1. Introduction

1.1 Paglesham Church End is a small rural hamlet located about six miles north-east of the town of Rochford on the southern side of the River Crouch estuary. Based on the largely 15^th century church of St Peter and adjacent former manor house, it is one of two foci for the quiet, unspoilt village of Paglesham, famed for its historic associations with the oyster industry and smuggling. The other hamlet, East End, lies about a mile to the east.

1.2 The Church End conservation area is linear in form, and encompasses the one-sided south-facing development along the road to the church from The Punch Bowl Inn in the west to Winton Haw, a modern property, in the east. It takes in the large pond adjacent to Winton Haw and passes north to include Church Hall Farm cottages to the rear of the churchyard.

1.3 Conservation areas are 'Areas of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance' (Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990). Government Planning Policy Guidance 15, Planning and the Historic Environment, emphasises that the character of conservation areas derives not simply from the quality of individual buildings, but also depends on 'the historic layout of property boundaries and thoroughfares; on a particular "mix" of uses; on characteristic materials; on appropriate scaling and detailing of contemporary buildings; on the quality of advertisements, shop fronts, street furniture and hard and soft surfaces; on vistas along streets and between buildings; and on the extent to which traffic intrudes and limits pedestrian use of space between buildings' (para. 4.2).

1.4 Designation of a conservation area extends planning controls over certain types of development, including extensions, boundary treatments, the demolition of unlisted buildings and works to trees. However it does not prevent any change and the area may be subject to pressures (good and bad) that will affect its character and appearance. Church End is a remote and relatively unspoilt hamlet, but it does face some pressures for change, most notably in the demand for modernisation and improvement of existing properties, including extensions and works carried out as permitted development within the provisions of the General Development Order. Such changes can constitute a threat to the special character of the area.

1.5 Rochford District Council commissioned Essex County Council to prepare this conservation area appraisal and the research and fieldwork were carried out in November 2006.

1.6 The appraisal provides a brief development history of the current settlement, followed by a description and assessment of character. The contribution of its different elements to the character is identified. Any issues which may affect the protection of character will be highlighted and opportunities for enhancement identified.