Marconi |
| Hob Uid: 1228165 | |
Location :
Essex
Chelmsford
Great Baddow
|
| Grid Ref : TL7300004000 |
| Summary : Marconi research centre, site acquired in 1937 as a greenfield for the construction of a research centre designed to investigate radar technology. The site was considerably extended during the 1950s and 1960s. In the late 1940s a Chain Home radar transmitter was moved here from RAF Canewdon, Essex, it is believed to be the only transmitter tower to retain all three of its platforms. The site remains in in use and is in good condition. |
More information : TL 728 038. Marconi's research centre lies to the south of
Chelmsford and Great Baddow village on the west side of West
Hanningfield Lane.
The site was purchased as a greenfield by Marconi in 1937 for the
construction of a research centre, which was operational by March
1939. From this date Great Baddow developed as one of the most
important research centres in the United Kingdom for the
investigation of radar technology. This role continued throughout
the post-war period and most importantly during the late 1940s
/1950s - when Marconi was the principal contractor for the Rotor
programme to modernise Britain's radar defences.
The main office building is a brick two-storey structure arranged
symmetrically around a projecting entrance porch. To the rear is a
`T' shaped assembly shed. Fields to the south and west of the main
office were also taken in for the construction of trials units.
Small buildings and transmitter masts remain in these fields.
During the 1950s and 1960s the site continued to grow, with
extensions to the 1930s structure and the addition of new
buildings. The most distinctive structure on site is the re-erected
109m tall Chain Home transmitter tower which was moved to this site
from RAF Canewdon, Essex. It is believed to be one of only five
Chain Home towers surviving in the country and the only one which
retains all its original platforms. (1)
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