Local character can be strongly affected by unsympathetic renovation. Changes such as loss of garden walls, removal of greenery in front gardens and replacement doors and windows can be examples of this.
The following links may be useful to residents who wish to find out more about how to carry out sympathetic renovation of their homes:
Advice on maintaining consistency with original design features:
www.southend.gov.uk/design-historic-environment
www.southend.gov.uk/conservation-areas/crowstone-conservation-area
Materials:
Replacement windows) (price, sustainability and performance comparisons between timber and uPVC:
https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/2017-06/windows_0305.pdf
Arts & Crafts movement:
www.architecture.com/explore-architecture/Arts-and-Crafts
A brief Introduction to Garden Cities - The Historic England Blog
www.heritagecalling.com/2016/02/18/a-brief-introduction-to-garden-cities
A Directory of UK Garden Suburbs, Villages and Cities:
www.gardensuburbsdirectory.co.uk
Historic documents and background:
Essex Record Offfice
Campaign organisation for Victorian and Edwardian Built Heritage
Planning advice and information:
www.southend.gov.uk/make-planning-application-planning-advice
Local planning framework:
www.southend.gov.uk/local-planning-framework
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Book list
Advice on architectural detail:
The Essex Design Guide, published by the Essex Planning Officers’ Association (regularly updated) – see page 49, Conservation in Essex No 4: Historic Buildings (Includes information on cast-iron casements)
Edwardian houses:
Edwardian House Style: An Architectural and Interior Design Source Book by Hilary Hockman, published by David & Charles (1994)
The Edwardian House Explained by Trevor Yorke, published by Countryside Books (2006)
Edwardian Architecture: Handbook to Building Design in Britain, 1890-1914 by Alastair Service, published by Thames & Hudson (1977)
Behind the Privet Hedge – Richard Sudell, the Suburban Garden and the Beautification of Britain by Michael Gilson, published by Reaktion Books (2024)
Architectural design
Pevsner’s Architectural Glossary by Nikolaus Pevsner
Curl Dictionary of Architecture
Historic background
Essex Record Office (historic records of Essex, including photographs)
Local conservation groups
Chalkwell Heritage Group
Contact care of Chalkwell Ward Residents Association
The Milton Society (Milton area of Westcliff, which has some overlap with Chalkwell)
The Leigh Society (Leigh-on-Sea conservation and heritage group)
Searchable database of aerial photography of Britain (available for purchase)
https://www.britainfromabove.org.uk
Information about Chalkwell
Chalkwell: A Character Study by the Chalkwell Heritage Group (care of Chalkwell Ward Residents Association), 2025
A Celebration of Chalkwell History to Mark Our 50th Anniversary, 1973-2023 by Kate Sansom, published by Chalkwell Ward Residents Association, 2023 (downloadable via our website)
Milton, Chalkwell and the Crowstone by Marion Pearce, Ian Henry Publications, 2000
Laburnums: A House History by Kate Sansom, 2024 – a history of 20 Chalkwell Avenue, which was demolished in 2024 to be replaced by retirement flats
History of Chalkwell Hall (downloadable booklet)
www.rachellichtenstein.com/chalkwell-hall-2009/