Andrew Mill
Jul 04, 2008 by Claire Statter
This development of 34 new homes is located on the site of a former water-powered woollen textile mill – one of only five mills in Saddleworth before 1740. As a rare early example of industrial production for Britain’s important wool export trade, Andrew Mill was accorded high historical significance by Greater Manchester’s County Archaeologist.
L – P : Archaeology initially carried out a Desk Based Assessment which revealed a high potential of surviving industrial activity on the site. Selective targeted excavation of the original mill plan, and a subsequent watching brief of the remaining areas of the site, were undertaken.
A total of 6 building phases relating to the mill were identified on the site during the excavation; the later mill dating to 1876 was recorded, along with the northern wall and a number of internal walls of the original 1736 building.
L – P : Archaeology combined commercial and community aspects of this project to enable the client to satisfy planning conditions in an effective way; using data from the excavation L – P produced text and images for an historic information board to be displayed within the new development. Oral history and photographs collected by a local historian provided extra detail for the written archive deposited with Saddleworth Museum, and for an article L – P published in Saddleworth Historical Society Bulletin Volume 38. L – P also provided CPD sessions in archaeology and built heritage to the development team.
| Client: | Bellway Homes Ltd |
| Site: | Former woollen textiles mill |
| Development type: | Residential new build |