Building of the Month August 2024: Barn at the rear of the Bear Public House, the Square, Stock, Essex CM4 9LH

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  Barn at the Bear Public House. Credit: Robin Forster
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  Barn at the Bear Public House. Credit: Robin Forster
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  Barn at the Bear Public House. Credit: Robin Forster
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  Barn at the Bear Public House. Credit: Robin Forster
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  Barn at the Bear Public House. Credit: Robin Forster

This large, mid-19th century stable block and haylofts, falls within the curtilage of The Bear Public House which is Grade II listed with 16^th century origins. These buildings stand right at the heart of this historic and picturesque Essex village.  The barn’s historic relationship to the public house and its proximity, located in a large yard to one side (now a car park), mean that it is treated as curtilege listed. The barn itself though is of a later date than the pub and it has an attractive timber frame and weatherboard construction over a brick base and pitched roof.  Its restoration would make a significant and positive contribution to the appearance of the Stock Conservation Area.

The site was sold in 2017 and is fenced off from the pub’s car park.  It is supported with an internal scaffolding. It is not clear whether it has any land with it and what the access rights are to it. It remains in an unused and dilapidated condition and has been added to the register of Historic Buildings at Risk in Chelmsford City by Chelmsford Council’s conservation team.