Absolute Comment On Plaque Unveiled For Victorian Architect

Absolute, a Chelmsford-based sales and marketing company, were interested to hear recently that a permanent reminder of an accomplished architect who helped build part of Chelmsford has been put up. James Fenton was responsible for laying out nine buildings in New London Road. Mr Fenton, who died in 1875, was also responsible for the road’s cemetery and he implemented the town’s infrastructure of mains water and sewerage. Many of his remaining buildings are protected as listed buildings or through inclusion within designated conservation areas.

Our source at Absolute said, “James Fenton is definitely deserving of the honour. So much of the city’s infrastructure is down to his work, and he’s a really important figure in the history of Chelmsford.”

Chelmsford Council has unveiled its first commemorative blue plaque for five years. Mayor Bob Shepherd unveiled the 15th plaque in the series at the Chelmsford social club, in New London Road, which Mr Fenton designed and lived in between 1846 and 1857. The blue plaque honour, run by the council, began in 1986 to commemorate people of significance to the city.

 Mr Shepherd said: “I am immensely proud to unveil this plaque in memory of someone who helped create the Victorian framework of modern Chelmsford and who I hope would be very proud himself of our new city status.”

Christopher Kingsley, councillor responsible for parks and heritage, said: “I was very pleased the council’s cabinet agreed to continue the blue plaque scheme, with one for James Fenton. He certainly fulfils our strict criteria and is an illustrious figure in the history of Chelmsford.”

“We’re really pleased at the mark of respect received by Mr Fenton,” said our source at Absolute, “It will hopefully inspire some people to look into the contributions he made to the city, and learn a bit more about their local history.”

Mr Fenton was born in Reading in 1805, and set up an architect’s practice in Chelmsford in 1830.

He specialised in workhouses and, later, non-conformist chapels, and was part of a consortium of five businessmen who laid out and developed New London Road. In 1850 he was appointed surveyor to the newly-formed Chelmsford Local Board of Health, planning and executing a major water supply and sewage system for the town – greatly improving health and sanitation.

Mr Fenton is buried in the non-conformist cemetery in New London Road.