Buildings On The Ransoms Site

Offices and storage buildings, formerly houses and a barn, dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries with 19th and 20th century additions and alterations.

The buildings comprise a row of timber-framed structures with brick infill and brick sections, all with a plain tile roof. Later 19th or 20th century buildings abut the back (north-east side) of the row, which are excluded from the listing, as are 19th century brick buildings to the west. The south-west facing lane frontage is complex, with several distinct sections.

At the eastern end is a 4-bay section abutting a 19th century range of industrial buildings. The first floor features close-studded timber-framing with later brick infill. This storey was originally jettied but has been under-built using 18th century bricks. All ground floor fenestration is 20th century, as is the panelled door at the extreme right, which sits in a slightly recessed bay. The first floor has four 3-light 20th century casements with diamond-leaded lights.

To the left, sharing a slightly lower roofline, is a 3-bay section of probable 19th century red-brick construction with a trellis pattern of diapering in blue bricks across both floors, with horizontal bands at sill level. This section has cambered-headed 3-light casements flanking a central ground floor door, and a 2-light casement to the first floor right; the left hand first floor window is blocked. Some brick replacement is evident at ground and first floor left.

Further left, under the same roofline, are two bays of 18th century Flemish bond brick with doors to right and left, and 2-light casements to the first floor.

To the west is a 5-bay single storey building sharing eaves and ridge line with its neighbours. External studding is visible in the timber-framed walling with later brick infill. Framing is mostly evident above mid-rail level, with one full wall post visible between the two right bays. Double barn doors with a cambered head occupy the centre of these five bays, with large cross-windows to either side. The right hand bay has a 2-light casement at ground floor and a loft door above. Patched brickwork runs across this section.

Interior: The south-eastern 4 bays contain jowled posts with jetty brackets and chamfered ceiling beams at ground floor level. The first floor, comprising a board room and adjacent offices, has close-studded walling, angle braces and jowled posts with queen post trusses, arched wind braces, purlins and original common rafters. Iron ties are present and the corridor also features close-studded walling with prominent dowling, possibly from the early 20th century. The 5-bay barn area retains evidence of 17th or 18th century timber framing, including collars and angle struts with purlins and common rafters to the roof.