By c.1830 the Nottingham end of Broadgate had begun to be lined with houses (Nos. 40-44). (1)

Pair of houses. C19.(2)

CONTEXT
An application has been made for No.46 Broadgate, Beeston, Nottinghamshire to be assessed for listing. The building forms part of a larger building, and shares the architectural character of the other part. Both parts, although separate dwellings, have until recently been owned and occupied by members of the same family. However, following the death of the owner of No. 46, that part of the building has been put up for sale. The applicant believes the building to be at risk from future development proposals, although no such proposals have yet been made. The estate agent particulars refer to the building as a '5 bedroom semi-detached house'. Given the shared architectural character of the 2 dwellings, this assessment includes both parts of the building, and the owner of No. 44 was made aware of that fact during the site inspection, which, with the owners consent, included the interior of No. 44.
HISTORY.
Very few details concerning the building's history have been provided by the applicant, who believes the building to have been built c.1765 and extended in the late nineteenth century. Both the 1885 and 1901 editions of the Ordnance Survey map show the present configuration of dwellings on the site, with No. 46 forming the larger part, and enjoying larger areas of garden to front and rear. In the late nineteenth century, the building was extended at both ends, the front elevation was remodelled, and the interior re-planned to create, or enlarge 2 dwellings. Since that date there have been further minor alterations, and an extension has been built across the ground floor elevation of No. 46. The history of the building's development is unclear, but it appears that the 2 centre bays form the earliest part of the building, thought by the applicant to have been built c.1765. Whether this was a single dwelling or a pair of single bay cottages is not apparent, and the comprehensive remodelling of the interior has removed or obscured clear evidence of the possible late eighteenth century origins of the building. The earliest part of the building is of 2 storey and attic form, whilst the extensions are of 2 storey form, and have very tall first floor principal rooms.
DESCRIPTION.
The building is built of orange brick beneath a Welsh slate roof covering, and is of 4 bays, the 2 outer bays being of late nineteenth century date. The remodelled front elevation has glazing bar sash windows beneath painted stone wedge lintels with integral keyblocks. The added end bay to No.46 is wider than that to No. 44 but the first floor windows to both added bays are tall, 6 over 6 pane sash windows. Both dwellings have doorways set within gabled trellis porches, and panelled, half-glazed front doors with margin glazing to the upper parts. The rear elevation displays some evidence of the earlier date of the central part of the building, which has stacked 3-light glazing bar casements which diminish in height from ground floor to attic level. The ground and first floor windows are set beneath shallow segmental brick arches, in contrast to the openings to the 2 outer bays, in which the sash window and wedge lintel detailing of the front elevation is repeated. The interiors of both houses were remodelled in the late nineteenth century, and although there are spatial differences, both share plan form characteristics and interior detailing. Both have entrance halls and modest winder stairs to the upper floors. The interiors are generally plainly detailed with panelled doors and hearth surrounds with side cupboards of late nineteenth century date. The ground floor of No. 44 has an exposed spine beam and accompanying joists, but most other rooms have plastered ceilings. Some hearths have twentieth century surrounds, and there are now no interior fixtures, fittings or finishes of special interest.
ASSESSMENT.
Nos.46 and 44 Broadgate, Beeston were apparently created by the alteration and extension of an earlier, smaller building in c1765. The extent of the alterations and extensions resulted in the enlargement of the building and the remodelling of the existing front elevation to create a unified frontage with 2 separate entrances and near matching additions at either end. The interior of the earlier building was remodelled to contribute space to both dwellings, and this not only resulted in major changes to its plan form but also in the loss of important elements of the earlier building , including hearths and the staircase. The location of original external doorways and evidence of the form and location of original window openings have also been lost. The building is almost entirely of mid-late nineteenth century character and appearance, and is of modest architectural quality. It has undergone little twentieth century alteration, and is clearly of local significance as a building which has undergone incremental change, but which still retains evidence of its 2 main periods of development. Its attractively detailed exterior makes a positive contribution to the appearance of the locality, but its modest architectural interest and the extensive changes made to both interior and exterior together indicate that, when considered in a national context, the building lacks the degree of special interest necessary to justify a listing recommendation. (3)

Historic England, 2021, National Record of Historic Environment (Digital archive). SNT5271.

<1> Pevsner N, 1979, The Buildings of England: Nottinghamshire 2nd ed., p 69 (Monograph). SNT4.

<2> Listed Buildings Slides, (Photograph). SNT2648.

<3> Unknown, ?, English Heritage Alternative Action Report (Unpublished document). SNT6260.