Mile Cross was one of the first housing estates in Norwich, and was built in the 1920s as part of the Homes fit for heroes scheme. It was planned on garden suburb principles by town planner Professor Adshead and involved four prominent local architects; Stanley Wearing, A F Scott, George Skipper and S J Livock. The estate was developed as a community and included infrastructure such as schools, churches, shops, pubs, community centres, allotments and public open spaces.
Conservation area
On 2 January 1979 the majority of the estate was designated a conservation area covering. The conservation area can be split into four distinct areas: Sub area A is the first phase of the development and includes Losinga Crescent and Suckling Avenue and is characterised by classically styled houses based on Georgian designs. Sub area B is the second phase and includes Margaret Paston Avenue and Oxnead Road. A greater variety of materials such as tile-hanging and mock-timber framing were used. Sub area C was extended from the estate to include four significant buildings; St Catherine's church, church hall, vicarage and the adjacent Mile Cross library. Sub areas D also includes several areas of new housing not of historic interest.
Notable buildings and structures
St. Catherine's Church was built in 1933–35 by architects Caroe and Robinson. Described as a fusion of Romanesque and modern styles; its powerful interior; its impressive detailing; and its overall monumentality is finished in buff-brown and grey-purple bricks and was listed Grade II* in 2006. The adjacent church hall has been listed Grade II and the vicarage is of local interest. Close by and also of note is the Mile Cross library. At three corners of the estate are three landmark buildings. The former Galley Hill public house and the Boundary public house. Located on the junction of Mile Cross Road and Drayton Road are the shopping parades finished in red brick and pantiles.
Parks and open spaces
There are several open spaces within the conservation area including Mile Cross Gardens which was opened in May 1929 to a design by Parks Superintendent Captain Sandys-Winch. The Grade II listed park contain features including concrete pavilions from the original layout. Many of the principal routes within the conservation area are planted with a diverse range of trees. Large species including horse chestnut, lime and plane have been planted. Minor and quiet roads have medium and smaller decorative species of tree, these range from robinia to sorbus.
Street names
Many of the public thoroughfares on the estate are named after people and places of a local historic interest.
William Appleyard – died in the early part of the 15th century was elected Mayor of Norwich on six occasions. Today his former house is the home to the city's Bridewell Museum.
