The history of Albightons housing

Early Albrighton housingIn the 19th century most people lived in cottages often supplied or rented from their employer but after the First World War employment altered considerably and new methods of housing were required.

The Dartmouth Terrace houses in Shaw Lane had been built in 1897 but mainly as an investment for the £9239, the Lodge had amassed. Those occupying the houses were naturally members of the Oddfellows Order.

The main source of housing between the wars were the local authorities who generally throughout the country were undertaking housing projects. The first council houses built in Albrighton were erected in Lyncroft in 1934 on what had been allotments on church land. The land was sold to Shifnal Rural District by the Rev Bartlet on 31 December 1920. The rapid increase in the population of Albrighton was due to RAF Cosford and in 1939, council houses were built creating Albert Road and in 1940, Abney Avenue.

Private houses in the 1930s were, in the main, one off jobs, but there were some rows of houses built to one side of the road as in the case of the High Street, between the Shrewsbury Arms and the old fire station, built in 1936. Houses in Bowling Green Lane and the top of Cross Roads were built around the same time. In 1939/40, the Meadow Road development formed a complete road of private housing although it took approximately eight to ten years to completely fill the road.

After the Second World War there was an increase in both private and local authority building. Many fine houses were pulled down for the new housing estates. Early casualties were Shelton House, where Delaware houses now stand; The Brooklands, for part of the Bushfields Estate, (which was also built on the village allotments); The Old Hall for houses in Church Road and Old Hall Close; Ashfield House for the Orchards and Wolverley House for the Wolverley Court development.

In 1964, the Grange Park houses were built but a small part of St Cuthbert’s Grange (built 1858-1860) was left standing, as was Beechurst, when Beechurst Gardens was built.

The council built houses in Pitchford Road and Bishton Road and in 1970, took over the Air Ministry houses which had been built in 1939/40. They were brought for a cost of just under £1000 each. The final excursion into a large housing project undertaken by the council were the Ashgrove houses.

By 1890, house building had slowed down because of green belt restrictions, and most housing was private on an in-fill basis. The local council made The Beechurst a Listed Building, Ivy House (now The Red House) had been converted to a village hall in the 1960s with council housing in its grounds. Other large houses had a change-of-use, Beamish House became a school, “Sauchieleigh” built in 1891-2, now called The Cedards became a residential care home for the elderly.

Among the oldest houses in Albrighton are the High Street group opposite the Red House. These go back to the 17th century and wee once a Police Station. The rings are still in the cellars where the prisoners were secured.

Elm roadThe Manor House at the Cross Roads in the centre of the village was a school for girls run by Mrs Caroline Hill at the beginning of 1900. Another private school was at Oak House, now the chemists, run first by a Mrs Bennet followed by a Miss Wilson. The 1901 census shows borders at The Manor House from Canada, Jersey, Ireland, Durham and Northampton. Mrs Hill was brought over form Germany as a Governess by the Dartmouth family who helped her into the position as Head after the death of her husband. The pupils lived in The Manor House and the staff in the Dower House now called the Cottage. Prior to the school it was occupied by the Earl of Shrewsbury’s agent who collected rents and did other administrative work in respect of the Earl’s estate.

The houses on the left of the Old School in Station Road date back to the early 18th century and were the Work House until 1835. Those around the Village Green date back to the beginning of the 19th century. A date of 1852 is shown on the houses marked Victoria Place and many village houses date from this period.

The following are Listed Buildings:-

  • Bowling Green Garm - 18th c
  • 2 & 4 Church Road - 19th c
  • The Elms Farm - 16th and 17th c
  • Castleton - 17th c
  • Harriets Hays Farm - 18th
  • High House Farm - 17th c
  • Meeson House - 18th c
  • The Shrewsbury Arms - 15th and 16th c
  • 70 and 71 High Street - 19th c
  • 73 High Street - 18th c
  • 77 High Street - 18th c
  • The Crown Inn - 16th and 18th c
  • The Red House - 18th c
  • 31 High Street - 18th c
  • The Manor House - 18th c
  • The Grey House - 18th c

In 1997/98 thirteen houses were built at Clock Mills and in 1999 work began on houses in Newhouse Lane on the site of Garage Farm.

Words: Ernest Howells