Conservation Area (CA)
No
Local Listing Reference
LLHA0266
Description
These cottages currently provide 24 homes for former nurses and carers and were originally from the estate of Brighton philanthropist and engineer Sir John Howard as homes for convalescent nurses. Howard bequeathed the site and left money to fund the construction of accommodation after his death and the cottages were completed in 1922. They are built in the Arts and Craft style, demonstrating its persistence well into the early 20th Century. Inside provides comfort and compactness common in almshouses of the time and built-in solid oak furnishings also reflect the Arts and Crafts style. The cottages were renovated in 1994 and are now under the trusteeship of St George’s Church.
A. Architectural, design and artistic interest
ii. The building represents a good quality example of an early 20th Century Arts and Crafts style on a significant scale and purpose-built for convalescent home use; laid out on three sides around a central green and open to the south, deliberately sunken from the road to provide seclusion.
B. Historic and evidential interest
i. The cottages were provided by Sir John Howard, bequeathed on his death, who is a notable individual in the history of the city. He formed a new company to buy the Palace Pier and continued and completed its construction after the original financier’s company almost fell into liquidation. He also formed the Howard Convalescent Home, which neighbours the John Howard Cottages, and built a wing of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Eastern Road.
C. Townscape interest
ii. Although only partially visible from Roedean Road due to the sunken siting screened by tall hedges, the distinctive roofline of the buildings makes a positive and distinctive contribution to the general street scene.
F. Intactness
i. Retains a sense of architectural completeness externally, including its garden setting.
ii. Also retains its original use as independent living accommodation for former nurses.
Date of inclusion
2023
