Sudbury Village lies within an area of attractive landscape, to the southernmost area of the District. It is a relatively small and compact village, with a general uniformity of building materials and a limited palette of paint colours.
The majority of the cottages are constructed in red brick with red tiled roofs. The use of brick as a building material is clearly demonstrated by the use of English and Flemish brick bonds, diaper work and chequerboard brickwork on the older cottages on School Lane and Main Road and a distinctive high status diamond diaper brickwork on Sudbury Hall. Many architectural features still remain throughout the village, such as chimney-stacks and pots, traditional windows and doors and decorative features As well as the historic buildings in the village, the setting and landscape are also of significance. The surrounding landscape is predominantly rural and in agricultural use, interspersed with tree belts, hedgerows and woodland. Immediately to the north of the Village the land is designated as a Registered Historic Park and Garden to the impressive Sudbury Hall. Despite its proximity to the A50, Sudbury has not become a dormitory village, but has maintained its presence as a vibrant community, with a local public house, school, 'green', cricket ground, bowling club and other local facilities. The majority of land and buildings are in Estate ownership and have been since the 17th century. This has led to a uniformity of appearance and a unique sense of that visual unity which now defines the special character and appearance of the village. In 1967 Sudbury Hall and some estate buildings were given to the National Trust and again controls imposed have led to little changes in the character of the area.
The Sudbury Conservation Area is a predominantly rural area, the boundary of which originally include part of the Registered historic Park and Garden to the north and to the west of Sudbury Hall and its associated lake. To the south the boundary included land and buildings along School Lane and Main Road as far east as, but not including, Rectory Farm, and some land and buildings along Gibb Lane.
The original designation of Sudbury Conservation Area was in February 1969. The boundary was further amended in December 2005, following a review in the Conservation Area Appraisal, the main amendment being the inclusion of all of the Registered Historic Park and Garden. It currently comprises 284 hectares.
Historic Assets
Within Sudbury Conservation Area there are 93 buildings, of which 29 are listed entries. Sudbury Hall is listed Grade I and the Church of All Saints and Sudbury Park Deercote are both listed Grade II*. The remainder are listed Grade II. The listed buildings in Sudbury range from the magnificent Sudbury Hall to smaller domestic, vernacular cottages; from stables to ice houses and from footbridges to gates and walls. All are recognised for the contribution they make both individually and to the street-scene.
The landscaped parkland and gardens of Sudbury Hall are included on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens (Grade II).
Sudbury Conservation Area Character Appraisal
In December 2005 a comprehensive Conservation Area Character Appraisal was approved, which assessed the special qualities of the character and appearance of Sudbury Conservation Area, both in terms of its buildings and the relationship of its spaces alongside those buildings. It assessed the archaeology; origins and development of the area; the architectural and historic quality; the setting and landscape of the area; an analysis of the character and considered the negative and neutral factors which impact on the Conservation Area. Coupled with this the document made reference to planning policies and strategies that work to enhance and preserve the special character and appearance of the town.
Buildings at Risk
One of the listed entries within the Sudbury Conservation Area is recognised by the District Council as being 'at risk' – The Old Gas Works on School Lane.
Article 4 Directions
There are no additional planning controls, via an Article 4 Direction, on properties in Sudbury Conservation Area.
Related Documents
Sudbury Conservation Area Map (PDF 380KB)
Sudbury Conservation Area Appraisal - Section 1 (PDF 3945KB)
Sudbury Conservation Area Appraisal - Section 2 (PDF 3798KB)
