The Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan-DRAFT - 5.2 Historic and architectural significance of buildings

5.2 Historic and architectural significance of buildings

Listed Buildings

5.2.1 There are no statutorily listed residential buildings within the Webb estate or Upper Woodcote Village. However, there are two statutory listed war memorials and one registered memorial landscape within the two conservation areas. These buildings, structures and features have been listed due to their special historic and architectural interest as defined by Historic England. Their contribution and summary of the significance of the building is as follows:

5.2.2 Woodcote War Memorial, a simple yet dignified stone pillar, is Grade II listed due to its historic interest as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community and the sacrifices they made in the conflicts of the C20. The land and half the cost of the memorial was donated by William Webb.

5.2.3 Promenade de Verdun War Memorial is Grade II listed due to its historic interest as an eloquent and highly unusual witness to commemorate French sacrifices on the Western Front. At the terminus of the avenue stands an obelisk memorial, carved from Cornish granite, set within a crescent-shaped lawn.

5.2.4 Promenade de Verdun Memorial Landscape is Grade II listed due to its group value with the separately listed war memorial obelisk as an integral part of the landscape design acting as its focal point. The landscape consists of a 500m long, straight avenue, which once offered panoramic views across five counties due to its gradual rise.
 

Locally Listed Buildings

5.2.5 The locally listed buildings dispersed within the Webb Estate or Upper Woodcote Village Conservation Areas are predominantly well-preserved examples of pre- and inter-war architecture, with special local architectural or historic interest. These buildings are recognised for their significance to the local community and their contribution to the cultural heritage of the borough. Included on Croydon’s Local List of Buildings of Architectural or Historic Interest, these buildings make a positive contribution to the special character of the conservation areas, both individually and collectively, through their distinctive yet simple design qualities. Each building meets at least two of the following criteria: authenticity, architectural significance, historical significance, technical significance and/or townscape value (Map 46-Locally Listed Buildings).

5.2.6 Detailed information on each building is provided under the relevant character area (Map 2-Character Areas). These locally listed buildings exhibit a dominant scale and proportion, typically rising to two storeys, and are characterised by steeply pitched roofs, prominent chimney stacks, and the frequent use of half-timbered elements, all of which contribute to their strong and enduring presence within the townscape. They also feature key architectural details such as roughcast render or stucco, timber doors and windows, stained glass, leaded lights, and bay, bow, or oriel windows, reflecting the architectural styles of the Arts and Crafts, Tudor Revival, and Neo-Georgian movements.
 

Locally Listed Buildings

• 3 Rose Walk
• 9 Rose Walk
• 14 Rose Walk
• 15 Rose Walk
• 16 Rose Walk
• 19 Rose Walk
• 21 Rose Walk
• 22 Rose Walk
• 24 Rose Walk
• 4 Silver Lane
• Wittsend / Promenade de Verdun
• Woodlands Cottage / Promenade de Verdun
• The Lord Roberts / 19 Upper Woodcote Village
• 8 Furze Hill
• Upper Woodcote House

The Lodge Bungalows

• Rose Cottage / 119 Foxley Lane
• Gate Lodge / Woodcote Lane
• White Cottage / 1 Rose Walk
• Red Cottage / 23 Rose Walk
• Keepers Cottage / 3 Furze Lane
• Christmas Cottage / 47 Furze Lane
• Birch Cottage / 2 Silver Lane
• Silver Lodge / 23 Silver Lane
• 3 The South Border
• Amber Cottage / 21 The South Border
• Gate Lodge / 1 Upper Woodcote Village
• Cowslip Cottage / 9 Upper Woodcote Village

Workers Cottages

• The Smithy / 4 Upper Woodcote Village
• 5-6 Upper Woodcote Village
• 7-8 Upper Woodcote Village
• 11-12 Upper Woodcote Village
• 15-16 Upper Woodcote Village
• 17-18 Upper Woodcote Village 

Buildings as Positive Contributors

5.2.7  Many other buildings within the Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village Conservation Areas make a positive contribution to their character and appearance. These buildings are considered to have heritage value and play a significant role in defining the special interest of the area. The original pre-war and interwar buildings are central to the significance of the conservation areas, making a strong positive contribution. Additionally, many post-war buildings constructed up until the late 1960s generally align with the established scale and development pattern, resulting in a largely positive contribution. Refer to Section 5.3 of this document for further information on buildings within each Character Area.

Buildings as Neutral Contributors

5.2.8 Several buildings within the conservation areas make a neutral contribution to their character. These are primarily recent developments which, although generally respectful in terms of scale and massing, often take the form of pastiches and lack the architectural distinctiveness needed to positively contribute to the area's special interest.

Buildings as Negative Contributors

5.2.9 Certain buildings within the conservation areas detract from their special interest. Many later additions constructed after the 1960’s, despite efforts to reflect a similar architectural style, often lack authenticity and coherence, resulting in a sense of pastiche and making a negative contribution to the area. Furthermore, modern developments that fail to respect the established grain, particularly in terms of scale and massing, or do not take inspiration from the proportions and typologies of the conservation areas, are also considered to detract from their special character.