11-21, WEST STREET

A range of six attached cottages, dating from the 18th century, is situated on the south side of West Street in Coggeshall. The cottages are timber framed, with a roughcast rendered front elevation and plastered rear. The roofs are of handmade red plain tiles. The range has a single span facing north and three shared axial stacks. A full-length glazed canopy was added in the 20th century at the rear. A 19th or 20th century extension, set back from the front elevation, is on the left. The cottages are two storeys high with attics. Each has one window on the ground floor and one on the first floor. The windows are of a consistent type, with three transomed lights, originally containing one wrought-iron casement with rectangular leading, but have undergone various minor alterations. Number 11 retains a wrought iron casement on the first floor only, with modern glass. Number 13 is similar, with rectangular leading on the casement only and a twisted wrought iron stay-bar to the first-floor window. Number 15 has modern glazing on the ground floor, and on the first floor within the wrought iron casement which has rectangular leading. Numbers 17 and 19 have fully leaded windows on both floors. Number 21 is fully leaded, but the casements have been removed. There are six 18th or 19th century boarded doors. A 2-light casement with diamond leading remains in the left return of number 11, located on the first floor. Moulded coving below the eaves is present, extending around part of the left return only. All the rear windows are 20th century metal casements, and each cottage has one in a large, 20th century lean-to dormer. The right return has 20th century metal casements. The construction features a fully jointed and pegged hardwood main frame, with unchamfered axial beams. The interiors contain wood-burning corner hearths with rear splays and segmental arches on iron bands. The front windows and the window in the left return represent an exceptional survival and require special care.