The building known as Southfields, located about 300m to the south-east of the church has been previously identified as a 'bay and say' factory. However it is more probable that it is a public building (D. Stenning pers. comm.) which has been dismantled and rebuilt on the current site, as there appears to be no interior divisions on the first floor, effectivelly forming a single large room. The building is two-storeyed with attics, timber-framed and plastered, on a courtyard plan with an entrance gateway to the north linked to the east and west sides by galleries. The upper stories were originally reached by external staircases. It is possible that the Southfields building is either the missing Dedham Hall leet-court building or the Overhall manor-house/leet-court building, or a guildhall. <1>

This structure originates in the 15th century and has later additions so that the whole now is of courtyard plan as a result of its pattern of growth by separate units. Largely two-storey with exposed timber frame, ridge and gable roofs clad in pegtiles. One chimney stack has two octagonal shafts. The main range bounds the east side of the yard and was jettied to both east and west with dragon-beam at the south end. This range has tri-partite windows and roll-moulded joists which have soffit-tenons. The top-plates have edge-halved and bridle-butted scarfs. The south range built next to it also has tri-partite windows but with scribed ovolo mullions. The north range with its gatehouse was built as tall and un-storeyed. At some stage probably during the 18th century and maybe earlier bay and say manufacture took place here.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL: As the industrial use of this building was in excess of two hundred years ago, the archaeological potential of the site in relation to the wool cloth trade is slight.
SITE SIGNIFICANCE: Again, considering the time lapse the site has only slight significance in relation to the wool cloth trade, although the building itself is very important.
MANAGEMENT: The building is currently divided into a number of cottages and in use as private residences and as such are well maintained. <2>.