ST HELEN’S CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND … · 2013-12-13 · Arthur's Terrace comprise a...

ST HELEN’S CONSERVATION AREAAPPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN IPSWICH BOROUGH COUNCIL 6

This statement is supplementary to the Ipswich Local Plan

(1997) and will be treated as a material consideration in all

planning and development decisions. This statement describes

briefly the purpose in declaring the area as a conservation area

and sets out in detail the special character of the area. The

Management Plan describes the particular supplementary

policies that apply within the area to protect its special status;

and specific measures for its protection and enhancement as

required under Section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings &

Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and as advised by the

Department of Culture, Media and Sport Planning Policy

Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment.

The statement cannot cover every eventuality, but further

advice on specific matters can be obtained from the

Development Control and Conservation Service of the Council.

Like all the Council's planning guidance this document has

been adopted in 1994.

ST HELEN’S CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLANST HELEN’S CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

contentsThe St Helen’s Conservation Area Appraisal

1 Introduction 2

2 Extent of the St Helen’s Conservation Area 3

3 Reason for Designation 3

4 Summary of the Special Character of the Area 4

5 Historic Development 4

6 Archaeological Significance of the Area 4

7 Architectural and Historic Qualities of the Buildings 4

7.1 Woodbridge Road Identity Area 5

7.2 Arthur’s Terrace Identity Area 8

7.3 St Helen’s Street Identity Area

The St Helen’s Street Conservation Area Management Plan

1 The Council’s detailed Policies for the St Helen’s 16Conservation Area

2 Supplementary Policies for the St Helen’s 18Conservation Area

3 Protection and Enhancement 19

4 Further Information 21

Appendices

Appendix 1: Listed Buildings in the Conservation Area 22

Appendix 2: Glossary of Architectural Terms 24

Appendix 3: Archaeological finds in the conservation area

Reproduced from the Ordance Survey mapping with permission of the Controllor of Her Majesty’s StationeryOffice © Crown Copyright.

Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. LA 07831x 2005

Scale 1:4150

St Helen’s conservation area

�

Woodbridge Road

St Helen’s Street

ST HELEN’S CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

character. Conservation area designation andcontrol is intended to foster a more enlightenedattitude to change and improvement.

This document has three main aims. These are to:• provide an understanding of what is special

about the character of the area.

• provide detailed guidance on the Council'sexpectations for all kinds of development andrelated proposals affecting conservation areasby way of its approved policies for the area;

• promote schemes of preservation andenhancement where appropriate;

St Helen’s Street


introductionIpswich is fortunate to have a long and important history reflected in many fine

buildings and areas, which are distinguished by their architecture and landscape setting.

This creates an attractive environment that is theproduct of many different eras. These areas areunique examples of our social, cultural andaesthetic past and must be safeguarded fromindiscriminate or ill-considered change.

The Planning (Listed Building & ConservationAreas) Act 1990 states that:"Every local planning authority shall, from timeto time, determine which parts of their areaare areas of special architectural or historicinterest, the character or appearance of whichit is desirable to preserve or enhance andshall designate such areas as ConservationAreas".

Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for theHistoric Environment also makes clear:"The Government’s overarching aim is that thehistoric environment and its heritage assetsshould be conserved and enjoyed for thequality of life they bring to this and futuregenerations."

This designation is not intended to prevent allchange or development, but to ensure the specialcharacter of the area is protected and enhanced,that proposed changes are subject to particularscrutiny and to try to ensure that it is appropriateto an areas' special character.

Although conservation areas often contain"Listed Buildings" it is not always enough just toprotect these buildings in isolation. Theirsurroundings and general environment are oftenof equal importance and Conservation Areas areintended to protect that environment. This isdone through a number of additional planningcontrols, which mean that certain alterations, thedemolition of buildings or parts of them (withparticular exceptions), and works to trees requirethe prior approval of the Council.

This additional control is necessary because it isthe appearance of the area as a whole that isimportant and this could be spoiled byunsympathetic work, which diminishes its special

1

This statement is supplementary to the Ipswich Local Plan (1997) and will be

treated as a material consideration in all planning and development

decisions. This statement describes briefly the purpose in declaring the area

as a conservation area and sets out in detail the special character of the area.

The Management Plan describes the particular supplementary policies that

apply within the area to protect its special status; and specific measures for

its protection and enhancement as required under Section 72 of the Planning

(Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and as advised by the

Department of Culture, Media and Sport Planning Policy Statement 5:

Planning for the Historic Environment.

The statement cannot cover every eventuality, but further advice on specific

matters can be obtained from the Planning and Development Service of the

Council. Like all the Council's planning guidance this document has been

adopted in 1994.

2


extent of the conservation areaThe extent of the St Helens conservation area can be seen on the map on the

previous page. Conservation boundaries and descriptions are subject to periodic review (asrequired by legislation).

The Council reviews conservation areas on anapproximately 5 year cycle. Following a review in2003 the St Helen's conservation area boundary

changed to remove the site of the former Huskyfactory in Orchard Street that was demolished toform a short stay car park.

County Hall

St Helen’s Street

2

reason for designationDesignation of the St Helens Conservation Area in 1985 was undertaken in the

light of a perception that there were pressures for change in the form of alterations and upgradingto dwellings in Woodbridge Road.

These changes in particular which if carried out inan unsympathetic manner might lead to anerosion of the variety of attractive traditionaldetailing and might lead to:• replacement of original windows, doors and

roof coverings;• the painting, rendering or stone cladding of

brick facades;• new vehicular accesses in front gardens which

might, in turn, mean the loss of softlandscaping and hedging and/or the demolitionof boundary walls;

Undoubtedly, if such changes were to take place,the character of the area could be eroded and itsspecial character and appearance would not beprotected and enhanced.

Furthermore, prior to designation, there had beeninstances of alterations to early Victorian housesin Woodbridge Road. Many of these propertieshad been Listed Grade III in the 1950s but werereviewed and downgraded by the Government to`DoE Local List' status in 1971 - thereby losingtheir statutory protection (see Appendix 2).

3

43

Former Atlas Works, Woodbridge Road


statement of significance of the areaThe area comprises two main identity areas comprising busy main radial roads

St Helens Street, largely in commercial use withmarkedly mediaeval scale and age of buildingson most of the south side; and Woodbridge Roada busy road entirely residential in characterdeveloped in the early 19th Century andcontaining several Listed buildings and a number

of buildings of special local interest (seeAppendix 2). The two groups of houses inArthur's Terrace comprise a distinct small identityarea. The two main roads are linked by the largeand impressive Edwardian St Helens School andits grounds.

4

historic development of the areaA small group of mediaeval dwellings grew uparound St Helens Church, physically separatefrom the town centre within the town ditches.This core of early buildings has survived, but thesubsequent development has led to acoalescence which makes this former isolationmuch less distinct.

The expansion of the town, which took place onradial roads leading from the town centre in theearly 19th Century, favoured sites which were on

higher ground, where the environmental qualitywas considered superior to the town center, suchas Woodbridge Road. Although developed after1830, some terraces were not built until as late as1888. Generally, however, the Woodbridge Roadhouses display a unity of character, scale andmaterials, which create an attractive environment.At the same time it has made them sensitive tosome of the less-welcome effects of modern-daypressures.

5


archaeological significance of the areaThere have been a variety of archaeological findsin St Helen's Street and Orchard Street from themediaeval period and the 16th century (seeAppendix 4). Any new developments within thisconservation area will need to take account of

the site’s archaeological significance. In thesecircumstances the Council may imposeconditions requesting an archaeological watchingbrief.

6

St Helen’s Street looking west

E White’s map of 1867

5

To the east of Lacy Street both No 131 andNos133-133a are of particular local interest. Theformer `The Beeches' is a mid-Victorian detachedSuffolk white brick house with double-height frontbays and a central door and is in use as theIpswich Christian Spiritualist Church. Its setting isunfortunately diminished by its curtilage beinggiven over almost entirely a concretehardstanding for parking. The latter is a largeplain two-storey semi-detached house with a fourwindow range containing fine white painted 12-light sash windows with slim glazing bars withingauged brick arches. It has a good stone porchsupported on Ionic columns to the left hand sideelevation. This imposing house set behind awhite brick boundary wall retains its externaldetailing intact. It is very typical of the quietlyrestrained but well crafted detailingcommonplace in the area prior to the vogue forunsympathetic alteration and improvements ofthe 1970s found elsewhere in Woodbridge Road.

Nos 135 to 159 forms St Margaret's Terrace, builtin the 1850s in Suffolk white brick to two-storeysbut varying in architectural detail and width offrontage. They are predominantly flat frontedapart from Nos145 and 163 where the two storeyfront bays were added later. The terrace is set

well back from the pavement (in contrast to theterraces on the south side of Woodbridge Roadwhere only a narrow forecourt separates thehouses from the footpath). Generally those at thewest end have been the subjects of more markedunsympathetic alterations largely pre-dating thedeclaration of the conservation area.

Many of dwellings have had their original naturalWelsh slate or clay pantile roofs recovered inunsympathetic concrete tiles in a variety ofcolours and profiles which detract from itsintended unified appearance. In several casessuch at Nos141 and 145 the shape of thewindow openings has been altered from thetraditional vertical orientation and the frontfacades have been painted (sometimes as aconsequence of altering the shape of the windowopenings. In many cases the original sashes havebeen replaced either by top-hung casements orby multiple-pane side-hung casement windowsof an inappropriate and visually intrusive pattern.The value and interest of the individual dwellingsand the terrace as a whole would beconsiderably enhanced by the reinstatement ofthe traditional painted joinery of 12 or 16-lightsash windows.

architectural and historic characteristicsMany conservation areas are composed of individual parts that while

creating a cohesive overall character are often composed of smaller parts with specific identities.

The inclusion of buildings in this section is notintended to be comprehensive and is intended toillustrate the range of building types, styles andmaterials in the conservation area. If a building isnot included this should not be taken to indicatethat it is of no interest.

This description is based on the appearance ofthe area in 1994 but with minor revisions andresurvey in 2003 and 2004.

7.1 Woodbridge Road Identity AreaThis narrow road of ancient origin led as a mainradial route from the town centre to Woodbridgeand Bury-St-Edmunds. The road rises quitesteeply from the Town Centre and curves gentlynorth-eastward from its junction with ArgyleStreet before reaching a plateau. The road is thenflat and straight until it reaches the junction ofWarwick Road where it again curves gently north-eastward and rises up to Albion Hill beyond theconservation area boundary.

These two changes of gradient and alignmentrestrict views within the road and give this part ofthe conservation area a self containedappearance. Views outward to the surroundingarea are almost entirely confined to those

provided by the small number of side streets.Within the western end of Woodbridge Road,three trees assume particular importance aslandmarks and in views within the road, the ScotsPine in the front garden of No 147, the Beech inthe front garden of No 148 and the tallWellingtonia in the side garden of No 170 (facingPalmerston Road).

At the west end of Woodbridge Road on thenorth side from the western boundary to LaceyStreet is a short terrace of five much altered mid-Victorian houses of no special architecturalinterest; a narrow unmade entrance leads toArthur's Terrace - a small identity area (describedseparately); and on the east side of the entranceare a pair of inter-war semi-detached houses alsoof no special architectural interest. To the cornerwith Lacey Street and set well back from andabove the road behind a red brick retaining wallis an attractive large early Victorian semi-detached painted brick house Beecholme (ListedGrade II) and converted to flats by IpswichBuilding Preservation Trust. At the junction withLacey Street there is a long-distance glimpseover a valley of Victorian terraces of CemeteryRoad to the upper end of Christchurch Street.

7Beecholme, Woodbridge Road

8

No 131 Woodbridge Road

St Margarets Terrace

7


In several cases the front forecourts are alsointrusively prominent as at Nos 139 and 143 and149-155. The appearance of the conservationarea would be enhanced and the visual impact ofthese hardstandings reduced by moresympathetic surfacing treatments and improvedsoft landscaping.

Towards the middle of the terrace, No 147 retainsits fine Tuscan portico and has a roof of pantileswhich may be the original covering, and No 149is stuccoed has the only parapet in the terrace.

While No 155 has survived largely unaltered, No159 has been mutilated by the loss of the originalwindow heads and the replacement of thewindows by shortened openings of a crudepseudo-historical design quite inappropriate tothe harmony of the terrace as a whole.

Beyond No 157, the front gardens have Suffolkwhite brick boundary wall with piers and fewer ofthe facades have been painted. No 161 has hadlater projecting bays added and these are linkedby a slate roof to create a shallow verandah tothe central front door. Nos 159-163 retain theiroriginal natural welsh slate roofs and Nos 161and 163 retain their original sash window joineryalthough the glazing bars have been lost. No 163was restored by Ipswich Building PreservationTrust in 1993. The inappropriate concrete tile roofwas removed and returned to slate as part of therenovation. Nos 165-7 now in use as a doctor'ssurgery has its original doors and doorcases setwithin shallow pilasters.

No 169 is detached and is at right angles to theterrace forming an important townscape featurein terminating eastward view in this part of thestreet. Ground floor bay windows face westwardover the other front gardens and there areshutters to the first floor windows. A smallinconspicuous feature is the front door facingWoodbridge Road reached by steps flanked byiron railings. The front door has very attractiveVictorian etched glass top panels.

From this point eastward for a short distance thehouses are again terraced and are set above theroad at the back of footpath. The front doors arereached by five steps set within recesses. Aplaque reads `Connaught Buildings 1878'. Thisterrace of nine houses has been much altered(with the notable exception of No 183) and is ofno special architectural interest. Adjacent to theeast is a terrace of six houses `Farringdon Villas1888' set back behind and above red brick (butnow largely rendered) retaining walls, again theseare much altered.

To the corner with North Hill Road are threeproperties again at the back of footpath. No 203has had the ground floor altered from a shop toform a dwelling, No 205 is a rendered shop andNo 207 `Connaught House 1887' has also beenconverted from a shop to a dwelling but theupper front elevation is of interest as the windowsare set within elaborately detailed arches inradiating red and white brick bands containingnailhead bricks within panels over the windowlintels. This detailing adds interest to the view upthe hill from Warwick Road.

North Hill Road rises steeply to the north withnarrow tarmac footpaths to each side. It originallyled to a windmill which stood on the highesteasterly point of the (then) built-up area. No 1North Hill Road is a very attractive detachedVictorian house with a central doorway. Alsowithin the conservation area is a short terrace ofred brick Victorian dwellings Nos 3-13 some ofwhich have been altered. These are of no specialarchitectural interest.

Beyond North Hill Road, the houses are detachedand set back from, and above the road behindred brick retaining walls within well landscapedgardens. Most of these houses date frombetween1849 and 1867 and most retain theiroriginal features. No 209 in Suffolk white brickhas its original 12 light sash windows and naturalWelsh slate roof. Both Nos 209 and 211 haveslightly projecting brick pilasters to stuccoheaded doorcases. The original entrance gatewayfrom Woodbridge Road to No 1a Bank Road wasblocked up when the entrance was moved toside. Both Nos211 and 1a have replaced theoriginal sash window joinery with casementwindows emulating sashes. A pole with overheadwires is located adjacent to No 1a Bank Road.

Bank Road is now a very narrow cul-de-sacrising steeply from Woodbridge Road. It is nowclosed off by kerbing and bollards on therearward boundary of the conservation area.There is only space for one narrow tarmacfootpath on the west side. The kerbs are insandstone and the gulleys in granite settsalthough partly obscured by tarmac. Carefulexposure of the existing paving materials andsympathetic use of similar materials to reveal thefootpath and carriageway could enhance thissmall street.

The remaining group of six semi-detached anddetached dwellings in Woodbridge Road aresimilarly set well back from, and above the roadbehind brick retaining walls and were built after1849 but before 1867. They are partly hidden bywell landscaped gardens which are an importantfeature in this part of Woodbridge Road.

Nos 215 and 217 are semi-detached. The formeris painted with 4-light sash windows, while thelatter has original 12-light sash windows on thefirst floor while Edwardian bays have extendedthe ground floor.

Nos 219 and 221 are both Listed Grade II andwere thought to have been built in 1826. 219`Sunny Hill has a hipped slate roof to a shallowpitch and Suffolk white brick front elevation. Acentral gabled porch was added at a later date.The house retains its original 12-light sliding sash

windows. No221 is a stuccoed house with itsmain entrance on the west side. It has a similarroof and window treatment to No 219. Bothproperties are well screened from the road bytrees and shrubs retained behind modern redbrick garden walls.

On the south side, the architectural characterdiffers according to the scale and building line ofthe dwellings rather than the general age of theproperties or land use.

At the western end, the conservation area startsat the junction with Argyle Street. To the corner isthe brooding presence of an importanttownscape building marking the start of theconservation area in Woodbridge Road - AtlasWorks, built in 1874 a former corset-stay factoryand warehouse before being converted to flats in1984. The red diapered brickwork within yellowstock brick panels and the corbelled redbrickwork above the ground floor windows givethe building a monumental appearance despiteits relatively low scale and rising topography. Ithas an eleven window range to WoodbridgeRoad and these are contained mostly withinswept arches with the exception of thoseadjacent to the main front doors where semi-circular arches are introduced and one pair ofopenings is supported on columns. Bands of redbrickwork run between the windows. A simplespiked railing separates the building from a light-well to the semi-basements. A series of six largedormers (with a further dormer to Argyle Street) inslates covered with bitumen disguise anasymmetrical factory roof behind.

This pagefrom left to right169 Woodbridge Road and 207 Woodbridge Road

Atlas Works, Woodbridge Road

161 Woodbridge Road

9 10

No's 126 and 124 a pair of three storey whitebrick houses are also Grade II listed. From thispoint begins a terrace of early C19 town housescalled St Helen's Terrace all of which, with theexception of No 136, are of special localarchitectural interest. Nos 130-134 all retain their12 light sash windows and original doors with 3light rectangular fanlights. Nos 130 and 132 arelarger versions of 134 and 136 with 3 storeys and2 window range. No 130 has its slate roof and apediment over the doorcase, whereas No 132has a concrete tiled roof and has lost itspediment.

No 136 has been poorly treated with a greycement render, all the original window openingshave been altered and modern casementsinserted. On the ground floor a square baywindow has been added. All that remains of theoriginal detail is the door case and front door.

Adjacent to No 136 is a graveled drivewayleading to garages at the rear. On the other sideof the driveway are No's 138 -148, a row ofVictorian red brick houses. No 146 and 148 havetheir original window joinery in tact and on 148the yellow clay dog tooth chimney pots remain.No 144 has been unsympathetically altered withmodern upvc windows and black painted windowheads. The front garden has been tarmaced and,with No 146, has no boundary wall. This detractsfrom the overall character of the area whereboundary walls and hedging are a consistentfeature and would benefit from reinstatement.

On the corner of Palmerstone Road is No 150. Anattractive detached Victorian red brick house witha hipped slate roof, a three window range of sash windows all with their original joinery anddecorative plaster surrounds. On the ground floor are two large bay windows and in the centrean attractive original door with stained glass.

fanlight and panels. The front elevation has adecorative terracotta border at first floor windowheight, a brick stringcourse and projecting brickquoins. The property has a large front and sidegarden with a low brick boundary wall withhedging, mature trees and planting.

As the road rises steeply, the west wing of theHorse and Groom Public House rises above AtlasWorks. Although the main part of the building isC19, the wing with its hipped roof is much earlierand may be of C17 or early C18 origin and is ofparticular local historical interest. The PublicHouse forms a group with five other terracedproperties to the corner with St Helen's ChurchLane. These are a mixture of local shopping andresidential use. No 116 is important in townscapeterms as it contains the views out of theconservation area in a westerly direction downthe hill over the Town Centre. With the exceptionof No 116, the remainder have beenunsympathetically altered and the facadesrendered.

Above St Helen's Church Lane, the pavementwidens in front of St Helen's School. This largebuilding described elsewhere can be glimpsedfrom the road and is set well back down the hilland partly screened by large mature trees whichflank the boundary to the Lane. In views up thehill, the three large trees described earlier make aconsiderable contribution to the view and to theappearance of this part of the conservation area.

Adjacent to the corner of the Lane, the pavementin Woodbridge Road widens but the clutter ofstreet furniture significantly diminishes thepleasant appearance of the area. This comprisessafety guard rails, pedestrian lights, a moderntelephone box, and metal telephone-line pole,three control boxes of different sizes types and

colours and street lighting columns. Theappearance of the area would be much enhancedif some rationalisation, reposition or disguise ofthe equipment could be achieved.

Towards the crest of the hill, past St Helen'sschool, the road narrows which together with anumber of large trees on both sides of the roadgive a sense of enclosure. The first house afterthe school is No 120, listed Grade II this a largewhite brick 3 storey house built around 1840.

ST HELEN’S CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN ST HELEN’S CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

Horse and Groom Pub

Below: 120 Woodbridge Roads

Above:Nos 126-124 Woodbridge RoadNo 150 Woodbridge Road

Below:St Helen’s Terrace

11 12

ST HELEN’S CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN ST HELEN’S CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

On the other side of Palmerstone road is a largetwo storey early 19th century red and white brickhouse, Rhynwick Lodge. This unusual house hasbeen divided into two homes and has been muchaltered in the late C19 and early C20. It has athree gabled front range with square bays. At theback of the building is a three storey tower of redbrick with white brick dressings, a hipped roofsupported by a large timber modillioned cornice.To the front of the building is a large tarmaceddrive and on the corner of Palmerstone Road agarden with large mature trees.

At this point the character of the road changes asit narrows. There are fewer large trees and thebuildings become terraced and smaller. Fromhere begins a terrace of early C19 houses calledVictoria Terrace. The style and size of thebuildings vary as they progress up the road, No's172 -186 are mostly of white brick with a numberof large timber porticos and doorcases. The firstthree houses Nos 172-176 have been muchaltered. No 172 has retained its slate roof and

door case but has modern top casementwindows. No 174 has concrete roof tiles andmodern casement windows but has retained itsoriginal door and doorcase. No176 has beendivided into two houses, cement rendered and aside door added to 174a with an unattractiveawning. No 178 is of painted brick and has alarge central doorcase and columned portico witha large wisteria growing up the front elevation. No180 is a pair with 178 but has retained its whitebrick façade, original joinery and front door. Italso has a side entrance to the left with a smalldoor and sash window above. The original 12light glazing bars have been replaced with 4panes. No 182 is also white brick with fouroriginal 12 light sashes and a large off centretimber doorcase and portico on slender Tuscancolumns. There is a low boundary wall withhedging, a feature that continues along theremainder of the terrace. No's 184 and 186 are ofwhite brick with timber pilaster doorcases. No186 has retained its slate roof and original 5paned door with rectangular fanlight, howeverboth houses have modern upvc windows.

From this point the terrace becomes a row of lowtwo storey Suffolk white brick cottages. Althoughthey retain the sense of a homogenous terracewhen looked at in detail every house has beenaltered with concrete roof tiles and upvcwindows. No's 188 - 190 retain attractive yellowclay chimney pots. All these cottages have lowboundary walls of various brick and narrow frontgardens.

Leading up to the junction with Warwick Roadare two houses, No's 208 and 210 both havebeen cement rendered and much altered but No210 has an interesting arched brick gable on theeast end.

On the opposite corner of Warwick Road, past anentrance to the car park, is the Duke of York, aC19 public house. A painted brick building with aslate hipped roof and three window range on thefirst floor with original 12 light sashes. The pubretains its original timber pub front with sashwindows with etched glass and the original frontdoor and door case.

Next door to the Duke of York is an early C19 flinthouse with red brick quoins and windowdressings. This house and the building behind itwere part of the curtilage of Derby Lodge, a largehouse built on the site of the present North HillGardens. Built at an angle on a large corner plot,the front elevation has two windows in upvc andon the east face two small circular windows. Thebuilding behind is of similar flint construction, andretains stable doors to the front. The plot has ared brick boundary wall and has a number ofmature trees in the garden.

On the opposite side of North Hill Gardens areNos 224 and 226. Once a single early C19 whitebrick house with a low hipped roof now coveredin concrete tiles. It has now been divided into twohouses with new upvc windows to the frontelevation and porch of both houses and modernentrance doors. These two houses mark the endof the conservation area to the south side ofWoodbridge Road.

The pavements in Woodbridge Road betweenLacey Street and North Hill Road arepredominantly pre-cast concrete 600 x 600 of600 x 800mm slabs with a concrete strip runningparallel with the kerbs (which are also modern).The gulleys are in concrete with a single line ofsetts adjacent to the carriageway, which, visually,helps to make the road appear slightly narrower.In several places the coursing of slabs is laid atright angles to the kerbs, which produces a moresatisfactory, less linear laying pattern. BeyondNorth Hill Road eastward, the footpaths narrowto a width of one-and-a-half 600mm concreteslabs with a concrete strip.

Clockwise from top:Rhynwick LodgeNo 178 Woodbridge Road No 182 Woodbridge Road

Duke of York Woodbridge Road

13 14

7.3 St Helen's Street Identity AreaThe street led in the 19th Century to Spring Roadand an area known as St Helens vale. Little of theland beyond St Helen's Church or the higherground beyond the area now known as AlexandraPark or Grove Lane had been developed beforethe mid 1860s. To the south were many terracesof small artisans houses demolished in the 1920sand 1930s.

The boundary of the conservation area in StHelen's Street is marked at the western end atthe junction with Bond Street by the impressivefaçade and corner Clock Tower of County Halldesigned by J S Corder and H Miller in 1906.Unfortunately, the clutter of numerous trafficsigns now devalues the setting.

The street has a distinct but subtle curvature,which adds to its townscape interest by bringingmore of the façades into view on the south side.The front of County Hall incorporates the centralsection of the old Shire Hall, County Gaol andCounty Courts. These were designed by theLondon architect, William McIntosh Brookes in1836. The powerful Tudor style of the centralblock, built in Suffolk white brick but with heavy

stone dressings, well characterises its originalpurpose. It has an entrance block with twincastellated towers and side wings and twoslightly projecting end pavilions. The terminationof the view from Orchard Street on to theentrance is an impressive piece of plannedtownscape.

To the left of the Listed block there is a red K6Type Telephone Kiosk [Listed Grade II]. Lateradditions to County Hall from the 1920s inmatching brick and Cumberland green slate roofshelp to provide a transitional scale to the smallertwo-storey domestic Victorian buildings in theremainder of St Helen's Street up to the junctionwith Grimwade Street. This short parade of 6properties is largely all have well detailedVictorian shopfronts and attractive, if plain, firstfloor faç ades which contribute to an unassumingarchitectural composition and act as anappropriately scaled counterpoint to the massingand scale of County Hall. Some minor features ofthe terrace have been removed and anopportunity to reinstate them should be takenwhen they are refurbished.

7.2 Arthur's Terrace Identity AreaThis concealed cul-de-sac leads off the lower hillon Woodbridge Road. It is an unmade track andgate piers further constricted the narrow entrancein the late 19th Century. On the left is a shortterrace of four cottages (Bunn's Cottages) datingfrom sometime between 1849 and 1867, and builtimmediately behind the roadway. These havebeen much altered and are not of particulararchitectural interest. Opposite the side boundaryretaining wall of No 127 Woodbridge Road is ofvisual interest comprising lower panels ofcoursed unknapped flints and red brickworkabove. The central section is in poor conditionand has partly collapsed. The appearance of thisidentity area would be enhanced if the wall wererebuilt to match the existing form of constructionand materials.

The unmade track continues to Nos1-8 Arthur'sTerrace and The Warren, a large house attachedto the end of this modest Victorian terrace. Whatare now Nos 4-8 were built before 1867 and Nos1-4 were built later. No 1 was renovated to a highstandard by Ipswich Building Preservation Trustin 1979.

Although the terrace has been altered, it retainsits strong architectural character as the large andattractive gabled brick porches accentuate thesmall scale of the cottages themselves. Most alsoretain their pleasant cottage front gardens - carparking being confined to the boundaries with theroadway.

Externally, none of the cottages in the terracesurvive entirely intact. Most retain their unpaintedSuffolk white brickwork although No 2 and No 8have been painted and No 7 has been rendered.While only No 5 retains its original 12-light sashwindow joinery, many of the other windowshaving been converted to 4-light sashes.Originally the terrace was roofed in natural Welshslate but in several cases these have beenreplaced by inappropriate modern concrete tiles.All the houses retain their distinctive red andwhite brick chimney stacks and most stillpossess their gault brick octagonal chimney pots.

Nos7 and 8 have deeper first floor windowopenings from the rest but have been renderedand painted respectively which detracts from theterrace as a whole.

The most interesting house in the group is TheWarren, built around 1853 for his own occupationby the Ipswich architect J Rotherham Cattermole(designer of the town's finest villa `Woodside,Constitution Hill) and for many years known asRotherham House.

The house once had very extensive terracedpleasure grounds which ran down the steepslope to the rear of the houses in Samuel Road.These are clearly shown on the 1886 OrdnanceSurvey maps and there were also fountains and along curving pedestrian tunnel. A long pathwaytraversed the slope from the top adjacent toBunn's Cottages. Any surviving buried structuresfrom this mid-Victorian garden (although partlyoutside the conservation area) would be ofconsiderable interest in garden history terms.

The house itself has been greatly abused byunsympathetic alterations. Although it retains aninteresting belvedere with open laced white brickparapet walls and vertical zig-zag white brickdecoration to the side elevation, the decorativefront brickwork has been painted and theelevations mutilated by unsympathetic windowalterations and a prominent black painted metalfire escape.

Currently a chain link fence at the top of theescarpment marks the boundary to theconservation area. It is partly obscured by Yewtrees and other vegetation which overhang it andwhich provide a pleasant sense of enclosurewhich it is important to manage and maintain.

The appearance of this small identity area wouldbe much enhanced by improved, sympatheticsurfacingmoreappropriateboundarytreatmentand thereinstatementofarchitecturaldetailingwhen theopportunitiesarise.

From left to rightCounty Hall EntranceCounty Hall Terrace, St Helen’s Street

County Hall

15 16


Right:1-3 Arthur’s TerraceBelowThe Warren, Arthur’s Terrace


Next door is the Waterlily public house. A C16building it originally had two wings running backfrom the road with a carriage entrance between.The entrance has now been blocked with a partglazed door. This building is listed Grade II for itscontribution to the street scene.

Next door Nos 102-104 is a grade II listed earlyor mid C17 building which is now two shops. Thefront elevation has been rendered and has aconcrete tiled roof with a large timber cornice ateaves level and a large central brick chimneystack. There is a three window range on the firstfloor with 12 light casement windows and a small4 pane window in the center. On the ground floorare two shop windows to left and right withentrance doors set at an angle to each side ofthe central through passage.

Nos 108, 110, 112-114 are a row of early C19buildings of painted brick with slate roofs. No 108appears to be a later extension and has nodecorative detail and a modern shop front. No110 has two 4 light sashes on the first floor and alate C19 shop front. A decorative cornice ateaves level runs the length of 110 and 112-114.No 110 and 112-114 have 2 decorative chimneystacks and a 3 window range with 4 light sashes.No 110 has its original door and door case with arectangular fanlight and a 4 light sash to the leftof the door. No 112-114 has a jettied corner witha modern shop front beneath.

At this point is the junction with Regent Streetand on the opposite corner is No 116-118 a largeC18 house with modern additions. It has a claytiled roof with decorative ridge tiles and twodormer windows with 6 light sashes. There is alarge timber bracket cornice at eaves level. Theground floor once had a shop front which hasbeen replaced with a 6 panel front door withtimber doorcase and two modern 16 light sashes.This building also has a jettied corner on theRegent Street corner.

Adjacent to No 118 are Nos 120-134. A terrace ofVictorian brick cottages all of which have beenaltered with concrete roof tiles and upvc windowsand are of no architectural interest.The junction with Rope Walk marks the end ofthe northern side of the conservation area. Onthe corner is No 140-142, a painted brick C19building with a slate roof. It has 4 light sashwindows and its original entrance door althoughthe top panels have been replaced with glass.The ground floor has a fixed window range thatcontinues around the corner onto the Rope Walkelevation.

On the north side of St Helens Street, theconservation area includes Nos25-27 St HelensStreet and its curtilage. This is an impressiveplain three-storey red brick house with a parapet.It has a central plain Tuscan doorcase reached bya short flight of steps. To the rear and offset tothe east is a two storey range with a plain claypeg tile roof.

From the junction with Grimwade Street, StHelen's Street is very different in character. Onthis side the buildings are built closely togetherare mostly of C17 or C18 origin with somealterations and additions. Most of the buildingsare in retail use. On the corner of GrimwadeStreet are Nos 60 - 64 a range of Grade II timber-framed and plastered buildings with 18th and19th century alterations. They have a low, steeplypitched clay tiled roof, a three window range onthe first floor with No 60 having 6 light sashesand No 62 and 64 12 light sashes. Nos 60 and 62have modern shop fronts on the ground floor

No 64 has been incorporated into the GrinningRat Public House. A C17 Grade II timber framedbuilding with later external features. It has a claytiled roof, 2 storeys with a jettied upper storey. Atground floor a modern bar front has beeninserted with modern door and door case in aVictorian style.

Nos 70-72 is a C17/C18 timber framed and brickbuilding which has been partly rebuilt. It has aclay tiled roof with two gabled dormer windows.The first floor is painted brick with 2 modern 4light sashes. The ground floor is in new red brickwith two 4 light sashes set back in recesses brickpanels. No 74 is a red brick building whichstands at right angles to the road. The front hasbeen rebuilt in red brick with a modern timbershop front on the ground floor. These buildings

are listed Grade II for their group value incontributing to the street scene.

Next to this building is the entrance to Dove Yard.Beyond this entrance is No 76 The Dove PublicHouse. This is a detached C17 Grade II listedbuilding with C18 external features. A Victorianpub front with fixed 4 pane windows with halfetched glass and a corner entrance extends fromthe door around the corner on to the Dove Streetelevation.

Nos 96-98 is one large Grade II listed C17building with a steep pitched concrete tiled roofwith a large brick central chimney stack. Thebuilding is of painted brick and has a central C186 panelled door and timber doorcase. To the rightof the door an early C20 shop front has beeninserted with a central door between 2 plateglass windows. This property was formerly abutchers and there is a painted panel in thecenter of the first floor with the legend Hill Farm(Henley) Co, Purveyors of Quality. Immediately infront of this building is a pedestrian crossing, thelights and signage of which, detract from thisgood building.

Nos 112-114 St Helen’s Atreet

Nos 116-118St Helen’s Atreet

17 18

Clockwise from top:Nos 60-64 St Helen’s StreetNo 76 St Helen’s StreetNos 66-94 St Helen’s Street


Adjacent, to the junction with Orchard Street isthe County Hotel [Listed Grade II]. The buildingwas laid out to form one half of a plannedshallow crescent which continued on the eastside of the Orchard Street junction in the 1850s.The east side was subsequently redeveloped foroffices in 1920. The form of the original design isstill visible in the shallow curved bays of the hoteldespite it being altered and much embellished inneo-classical style by the Ipswich architect J SCorder in 1897.

Nos 47- 49 is a large Edwardian 3 storeydetached house set back from the road. It is hasa clay tiled roof, large decorative chimney stacksand a full height projecting gable. The house ismostly in red brick with the central gable beingrendered. There are some attractive decorativedetails on the building including terracotta finialson the dormer windows, a large timber bracketedcornice at eaves level and large brick finials atthe gable ends. Unfortunately the building hassuffered from the installation of upvc windowsand some unattractive signage on the frontelevation all of which has reduced the buildingsarchitectural interest.

The junction of St Helen's Street and Argyll Streetis very busy with a large quantity of traffic lightsand signage that overwhelm the relatively smallscale streetscape. On the opposite side of thejunction are a number of modern flats built in the1950's. They are set well back from the road witha large attractive lawned area with cherry trees tothe front. This green area is included in theconservation area as it adds much neededplanting to this built up area.

Next door to these flats is St Helen's ChurchLane. This lane climbs steeply and joins StHelen's Street with Woodbridge Road. It isnarrow with the churchyard and school to theright fenced off by some attractive Victorianrailings. At the school these railings give way to abrick wall and then further up to wooden fencing.On the left hand side the aspect is open over theback of the flats and the car park. This side isfenced in modern chain link fencing. This aspectdetracts from what is otherwise a pleasant leafylane.

From the lane there is a side access to St Helen'sPrimary school. This large and imposing buildingwas built by R.C Wrinch in 1912 for the IpswichEducation Board. The building is in an Edwardianclassical style, three storeys with threepedimented gables and prominent copperventilation turrets on the roof. There is a 21window range on the first two floors with theoriginal 12 light sashes with 6 light casementwindows at the top. In the pediment of the centergable is a large circular window with a 12 lightsash. In the front is a large playground.

Back on St Helen's Street, past the entrance tothe lane is St Helens Church. This church hasbeen the subject of much alteration, itsreconstructed, awkwardly shaped spire in theearly 1980s being the most unfortunate recentaspect. Numerous local architects were employedin the 19th Century including William Pattison ofWoodbridge who rebuilt and enlarged it in 1848-50 by keeping the original tower, porch and southwall of the nave, but constructing a new nave,transepts and chancel and an east window as afacsimile of the great window of Merton College,Oxford. Nevertheless, "for such a limited sum, thearchitect could not be expected to lavish muchbeauty or ornament on the structure...". Furtherwork was necessary to the tower in 1856 and twonew west end windows designed by FrederickBarnes

Clockwise from top:County Hall PubSt Helen’s Church LaneNos 47-49 St Helen’s Street

19 20

From top to bottom:St Helen’s ChurchSt Helen’s School


The church has a low white brick retaining wall tothe front with two pairs of gate piers at either endcapped with fleur-de-lys finials. The main gatesare Victorian with an arched iron bar suspending alight over the gates. The churchyard at the front isattractively planted with many mature trees andhedges. Two lime trees flank the entrance path tothe west door and there is a large birch tree to theeast. The trees and planting of the church-yardcoupled with the green space before the churchlends this part of the street an open aspect whichchanges past the church as the street narrowsand becomes built up on both sides with theproperties fronting directly onto the street.

Adjacent to the church is the cross wing of a C17house whose jettied gable fronts the street.Attached to this house, No 117/119, are twoother small C17 houses, Nos 121 and 123, allthree are Grade II listed. No 117/119 nestles inthe space between the east porch of the churchand the back of the chancel end with theentrance door facing the churchyard. The househas been much altered in the years before listing.It has had wooden casement windows insertedpossibly in the 1930's and has been cementrendered. The front elevation has four windowsand a modern porch with an arched front door.The roof is clay tiled and has a very large brickchimney stack with an unusual crenellated top. Asmall entrance gate leads from the street linkedto the house by a low red brick wall.

Nos 121 and 123 have low clay tiled roofs andhave been cement rendered with modernwindows and doors. Both houses have had largeunattractive timber dormer windows inserted intothe roof line at eaves level and finishing at firstfloor level. Originally No 121 was part of No 123forming one larger house. Currently both houseswould benefit from the reinstatement of moresympathetic windows and doors and the removalof the dormer windows.

No 125 is also listed Grade II and is part of thissmall terrace of buildings but looks to be of alater date. Again it has been cement renderedand had modern windows and door added and alarge dormer window inserted.

The last building in this terrace of assortedbuildings is a large early C19 painted brick housewhich has suffered from much alteration sincethe advent of conservation area status, with theaddition of modern upvc windows and a concretetiled roof.

This house is on the corner of the junction withJeffries Road. The conservation area boundaryencompasses the lowest part of Jeffries Road toinclude the garden of three Grade II listedproperties which border Jeffries Road and StHelen's Street. Nos 145 - 149 was once one largehouse now divided into three homes. It has a C17core with C19 and early C20 additions. Theoriginal building has had a cross wing added andthe front elevation is Edwardian in style with abrick ground floor and rendered first floor. Themain building has a three window range with 12light sashes with rusticated brick surrounds. Onthe ground floor are two entrance doors and two4 pane sashes. On the rendered gable end of thecross wing are two 12 light sashes on the firstand ground floors.

The house lies in a substantial corner plot in alarge lawned garden surrounded by a high redbrick wall. On the St Helen's Street side there aresome large mature trees including a poplar andsycamore. This openness and tree cover marks achange in the street where it widens and opensout with views up Spring Road towards theviaduct. The wall surrounds the property andcarries on into Palmerstone Road. From this backview the form of the original C17 house becomesclear. The end of the wall also marks the end ofthe conservation area on the north side of thestreet.

Clockwise from above:St Helen’s church gate, St Helen’s churchyard, 117 StHelen’s Street and Nos 117-121St Helen’s Street

21 22

Above:Nos 145-149 St Helen’s Street

Below:Nos 117-133 St Helen’s Street


BE35Proposals for development in or close toconservation areas should be accompanied by asufficient level of detail to enable a properassessment to be undertaken of the impact ofeach scheme on the character and appearanceof the area. Outline planning applications will onlybe appropriate in certain circumstances and onlythen if accompanied by sufficient material todemonstrate the townscape implications.

BE15In considering development proposals theCouncil will seek the retention and reinstatementof existing or former boundary walls, railings,fences and gates which complement thecharacter and appearance of an individualbuilding and the surrounding area. In this conservation area, additional Local Planpolicies from the Natural Environment Chapterhave particular relevance.

NE11The Council will take steps to protect trees in theinterests of amenity and wildlife by making TreePreservation Orders and by imposing conditionsof planning permission where appropriate.

NE12The Council will seek to retain all trees of highamenity value. Consent will only be granted forthe cutting down. topping, lopping or uprootingof any tree protected by a Tree PreservationOrder or trees located within a conservation areaprovided the works are necessary:-(a) to secure the proper maintenance of the

tree(s) for good arboricultural reasons; or(b) to secure the removal of the tree(s) so that the

survival or growth prospects of otherprotected trees are enhanced.

NE13Where it is considered acceptable for the removalof a tree or trees by a Tree Preservation Order,conservation area designation or a condition ofplanning permission, the Council will normallyrequire the replanting of at least an appropriatenumber of trees of a suitable size and species inan agreed location within the current or followingplanting season.

NE14The Council will require an accurate survey of allthe trees on sites proposed for developmentincluding details of protective measures to beundertaken during the development process toensure the continuing health and safety of eachspecimen to be retained.

Other Local Plan policies may also be relevantdepending on the nature and location of eachspecific proposal including NE9 on thelandscaping of new development.

Where changes to the elevations of buildings,alterations affecting boundary walls etc. on thestreet frontage or works to trees are proposed,owners and occupiers are advised to consult thePlanning and Development Service for assistanceand agreement on the need for consent for anysuch change.

Any Planning Applications for development in thearea will receive particular advance publicity inthe local press and on site. Representationsabout them will be welcomed and will be takeninto account when considering such proposals.

The Council is aware that successfulconservation depends upon goodwill and co-operation between property owners, developersand the general public. The Head of Planning andDevelopment or his staff will always be pleasedto discuss any proposal however minor, andadvise upon the choice of suitable materials andbuilding methods and to give everyencouragement to individuals, amenity societiesand residents associations etc. to undertakeappropriate improvements to the environment ofthe conservation areas.


conservation area management planThe general objectives, policies and proposals for the control of development

and the use of land in Ipswich up to the year 2006 are contained in Ipswich Local Plan 1997.

The Plan gives environmental issues a highpriority and sets out among its specific objectivesfor the Built and Natural Environment. Theseinclude:

• To protect and enhance listed buildings andtheir settings and the designated conservationareas;

• To achieve high quality and sustainable newdevelopment;

• To bring about environmental improvementsthrough development opportunities.

• To prevent loss of open space with naturalamenity value by guiding development towardsappropriate locations

The Local Plan Built Environment Chapter setsout detailed conservation policies (withsupporting text) to safeguard and where possible,add to and enhance the character and visualappearance of all Conservation Areas. Otherpolices with particular relevance to specificconservation areas are also identified below.

1. Detailed PoliciesThe Local Plan Built Environment Chapter setsout detailed conservation policies (withsupporting text) to safeguard and where possible,add to and enhance the character and visualappearance of all Conservation Areas. These andother polices with particular relevance to specificconservation areas are identified below with therelevant Local Plan policy number.

BE30Consent to demolish a building or structurewithin or adjacent to a conservation area will onlybe granted where:-(a) the building/structure does not materially

contribute to the townscape quality of the areaand its removal would contribute to theenhancement of the area;

(b) it can be demonstrated that thebuilding/structure is incapable of repair andreuse; and

(c) evidence of a completed contract for the fullimplementation of the comprehensive scheme of development has been submittedto the Local Planning Authority.

BE31The Council will resist the removal of chimneys,skyline features and other parts of buildings thatpositively contribute to the character ofconservation areas.

BE32In conservation areas where specific townscapeelements are in danger of being lost,consideration will be given to suspension ofpermitted development rights under Article 4 ofthe Town and Country Planning (GeneralPermitted Development) Order 1995 (asamended).

BE33The Council will seek to ensure that developmentproposals including changes of use within orclose to a conservation area preserve or enhancethe character and appearance of the area.Particular care will be taken to protect openspaces and other collective peculiarities thatcontribute to the character of each area.

BE34In considering proposals for development inconservation areas the Council will pay particularregard to the following design criteria for newbuildings, redevelopment, extensions or additionsto existing buildings:-(a) the position of a proposed building on a site

will be determined by its relationship to adjoining buildings and spaces and to buildinglines;

(b) the height and mass of the proposed buildingwill be in scale with adjoining buildings andwith the area as a whole;

(c) the design of the building should pay regard tomatters such as scale, height, form, massingrespect for the traditional pattern of frontages,vertical and horizontal emphasis and detaileddesign (such as the scale and spacing ofwindow openings) in order to reflect existingcharacteristics in the street;

(d) materials to be used will be appropriate to thearea in both type and colour; and

(e) the design and detail of the space aroundbuildings, landscape schemes, lighting, roads,fences, street furniture and signs will payregard to the special qualities of thesurrounding area.

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2. Supplementary Policies for the St Helen’sConservation AreaIn addition to the Local Plan policies above, thefollowing policies are considered appropriate andapply to this conservation area.

SPP 1In this Conservation Area, the Council attachesparticular importance to encouraging theretention and repair or reinstatement of specialfeatures of the area such as ornamental shopfront details, mosaic shop thresholds, windowdetails, metalwork and other feature of interest.The Council will advise on acceptable methods ofachieving this objective.

SPP2Certain types of minor development outsideconservation areas do not require planningpermission. This is known as 'permitteddevelopment'. Where the Council considers suchchanges might be detrimental to the characterand appearance of the area it will considerrequiring planning permission for thesealterations, subject to prior public consultation.

SPP 3In special cases, the Council will considersupporting the relaxation of normal PlanningStandards, Building Regulations, Public Healthand Housing Standards where these conflict withsound conservation principles or practice forprotecting or enhancing the character orappearance of the conservation area.

SPP 4The Borough Council as Highways Agent forSuffolk County Council will aim to ensure thatwherever possible, the visual and physical impactof works within the highway affectingconservation areas is minimized in line with thejoint accord and the "Highways in ConservationManual" 1998.

Principal Planning Officer01473 432908 orSenior Planning Officer01473 432906

3. Protection and EnhancementUsesThe nature of part of the conservation area in StHelen's Street as a shopping sub-centre to theeast of the Town Centre, but somewhat detachedfrom it, has resulted in a poor overall level ofoccupation and mix of uses despite theresidential character of the areas to the north andthe large educational uses to the south. While acommercial use is appropriate for the characterof St Helens Street, the general low level ofoccupation has led to poor building maintenance,some unsympathetic alteration and changes ofuse. It is important that a balance is maintained ifthe special character of the street is to bepreserved. Increases in the levels of certain usesmight not be appropriate - including the sale ofhot foods to take-away. The Woodbridge Roadarea is predominantly residential

New developmentThere is very limited scope for new developmentin such a densely developed and tightly drawnconservation area without the need for priordemolition. Where new buildings are proposed tostand alongside historic buildings, PPG 15 (para.2.14) makes clear that their design will requirevery careful consideration.

Architectural featuresProtectionThe conservation area has a wealth of interestingarchitectural details such as traditional windowand door joinery, brickwork detailing anddoorcases. These make a significant contributionto the preservation of the character of theconservation area and should be retained.

ReinstatementSome erosion of detail has occurred, particularlythrough the loss of traditional sash windows bythose of inappropriate design, materials andfinishes or where glazing bars have beenremoved. Where possible the further replacementwith such non-traditional windows should beresisted

Where good historical evidence exists or whereoriginal architectural detailing is missing, itsreinstatement will be encouraged whenopportunities arise. This would greatly enhancethe character of the area and enhance the valueof the individual properties. This is particular so inWoodbridge Road where the reinstatement oftraditional window joinery in place ofunsympathetic modern casements installedwithin the last 20 years would enhance thecharacter of the area. Much poor quality recentjoinery out of keeping with the architecture of the

dwellings is now deteriorating and will requirereplacement in the near future. [By contrast manyoriginal sash windows are still in good conditionwhere they have been regularly maintained].

Environmental improvementsThe Council will encourage the reconstruction offront boundary walls and gate piers by offeringdesign advice on appropriate materials andtraditional designs where appropriate (particularlyin Woodbridge Road) and on the reconstructionof front boundary fences and gates in appropriatematerials in Arthur's Terrace, in the interests ofenhancing the character and appearance of thearea.

The erosion of front garden landscaping for thecreation of vehicle hardstandings has led to aserious erosion of the character of parts ofWoodbridge Road, particularly where the areashave been laid out with in-situ concrete pavingand/or where the front boundary wall has beencompletely removed. In most cases it is possibleto accommodate vehicles while retaining somelandscaping and paving in a more sympatheticsurfacing material by retaining or repositioning(wherever possible) piers and boundary walls.

The Planning, Regeneration and TransportService Advisory leaflet on the sympatheticincorporation of front garden parking will bevigorously promoted in areas where this is aproblem and where not otherwise restricted by anArticle 4 Direction.

Brick CleaningBrick is the dominant building material in Ipswichboth red and local Suffolk Whites. Suffolk Whitebricks, over time, weather to a grey colour. Thesebricks are often cleaned to attempt to restorethem to their former cream colour, however thiscourse of action, if done by inexperiencedcontractors, can lead to long term problems.

White bricks are made with a high quantity ofchalk which gives the bricks their distinctivecolour. When the bricks are fired a hard fireskin isformed whilst the inside of the brick remainsrelatively soft. When these bricks are cleaned bythe process of grit blasting, the protective fireskinis removed and the softer inner brick is exposedto the weather and the atmosphere. This leads tothe slow erosion of the brick and the risk of waterpenetration into the wall. A light water orchemical wash using fine jet sprays is less likelyto damage the brickwork or pointing. Grit blastingcan also damage and remove the mortar jointsbetween bricks creating another

opportunity for water to penetrate and the needto repoint.

If any cleaning of Suffolk White bricks is desiredthen the use of an experienced cleaningcontractor is strongly advised. For further adviceand information on cleaning please contact theConservation Team on 01473 432935/4 or atwww.ipswich.gov.uk/Services/Conservation.

Paving & LandscapingMost of the paving in the area is modern but of asize appropriate to the scale of the streets(mostly 600 x 600 or 600 x 800mm slabs). InBank Road, the kerbs are constructed fromsandstone slabs which are in good condition. Thegulleys have 4 lines of granite setts but these arepartly obscured by the tarmac road surface.Because of the narrowness of the road there is afootpath on the east side only. When theopportunity arises, the granite setts should beuncovered and the appearance of thecarriageway would be enhanced if the setts wereextended across the road to form a crossing. Thepavement could also be upgraded. Similartreatment would also be appropriate at the lowerend of North Hill Road.

Arthur's Terrace would benefit from an improvedstandard of surfacing to this unmade cul-de-sacalthough at present it is not adopted highway.

The area is characterised by a limited number ofspecimen trees in both front and rear gardens.Further tree planting will be encouraged toprovide eventual replacements to maintaincontinuity of landscape cover in the long term

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Traffic proposals & street furnitureThe heavy traffic volumes using St Helen's Streetand Woodbridge Road as major radial roadsnecessitate traffic signage and a level of streetlighting higher than visually desirable for aconservation area. In particular, the height ofstreet lighting on the north side of St Helen'sStreet sits uncomfortably in relation to the scaleof the buildings. There is an opportunity toreposition some signs and regroup others andsome street lighting could be moved to adjacentbuildings to enhance the appearance of the area.This should be considered whenever TrafficOrders are proposed to be modified.

There is an unsatisfactory clutter ofuncoordinated street furniture in the vicinity of thepedestrian crossing opposite St Helens Schoolentrance in Woodbridge Road. The crossingequipment, barriers, lighting, British Telecomcabinets, telephone box and pole seriouslydetract from the appearance of that part of theconservation area and some replanning orresiting of some of the equipment is required.

4. Further InformationThe Council's planning documents - IpswichLocal Plan; Character Descriptions which detailthe special character and policies applicable toindividual Conservation Areas, the particularsupplementary policies to apply within those areato protect their special status and specificmeasures for their protection and enhancement;and general information and detailed technicalleaflets are all available from the Conservationand Urban Design Service at Grafton House.Telphone 01473 432934 or 432935 or e-mail atwww.ipswich.gov.uk/Services/Conservation.

Risk RatingThe risk rating category refers to the EnglishHeritage system for measuring both the conditionof the fabric and the level of potential risk of alisted building. The ratings range from 1-6 where1 is in very bad condition and vacant, and 6 is ingood condition and occupied. Category 4 arebuildings which are increasingly in need ofmaintenance.

Buildings previously Listed Grade III butdowngraded to DoE Local List status in 1971.No's 172 -204 Victoria Terrace, Woodbridge RoadNo 206 and 208 Woodbridge Road

Local ListA significant number building of special localinterest enhances the character of theconservation area. Although they are notregarded as being of national importance they

have sufficient quality to make them noteworthyas far as Ipswich is concerned. Most arerepresentative of the late Georgian or earlyVictorian era.

St Helen's Street No's 2-4, 8-10, Rear of 23(former Silk factory), 37,36-38, 82, 116-118Woodbridge Road No's 17-18, 49 (The Limes),38-60, Cowells Warehouse, The Horse andGroom PH, 131, 133-133a, 135-157, (StMargaret's Terrace), 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169,209, 211, 126-134 (St Helen's Terrace),170(Rhynwick Lodge), Victoria Terrace 212/214(Duke of York PH), 220, 224/226North Hill Road. No 1Bank Road No 1aArthur's Terrace No 1-8Lacey Street The Warren

APPENDIX 2

Listed Buildings The area contains a number of Listed buildings;

Building Risk Rating GradeCounty Hall main entrance 6 IIK6 Telephone Kiosk adj. to County Hall 5 IINo 6 St Helen's street 5 IINo's 25-27 St Helen's street 6 IINo 29 County Hotel St Helen's street 6 IINo 60 St Helen's street 6 IINo 62-64 St Helen's street 6 IINo 66-68, Olive Leaf PH 6 IINo 70 St Helen's street 5 IINo 72 St Helen's street 5 IINo 74 St Helen's street 6 IINo 76, The Grinning Rat PH 6 IINo 96-98 St Helen's street 4 IINo 100 St Helen's Street (The Water Lily) 5 IINo's 102-104 St Helen's Street 6 IINo 117 St Helen's street 6 IINo 121 St Helen's street 5 IINo 123 St Helen's street 6 IINo 125 St Helen's street 6 IINo's 145-149 St Helen's street 6 IISt Helen's Church 6 IIBeech Holme, Woodbridge Road 6 IINo 120 Woodbridge Road 6 IINo 122 Woodbridge Road 6 IINo 124 Woodbridge Road 6 IINo 219, Sunny Hill Woodbridge Road 6 IINo 221 Woodbridge Road 6 IIMilestone No 70 Woodbridge Road 4 IIMilestone No 71 Woodbridge Road 5 II

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APPENDIX 1Archaeological finds from the conservation area:

Ref Site name Period Summary/descriptionIPS 152 125 St Helens Street Medieval Sherds found E of St Helens

church during building work

IPS 153 Church of St Helen Medieval St Helens Church

IPS 437 Edmund Clench's Post Medieval Three storeyed, crenellated Great Orchard (1674), tower shown on John Ogilby's Health Centre, Orchard Street map of Ipswich in 1674/1698


APPENDIX 3Glossary of Architectural Terms

Acanthus A plant with thick fleshy leaves used oncarved ornamentation of Corinthian andComposite capitals and on othermouldings.

Bargeboards Projecting boards placed against the gableof a building and hiding the ends ofhorizontal timbers; sometimes decorated.

Bracket A small supporting piece of stone or othermaterial often formed of scrolls to carry aprojecting weight.

Canopy A projection or hood over a door orwindow.

Capital The head or crowning feature of a column.

Cartouche An ornamental panel in the form of a scrollor sheet of paper with curling edges,usually bearing an inscription.

Casement A metal or timber window with the sashwindow hung vertically and opening outwards or

inwards.

Console An ornamental scrolled bracket, normally instone or timber, usually supporting aprojecting lintel, fascia etc.

Corbel A projecting block, which may itself becarved, supporting a parapet, lintel orbeam.

Cornice Any projecting, ornamental moulding alongthe top of a building, wall, arch etc finishingor crowning it.

Cupola A dome, especially a small dome on acircular or polygonal base crowning a roofor turret.

Dentilled A series of small square blocks forming amoulding used in classical cornices.

Diaper-work All over surface decoration composed of asmall repeated pattern such as lozenges orsquares.

Eaves The lower border of a roof which overhangsthe wall.

Entablature The horizontal group of bands in classicalarchitecture that rests on top of thecolumns or pilasters and consists of anarchitrave at the bottom, a frieze in themiddle (which is sometimes decorated), andcornice at the top.

Fanlight A window, often semi-circular, over a doorwith radiating glazing bars suggesting a fan.

Fascia The horizontal board over a shop frontwhich carries the name of the shop. Can beornamental.

Finial A formal ornament at the top of a canopy,gable, pinnacle etc.

Gable The triangular upper portion of a wall at theend of a pitched roof.

Hipped roof A pitched roof without gables where allsides of the roof meet at an angle.

Jetty The projecting floor joists supporting theoverhang of a timber framed building.

Keystone The central stone of an arch or a rib vaultsometimes carved.

Modillion A small bracket or console of which a seriesis frequently used to support a cornicearranged in pairs with a square depressionbetween each pair.

Mullion A vertical post or other upright dividing awindow or other opening into two or morelights.

Oriel A bay window which projects from an upperfloor only.

Pantile A roofing tile of curved S-shaped section.

Parapet A low wall protecting the edge of a roof.

Pargetting Exterior plastering of a timber framedbuilding usually modeled in designs.

Pediment A low pitched gable above doors orwindows, it may be straight sided or curvedsegmentally.

Pilaster A shallow pier or rectangular columnprojecting only slightly from a wall.

Porte-Cochêre A porch large enough for wheeled vehiclesto pass through.

Portico A roofed space, open or partly enclosed,forming the entrance and centre piece ofthe façade, often with columns and apediment.

Quoin The stone blocks on the outside corner of abuilding which are usually differentiatedfrom the adjoining walls by material, texture,colour, size or projection.

Rusticated A surface or face to a wall with roughsurfaced masonry blocks having bevelled orrebated edges producing pronouncedjoints.

String course A continuous projecting horizontal band setin the surface of an exterior wall and usuallymoulded.

Stucco Plasterwork

Terracotta Fired but unglazed clay, used mainly forwall covering and ornamentation as it canbe fired in moulds.

Tripartate Made up of three parts.

Venetian A window with three openings, the central Window one arched and wider than the others.

Voussoir A brick or wedge shaped stone forming oneof the units of an arch.

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