In the early 1930's Alderman Sir Sydney Kimber persuaded
the town council to build the Civic Centre on the Marlands land, in exchange for
making other land available for housing, such as the Flowers Estate. Thorner's Homes had to move, and duly moved
to their current site in Park Road,
Shirley. The estate of some 60 1-bed
units was designed by a distinguished national architect, Sir Aston Webb, in a
very distinctive style.
By 2010 the accommodation was found to be no longer fit
for purpose for modern living, and older people were unwilling to live
there. So the decision was taken to
demolish and rebuild, refurbishment being found by the trustees to be impractical. The current buildings are
pleasing in character and quality from an architectural and visual and
historical point of view, though not listed, but unpleasing from the social
support point of view. Planning
permission has been given by the City Council for the rebuild, in a much more
contemporary style, though the clock-tower and principal arch feature of the
original buildings will be retained.
In October 2010, the Trustees of Thorner’s Homes submitted an
application to the planning department of Southampton City Council for
permission to demolish and rebuild the complex in Regent’s Park Road.
Thorner’s Homes is a charity which was established in the 18th
Century to provide homes for lone widows. In one of its incarnations the
Charity’s homes were located in the area now occupied nearby to the Civic
Centre. In1938, the Charity moved westwards to its present site, in Regent’s Park Road.
Outwardly the buildings collectively form an attractive group of
dwellings with extensive lawns, a few trees and open spaces between the houses.
Local residents in that part of the city are fond of the complex; it
does have a gracious air about it. The architect was Sir Aston Webb. Aston Webb served as
RIBA President (1902–1904) and, having been elected as a full member of the Royal Academy
in 1903, served as acting president from 1919 to 1924. He was knighted in 1904,
received the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture in 1905 and was the first
recipient of the American Institute
of Architects Gold Medal
in 1907
The plans for redevelopment came before the CoSS Planning and
Environment Committee. John Avery visited the homes and reported back with the
recommendation that we should support Thorner’s Homes in their application.
It came to our notice that other societies in the city were intending to
oppose the application. It was decided that a second site visit, with two more
members of the committee, should be undertaken.
One might have been forgiven for initially registering dismay at the
proposed destruction of these buildings for they are, indeed, very attractive.
The commemorative memorial to Thorner the benefactor was inscribed by the 20th Century
sculptor and typographer, Eric Gill.
Our minds changed the instant that we viewed the living accommodation.
The residential units, for single ladies are miniscule. These tiny homes are
totally unsuitable for anyone, let alone ladies who might be frail and of
limited mobility. There is no space in the living accommodation for a dining
table and chairs. A bed takes up most of the bedroom area and the toilet and
washing facilities are tucked away BEHIND the bed space. Storage space barely
exists and there is no place for a mobility aid. To enter the ground floor
flats it is necessary to negotiate a large and deep step. The upper floor is
reached by steps open to the elements.
We were of one mind. This situation should not be allowed to continue.
The fact that there are 19 vacancies bears out the fact that these homes do not
attract new residents.
Over the years Thorner’s Homes trustees have approached 4 (FOUR)
different architectural firms to produce plans to convert the dwellings into
homes suitable for the 21st century, maintaining the existing facades.
Not one of the firms was able to do this.
Thorners
Robert Thorner was a wealthy businessman and
philanthropist who retired to Baddesley near Southampton in C17 and became an
elder of the Above Bar Chapel. When he
died in 1690 he left a substantial sum of money for charity, which included the
building of four almshouses for widows of good character and limited
means. Isaac Watts was one of the
trustees. Eventually when the capital
became available due to leases falling in, in 1788-9 or thereabouts the
almshouses were built, between Above Bar Street and West Marlands Road, at a cost of some
£450. They were said to be very
pleasant, a quadrangle with green lawns and trees. 
