Hartley-Kent

About the road

Few people might guess how Dickens Close got its name.  It is named after the famous novelist because one of the landowners who sold the land to create the road was called Weller, and Sam Weller was Mr Pickwick's resourceful manservant in the Pickwick Papers.

Dickens Close - entrance showing part of road developed in 1967-1968

The road was built in two stages, first numbers 1-16 were built by H V Green Limited in 1967-68.  1-15 were built on the back garden of Villa Rosa, Church Road (the former home of Mr Weller, the house was renamed Kantara in 1978), while the even numbers were once part of the back garden of Ashleigh, Church Road.

Dickens Close, current OS map overlaid with 1936 map
1936 houses are shown in black, 2016 houses in brown. Contains OS data © Crown copyright (2016)

The remainder of the road was built by the West Yoke Property Company Limited.  It too was carved out of the back gardens of Church Road, including part of Rochford, Burwell (now the Bradings) and Top Spin.  This section appears to have been developed at a rather leisurely pace, the first houses were built in 1971 but it was not until 1978 that the final pair of bungalows were completed.

In 2004 Number 35 was the subject of an important court case from the Court of Appeal, on how to divide the property assets of a cohabiting couple when the relationship comes to an end.

Statistics about the road

Information about the houses

Explanation:

Date of Construction is sometimes approximate. Plot histories include the ancient farms and fields, as well as the plot numbers on the Payne and Trapps estate.
(1) Planning Permissions include the reference number, so more details can be seen at Sevenoaks Council. My records are not complete and do not include refused or withdrawn applications.
(2) Before Council Tax the tax on residential property was called the rates. The registers for 1956, 1963 and 1972 are held at Sevenoaks Council. The rateable value given is the gross estimated rental value of the property, that is how much the Valuation Office thought people would pay to rent it, the rates were actually calculated on a lower value after certain statutory allowances were made.
(3) Council tax is based on what the Valuation Office thought the property would have sold for in 1993. It is divided into 8 value bands.
(4) House price data 1995 to date produced by Land Registry © Crown copyright 2016. To report an error, go to Change a sales record form.

I have tried to make sure the information is accurate, but no responsibility can be taken for any errors. If you plan to rely on the information, you should check the source data to be sure. If you spot an error, please let me know via the contact form.

North side

2 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1967
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Ashleigh, Church Road (1915)
(1) Planning Permission: 2003/2565 First floor extensions
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £457
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (20 Jun 2003): £267,500

4 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1968
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Ashleigh, Church Road (1915)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £416
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

6 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1968
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Ashleigh, Church Road (1915)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £416
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (26 Nov 1996): £143,000

8 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1968
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Ashleigh, Church Road (1915)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £416
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

10 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1968
Additional House Name: Tamar (2015)
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Ashleigh, Church Road (1915)
(1) Planning Permission: 2005/213 Side and rear extensions
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £416
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (31 Mar 1999): £155,000

12 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1968
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Ashleigh, Church Road (1915)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £416
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

14 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1968
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Ashleigh, Church Road (1915)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £416
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

Dickens Close - part of road developed in 1971-1978

16 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1976
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of The Bradings (Burwell) Church Road, and Top Spin, Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (25 Aug 2004): £362,000

18 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1976
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of The Bradings (Burwell) Church Road, and Top Spin, Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(1) Planning Permission: 2007/2591 Demolish garage, replace with garage, shower room, family room
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (16 Jan 1995): £149,000

20 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1976
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of The Bradings (Burwell) Church Road, and Top Spin, Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

22 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1975
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of The Bradings (Burwell) Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(1) Planning Permission: 2002/1214 Garage, study and room side extension
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

24 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1976
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of The Bradings (Burwell) Church Road (1965)
Size: 5 bed (1995)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(1) Planning Permission: 2005/1579 Demolish garage, side extension
(1) Planning Permission: 2006/3137 Replace garage with garage, shower and family room
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (14 May 1973): £21,500
(4) Sale (30 Aug 1995): £135,000

26 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1976
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of The Bradings (Burwell) Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (9 Oct 2007): £445,750

28 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1976
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of The Bradings (Burwell) Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(1) Planning Permission:
(1) Planning Permission: 1985/486 Single storey rear extension
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

30 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1975
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of land at back of Top'o'the Hill, Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(1) Planning Permission:
(1) Planning Permission: 1984/1171 Convert garage to living accommodation
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

32 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1976
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of land at back of Top'o'the Hill, Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(1) Planning Permission: 2002/1934 Pitched roof extension at rear
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (27 Oct 2000): £244,000

34 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1976
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of land at back of Top'o'the Hill, Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

36 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1976
Property Type: Detached Bungalow
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of land at back of Top'o'the Hill, Church Road (1965)
Size: 3 bed (2010)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band G (£160-320K)
(4) Sale (29 Jan 2010): £420,000

South side

1 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1968
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Kantara (Villa Rosa) Church Road (1915)
(1) Planning Permission: 2009/1454 (land N of) Reconductor existing low voltage overhead lines with aerial bundled conductor
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £477
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

3 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1970
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Kantara (Villa Rosa) Church Road (1915)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £457
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

5 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1970
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Kantara (Villa Rosa) Church Road (1915)
(1) Planning Permission: 2005/1554 1st Floor Dormer extension
(1) Planning Permission: 2006/650 1st floor dormers (v 05/1554)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £457
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

7 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1970
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Kantara (Villa Rosa) Church Road (1915)
Size: 5 bed (2015)
(1) Planning Permission: 2013/974 Alteration of flat roofs to pitched roofs
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £457
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

9 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1970
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Kantara (Villa Rosa) Church Road (1915)
Size: 4 bed (2009)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £457
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (8 Apr 2009): £315,000

11 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1970
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Kantara (Villa Rosa) Church Road (1915)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £457
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

13 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1970
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Kantara (Villa Rosa) Church Road (1915)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £457
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (26 Oct 2001): £227,000

15 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1970
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of Kantara (Villa Rosa) Church Road (1915)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £457
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

17 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1971
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of The Bradings (Burwell) Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £435
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

19 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1971
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of The Bradings (Burwell) Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(1) Planning Permission: 2005/41 Car port in front of garage
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £435
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (12 Nov 1998): £169,950

21 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1971
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of The Bradings (Burwell) Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £430
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

23 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1971
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of The Bradings (Burwell) Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(1) Planning Permission: 2002/153 1st floor side extension, alterations to garage
(1) Planning Permission: 2002/836 Family room side extension
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £440
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

25 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1971
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of The Bradings (Burwell) Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £440
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (11 Dec 1997): £140,000

27 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1972
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of land at back of Top'o'the Hill, Church Road, and Rochford, Church Road (1965)
Size: 4 bed (2009)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(1) Planning Permission: 2001/2532 Side extension to form garage and study
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £435
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (27 Nov 2009): £365,000
(4) Sale (21 Aug 2014): £430,000

29 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1972
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of land at back of Top'o'the Hill, Church Road, and Rochford, Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £435
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

31 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1972
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of land at back of Top'o'the Hill, Church Road, and Rochford, Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £430
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (21 Feb 2000): £210,000
(4) Sale (16 Dec 2005): £358,500

33 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1972
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of land at back of Top'o'the Hill, Church Road, and Rochford, Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £430
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)

35 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1972
Property Type: Detached House
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of land at back of Top'o'the Hill, Church Road, and Rochford, Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(1) Planning Permission: 2013/1464 Demolish garage, erect side extension with shower room, family room, utility room and garage
(2) Rateable Value (1972): £430
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band F (£120-160K)
(4) Sale (1 Mar 2001): £232,000

37 Dickens Close DA3 8DP
Built: 1978
Property Type: Detached Bungalow
Plot History: Part of Middle Farm - Lower Home Field (1844)
Plot History: Part of land at back of Top'o'the Hill, Church Road, and Rochford, Church Road (1965)
(1) Planning Permission: 1969/645 Erect 19 houses and 2 bungalows as extension of Dickens Close (16-36 and 17-37)
(3) Council Tax (1993): Band G (£160-320K)
(4) Sale (26 May 2006): £402,500