More information : TL 698 061. This large site was developed from about 1896 by the
firm of Crompton and Company after the destruction of their earlier
factory (TL 70 NW 110). The company manufactured a variety of
electrical goods, including generators, transformers, and electric
motors. After the Second World War the site was acquired by Hawker
Siddeley, and subsequently by Marconi Electronics for the
manufacture of radar equipment. The factory closed about 1998.
The original buildings are of brick construction and one- or two
-storey height. The main public and office front takes the form of a
two-storey L-shaped plan with a street range of 23 bays, and a much
shorter return range.
Behind the Writtle Road frontage are a series of contemporary brick
north-lit sheds, further northwards the sheds are probably later.
Also of probable nineteenth date are the entrance lodge and a
building set well into the site, which was probably the power
house. Other early structures are located in the south-east corner
of the site they , include a single- storey brick shed (originally
aligned on a railway spur) and a two-storeyed structure.
During the inter-war period, but certainly by the outbreak of war,
the office range was extended down Crompton Road and steel framed
sheds erected to the north. Traces of camouflage paint are visible
on a number of buildings. During the post-war period further
buildings were added. (1)
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