6. Soham Conservation Area - East Cambridgeshire District Council

9.10 Market Street
9.10.1 Market Street is a short east-west street connecting Paddock Street to
Churchgate/High Street. It was known as Crown Lane until the early
20 th century when it became known as Market Place and subsequently
Market Street. Currently only the western half of the street is within the
conservation area, but it is proposed to include the whole street.
9.10.2 Two large buildings, both of which formerly played an important part in
the life of the village, dominate the north side of the street. The former
Crown Hotel, now in residential use, defines the corner of Market and
Churchgate Streets, and is prominent in views north from the
churchyard. The following building was once the Town Hall, once also
used as the County Court and now a club.
9.10.3 After the tight building line of the former Crown Hotel and Town Hall,
the open forecourt of the large single storey vehicle repair garage
forms a negative contrast. The gable end of the former brewery
encloses the street again at its eastern end. The south side of the
street follows a similar pattern to the north side, with the two ends
relatively confined whilst the middle section of the street is quite open.
9.10.4 The trees in the rear gardens of the High Street properties together
with the large mature trees of the Churchyard form a significant group
in views west from Market Street. A parking area to the rear of No.10
High Street is partially screened from the street behind a timber-fence
that helps to enclose the street at this point. A high hedge screens the
rear elevations of the other properties along High Street.
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