PLANS for a digital clock to be placed above Harlow’s historic clock on the Market Square have been submitted to Harlow Council.

The clock is part of a one storey extension above the existing second floor of the building to accommodate eight new flats. at Adams House in the East Gate.

The application has been submitted by ABC Harlow Limited. A private company based in London.

The application states: “The design of the proposed third floor addition to Adams House follows each one of these heritage principles, and while contemporary in nature is also in the spirit of Gibberd’s original design. The bay divisions, fenestration details and cladding all complement, but do not replicate, aspects of the original design. In three of the bays, balconies will provide a syncopated rhythm. As now, the northern corner bay will be clad with tiles, this time be adorned with a digital clock.

The increase in scale is less than that previously proposed (and found broadly acceptable by officers at pre-application stage), and should be seen in the context of the increasing scale approved or proposed for adjoining and nearby sites.

With the approved additional storey on Market House, the relative scale of the two buildings in relation to the form of the square, with the taller building on the long side (as intended by Gibberd, see quote in para. 2.5 above) will be perpetuated. Redevelopment to a larger scale was anticipated by Gibberd (see para. 2.9 above), who also considered ‘The Market Square is too open and draughty.

Without the road, it would have been at least 40 feet narrower and it could have been closed on all four sides, the east and the west accessing being bridged over’.6 The road has gone but the width remains, meaning that the large public space is fully capable of accommodating the additional scale. Similarly, Ralph Brown’s powerful sculpture in the square will be able to ‘hold its own’ and not

be overpowered by the scale of the addition. The setting of both the sculpture and Adams House will also be enhanced by current plans to transform the former Market Square into a ‘garden square’ and leisure and hospitality hub.
4.7 The design is therefore carefully considered and sympathetic, and as such would not result in significant harm either to the non-designated heritage asset or to the setting of the Grade II-listed sculpture. As Adams House is a non-designated heritage asset, there is no requirement to weigh any harm against the public benefits of the scheme. Nevertheless, the required balanced judgement should take account of the fact that the sympathetic renovation and enlargement of the building to provide new town centre living accommodation will bring added life to the town centre, and will provide a suitable backdrop to the new incarnation of the former Market Square as a lively garden square and social hub.

Full details of the planning application can be seen on Harlow Council’s website. Go to HW/FUL/22/00448