The firm of Hayton, Lee & Braddock may have originated from the architectural practice run by Charles Hodgson Fowler (died December 1910) and his successor W.H. Wood from premises in The College, Durham City, in the precincts of Durham Cathedral. The same premises were later occupied by Cordingley & McIntyre, architects, a firm which was succeeded by Hayton & Lee (ca. 1971-1976) and then (from ca. 1977) the practice of Hayton, Lee & Braddock. The practice relocated to its Owengate premises in Durham City in ca.1955.
A number of partners in these practices served as architect to Durham Cathedral from the late 19th century onwards. Others did a good deal of work on ecclesiastical buildings in the diocese of Durham, and in ca.1945, or possibly from the 1930s onwards, Cordingley & McIntyre were also appointed surveyors to the diocese. The firm and its successors maintained this role until the retirement in ca.1989 of Alan Lee, who had latterly been the partner chiefly involved in the diocesan work. Thereafter the diocese decided that this survey work should be carried out in-house.
From the guide to the Hayton, Lee & Braddock Papers, ca. 1931-1991, (Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections)
