, and contains a bowed oriel window to the first and second floors. This was originally crested by an ornamental turret, destroyed by fire in 1964. Carved stonework is present between the first and second floor, containing foliate -motifs, a construction date of 1893 and the monogram F.S. This monogram relates to Frederick Savage, who funded the building’s construction. The parapet here rises to form a small semi-circular pediment, and contains a weathered medallion showing the crest of Lowestoft (similar to that seen on the Jarrold House, 1-3 Beach Road) alongside further foliate carving. The oriel window is flanked to either side by a single window to the first and second floors. To either side of these, seven matching bays extend to the east, and eight bays to the north. Each bay contains a single sash window to the first and second floors. That to the first floor has a segmental headed lintel, whilst that to the second floor is Tudor arched, and has a projecting stone sill supported on brackets. A carved panel displaying the monogram F.S. amongst foliate carving is situated between the two windows. A moulded brick pilaster separates each bay, and extends through the eaves cornice to parapet height. Some pilasters to the west elevation retain ball finials, with one finial shaped like a lion also present. At the end of each elevation, and at the point where the corner begins to curve, the pilasters have been doubled-up, with a narrow band of foliate carving situated between them. Alternate recessed and projecting vertical brickwork to the parapet, alongside two horizontal stone bands, adds further detail to the façade. To the east of this, the building extends for a further three bays at one storey in height. The shopfront at this level is presently

a1/39

boarded, with only the low parapet visible above. This contains two horizontal stone bands. To the north, the building extends for a further 14 bays, which comprises the original Tuttles department store. Although of similar design to the Turret buildings described above, the original Tuttles store contains less decorative architectural detailing, with a plain moulded eaves cornice and no foliate carved panels evident. The ground floor contains a series of shopfronts, retaining original slender pilasters and decorative spandrels. The southern six bays of the original Tuttles store are bounded to either side by double pilasters. They contain a casement window to the first floor and a hung sash to the second, both of which are square-headed. A stringcourse is situated between the two floors. Pilasters divide each bay at second-floor level, each resting on a stone corbel. The eight bays to the north of this contain a sash window to the first and second floors. Each bay is separated by a moulded brick pilaster at both first and second-floor level. Two double pilasters are also present. There is a further angled bay at the northwest corner. This contains a canted bay window to the first and second floors. Water Tower, Stradbroke Road Reinforced concrete water tower, constructed in the early 20th century. The structure is circular in plan, with a central cylindrical tower with small, narrow windows. This is surrounded by a ring of tall, semi-circular archways, supporting the circular water storage tank above. The tower forms a prominent feature in the townscape, and is now surmounted by numerous mobile phone masts.

a1/40

Water Tower, Stradbroke Road

13 Surrey Street

9 Surrey Street

Former Fishermen’s Institute Library,

Suffolk Road

Former Fishermen's Institute Library, Suffolk Road Presently forming part of Godfrey’s Department Store, the former Fisherman’s Institute Library is of two storeys and three bays, and was constructed in the late 19th century. It is constructed of gault brick, with red brick dressings and a pitched slate roof and dentil cornice. At ground-floor level, a panelled double-door is situated to the east within a semi-circular archway, with semi-circular overlight above. A three-light segmental headed window is situated to the west of this, with a foundation stone set beneath. This is flanked by a semi-circular headed window. All three openings to the ground floor have red brick lintels and are set within a blind colonnade. The colonnade contains engaged Doric columns and supports a simple moulded entablature. Three corbels – one set above each opening – provide additional support to the entablature. Above, a large semi-circular headed window is situated centrally, with a smaller square-headed window to either side. All openings have red brick lintels with decorative keystones. There is a red brick pilaster situated to either end of the elevation. 9 Surrey Street Of two storeys and three bays, 9 Surrey Street is constructed in gault brick with a pitched concrete tile roof, two end ridge chimneys and a decorative dentil eaves cornice. Dating to the late 19th century, it now forms the end property to a terrace. Centrally located is a fielded door with a semi-circular overlight above. Lettering within the overlight reads ‘SURREY CHAMBERS’. The door is housed within a decorative door surround, with engaged Corinthian columns, and carved spandrels, keystone

and cornice. Above the door, at first-floor level, is a single hung sash window. This is held within a fluted window surround with floral keystone. The door is flanked to either side by a continuous canted bay window, which rises to first-floor level. These contain floral -keystones, and decorative glazed tiles between the two floor levels. Both bay windows are surmounted by a plain pediment. 13 Surrey Street Constructed in the late 19th century, 13 Surrey Street is built in gault brick with a pitched roof and single end ridge chimney to the west. Forming part of a terrace of varied construction, it is of three storeys and two bays with a dentil cornice. The brickwork to each bay breaks forward slightly. The door, with rectangular overlight, is situated in the east bay, at ground-floor level. It is housed under a decorative architrave, with dentil cornice above. This is flanked to the west by a continuous canted bay window to the ground and first floors. A single hung sash window with prominent projecting sill is located above the door at first-floor level. This retains a matching decorative architrave and dentil cornice, and is flanked by the canted bay window. Raised brick panels are located between ground and first-floor level. The second floor contains two segmental-headed sash windows. 17 Surrey Street Constructed in brick and painted, 17 Surrey Street is a terraced property of two storeys and three bays. It is of late 19th century date, with a pitched concrete tile roof, single end ridge chimney to the east and decorative dentil eaves cornice. The ground floor contains a door with overlight to the west, contained within a raised and moulded brick surround with

a1/41

dentil cornice. This is flanked to the east by a continuous canted bay window to the ground and first floor. This retains slender barley twist decoration to the window jambs and a dentil and carved cornice. A single hung sash window with similar decoration to the jambs is located above the door at first-floor level, with a stone reading ‘ALMA VILLA’ to its immediate east. Coping to the gable ends projects above the roofline, and is supported to the main elevation on several courses of oversailing brickwork. 2 The Avenue Built in gault brick, 2 The Avenue is a two storey, three bay detached property, set within a large garden. Dating to the late 19th century, it has a hipped slate roof with two ridge chimneys and a timber dentil cornice. The ground floor contains a central doorway, with semi-circular overlight and classically-inspired door surround with foliate capitals, keystone and decorative cast ironwork over. The outer bays to either side contain a continuous canted bay window to the ground and first floors. These contain arch-headed hung sash windows, and display foliate capitals and decorative keystone decoration matching that to the door. The bay windows are surmounted by a low triangular roof. The southern bay rises to form a gable with simply moulded bargeboard. 25 & 27 The Avenue A pair of large semi-detached properties, 25-27 The Avenue is late Victorian in date. It is constructed in red brick with stone dressings, with a pitched slate roof and dentil and carved cornice. Two chimneys are located to either end of the building, with two further chimneys situated centrally. The two houses are arranged symmetrically, and are each of

a1/42

17 Surrey Street

29 The Avenue

25-27 The Avenue

2 The Avenue

three bays and two storeys with attic. The door to each house is located within the central bay, and is set within a recessed porch with decorative stone door surround including foliate capitals and keystone. Original stained glass is retained in the door and surrounding glazed panels within the porch. A single semi-circular arched window is located above the door at first-floor level. Foliate and floral brick and stonework is located below, to the side, and within the spandrels of the window. The inner bay to each house contains a rectangular bay window to the ground and first floors. The hung sash windows within this contain margin glazing, and have simply styled stone lintels and mullions. That to the ground floor is surmounted by a carved stone pediment and cornice, with carved stonework to either side. A dormer window with mock timber framing to the gable is located above. The outer bay to each property contains a canted bay window to the ground and first floors, with detailing matching that to the inner bay. A further dormer window with mock timber framing is located above. 29 The Avenue Three bay, two storey detached property with attic. It is built in red brick, with render to the first floor. Of early 20th century date, the door is located centrally within a semi-circular arched recessed porchway with moulded brick voussoirs, stone keystone and dentil cornice above. A single window with moulded terracotta sill is situated to the first floor, with a further large dormer window located above. The northern bay projects forward, with a narrow window located at first-floor level within the reveal. The bay contains a rectangular bay window to the ground floor, with turned timber balustrade to its top. A mullioned

casement window is situated at first-floor level, with a simple brick surround. The bay rises to form a tile-hung gable. The southern bay contains a canted bay window rising through the ground and first floors, with hung tiles located between the two levels. The ground -floor contains hung sash windows and an egg and dart cornice, with casement windows to the first floor. Similar to the north bay, this bay forms a gable, which is tile hung. Both gables also contain decorative timber bargeboards. There are two chimneys set within the south elevation. 48 & 50 The Avenue Comprising a pair of large semi-detached houses, numbers 48 & 50 The Avenue are constructed in gault brick with a pitched slate roof and two end chimneys. Arranged symmetrically, each house is of two bays and two storeys with attic. The paired doors are situated centrally. Originally both would have been set within recessed semi-circular arched porches, but a secondary door has been inserted into number 50, so that the door now lies flush with the façade. The stone door surround is particularly finely executed, with decorated pilasters, Corinthian capitals, and scroll console brackets supporting an egg and dart and dentil eaves cornice, with large ball finials above. A single hung sash window with margin-glazing, moulded sill and keystone is located above each door at first-floor level. Each of the outer bays contains a continuous rectangular bay window to the ground and first floors, housed beneath a hipped slate roof, and with a dormer window is situated above. The dormer windows have mock timber-framing and decorative bargeboards. Victoria House, Victoria Terrace Located on the seafront, Victoria House

a1/43

forms a large detached late 19th century villa. Of four bays and three storeys, it is built in brick and painted with a hipped slate roof. Basement level is also partially exposed to the east, and fully exposed to the west. The seaward elevation, facing east, contains two continuous canted bay windows to the basement, ground and first floor, with a dentil cornice and decorative keystones. A balcony with elaborate cast iron balustrade is located at first-floor level, as well as a plaque reading ‘VICTORIA HOUSE’, located between the two bay windows. Two windows with raised brick surrounds are situated on the second floor. A stringcourse separates each floor, whilst a pilaster is located to either end of the elevation. These pilasters are rusticated to the ground floor, with foliate detail above. The west elevation faces onto Victoria Terrace. The central two-storey portion of the façade projects to the west, and contains the main entrance, accessed via a flight of stone steps. It is housed within a large semi-circular arched opening with Corinthian capitals, a decorative keystone and dentil cornice over. Lettering to the overlight reads ‘VICTORIA HOUSE’, which is similarly carved into a plaque above the cornice. The door is flanked to either side by a small semi-circular arched window with keystone. Two semi-circular arched windows are located above this at first-floor level, with a low parapet with floral decoration and an egg and dart cornice surmounting the projection. To either side of the projection, a single square-headed window is located at basement, ground and first-floor level. The second floor contains four further square-headed windows. Pilasters matching those to the east are located to either end of the

a1/44

48 & 50 The Avenue

Victoria Villas, Victoria Terrace, East Elevation

Victoria House, Victoria Terrace, West Elevation

Detail of doors to 48 & 50 The Avenue

elevation. A nautically-inspired boundary wall featuring large circular openings partially survives to the west. Victoria Villas (Bedford House and Gresham House), Victoria Terrace Of four bays and three storeys with attic and basement, Victoria Villas forms a pair of semi-detached late 19th century villas overlooking the seafront. The villas are constructed of gault brick with detailing in red brick (although the southern villa, ‘Gresham House’ has been painted) and have a hipped roof with concrete tiles and a modillion eaves cornice. The seaward elevation, facing east, contains a continuous canted bay window to each property rising through ground and first-floor level, both surmounted by a cornice and decorative cast iron rail. A single window with segmental-headed lintel and raised brick surround is situated at second-floor level within each house, with semi-circular headed dormer windows located within the attic above. A stringcourse separates the ground and first floors with pilasters located to either end of the elevation. Glazed tiles are also used immediately below the stringcourse on both pilasters. The west elevation contains paired doors to the central two bays, which are accessed via a short flight of steps. The doors are housed within large segmental headed openings, with brick surrounds containing dentil cornicing and glazed tile decoration. A square-headed window is located at basement level, with a semi-circular headed window flanking each door to the ground floor. At the upper levels there are two segmental headed windows. Within each inner bay at attic level is a semi-circular headed window. Pilasters matching those to the east are located to either end of the elevation. A nautically-inspired boundary wall

matching that to the neighbouring Victoria House survives to the west. Gates to Recreation Ground, Walmer Road Gates and associated wall constructed in the 1920s as the boundary wall to the recreation ground on Walmer Road. The design is comparable to that of the contemporary wall and gates to the North Denes Tennis Court. The double gate is of simple design, with plain, concrete gateposts. A short stretch of concrete block wall, with rectangular openings to its top, extends to either side of the gateposts to meet two one-storey turret-like structures with tiled roofs. To the outside of the turrets are two flat-roofed corrugated concrete structures that adjoin two one-storey gatehouses with pitched tiled roofs. These gatehouses form the outer extent of the gateway, and are rendered in pebbledash. The gable to each fronts onto the road, and contains a four-light window with decorative hood mould to the ground floor. Above, a chequered brick and concrete design is contained within the gable. A corrugated concrete wall extends to the north. Columbus Buildings, Waveney Road Dating to early 20th century, the Columbus Buildings are of three storeys with a dentil eaves cornice and high parapet. The ground and first floors are brick-built, with contrasting coloured tiling to the second floor and parapet. The ground floor contains a single off-centre door and seven modern casement windows. Two tiled piers are located to either end of the elevation. Above ground-floor level, the elevation is formed of two separate halves, which are set at an oblique angle to each other. The corner is supported on a further tiled pier. At the base to these two halves, a

a1/45

large plain frieze runs the length of the building, with lettering reading ‘COLUMBUS BUILDINGS’ situated centrally. Above, three raised sections of brick and tile divide the elevation into two. Each raised section comprises two pilasters, with a casement window set between them at both first and second-floor level. There are decorative panels of grey and green tilework within the parapet. The top of each pilaster is decorated with stylistic foliate motifs. Between these raised sections, each half of the elevation contains continuous fenestration to the first floor. The second floor forms a large, coloured, tile mural, depicting sailing ships at sea, possibly by Doulton and Co. of Lambeth. The parapet is of grey tile, with a moulded cornice. 16 Waveney Road, (Fishermen's Mission) The black, tarred elevation to 16 Waveney Road h ides a we l l -proportioned elevation dating to the late 19th century, possibly designed by local architect W. J. Roberts. It is of two storeys and four bays. The ground floor contains a modern double door, set within a recessed porch, to the east. This is flanked to the west by three semi-circular headed windows with decorative keystones. The first floor contains four square-headed windows. The roof is flat, and presently used as a roof terrace, with a metal railing to the front. The building is of particular importance as it represents an element of the social history of the docks. Used as a Fishermen’s Mission, the building retains a sign reflecting this usage above the main door. The sign, executed in mosaic, depicts a fisherman with a flag behind reading ‘ROYAL NATIONAL MDSF’.

a1/46

Gates to Recreation Ground, Walmer Road

16 Waveney Road

Columbus Buildings, Waveney Road

Detail of Columbus Buildings, Waveney Road

Appendix 2: Bibliography Amos, J. (2006) Britain’s Human History Revealed. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5317762.stm Brooks, C.J. 1988, Peto's Lowestoft: A Souvenir Album. Jack Rose Old Lowestoft Society (Lowestoft)

Brooks, C.J. 1991, Lowestoft, Volume 1: A Portrait in Old Picture Postcards. S.B. Publications (Seaford)

Brooks, C.J. 1997, Railways Around Lowestoft 1847-1997: A Commemorative Album. Jack Rose Old Lowestoft Society (Lowestoft)

Burton, R. 1988, The East Suffolk Railway : an exploration in words and photographs of the East Suffolk countryside served by British Rail's east Suffolk line from Ipswich to Lowestoft. British Rail / Avon-Anglia (Weston-super-Mare)

Butcher, D. 1983, The Cliffhanger.Landscape and Fishing as elements in the History of Lowestoft. EARO/ North Suffolk Teachers’ Centre (Ely)

Butcher, D. ND2, Lowestoft Burning: The Fire of 1645. (Lowestoft)

Butcher, D. and Bunn, I. N.D. 80 High Street Lowestoft and its Neighbours to the North: an exercise in Pre-Industrial Urban Topography. (Lowestoft)

Butcher, D. 1995, ‘The Ocean’s Gift. Fishing in Lowestoft during the Pre Industrial Era, 1550-1750’ in Studies in East Anglian History 3, 11-33

Chambers, C.G. 1926, A Corner Of Suffolk, Notes Concerning Lowestoft and the Hundred of Mutford and Lothingland. Flood & Son (Lowestoft)

a2/1

Cherry, P. 1992, Victorian Lowestoft. (Privately published)

Clements, P. (ed. C.J. Brooks) 1994, Lowestoft : 200 Years a Seaside Resort. (Lowestoft)

Clements, P. (ed. C.J. Brooks) 1999, Lowestoft Through the Twentieth Century. (Lowestoft)

Craik, S. 1979, Lowestoft Through the Ages. Weathercock Press (Lowestoft)

Fisher, L. 1995, A Brief History of Lowestoft. Lowestoft Museum (Lowestoft)

Garrod, T. 1997, England's most Easterly Railway: 150 years of the Lowestoft-Norwich line. Railway Development Society (East Anglian Branch) (Lowestoft)

Higgins, D. 1987, The Beach Men. (Lavenham)

Jarvis, R.B. 2002, Fortress Lowestoft: Lowestoft at War, 1939-1945. Heritage Workshop Centre (Lowestoft)

Malster, R. 1982, Lowestoft. East Coast Port. Terence Dalton (Lavenham)

Malster, R. 1991, Lowestoft. A Pictorial History. Phillimore (Chichester)

Parkin, D. 2001, Lowestoft. A Photographic History of Your Town. Black Horse for WH Smith (Salisbury)

Phelps, H. (ed) 1994, Lowestoft to Southwold. The Old Photographs Series. Alan Sutton (Stroud)

Powell, M.L. 1952, Lowestoft Through the Ages. Printed for the Author by Flood & Son (Lowestoft)

Rose, J. 1981, Jack Rose’s Lowestoft. Panda Books (Lowestoft)

a2/2

Rose, J. 1983, Jack Rose's Lowestoft Album. Panda Books (Lowestoft)

Rose, J. et al.1988, Jack Rose's Lowestoft Scrapbook. Edited by Dean Parkin and David Johnson. Tyndale & Panda Publishing (Lowestoft)

Rose, J. 1994, Jack Rose's Changing Lowestoft. Rushmere Publishing (Lowestoft)

Rose, J. 1998, Jack Rose's Lowestoft Picture Show. Rushmere Publishing (Lowestoft)

Rose, J. & Parkin, D. 1999, Lowestoft Then and Now. (Lowestoft)

Robb, I.G. 1999, A Century of Lowestoft. Sutton (Stroud)

Robb, I.G. 2000, Lowestoft Past and Present. Sutton (Stroud)

Robb, I.G. 2002, Images of Lowestoft: The Photographs of Christopher Wilson. Sutton (Stroud)

Robb, I. G. 2005, Lowestoft: A History and Celebration. Francis Frith Collection (Salisbury)

Steward, A.V. 1950, Lowestoft - Town Against the Sea. Jarrolds (Norwich)

Westgate, T. (ed) 1996, Eastern Daily Press - Images of Lowestoft. Breedon Books (Derby)

White, M.R. 2001, Greetings From Lowestoft. A Picture Book of Old Postcards and Photographs. Coastal Publications (Lowestoft)

White, M.R. 2002, Rails to the Coast East Anglian Seaside Stations, Sheds and Rail Links-Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Coastal Publications (Lowestoft) White, M.R. 2004, A Different Lowestoft.

a3/1

If you would like this document in a large print, other formats or in a language other than English, we will do our best to help. Please call the Design and Conservation team on 01502 523077 or email pbc@waveney.gov.uk. www.waveney.gov.uk Design and Conservation Telephone: (01502) 523077 Fax: (01502) 514617 Email: pbc@waveney.gov.uk Planning Telephone: (01502) 523047 Fax: (01502) 514617 Email: pbc@waveney.gov.uk Building Control Telephone: (01502) 523044 Inspection answerphone: (01502) 500040 Fax: (01502) 514617 Email: buildingcontrol@waveney.gov.uk

SOUTH LOWESTOFT Conservation Area

Management Plan

Proposed Extensions to the South Lowestoft Conservation Area

a4/1

Appendix 4: Suggested Boundary Changes A Sailor’s and Fishermen’s Bethel, Battery Green Road Extension of the conservation area boundary to include the Bethel on Battery Green Road. This is a well-detailed Victorian building, illustrative of the social history of the fishing industry of Lowestoft and would enhance the character of the conservation area. B Number 60 to 76 London Road North (even numbers) Inclusion of a series of imposing and well-detailed late Victorian buildings. Despite some modern alteration, these structures are of considerable streetscape presence for their scale, design and detail. They would form a positive addition to the conservation area. C 20 – 62 Denmark Road The area of Denmark Road proposed for inclusion in the conservation area comprises a series of substantial three-storey townhouses of individual design and detailing. Some excellent architectural detailing is preserved in these buildings, despite some insensitive alteration. These buildings feature prominently in views from the Inner Harbour and line a major road route into the town centre. Inclusion in the conservation area would enable the control of any future alterations and adjacent green space. D South Pier and South Basin The South Pier and South Basin developed from the early 19th century, with the construction of the harbour. Adapted from a breakwater to a promenade, the South Pier provided one the key attractions for visitors, whilst the South Basin enabled the mooring of

smaller craft. These structures remain of considerable significance to the townscape of South Lowestoft and continue to be enjoyed by visitors and residents. They form an integral part of the seafront and merit inclusion within the conservation area.

E The Esplanade, Kirkley Cliff and Jubilee Parade The Esplanade, Kirkley Cliff and Jubilee Parade adjoin the eastern boundary of the existing conservation area, overlooking the south beach. The Esplanade formed part of Peto’s original scheme for South Lowestoft and was later extended along Kirkley Cliff with the continued growth of the new town. Jubilee Parade was laid out in the 1930s and included a number of integral structures such as beach chalets and shelters. The Esplanade, Kirkley Cliff and Jubilee Parade are integral to the history, development and understanding of South Lowestoft and will enhance the conservation area through their inclusion. F 6-14 Mill Road 6-14 Mill Road represents a short terrace of buildings running up the former line of the Kirkley Branch Railway. Comprising a corner pub and short terrace of houses, this area comprises some of the early worker’s housing within the new development of South Lowestoft. Some architectural pretension is seen in the terrace, with the pairing of buildings and the inclusion of a blind central window to give the appearance of a double-fronted house. This is a pleasant streetscape which retains much of its historic character and contrasts effectively with the large-scale buildings of London Road South.

a4/2

Sailor’s and Fishermen’s Bethel, Battery Green Road

Townhouses on Denmark Road

South Basin

Detail of Bay Window on Denmark Road

a4/3

G Union Place and Orchard Terrace Union Place and Orchard Terrace are located to the rear of London Road South, accessible to vehicles only by a narrow lane off the main road. Consisting of three narrow streets of terraced housing from the second half of the 19th century, these streetscapes are surprising within their townscape context, retaining a more rural character due to the absence of road access and the preservation of compact green front gardens. When constructed, Union Place was laid out on a triangular piece of land within existing field boundaries. Two opposing terraces were laid out to either side of the field with an open space left between. This area was developed in the later 19th century with Orchard Terrace, resulting in the dense and compact character of this area. The inclusion of Union Place and Orchard Terrace within the conservation area would enable the future preservation of this area’s delightful character. H Haley’s Court, London Road South This is a modern building constructed within the historic streetscape of London Road South. Of historically sympathetic design and using design elements found elsewhere along this streetscape, the building sits comfortably within the conservation area and merits inclusion within it. I St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School and Shaftesbury Court St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School and Shaftesbury Court form a large area between Kirkley Cliff Road and Kirkley Cliff. Designed by Hans Fleck of Johns, Slater & Haward Architects, Ipswich, the school was

constructed between 1969 and 1971. The practice were known for their school designs, and the building uses construction methods developed specifically by the architects. Clad in vertical cedar boarding with pyramidal roofs to the classrooms, the school is a rare example of successful modern architecture within South Lowestoft. The adjacent building of Shaftsbury Court, although of little architectural significance occupies the former site of the Empire Hotel and enjoys a prominent location within the conservation area. J Kensington Court, 390 – 406a London Road South and 1-3 Pakefield Road This streetscape comprises a range of buildings of 19th and 20th century date which merit inclusion in the conservation area for their streetscape presence. Kensington Court, although of little architectural distinction, represents a rare example of 1960s architecture within London Road South. To the south this area includes Victorian townhouses, with well-detailed features, which fit well with the character of the surrounding conservation area. 1, 3a and 3 Pakefield Road comprise a much altered 19th century terrace which nevertheless adds character and interest to the area. K Kirkley Cemetery and The Avenue Kirkley Cemetery and the Avenue form a distinctive character area of benefit to the character of the designated area as a whole. Kirkley Cemetery was established in the mid-19th century and extended in the late 19th century. It remains in use today and comprises a peaceful and secluded open space close to the busy streetscape of London Road South. The cemetery retains much of its historic

a4/4

character as seen in the presence of the paired chapels and lychgate (all listed grade II), designed by J. L. C l e m e n c e , mature trees and Victorian gravestones. The cemetery i s a s i g n i f i c a n t space within S o u t h L o w e s t o f t , reflecting the social history o f i t s i n h a b i t an t s and providing a continued a s soc i a t i on with the past. The Avenue and the short stretch of London Road S o u t h represent the s i g n i f i c a n t s u b u r b a n expansion of L o w e s t o f t from the late 19th century. Compris ing large, mainly d e t a c h e d r e s i d en c e s , set within s u b s t a n t i a l p r i v a t e

gardens, these areas are characterised by broad, tree-lined streets, creating a sense of space and seclusion. The buildings comprise a mixture of 19th and 20th century architecture, of varied style and form, and some individual distinction. The inclusion of these areas within the conservation area would positively enhance its character and enable the preservation of the individual and character of this townscape.

1-3 Pakefield Road

The Esplanade, looking North

Union Place

Kirkley Cemetery

a5/1

a5/2

If you would like this document in a large print, other formats or in a language other than English, we will do our best to help. Please call the Design and Conservation team on 01502 523077 or email pbc@waveney.gov.uk. www.waveney.gov.uk Design and Conservation Telephone: (01502) 523077 Fax: (01502) 514617 Email: pbc@waveney.gov.uk Planning Telephone: (01502) 523047 Fax: (01502) 514617 Email: pbc@waveney.gov.uk Building Control Telephone: (01502) 523044 Inspection answerphone: (01502) 500040 Fax: (01502) 514617 Email: buildingcontrol@waveney.gov.uk