CONTEXT 175 : MARCH 2023 27 Housing Society as ‘homes fit for heroes’ following the Housing Act 1919. It was designed on the principles of the garden city movement, with houses in an arts-and-crafts cottage style set back in leafy gardens, with generous tree and shrub planting on the streets. The dispersed villages once dotted along the coastline are now joined into one settlement through the rapid expansion of built development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, from Leigh to the west to Shoebury to the east. Here, the Shoebury Garrison Conservation Area covers the military base established in the 1840s next to the sea front, built in a unified style and materials, with the detail and quality of the architecture reflecting the status of the use or user. The coastal setting influences the essential character of the different conservation areas, such as in Leigh Old Town, which is set much closer to the water’s edge and has areas that are industrial in nature, with boats moored in the marina. The sea provides the visual context to the conservation areas, forming a wide, flat stretch of blue in views out to the south, with expansive skies above. Built development is oriented towards the sea, with streets running down towards the sea or cliff front, creating channelled views between buildings. Views were even planned in the development of Clifftown, where diagonally set roads meant that every property was supposed to have a sea view (although in reality this is not the case in the streets set further back). The setting of many properties high up on the cliff front, and the creation of the promenades and several public gardens along the coastline, also enable people to appreciate the seaside setting. In other conservation areas, whether the small fishermen’s cottages of Eastern Esplanade or the grand villas and terraces in The Leas and Clifftown, houses face the sea, and often take advantage of the views with balconies and large windows. Sounds, smells and the weather are also important factors in creating the setting and sense of place. There are particularly distinctive sensory elements associated with the sea that are evident in Southend. These include the sound of sea birds, waves, amusements arcades and the metallic click of masts and halyards in the wind. The smell of salt water and the sight of boats or the smell of fish where the fishmongers spread out their wares at the cockle sheds in Leigh Old Town all contribute to the character of the conservation areas and help to define their setting. Even blustery coastal winds or a bright sunny day where people come out to enjoy the weather affect the character and activity within and in the setting of coastal conservation areas. Over the last three years Southend-on-Sea’s 15 conservation areas have benefitted from the completion or updating of conservation area appraisals. The setting of each of the areas is defined in the appraisals and the documents provide updated assessments of their special interest, and management guidance. These appraisals will help to ensure that the heritage values of Southend’s conservation areas are protected through informed decision making in the planning process, and that their important coastal setting and character are preserved. Leigh Old Town Conservation Area Sally Humphries is a senior heritage consultant at Purcell, the heritage consultants, architects and master planners who have prepared the conservation area appraisals on behalf of Southend-on-Sea City Council.
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