Belchamp Walter, Mission Hut
The Mission Hut, Belchamp Walter is a Twentieth century temporary structure (shed) that is located on what would be 3 Hall Road Belchamp Walter. It is also known as the "Mission Room" and is shown on the current planning maps as "The Library".
The hut (hall/lbrary/room) is between Rose Cottage and Springgates Farm and opposite Cobweb Cottage. Neither Rose Cottage or Cobweb Cottage are listed buildings
It is not known for certain why the Mission Hut was commisioned and by whom.
The Library, Belchamp Walter
The Mission Hut is shown on the current planning maps ss the "Library". the reason for this is that a "traveling" library was setup in the mission hut at a time that was after the hut was used by the church for meetings or worship.
The Mission Hut is currently used as a storage facility.
Newspaper Articles mentioning the Mission Hut
The plan below is not from 1930. It is from a current Braintree Planning map (2024)
Rose Cottage, Cobweb and the flint cottages opposite are not listed buildings but do have historical significance. Wheatley is a 20th century consruction but has no historical significance.
The proposed redevelopment of the mission hut site will be sympathetic to its surroundings and its location in the village.
Recommendation of the Heritage Report
Proposal for a "Building Report"
WSI - Written Scheme of Investigation
Below is the requirement for a WSI that should be submitted in accordance with guidance from Historic England.
The OS map (1980's) with an aerial overlay
The 1890's map with an aerial image can be seen on this link:
The map of Belchamp Walter Mission Hut with an overlay on the National Library of Scotland's
website.
Opens in new tab/window.
If you click on the link above you will see an aerial view of Hall Road showing the Mission Hut and its position. You will also see a slider control which you can use to reveal a map from the 1890's. You can see that the Mission Hut did not exist at that data.
You can also select other maps, Ordnance Survey or otherwise, to compare with the aerial view. You can also compare two OS maps over time.
Current OS Maps and OS Maps On-line
If you purchase a paper OS map currently you will be given the option to download an electronic version of the map. You can use this digital version on your Mobile Phone, tablet or computer. I have done this on many of my pages.
If you have an online copy of an OS map on your mobile device you can use it to locate your current location on the map. This is very usefull for navigation on a walk.