Spicer Homes

Former almshouses, now houses, built in 1930 on Bell Road, Sittingbourne. Designed by architect John P Bishop FRIBA and built by John P Bishop and Sons. The complex was erected as a memorial to Mrs Julia Spicer from funds in her estate and is constructed in Neo-Vernacular 17th-century style with Arts and Crafts influences.

The buildings are constructed of good quality narrow random bond local brickwork with tumbling-in to the gables, tile-on-edge decoration to the plinth, and plain tiled roofs. Brick chimneystacks have moulded tops. Some hipped dormers are present throughout. All original metal-framed casement windows survive with original fastenings set in brick surrounds, some featuring relieving arches and sloping cills.

The complex has an L-shaped plan with north and east ranges linked to a former water tower in the north-east corner. Originally thirteen single-storey almshouses and a two-storey warden's house occupied the westernmost part of the north range. The warden's house has since become another residential unit and follows a modified butterfly plan. The almshouses are of three distinct types: Nos 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 14 have projecting gables with entrances at the sides; Nos 8, 9, 12 and 13 have recessed loggias with four brick piers each; and Nos 2 and 5 have plain fronts. Each almshouse comprises a bedroom, living room and kitchen.

Number 1, the former warden's house, features west and south-facing gables with kneelers and a central full-height splayed bay between them facing south-west. A large plaque inscribed "SPICER HOMES FOUNDED 1930" is positioned below the first floor window. The doorcase below carries a flat-leaded weather-hood with decorative iron ties. Two-light casements flank the doorcase at ground floor level. The west gable contains a three-light casement to the first floor and a five-light canted bay with hipped tiled roof at ground floor. The south gable has a four-light casement to the first floor and a three-light casement below.

The principal front of the north range faces south. Numbers 2 to 6 feature eight tripartite casement windows. Numbers 3, 4 and 6 each have one window in a projecting gable with kneelers. Numbers 3 and 4 share a paired gable topped with a metal plaque bearing the amalgamated initials S and H and the date 1930; these properties have more elaborate ribbed brick chimneystacks. A round-headed arch with keystone beneath the plaque leads to the rear. Numbers 2 and 5 have hipped dormers and doorcases beneath them. Numbers 3, 4 and 6 have side entrances to their gables. Between Nos 6 and 7 is a splayed entrance with a keystone, impost blocks and a plaque inscribed "THESE HOMES WERE ERECTED AS A MEMORIAL TO THE LATE JULIA SPICER, FORMERLY OF THIS TOWN, OUT OF MONEYS FORMING PART OF HER ESTATE, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH HER WISHES" and naming trustees Walter R Elgar and F Austen Bensted. Behind this entrance stands a two-storey square brick building with pyramidal roof topped by a decorative metal weathervane and a plank door set diagonally. This structure housed the water tank on the first floor and storage below.

The eastern range comprises Nos 7 to 14 and incorporates four gables serving Nos 7, 10, 11 and 14, with Nos 10 and 11 paired like Nos 3 and 4. Numbers 8, 9, 12 and 13 each incorporate a recessed loggia with four brick piers. A plaque in the gable of No. 14 records the architect John P Bishop, surveyor W Shapland Cowper and builder Geo. Bowes and Sons.

The rear elevations of both ranges are similar in character to the front but plainer, featuring casement windows and rear doors.

Internally, the former warden's house retains the original dogleg staircase with stick balusters. The dining room preserves its original wooden fireplace and there is a timber-panelled internal porch. The remaining properties likely retain six-panelled doors, wooden fireplaces, and low-level built-in cupboards to the living rooms. Bedrooms feature built-in cupboards with double doors. Originally the attics above the individual almshouses were linked, but partitions were later inserted between properties for fire regulations.

The almshouses first appear on the Ordnance Survey map of 1938 and the footprint remains unaltered. They were subsequently acquired first by the local council and then by a housing association. Spicer Homes forms part of a group with the listed cemetery buildings across the road.