8 9, Rock Park

A pair of houses dating to approximately 1836, constructed in stucco with a Welsh slate hipped roof. They are two storeys with an attic and basement, and feature a six-window facade divided into two apparently symmetrical units. Each house has a double-pile plan and three principal rooms on each floor. House number 8 has two rooms to the rear, one to the front, and an entrance hall to the right. House number 9 has a central entrance hall, two front rooms, and one to the rear. The neo-classical style is evident in the two-panelled front doors, each with an overlight set within an architrave featuring a triglyph frieze and balustraded cornice. The ground floor windows are 16-pane sashes, with one partly replaced by a casement. Upper floor windows are 12 and 8-pane sashes, all with moulded architraves and continuous sill bands. A modillion eaves cornice and end and axial stacks are present. Recessed service bays flank the main facade; these incorporate a stable and coach house in the basement of number 9. The elevation facing the Esplanade features canted bay windows flanking 8-pane sash windows. Squared gate piers with round-arched panelled decoration and ribbed caps are located on the street front of number 9. The houses are part of the original Rock Park development, laid out by J.Bennison in 1836.