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Description: Nos. 2 to 16 (even)

Address: 2 - 16 Machpelah (even) Lees Road Hebden Bridge Calderdale HX7 8AU

Grade: II

Group detail: Machpelah, Hebden Bridge

Full description:
Long row of terrace houses dating from 1805 to approximately 1820. Dressed stone, stone slate roof. Nos. 12, 14 and 16 were built first for Rev. Richard Fawcett of Ewood Hall and are of 3 storeys. Quoins mark the division between Nos. 8 and 10 which were added on to No. 12 with a passage between to Machpelah Yard (q.v.) at the rear. Set back and with lower roof line are Nos. 2 to 8 which are 2 storeys. 3-storey range has tall doorways with tie-stone jambs and large 2-light sashed windows with plain stone surrounds and projecting sill to each floor (plain glazed sashes). Gutter brackets. Quoined angles to passage entries. 2-storey range has similar doorways with wide single sashed windows with plain stone surrounds and projecting sills. Moulded eaves cornice with gutter brackets. Left hand return wall of 3 and a half storeys with main feature of impressive long windows to former fustian cutters workshop 3 lights and 14 lights with doorway set between approached up a long flight of cantilevered stone stairs. Over is 15-light window, with central arched light, to attic. Rear of 3-storey range has similar former workshops with long row of flat faced mullioned windows. 8 stacks to ridge. The 1805 date is taken from the Guardian Royal Exchange Fire Mark numbered 218779 which belongs to No. 12. This policy was registered 29th September, 1805 when the houses belonging to Rev. Richard Fawcett were described as "4 houses at present empty", presumably of recent construction. This terrace represents an interesting industrial and integral residential development built by the son of Dr. John Fawcett whose house at Machpelah was constructed at the same time. Dr. Fawcett had written several tracts condemning the factory system and child labour and he was very concerned with the conditions of the workers and was involved in social reform. Illustrated in Calder Civic Trust, Hebden Bridge Trail, (Bolton, no date) p.23.