This extensive water extraction and treatment works site was developed in the early 1930s by the South Essex Waterworks Co. Low lift is adjacent to the River Stour and it is from this site that water is extracted. The main site, High Lift, consists of an extensive treatment works with many associated buildings, filter-beds and a reservoir. Low Lift pumping station and the treatment works buildings are all in the International Modern style of architecture. On High Lift Villas Road there are one detached and three pairs of semi-detached houses contemporary with the water treatment works, but not in the same architectural style. The semi-detached two-storey houses are of red brick with the upper storey rendered, under tiled, hipped roofs. Each house has a two-storey bay with windows on both floors, hung tiles between and part timbered gables at roof level. The detached house is in a similar style, although the bay windows are to the ground floor only. All windows are casements and fan-lights. Low lift Cottages adopt a similar style to High Lift Villas and are a terrace of three brick built cottages with a rendered upper storey and a hipped, tiled roof. The two outer cottages have a projecting bay with bay windows on both floors and hung tiles between and part timbered gables at roof level. <1>