Appendix 14.1

Desk Based Assessment A Desk-Based Archaeological Assessment in connection with the proposed Widnes 3MG Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant, Stobart Park/3MG, Widnes, Cheshire

Date April 2012

Our Ref: DLE2429 RPS 34 Lisbon Street 3rd Floor Leeds LS1 4LX

Tel: 0113 220 6190 Fax: 0113 243 9161 Email: [email protected]

Planning & Development QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Prepared by: Dan Slatcher

Authorised by: Paul Hardwick

Date: April 2012

Project Number/Document DLE2429 Reference:

DISCLAIMER

The opinions and interpretations presented in this report represent our best technical interpretation of the data made available to us. However, due to the uncertainty inherent in the estimation of all parameters, we cannot, and do not guarantee the accuracy or correctness of any interpretation and we shall not, except in the case of gross or wilful negligence on our part, be liable or responsible for any loss, cost damages or expenses incurred or sustained by anyone resulting from any interpretation made by any of our officers, agents or employees.

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Planning & Development CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... 1 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 2 2 METHODOLOGY ...... 3 3 PLANNING CONTEXT...... 5 4.0 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND...... 8 5.0 ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL ...... 12 6.0 CONCLUSIONS ...... 14 7.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES ...... 15 8.0 FIGURES...... 17 APPENDIX 1: HER ENTRIES (SUPPLIED BY CHESHIRE ARCHAEOLOGY SERVICE)...... 18 APPENDIX 2: EXTENSION OF STOBART PARK / 3MG, WIDNES ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT JUNE 2011 CHAPTER 10 & SELECTED FIGURES...... 19

Planning & Development EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

RPS Planning and Development has been commissioned to produce a desk based cultural heritage assessment in connection with Widnes 3MG Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant, Stobart Park/3MG, Widnes, Cheshire.

The proposed development area is located at Stobart Park/3MG Multi Modal, approximately one kilometre west of Widnes town centre at NGR SJ 501 844.. The site forms part of the West Bank Dock Site and is currently largely vacant. The proposed development area occupies approximately 5.09ha and is at a level of approximately 10 m AOD. The geology comprises Tidal Flat Deposits; superficial deposits being underlain by the Wilmslow Sandstone Formation.

The study has revealed that there are no statutorily designated sites (e.g. Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings) within the proposed development area. The closest statutorily protected assets are the railway bridge over the River Mersey to the southeast of the proposed development area, listed at Grade II* and known as the Britannia Bridge and the road bridge across the River Mersey to the southeast of the proposed development area, listed at Grade II and known as the Silver Jubilee Bridge. The proposed development would have no effect on the setting of the listed buildings.

There will be no effect on any listed building, or setting. No registered parks and gardens, historic battlefields or conservation areas, or their settings, will be affected by the proposed development. No Scheduled Ancient Monument or other statutorily protected or registered feature, or their setting, will be affected by the proposed development.

There is no evidence for the proposed development area to contain below ground remains of national importance, or of sufficient importance to warrant preservation in situ. It seems unlikely that the 19th century remains of a satinite works, saw mill and pottery known to have been located within or near the proposed development area are deeply buried although they are likely to have been severely damaged or destroyed through demolition.

There is evidence for possible peat and other organic deposits associated with the Stewards Brook at the western edge of the proposed development area. It is recommended that should the proposed development have a physical impact on the Steward Brooks, or an area of approximately 50 metres around it, ie through land reclamation, piling etc., that a programme of archaeological fieldwork (i.e. a watching brief) is enacted prior to the development of the site.

1 Planning & Development 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

1.1.1 RPS Planning and Development has been commissioned to produce a desk based archeological assessment in connection with Widnes 3MG Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant, Stobart Park/3MG, Widnes, Cheshire.

1.2 Site Description

1..1 The proposed development area is located at Stobart Park/3MG Multi Modal Gateway (formerly known as West Bank Industrial Estate) approximately 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) west of Widnes Town Centre, at NGR SJ 501 844. The site forms part of the area known as the West Bank Dock Site which was previously divided by Mathieson and Ronan Roads. The eastern portion of the West Bank Dock Site was the former entrance to the site via Mathieson Road. The area previously consisted of storage and distribution buildings which have now been cleared.

1..2 The total proposed development area occupies approximately 5.09ha and is at a level of approximately 10 m AOD.

1..3 The geology of the proposed development area comprises Marine and Estuarine Alluvium, with the tidal zone of the River Mersey within this area (BGS).

1.3 Aims

1.3.1 The aims of this study are to assess the likelihood of the proposed development site to contain archaeological remains and to provide an indication of what, if any, further work may be required with regard to archaeology.

1.4 Project Archive

1.4.1 The project archive is held by RPS at the time of writing.

1.4.2 This report has been written for and on behalf of RPS by Dan Slatcher BA, MA, MIFA

2 Planning & Development 2 METHODOLOGY

2..1 During this assessment, Health and Safety considerations were paramount, relevant legislation and guidance were complied with and appropriate health and safety measures adopted at all times during this assessment.

2..2 An environmental statement chapter dealing with cultural heritage was produced for the wider Stobart Park proposal (Fairhurst 2012) and is included as an appendix to this report. This indicated that the main area of below ground interest was the possible peat and other organic deposits associated with the Steward Brook. Further preliminary work associated with the current proposed development has indicated that the possible effect of the proposed development on the settings of designated cultural heritage assets should be considered.

2..3 A desk based heritage statement has been undertaken. The environmental statement chapter produced for the wider Stobart Park proposal forms the basis of this heritage statement, which narrows its focus onto the proposed biomass site.

2..4 The desk assessment comprised, in the first instance, consultation with the Cheshire Archaeology Planning Advisory Service Historic Environment Record (HER). Data on Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Registered Parks and Gardens and Registered Battlefields was obtained from English Heritage. A review of relevant documentary and archival material held in libraries and archives was undertaken. An iterative approach was adopted during this process to determine the scope of the above consultations/searches. Original sources were re-consulted where relevant and a search for any further sources was made.

2..5 A site visit was undertaken in February 2012 to establish the presence of above ground archaeology, whether or not previously recorded. The site visit has also provided an indication of the suitability of any further survey techniques.

2..6 The assessment has conformed to the relevant legislation and guidance, including:

• National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Department of Communities and Local Government March 2012 • Code of Conduct Institute of Field Archaeologists 2006 and • Standard And Guidance for Archaeological Desk based Assessment Institute of Field Archaeologists 2001.

2..7 NPPF 5, inter alia paragraphs 128 129, and 132 indicate that heritage assets may be of varying levels of significance. In addition, the Design Manual for Road and Bridges (Vol 11, Section 3 Part 2 HA208/07) Highways Agency August 2007 details categories of relative importance. The categories of significance below are based on these documents, with NPPF taking precedence:

• Sites of the Highest Significance would include scheduled monuments, protected wreck sites, battlefields, Grade I and II* listed buildings and Grade I and II* registered parks and gardens and World Heritage Sites • Sites of High Significance would include Grade II listed buildings, and Grade II registered parks and gardens. • Sites of Medium Significance, these being of Regional or County importance; • Sites of Low Significance, these being of District or Local importance;

3 Planning & Development • Sites of Negligible Significance - with very little of no surviving heritage interest. • Sites of Unknown Significance

2..8 Within this report, archaeological periods are defined as follows:

• Prehistoric [comprising Lower Palaeolithic (pre 30,000 BC), Upper Palaeolithic (30,000 - 10,000BC), Mesolithic (10,000 - 3,500BC), Neolithic (3,500 - 2,000BC), Bronze Age (2,000 - 700BC) and Iron Age (700BC - AD43)] • Roman (AD43 - AD410) • Medieval (AD450 - AD1540) • Post Medieval (AD1540 to 1901) • Modern (1901onwards)

4 Planning & Development 3 PLANNING CONTEXT

3.1 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Department of Communities and Local Government March 2012provides advice to planning authorities regarding the protection of heritage assets within the planning process. The guidance deals with all types of heritage in a single document. The NPPF takes an integrated approach to the historic environment and 'heritage assets', moving beyond a distinction between buildings, landscapes and archaeological remains.

3.2 Paragraph 128 notes that in determining applications local planning authorities should require an applicant to provide a description of the significance of the heritage assets affected and the contribution of their setting to that significance. The level of detail should be proportionate to the importance of the heritage asset and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on the significance of the heritage asset.

3.3 A heritage asset is defined in the NPPF at page 52 as a building, monument, site, place, area or landscape positively identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions because of its heritage interest. Heritage asset includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority (including local listing).

3.4 Setting is defined in the NPPF at page 56 as the surroundings in which a heritage asset is experienced. Its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings evolve. Elements of a setting may make a positive or negative contribution to the significance of an asset, may affect the ability to appreciate that significance or may be neutral.

3.5 Paragraph 131 notes that in determining planning applications, local planning authorities should take account of the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation; the positive contribution that conservation of heritage assets can make to sustainable communities including their economic vitality; and the desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness.

3.6 Paragraph 132 notes that when considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation. The more important the asset, the greater the weight should be.

3.7 Paragraph 135 notes that the effect of an application on the significance of a non- designated heritage asset should be taken into account in determining the application. In weighing applications that affect directly or indirectly non designated heritage assets, a balanced judgement will be required having regard to the scale of any harm or loss and the significance of the heritage asset.

3.8 Listed buildings are protected under the provisions 54(i) of the Town and Country Planning Act (1971), as amended by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act (1990) which empowers the Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to maintain a list of built structures of historic or architectural significance.

3.9 Scheduled Ancient Monuments are protected through the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979), which had been updated in the National Heritage Act (1983). Scheduled Monuments are maintained on a list held by the Secretary of State for

5 Planning & Development DCMS. Any alterations or works to a Scheduled Monument (including archaeological investigation) requires Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC).

3.10 The development plan for the proposed development area comprises the North West Regional Plan, September 2008, the Cheshire 2016: Structure Plan Alteration which was adopted by the County Council in December 2005 (this contains no directly relevant policies) and the Halton Unitary Development Plan (UDP), adopted by Halton Borough Council in April 2005. Relevant policies are as follows:

The North West of England Plan (Regional Strategy) to 2021

Policies DP7 and EM1 of the North West of England Plan (September 2008) are relevant.

Policy DP7 promotes environmental quality and states that it should be protected and enhanced, especially by ‘the protection and enhancement of the historic environment’.

Policy EM1 relates to the integrated enhancement and protection of the region’s environmental assets stating that:

“The Region’s environmental assets should be identified, protected, enhanced and managed. Plans, strategies, proposals and schemes should deliver an integrated approach to conserving and enhancing the (…) historic environment (…) of the region. Plans and strategies should define spatial objectives and priorities for conservation, restoration and enhancement as appropriate, and provide area-based guidelines to direct decisions and target resources. These will be founded on a sound understanding of the diversity, distinctiveness, significance and sensitivity of the region’s environmental assets, and informed by sub-regional environmental frameworks. Special consideration will be given to the impacts of climate change and adaptation measures. Priority should be given to conserving and enhancing areas, sites, features and species of international, national, regional and local landscape, natural environment and historic environment importance. Where proposals and schemes affect the region’s (…) historic environment (…) assets, prospective developers and/or local authorities should first avoid loss of or damage to the assets, then mitigate any unavoidable damage and compensate for loss or damage through offsetting actions with a foundation of no net loss in resources as a minimum requirement.”

Policy EM1 (C): Historic Environment states that:

“Plans, strategies, proposals and schemes should protect, conserve and enhance the historic environment supporting conservation-led regeneration in areas rich in historic interest, and in particular exploiting the regeneration potential of: • the maritime heritage of the North West coast including docks and water spaces, and coastal resorts and piers; • the Pennine textile mill-town heritage that exists in East Lancashire and Greater Manchester; and the textile mill-town heritage of East Cheshire; • Victorian and Edwardian commercial developments in Liverpool and Manchester city centres; • the traditional architecture of rural villages and market towns of Cumbria, Cheshire and Lancashire; and • the historic Cities of Carlisle, Chester and Lancaster; and the Lake District Cultural Landscape.” Paragraph 9.5 states that this policy aims to encourage a more integrated approach to the management of the landscape and the natural environment, within both rural and urban areas.

6 Planning & Development Halton Unitary Development Plan (UDP), April 2005

The following policies are relevant:

BE 1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT

Development will be permitted provided that the following criteria are satisfied, where appropriate: a It must ensure the retention, conservation, enhancement and integration of sites and features of particular historic, archaeological, landscape, ecological or amenity value.

BE4 SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENTS

Development proposals that are likely to have an unacceptable affect on Scheduled Ancient Monuments and other nationally important archaeological sites and monuments or their settings will not be permitted.

BE5 OTHER SITES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPORTANC

Development proposals that are likely to have an unacceptable affect on other known sites and monuments of archaeological significance will not be permitted. Permission may be granted if it can be demonstrated that measures of mitigation (such as preservation by design or record) and compensation (such as advances in knowledge or public understanding) can be employed to ensure there is no net loss

BE6 ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

Where development proposals affect sites of known or suspected archaeological importance the Council may require the applicant to submit an archaeological evaluation prior to the determination of the planning application. This information will be used to assess the archaeological impact of development proposals.

BE10 PROTECTING THE SETTING OF LISTED BUILDING

Development which would affect the setting of a listed building should aim to preserve both the character of that setting and its historic relationship to the listed building. This will include, where appropriate, the preservation of trees and other landscape features.

7 Planning & Development 4.0 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

4.1 INTRODUCTION

4.1.1 The baseline data has been included as an appendix, which can be cross-referenced to the Historic Environment Record Entries Plan (Figure 1). HER Data are reproduced with the permission of the Cheshire County Council Archaeology Service HER.

4.1.2 The archaeological and historic background is described in detail in the wider ES chapter and is not repeated here

4.1.3 There are few if any records of prehistoric activity in the area. There are a number of recorded archaeological remains in the wider area; ranging in date from the Roman period to the modern.

4.2 Prehistoric and Roman

4.2.1 There is no evidence for early activity in the area, with no Mesolithic, Neolithic or Bronze Age sites or finds recorded in Widnes.

4.2.2 A few finds of Roman date have been made in Widnes. These include finds of two Roman coins and pottery sherds which were made some 2 kilometres west of Widnes in 1881 (Fairhurst 2012: paragraph 10.49).

4.2.3 A first century Roman coin was found in the River Mersey approximately a kilometre southeast of the proposed development area (HER number 113).

4.2.4 The available evidence indicates that there may have been a crossing point of the River Mersey at the Runcorn Gap (Fairhurst 2012: paragraph 10.49).

4.2.5 The main area of below ground interest of possibly prehistoric date is the possible peat and other organic deposits associated with the Steward Brook. (Fairhurst paragraphs 10.89, 10.90 and 10.112)

4.3 Medieval

4.3.1 There is little material evidence for Anglo Saxon activity in the area.

4.3.2 Some of the local place-names are first recorded in documents in the Domesday Book of 1086. These include Halton and Speke (Williams & Martin). A castle was built at Halton, on the south side of the River Mersey, beginning in c. 1070. The first castle on the site was a motte and bailey timber castle built by Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester. The castle is a Scheduled Monument (SM 27611).

4.3.3 The scheduling description castle stands on a prominent hill of red sandstone and overlooks the estuary of the River Mersey to the north and east and the low marshlands at the foot of the hill on the western and eastern sides. It is in a strategic position overlooking the Runcorn Gap. Halton is one of a series of castles built on the sandstone ridges of Cheshire including to the south Beeston Castle. The first castle on the site was a motte and bailey timber castle built by Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester, in c.1070. This was formed by

8 Planning & Development cutting off the highest part of the promontory on the north western side by a ditch 8m wide and utilising the natural platform on the rest of the hilltop as a bailey.

4.3.4 Halton Priory was founded in 1133 by William Fitznigel, baron of Halton, for a community of Augustinian canons. In 1391 the priory was raised in status to become an abbey. The priory is a Scheduled Monument (SM 27608).

4.3.5 Documentary evidence indicates that during the medieval period the area was rural in character with a scatter of farms and hamlets. (Fairhurst 2012 paragraph10.65)

4.3.6 Later mapping, indicates that the proposed development area may is likely to have been marshland during the medieval period.

4.4 Post-medieval and Modern

4.4.1 The picture of settlement and activity in the area during the early post medieval period was presumably similar to that of the later medieval period.

4.4.2 A duck decoy is located west of Hale Gate Farm, some 2.9 kilometres west of the proposed development area. There is a boat dock on the north side of the pond bearing a date stone marked 1638. The decoy was constructed for the capture of ducks for food. The duck decoy is a Scheduled Monument (SM 27581).

4.4.3 Rural settlement with scattered farms and hamlets continued in the area until the 18th century. William Yates’ map of Lancashire of 1786 indicates this position but shows no structures within the proposed development area.

4.4.4 The Widnes area was not greatly affected by the industrial revolution (Fairhurst 2012 paragraph 10.68) at least during the 18th century.

4.4.5 The former tide dock of the Bridgewater Canal & a lock to its north is located on the south bank of the River Mersey, some 1.25km south of the proposed development area. The structure comprises a tide dock and retaining walls to the lock, probably dating from 1772. The structure is of sandstone blocks with some repairs in brick and concrete. The trapezoidal dock originally opened into the Mersey at its southern end, but now into the Manchester Ship Canal. The lock, which led to the series of locks at the beginning of the canal proper, is rebated for two sets of gates. These features appear to be all that survives from the former Runcorn terminus of the Bridgewater Canal. The structure is listed at Grade II (List entry Number1130440)

4.4.6 To the south of the tide dock is Bridgewater House, a two-storey two-window pebbledash cottage with a slate roof and a date stone reading 'MB RB 1746'. The structure is listed at Grade II (List entry Number1130334)

4.4.7 The development of communications, firstly the Sankey Canal, followed by the Liverpool to Manchester Railway and links to the River Mersey, formed the catalyst for the development and expansion of Widnes

4.4.8 The Widnes Tithe Map of 1839 shows the proposed development area, which is located entirely within Widnes, as saltmarsh The Ditton Tithe Map of 1844 shows the area to the west of the proposed development area also as saltmarsh. .

9 Planning & Development 4.4.9 The first edition Ordnance Survey six inch to the mile map of 1849 shows Widnes Marsh and indicates that it was covered at spring tides. Some attempts at drainage may have been made by this time, to judge from earthworks shown on the map.

4.4.10 The railway bridge over the River Mersey to the southeast of the proposed development area was built between 1864-8. The design was by William Baker. The list description notes that the structure comprises two river piers of yellow sandstone with rounded base cutwaters. The bridge is flanked on both banks by an arched viaduct but is separated from these by square sandstone approach towers with crenellations and machicolations. The bridge parapet is of metal latticework construction clasped above support piers by high standing metal half tower features which have a similar treatment to the approach towers. The bridge has shields with cross daggers, Britannia and Liver Bird motifs on the tower and river support piers. The sections of the viaducts immediately adjoining the bridge are of yellow bricks with stone piers, smaller secondary tower features against the bridge and double tower-like pilasters against the main blue brick viaducts. The bridge is listed at Grade II* (List Entry Number 1130418).and is known as the Britannia Bridge.

4.4.11 The Catholic church of St Michael is located some 0.9 km north west of the proposed development area and was built for a Jesuit community expelled from Germany in 1872.. The building was designed by Henry Clutton, and is in red sandstone ashlar with a slate roof. It has a cruciform plan with and eight bay arcade which passes the short transepts and takes in the chancel. At the west end of the nave there is an impressive tower with a steep saddleback roof. The building is listed at Grade II* (List Entry number 1325926)

4.4.12 A chemical works, the Mathieson & Co Chemical Works, was located immediately north of the proposed development area and is marked on the Ordnance Survey Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey twenty-five inch to the mile Ordnance Survey edition of 1895. It is also shown on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps (HER number 4241/24/0). ).

4.4.13 A pottery is shown on the first edition Twenty Five inch to the mile Ordnance Survey edition of 1895 (HER number 4241/59/0)). Slater’s Directory of Widnes (Slater 1895: 38) lists Thomas Norman as a ‘sanitary pipe manufacturer, Widnes Pottery, The Marsh’. A satinite works, where lining material for furnaces was produced (HER number 4241/59/0)) and a saw mill (HER number 4241/60/0) are also shown to the west of the pottery. Railway lines are shown running into the proposed development area and a railway is shown running along the north bank of the Mersey. It is unclear from map evidence whether there was significant land filing between 1849 and 1895.

4.4.14 A rifle range is shown to the south of the proposed development area, parallel with the Stewards Brook on the OS edition of 1908. The range does not appear to extend into the proposed development area.

4.4.15 The disposition within the proposed development area was largely unchanged by 1928. At that time the saw mill was marked ‘Craigs Saw Mills’.

4.4.16 A road bridge across the River Mersey was designed by Mott Hay and Anderson and built in 1956-61. The structure is of steel, with a single steel latticework arch. The lower surface comes to a point at either end to rest upon concrete cutwaters, while the upper surface flattens out to run horizontally to either end of the central span. The road surface suspended from the arch. The span is 1,082 feet, the total length 1,628 feet. This was the largest steel arch in Europe when it was built. The bridge is listed at Grade II (List Entry Number1130421) and is known as the Silver Jubilee Bridge

10 Planning & Development 4.4.17 The pottery buildings seem to have been cleared by 1987. A brick building surviving within the proposed development area at the saw mill site contains a date stone over the door marked ‘AD1950 Craigs Ltd est1891’ and was clearly part of the saw mill complex. On this basis it seems likely that both the saw mill and the adjacent pottery were at approximately the same ground level and that this has not changed significantly since they were built. .

4.4.18 At the time of the site visit the proposed development area was unoccupied and disused. Standing buildings were being demolished. There was no evidence for above ground archaeological remains within the proposed development area. A piece of ceramic material recovered from the surface spoil of a backfilled geotechnical trial pit located approximately 40 metres east of the saw mill building appears to be kiln furniture.

4.4.19 There is a considerable depth of made ground over the proposed development area (Parker 2012). In the west of the proposed development area, in the area of the Steward Brook, SI indicates made ground of up to 4 metres in depth, with WS 12 and 14 from the 2004 survey indicating a depth of 4 metres to the base of each borehole. WS 7 from the 2011 survey presents an identical picture.

4.4.20 In the east of the proposed development area, in the area of the pottery and sawmill, SI indicates made ground of up to 5 metres in depth, with WS 1 from the 2004 survey indicating a depth of 5 metres and test pits 9 and 10 from the same survey containing made ground to the base of the trial pits at c.4 metres.

11 Planning & Development 5.0 ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL

5.1 The proposed development area does not lie within or adjacent to a Conservation Area and does not contain any Listed Buildings or Scheduled Monuments. The closest statutorily protected assets are the railway bridge over the River Mersey to the southeast of the proposed development area, listed at Grade II* (List Entry Number 1130418).and known as the Britannia Bridge and the road bridge across the River Mersey to the southeast of the proposed development area, listed at Grade II (List Entry Number1130421) and known as the Silver Jubilee Bridge.

5.2 In addition, the former Tide dock of Bridgewater Canal & lock to north (List Entry Number1130440) listed at Grade II is located some 1.25km south of the proposed development area, Bridgewater House (List Entry Number1130334) listed at Grade II is located some1.27km south of the proposed development area and 1325926 Church of St Michael (List Entry Number1325926) listed at Grade II* is located some 0.9 km north west of the proposed development area.

5.3 Although there is probably a degree of intervisibility with the proposed development area the developed and industrial nature of the wider area indicates that there would be little or no impact and no effect on the setting of the listed buildings.

5.4 The nearest Scheduled Monument is Halton Castle (SM 27611) is located some 4km southeast of the proposed development area. Although the proposed development area is likely to be visible from the Scheduled monument, the developed and industrial nature of the wider area indicates that there would be little or no impact and no effect on the setting of the Scheduled Monument.

5.5 The nearest Registered Park and Garden is Allerton Cemetery, located some 7.7 kilometres west of the proposed development area. The nearest Conservation Area is West Bank Promenade Conservation Area, located some 600 metres east of the proposed development area. Intervisibility with the proposed development area is limited by the road and railway bridges immediately west of the Conservation Area. Neither the Registered Park and Garden or the Conservation Area nor their settings would be affected by the proposed development.

5.6 No other listed building, Scheduled Monument, Listed Building Conservation Area or other statutorily protected or registered feature, locally important building, or their settings, would be affected by the proposed development.

5.7 The environmental statement produced for the overall application indicated that the main area of below ground interest was the possible peat and other organic deposits associated with the Steward Brook. This noted that:

5.8 The only elements of the proposals requiring mitigation are deep ground works (over 1 m below present ground level) which may affect deposits of peat in the area within c. 50 m of the banks of the Ditton and Steward Brooks. These should be monitored as an archaeological watching brief conducted to a method statement agreed in advance with the Development Control Archaeologist for Halton Borough Council. Monitoring would be confined to works such as the exaction of trenches for services and excavation around pile caps. The operation of piling rigs would not require monitoring. (Fairhurst 2012 paragraph 10.113.)

12 Planning & Development 5.9 It seems unlikely that the 19th century remains of the satinite works, saw mill and pottery are deeply buried although they are likely to have been severely damaged or destroyed through demolition.

5.10 The potential for the survival of below ground archaeological remains that would be affected by the proposed development is therefore as follows:

• Prehistoric – high (in terms of palaeoenvironmental deposits) • Roman - low • Medieval – low • Post Medieval - low

13 Planning & Development 6.0 CONCLUSIONS

6.1 This study has revealed that there are no statutorily designated sites (e.g. Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings) within the proposed development area.

6.2 The closest statutorily protected assets are the railway bridge over the River Mersey to the southeast of the proposed development area, listed at Grade II* (List Entry Number 1130418).and known as the Britannia Bridge and the road bridge across the River Mersey to the southeast of the proposed development area, listed at Grade II (List Entry Number1130421) and known as the Silver Jubilee Bridge. The proposed development would have no effect on the setting of the listed buildings.

6.3 There will be no effect on any listed building, or setting. No registered parks and gardens, historic battlefields or conservation areas, or their settings, will be affected by the proposed development. No Scheduled Ancient Monument or other statutorily protected or registered feature, or their setting, will be affected by the proposed development.

6.4 There is no evidence for the proposed development area to contain below ground remains of national importance, or of sufficient importance to warrant preservation in situ. It seems unlikely that the 19th century remains of the satinite works, saw mill and pottery are deeply buried although they are likely to have been severely damaged or destroyed through demolition.

6.5 There is evidence for possible peat and other organic deposits associated with the Stewards Brook at the western edge of the proposed development area.

6.6 It is recommended that should the proposed development have a physical impact on the Stewards Brook, or an area of approximately 50 metres away from it, ie through land reclamation, piling etc., that a programme of archaeological fieldwork (i.e. a watching brief) is enacted prior to the development of the site.

14 Planning & Development 7.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES

7.1 Published

Brabner, J.H.F. ed., c1893. The Comprehensive Gazetteer of England and Wales. London: William Mackenzie.

Brennand, M (ed) 2006 The Archaeology of North West England An Archaeological Research Framework for the North West Region Volume 1: Resource Assessment Archaeology North West Volume 8 Manchester Council for British Archaeology North West

2007 The Archaeology of North West England An Archaeological Research Framework for the North West Region Volume 2: Research Agenda and Strategy Archaeology North West Volume 19 Manchester Council for British Archaeology North West

Cantor, L, 1983. The Medieval Parks of England: A Gazetteer. Loughborough: Loughborough University of Technology.

Cheshire County Council 2004 Halton Local Studies Township Pack no 43 Halton: Cheshire Libraries Arts and Archives

Ekwall, E. 1960. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place Names Oxford

Margarey, I.D. 1955 Roman Roads in Britain Volume 2, North of the Fosse Way-Bristol Channel London: Phoenix House

Meaney, A., 1964. A Gazetteer of Early Anglo-Saxon Burial Sites. London: George Allen & Unwin.

Parker, A 2012 Summary Report West Bank Dock Estate, Widnes On Behalf of Burmeister and Wain Scandinavian Contractor A/S (BWSC) RPS unpublished client report ref JER5336 R 120313 Summary Report Final v6

Sawyer, P.H. 1968. Anglo-Saxon Charters: an Annotated List and Bibliography. London: Royal Historical Society.

Slater 1895 Slater’s Directory of Widnes Manchester: Slater’s Directory

Tate, W.E. & Turner, M.E., 1978. A Domesday of English Enclosure Acts and Awards. Reading: University of Reading.

Williams, A. & Martin, G.H. (eds), 1992 Domesday Book London: Penguin.

7.2 Unpublished Technical Reports

15 Planning & Development Fairhurst 2012 Extension of Stobart Park / 3MG, Widnes Environmental Statement January 2012 unpublished Environmental Statement Report: Fairhurst Project Reference: 89429

Martin, A 1997 Halewood Closure Project Desk Based Asessment Gifford unpublished report number B0507A2R

7.3 Published Maps

British Geological Survey 1977 1:50,000 sheet Runcorn Southampton: IGS

Ordnance Survey County Series mapping supplied by Landmark Mapping

Historical Map and Guide Roman Britain 1994

Soil Survey of England and Wales 1983 Soil Map of England and Wales 1:250,000 and Legend Harpenden: Soil Survey of England and Wales

7.4 Documents held in Lancashire Record Office

Widnes Tithe Map and Award 1839

Ditton tithe Map and Award 1844

16 Planning & Development 8.0 FIGURES

17 Planning & Development

APPENDIX 1: HER ENTRIES (SUPPLIED BY CHESHIRE ARCHAEOLOGY SERVICE)

18 Planning & Development Cheshire Historic Environment Record Monument Record 02/03/2012

HER Number Site Name Record Type 109 Runcorn burh Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish RUNCORN, HALTON Historic RUNCORN, RUNCORN, CHESHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5082 8333 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Possible site of Saxon defended centre

Summary Runcorn Burh was founded by Aethelfleda, lady of the Mercians in around 912 in response to presence of a Norse fleet in Irish Sea. A burh is the Saxon name for a fortified settlement. The exact site is not known but is was probably the Castle Rock. This was a promontory jutting out into the River Mersey, which was removed to improve naviagation and construct the railway viaduct. There are plans showing the area before the railway but the area has now been destroyed by bridge building and other industrial workings. Placename evidence suggests there may also have been a Norman castle here for a short period.

Monument Type and Date BURH (AD 9TH CENTURY to AD 11TH CENTURY - 800 AD to 1099 AD?) Evidence SUB SURFACE DEPOSIT CASTLE (AD 9TH CENTURY to AD 11TH CENTURY - 800 AD to 1099 AD?) DITCH (AD 9TH CENTURY to AD 11TH CENTURY - 800 AD to 1099 AD?)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 109 21/12/1987 SHINE Candidate (Possible) SMR/HER Reference (Old) - 2/AR-014

Description Runcorn Burh. Founded by Aethelfleda, lady of the Mercians, in the 10th century. Site not exactly known but considered to be the Castle Rock, the promontory jutting out into the River Mersey, removed to improve naviagation and construct the railway viaduct. In 1845 described as a triangular piece of ground cut off from the land by a ditch, 6 yards wide (1). There are plans showing the area before the railway (2) and (3). Placename evidence suggests there may have been a Norman castle here for a short period (4). The area has now been destroyed by bridge building and other industrial workings (4). Built c.912 by Aethelflaed at the same time as Eddisbury in response to presence of Norse fleet in Irish Sea (5).

Sources (1) Dodgson J McN. 1970-1981. EPNS - The Place-Names of Cheshire. 2/177 (Y) (2) Hanshall J H. 1817-1823. The History of the County Palatine of Chester. /418 (3) Beaumont W. 1873. The History of Halton. 1 (4) OS Record Card. White J 1964 SJ58SW8

zMon8figNoEvent © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 1 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Monument Record 02/03/2012 (5) Harris, B E (ed). 1987. Victoria County History: Volume 1. A History of Cheshire - Prehistory, Roman, Saxon and Domesday. 1/252-3 Thacker A 1987 (6) Armitage. 1912. Early Norman Castles. p.38-9 (7) Longley D. various. Longley Archive. /no.296

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 113 Roman coin Find Spot

Administrative Area Civil Parish RUNCORN, HALTON Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5090 8350 6 Figure Ref SW corner of an area 100m square in which actual position was located (Monuments).

Short Summary Field147:Roman coin

Summary Roman Coin of Domitian found 27ft deep in sand at Runcorn Bridge.

Monument Type and Date FINDSPOT (AD 1ST CENTURY to AD 5TH CENTURY - 43 AD to 409 AD) Evidence FIND

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 113 06/11/1987 SHINE Candidate (Unlikely) SMR/HER Reference (Old) - 2/AR-019

Description Roman Coin of Domitian found 27ft deep in sand at Runcorn Bridge (1).

Sources (1) OS Record Card. SJ58SW13 (2) Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society. Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society. 24/181 1906 (3) Harris, B E (ed). 1987. Victoria County History: Volume 1. A History of Cheshire - Prehistory, Roman, Saxon and Domesday. 1/234 Petch D F 1987 (4) Longley D. various. Longley Archive. /no.298

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material FCH2195 COIN (AD 1ST CENTURY to AD 5TH CENTURY - 43 AD to 409 AD) BRONZE

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 121/1 Widnes Dock Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5146 8427 8 Figure Ref Known to within 10m of actual position (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:19th Century Dock

Summary Widnes Dock was built in 1833 to serve both the St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway and the Sankey Canal which was specially extended. The dock entrance is now blocked, and the dock filled. It is maintained as a public open space.

Monument Type and Date COMMUNICATIONS (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 21st CENTURY - 1800 AD to 2050 AD) DOCK (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 21st CENTURY - 1800 AD to 2050 AD) Evidence STRUCTURE RAILWAY TRANSPORT SITE (Railway route, AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 21st CENTURY - 1800 AD to 2050 AD) RIVER NAVIGATION (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 21st CENTURY - 1800 AD to 2050 AD) WALL (Wall-stone some (1-100), AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 21st CENTURY - 1800 AD to 2050 AD) Main Building STONE Material

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 121/1 15/12/1986 SHINE Candidate (Possible) SMR/HER Reference (Old) - 2/AR-046

Description Widnes Dock, built in 1833 to serve both the St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway and the Sankey Canal which was specially extended. Dock entrance is now blocked, and dock filled. Maintained as a public open space (1).

Sources (1) OS Record Card. 1980 SJ58SW20 (2) Ashmore O. 1982. The Industrial Archaeology of North West England. /70

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 2482/1/0 St.Helens Canal/Sankey Navigation Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish CUERDLEY, WARRINGTON Civil Parish WINWICK, WARRINGTON Historic WINWICK WITH HULME, WINWICK, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5554 8882 Linear Line joining two or more 8 figure references. Applies to road routes, waterways or boundaries (Monuments).

Short Summary Field147:18th century canal

Summary The Sankey (St.Helens) Canal was the first artificial waterway in England. It was the pioneer of the Canal Age in England. It was built to carry coal from St Helens to the Mersey and then onto Liverpool. It ran from the upper limits of the navigable Sankey at Sankey Bridges to Haydock and Parr. It was authorised by an act of 1755 and opened in 1757. It was later extended to Fiddler's Ferry in 1771 and to Runcorn Gap (Widnes) in 1833. It eventually had 10 sets of locks.

Monument Type and Date CANAL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD) Evidence STRUCTURE CANAL TRANSPORT SITE (Canal Route, Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 2482/1/0 21/03/1995 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Sankey Brook (St.Helens) Canal: authorised by act of 1755, opened in 1757 at a cost of L 18,600. First artificial waterway in England. Built to carry coal from St Helens to the Mersey and thence to Liverpool. Ran from upper limits of navigable Sankey at Sankey Bridges to Haydock and Parr. Extended to Fiddler's Ferry in 1771 and further to Runcorn Gap (Widnes) in 1833. Eventually had 10 sets of locks (1). Pioneer of the Canal Age in England (4).

Sources (1) Hadfield C. 1970. The Canals of North West England (vols 1 &2 ). 2/470-1 (2) Barker T C. 1990. The Sankey Navigation. (3) Ashmore O. 1982. The Industrial Archaeology of North West England. /42 (4) Grealey S. 1976. The Archaeology of Warrington's Past. /55-6 (5) Crowe N. 1994. Canals. /17

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/0/1 United Alkali Co Chemical Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5070 8431 8 Figure Ref Known to within 10m of actual position (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Great War chemical works

Summary United Alkali chemical works in Widnes operating during the Great War producing Ammonium Nitrate and Acetone for the production of explosives.

Monument Type and Date AMMONIUM NITRATE WORKS (Post Medieval to AD 21st CENTURY - 1540 AD to 2050 AD) CHEMICAL WORKS (Post Medieval to AD 21st CENTURY - 1540 AD to 2050 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (Post Medieval to AD 21st CENTURY - 1540 AD to 2050 AD) WOOD CHEMICAL WORKS (Post Medieval to AD 21st CENTURY - 1540 AD to 2050 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/0/1 28/10/2003 16:29:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description United Alkali chemical works in Widnes operating during the Great War producing Ammonium Nitrate and Acetone. It produced the Acetone by the destructive distillation of wood, and was remote from the supply plant in contrast to earlier Acetone factories. The Acetone was used as a solvent for the production of Cordite MD and other products such as tear gas. Exact position is not known (1). It is possibly the Marsh Alkali Works [CSMR: 4241/4/0], however there are many chemical works marked on the historical OS maps for the area.

Sources (1) W D Cocroft. 2000. Dangerous Energy - The Archaeology of Gunpowder and Military Explosives Manufacture.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/20/0 Timber Yard and Manure Works, Hutchinson Street Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5074 8465 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Timber yard and Manure works

Summary This site is shown as a Timber Yard on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes, however it is a Saw Mill and Manure Works on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Monument Type and Date FERTILIZER WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) SAW MILL (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE TIMBER YARD (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/20/0 24/11/2003 15:06:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description This site is shown as a Timber Yard on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes, however it is a Saw Mill and Manure Works on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Sources (1) Roper H C. 1875. Roper 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes, 1875. (2) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/23/0 Widnes Metal Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5055 8426 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Metal Works

Summary Metal Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps.

Monument Type and Date INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) METAL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/23/0 24/11/2003 15:25:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Metal Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/24/0 Mathieson & Co Chemical Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5027 8455 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Chemical Works

Summary Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps.

Monument Type and Date CHEMICAL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/24/0 24/11/2003 15:31:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/25/0 Manure Works, West Bank, Widnes Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5072 8426 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Manure Works

Summary Manure or Phosphate Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps.

Monument Type and Date FERTILIZER WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/25/0 24/11/2003 16:25:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Manure or Phosphate Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/26/0 Phoenix Chemical Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5078 8417 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Chemical Works

Summary Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Monument Type and Date CHEMICAL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/26/0 24/11/2003 16:30:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Sources (1) Roper H C. 1875. Roper 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes, 1875. (2) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/27/0 West Bank Chemical Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5072 8413 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Chemical Works

Monument Type and Date CHEMICAL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/27/0 24/11/2003 16:34:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/28/0 Gossage's Soap Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5133 8426 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Soap Works

Summary Soap Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps.

Monument Type and Date INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) SOAP FACTORY (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/28/0 24/11/2003 16:37:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Soap Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/29/1 Hutchinson & Co Chemical Works (No 1 Works) Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5139 8437 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Chemical Works

Summary Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is associated with another works across the canal that is owned by the same company.

Monument Type and Date CHEMICAL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/29/1 24/11/2003 16:45:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is associated with another works across the canal that is owned by the same company [CSMR:4241/29/2].

Sources (1) Roper H C. 1875. Roper 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes, 1875. (2) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/29/2 Hutchinson & Co Chemical Works (No 2 Works) Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5126 8429 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Chemical Works

Monument Type and Date CHEMICAL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/29/2 24/11/2003 16:42:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Sources (1) Roper H C. 1875. Roper 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes, 1875. (2) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/3/0 Clare's Chemical Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5017 8480 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Chemical Works

Summary Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes.

Monument Type and Date CHEMICAL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/3/0 24/11/2003 10:12:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes.

Sources (1) Roper H C. 1875. Roper 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes, 1875.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/30/0 Widnes Limestone Mill Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5147 8456 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Limestone Mill

Summary Limestone Mill marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Monument Type and Date INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) LIME WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE MILL (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/30/0 24/11/2003 16:51:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Limestone Mill marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Sources (1) Roper H C. 1875. Roper 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes, 1875. (2) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/31/0 Viaduct Chemical Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5078 8460 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Chemical Works

Monument Type and Date CHEMICAL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/31/0 25/11/2003 09:04:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/32/0 Atlas Chemical Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5082 8452 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Chemical Works

Monument Type and Date CHEMICAL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/32/0 25/11/2003 09:09:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/33/0 Mersey Copper Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5097 8461 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Foundry

Summary Foundry marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and marked as a Copper Works on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked as a Copper Works on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps.

Monument Type and Date FOUNDRY (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/33/0 25/11/2003 09:13:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Foundry marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and marked as a Copper Works on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked as a Copper Works on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/34/0 Foundry and Boiler Works, Milton Street Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5107 8441 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Foundry and Boiler Works

Summary Foundry marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and marked as a Boiler Works on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked as a Boiler Works on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps. It is likely that it was a foundry producing boilers and hence the usage of the site did not change

Monument Type and Date BOILER WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE FOUNDRY (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/34/0 25/11/2003 09:22:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Foundry marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and marked as a Boiler Works on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked as a Boiler Works on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps. It is likely that it was a foundry producing boilers and hence the usage of the site did not change.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/4/0 Marsh Alkali Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5063 8439 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Chemical Works

Summary Alkali Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps.

Monument Type and Date ALKALI WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/4/0 24/11/2003 15:35:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Alkali Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps. It is possible that this is the site of the United Alkali Co Chemical Works [CSMR: 4241/1/0] that is mentioned in (4).

Sources (1) Roper H C. 1875. Roper 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes, 1875. (2) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire. (3) Ordnance Survey 3rd edition 6 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire. (4) W D Cocroft. 2000. Dangerous Energy - The Archaeology of Gunpowder and Military Explosives Manufacture.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/40/0 Chemical Works, Victoria Road Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5139 8483 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Chemical Works

Summary Chemical Works marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps.

Monument Type and Date CHEMICAL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/40/0 25/11/2003 11:26:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Chemical Works marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is also marked on the Third Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps.

Sources (1) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/41/0 Caustic Drum Works, Ditton Road Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5109 8487 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval

Summary Caustic Drum Works marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Monument Type and Date INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) SODA WORKS? (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/41/0 25/11/2003 11:30:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Caustic Drum Works marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. It is possibly a soda works or packing factory however the term cannot be found.

Sources (1) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/42/0 Oil and Grease Works, Ditton Road Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5114 8488 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Grease Works

Summary Oil and Grease Works marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. Grease Works recovered and removed grease (lanolin) from raw wool.

Monument Type and Date GREASE WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/42/0 25/11/2003 11:49:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Oil and Grease Works marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. Grease Works recovered and removed grease (lanolin) from raw wool.

Sources (1) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/5/0 Moorside Chemical Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5045 8482 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Chemical Works

Summary Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes.

Monument Type and Date CHEMICAL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/5/0 24/11/2003 13:10:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes.

Sources (1) Roper H C. 1875. Roper 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes, 1875.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/50/0 Widnes Oil Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5152 8471 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Oil and Resin Works

Summary Works marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps as a Resin Works and the First Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps as a Oil Works.

Monument Type and Date INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) OIL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/50/0 25/11/2003 12:20:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Works marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps as a Resin Works and the First Edition of the 6 inch to 1 mile Ordnance Survey Maps as a Oil Works.

Sources (1) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire. (2) Ordnance Survey 1st edition 6 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/51/0 Globe Chemical Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5101 8435 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Chemical Works

Summary Chemical Works marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Monument Type and Date CHEMICAL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/51/0 25/11/2003 12:28:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Chemical Works marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Sources (1) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/54/0 Vitriol Works, Ditton Road Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic DITTON, PRESTON, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5003 8483 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Works

Summary Vitriol Works marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. Vitriol is either Sulfuric Acid or it can refer to sulphate compounds of Copper and Iron.

Monument Type and Date ACID WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/54/0 14/06/2004 10:58:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Vitriol Works marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps (1). Vitriol is either Sulfuric Acid or it can refer to sulphate compounds of Copper and Iron (see dictionary).

Sources (1) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/58/0 Widnes Pottery Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5029 8440 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Pottery Works

Summary Pottery Works marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Monument Type and Date INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) POTTERY WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/58/0 14/06/2004 11:19:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Pottery Works marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Sources (1) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/59/0 Satinite Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5014 8444 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Works and Saw Mill

Summary A Satinite Works (a product used to line furnaces) marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Monument Type and Date INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) WORKS? (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/59/0 14/06/2004 11:28:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description A satinite Works (a product used to line furnaces) marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Sources (1) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/6/0 Desoto Alkali Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5070 8482 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Alkali Works

Summary Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes. It is also marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps [But as a Alkali and Sulphur Works], and on the Second Edition Ordnance Survey 6 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Monument Type and Date ALKALI WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/6/0 24/11/2003 13:19:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes. It is also marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps [But as a Alkali and Sulphur Works], and on the Second Edition Ordnance Survey 6 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Sources (1) Roper H C. 1875. Roper 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes, 1875. (2) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire. (3) Ordnance Survey 2nd edition 6 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/60/0 Craig's Saw Mill Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5017 8440 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Saw Mill

Summary A Saw Mill marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Monument Type and Date INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) SAW MILL (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/60/0 14/06/2004 11:48:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description A Saw Mill marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps, and the OS maps until the fourth edition 6inch.

Sources (1) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire. (2) Ordnance Survey. 1928-1954. Ordnance Survey 4th Edition 6inch to 1 mile.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

zMon8figNoEvent © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 33 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Monument Record 02/03/2012

HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/7/0 Hay Gordon and Co Chemical Factory Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5086 8484 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Chemical Works

Summary Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes. It is also marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps and on the Second Edition Ordnance Survey 6 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Monument Type and Date CHEMICAL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/7/0 24/11/2003 13:28:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes. It is also marked on the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps and on the Second Edition Ordnance Survey 6 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

zMon8figNoEvent © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 34 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Monument Record 02/03/2012

HER Number Site Name Record Type 4241/9/0 Gaskell Deacon & Co Chemical Works Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Historic WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE Township/Parish/County Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5141 8467 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Post Medieval Chemical Works

Summary Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Monument Type and Date CHEMICAL WORKS (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE INDUSTRIAL SITE (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1899 AD)

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4241/9/0 24/11/2003 13:44:00 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Chemical Works marked on the 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes and the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps.

Sources (1) Roper H C. 1875. Roper 1:540 Town Plan of Widnes, 1875. (2) Ordnance Survey. 1893. Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire.

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material

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HER Number Site Name Record Type 4843 Mersey Flats at Spike Island Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish RUNCORN, HALTON National Grid Reference SJ 5160 8433 Central Point Central Point of a large site. In the absence of a polygon consult the record (Monuments & Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Site of boat hulks

Summary Several Mersey flats were abandoned at Spike Island to protect the Riverbank from erosion. The dimensions of one of these hulks, Eustace Carey, 1905 were recorded prior to landscaping tof the derelict shore in 1978.

Mersey flats are a type of flat bottomed barge , used locally on inland and coastal waters. They were built in large numbers from the early 18th century and were used to transport goods from Manchester, the Cheshire Salt towns and local coal fields. Large numbers survived into the 20th century but they were abandoned as inland waterway traffic dwindled .

Monument Type and Date WRECK (AD 20TH CENTURY - 1900 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 4843 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Several Mersey flats were abandoned at Spike Island to protect the Riverbank from erosion. The dimensions of one of these hulks, Eustace Carey, 1905 were recorded prior to landscaping of the derelict shore in 1978.(1)

The hulks are clearly visible on aerial photographs from the 1970's (2).

This area of shore appears to be grassed over (3, 4)

Sources (1) National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside. 1999. Mud Flats. Archaeology in Intertidal and Inland Waters around the Mersey Estuary. 5/ Temple, G. & Stammers, M.K .The Eustace Cary and the Ruth Bate at Widnes. 1999 (2) Huntings Surveys Ltd. 1971-1973. 1971-1973 County Survey. N/A. (3) The GeoInformation Group. 1999-2001. Millenium Survey. (4) Various. Various. Verbal Communication. Various. Watson, Moya; 10/09/2010

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material FCH7226 BOAT (1) (AD 20TH CENTURY - 1900 AD to 1999 AD) WOOD

zMon8figNoEvent © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 36 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Monument Record 02/03/2012 FCH7227 BOAT (6-10) (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 WOOD AD to 1999 AD)

zMon8figNoEvent © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 37 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Monument Record 02/03/2012

HER Number Site Name Record Type 5010 Mersey Flats at Widnes West Bank Dock Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON National Grid Reference SJ 5069 8419 Approximate Probable location. Equivalent to a 6 figure reference (Monuments & Position Designations).

Short Summary Field147:Mersey Flats at former West Bank Dock, Widnes

Summary At Widnes, the West Bank Dock which closed about 1970 contained a collection of around 20 Mersey flats in its North arm. The most intact, the Sir Robert Peel, built in 1843 was recorded in 1973. The dock has since been filled in and landscaped.

Aerial photographs from the 1970's show a number of vessels in the dock.

Monument Type and Date CANAL DOCK (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE WRECK (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence VESSEL STRUCTURE

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 5010 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description At Widnes, the West Bank Dock which closed about 1970 contained a collection of around 20 Mersey flats in its North arm. The most intact, the Sir Robert Peel, built in 1843 was recorded in 1973. The dock has since been filled in and landscaped.

Aerial photographs from the 1970's (2) show that a number of hulls are visible in dock.(3)

Sources (1) National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside. 1999. Mud Flats. Archaeology in Intertidal and Inland Waters around the Mersey Estuary. 1/p.6 Stammers, M.K .The Archaeology of the Mersey Estuary: Past Work and Future Potential (2) Huntings Surveys Ltd. 1971-1973. 1971-1973 County Survey. N/A. (3) Various. Various. Verbal Communication. Various. Watson, Moya 30/09/2010

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material FCH7232 BOAT (1) (AD 19TH CENTURY - 1843 AD) WOOD

zMon8figNoEvent © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 38 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Monument Record 02/03/2012 FCH7233 BOAT (>10) (AD 19TH CENTURY to AD 20TH CENTURY - 1800 WOOD AD to 1999 AD)

HER Number Site Name Record Type 5013 Iron Boat Hull in River Mersey Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON National Grid Reference SJ 5142 8400 Approximate Probable location. Equivalent to a 6 figure reference (Monuments & Position Designations).

Short Summary Field147:20th century Iron boat hulk

Summary Remains of an iron boat hull identified during a walkover survey.

Monument Type and Date WRECK (AD 20TH CENTURY - 1900 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence RUINED STRUCTURE?

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 5013 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description Remains of an iron boat hull identified during a walkover survey. (1)

Sources (1) Gifford and Partners. 2003. Building a Bridge to Prosperity. R2520. p.29

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material FCH7236 BOAT (1) (AD 20TH CENTURY - 1900 AD to 1999 AD) IRON

zMon8figNoEvent © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 39 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Monument Record 02/03/2012

HER Number Site Name Record Type 5014 Iron/Timber Boat Hull in River Mersey Monument

Administrative Area Civil Parish WIDNES, HALTON Ceremonial County CHESHIRE National Grid Reference SJ 5149 8387 Approximate Probable location. Equivalent to a 6 figure reference (Monuments & Position Designations).

Short Summary Field147:20th century boat hulk

Summary Remains of a Boat Hull in the River Mersey identified during a walkover survey.

Monument Type and Date WRECK (AD 20TH CENTURY - 1900 AD to 1999 AD) Evidence RUINED STRUCTURE?

Status and other references Date Assigned Date Revoked Historic Environment Record - 5014 SHINE Candidate (Possible)

Description

Sources (1) Gifford and Partners. 2003. Building a Bridge to Prosperity. R2520. p.29

Associated Finds Find Type Period Material FCH7237 BOAT (1) (AD 20TH CENTURY - 1900 AD to 1999 AD) IRON, WOOD

zMon8figNoEvent © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 40 Cheshire Historic Environment Record: Monument List 29/02/2012

Ref Site Name Summary Monument Types NGR 109 Runcorn burh Possible site of Saxon defended Burh, Ditch, Castle SJ 50 83 (point) centre

113 Roman coin Roman coinFindspot SJ 50 83 (point)

121/1 Widnes Dock 19th Century DockWall, Dock, River Navigation, Railway SJ 514 842 (point) Transport Site, Communications

2482/1/0 St.Helens Canal/Sankey 18th century canalCanal, Canal Transport Site Centroid SJ 55 88 (MBR: 8414m Navigation by 9247m)

4241/0/1 United Alkali Co Chemical Great War chemical worksChemical Works, Industrial Site, Wood SJ 507 843 (point) Works Chemical Works, Ammonium Nitrate Works

4241/20/0 Timber Yard and Manure Post Medieval Timber yard and Timber Yard, Industrial Site, Fertilizer Centroid SJ 507 846 (MBR: 260m Works, Hutchinson Street Manure works Works, Saw Mill by 103m)

4241/23/0 Widnes Metal Works Post Medieval Metal WorksMetal Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 505 842 (MBR: 179m by 328m)

4241/24/0 Mathieson & Co Chemical Post Medieval Chemical WorksChemical Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 502 845 (MBR: 515m Works by 205m)

4241/25/0 Manure Works, West Bank, Post Medieval Manure WorksIndustrial Site, Fertilizer Works Centroid SJ 507 842 (MBR: 160m Widnes by 172m)

4241/26/0 Phoenix Chemical Works Post Medieval Chemical WorksChemical Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 507 841 (MBR: 83m by 141m)

4241/27/0 West Bank Chemical Works Post Medieval Chemical WorksChemical Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 507 841 (MBR: 219m by 251m)

4241/28/0 Gossage's Soap Works Post Medieval Soap WorksSoap Factory, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 513 842 (MBR: 118m by 332m)

zMonSummaryList © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 1 Ref Site Name Summary Monument Types NGR 4241/29/1 Hutchinson & Co Chemical Post Medieval Chemical WorksChemical Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 513 843 (MBR: 67m Works (No 1 Works) by 304m)

4241/29/2 Hutchinson & Co Chemical Post Medieval Chemical WorksChemical Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 512 842 (MBR: 120m Works (No 2 Works) by 379m)

4241/3/0 Clare's Chemical Works Post Medieval Chemical WorksChemical Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 501 848 (MBR: 251m by 152m)

4241/30/0 Widnes Limestone Mill Post Medieval Limestone MillIndustrial Site, Mill, Lime Works Centroid SJ 514 845 (MBR: 142m by 130m)

4241/31/0 Viaduct Chemical Works Post Medieval Chemical WorksChemical Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 507 846 (MBR: 288m by 153m)

4241/32/0 Atlas Chemical Works Post Medieval Chemical WorksChemical Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 508 845 (MBR: 244m by 149m)

4241/33/0 Mersey Copper Works Post Medieval FoundryIndustrial Site, Foundry Centroid SJ 509 846 (MBR: 153m by 148m)

4241/34/0 Foundry and Boiler Works, Post Medieval Foundry and Boiler Industrial Site, Foundry, Boiler Works Centroid SJ 510 844 (MBR: 38m Milton Street Works by 18m)

4241/4/0 Marsh Alkali Works Post Medieval Chemical WorksIndustrial Site, Alkali Works Centroid SJ 506 843 (MBR: 200m by 281m)

4241/40/0 Chemical Works, Victoria Post Medieval Chemical WorksChemical Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 513 848 (MBR: 348m Road by 108m)

4241/41/0 Caustic Drum Works, Ditton Post MedievalIndustrial Site, Soda Works Centroid SJ 510 848 (MBR: 70m Road by 103m)

4241/42/0 Oil and Grease Works, Post Medieval Grease WorksIndustrial Site, Grease Works Centroid SJ 511 848 (MBR: 46m Ditton Road by 88m)

4241/5/0 Moorside Chemical Works Post Medieval Chemical WorksChemical Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 504 848 (MBR: 330m by 169m)

zMonSummaryList © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 2 Ref Site Name Summary Monument Types NGR 4241/50/0 Widnes Oil Works Post Medieval Oil and Resin Industrial Site, Oil Works Centroid SJ 515 847 (MBR: 165m Works by 179m)

4241/51/0 Globe Chemical Works Post Medieval Chemical WorksChemical Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 510 843 (MBR: 82m by 68m)

4241/54/0 Vitriol Works, Ditton Road Post Medieval WorksIndustrial Site, Acid Works Centroid SJ 500 848 (MBR: 55m by 80m)

4241/58/0 Widnes Pottery Post Medieval Pottery WorksIndustrial Site, Pottery Works Centroid SJ 502 844 (MBR: 84m by 32m)

4241/59/0 Satinite Works Post Medieval Works and Saw Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 501 844 (MBR: 52m Mill by 44m)

4241/6/0 Desoto Alkali Works Post Medieval Alkali WorksIndustrial Site, Alkali Works Centroid SJ 507 848 (MBR: 161m by 171m)

4241/60/0 Craig's Saw Mill Post Medieval Saw MillIndustrial Site, Saw Mill Centroid SJ 501 844 (MBR: 138m by 88m)

4241/7/0 Hay Gordon and Co Post Medieval Chemical WorksChemical Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 508 848 (MBR: 162m Chemical Factory by 153m)

4241/9/0 Gaskell Deacon & Co Post Medieval Chemical WorksChemical Works, Industrial Site Centroid SJ 514 846 (MBR: 316m Chemical Works by 257m)

4843 Mersey Flats at Spike Island Site of boat hulksWreck Centroid SJ 516 843 (MBR: 27m by 93m)

5010 Mersey Flats at Widnes Mersey Flats at former West Wreck, Canal Dock Centroid SJ 5069 8419 (MBR: West Bank Dock Bank Dock, Widnes 458m by 722m)

5013 Iron Boat Hull in River 20th century Iron boat hulkWreck SJ 514 840 (point) Mersey

5014 Iron/Timber Boat Hull in 20th century boat hulkWreck SJ 514 838 (point) River Mersey

zMonSummaryList © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 3 Cheshire Historic Environment Record: Event List 02/03/2012

Event no.Event Name Event Type Organisation Report No. Dates NGR ECH4804 The Mersey Gateway: Cultural Event - InterpretationGiffords Consulting R2520 01/01/2006 - 31/12/2006, SJ 514 825 Heritage Study Engineers (Chester) between (2006) ECH4802 Environmental Statement - High Event - InterpretationLiverpool Museum R3098 01/11/2007 - 30/11/2011, SJ 497 843 Bay Regional Distribution Centre Field Archaeology Unit between (November 2011) ECH5159 An Archaeological Desk-Based Event - InterpretationLiverpool Museum R3209 01/05/2011 - 31/05/2011, SJ 508 839 Assessment of Proposed Office Field Archaeology Unit between (May 2011) Development, MacDermott Road, Widnes, Halton ECH5262 The Mersey Gateway Project: Event - InterpretationCheshire County R3253 01/05/2008 - 31/05/2008, SJ 516 824 chapter 13 Cultural Heritage Council between (2008) ECH3674 Halewood Closure ProjectEvent - InterpretationGiffords Consulting R2174 01/03/1997 SJ 48847 84262 Engineers (Chester) ECH4071 Building a Bridge to ProsperityEvent - InterpretationGiffords Consulting R2520 01/04/2003 - 30/04/2003, SJ 5335 8416 Engineers (Chester) at some time (April 2003) ECH4138 Bridgewater House - An Event - InterventionGiffords Consulting R2602 01/02/2006 - 28/02/2006, SJ 504 830 Archaeological Watching Brief Engineers (Chester) between (Febuary 2006) ECH4708 Fieldwork on the Mersey Flats Event - SurveyPrivate Individuals N/A 01/01/1970 - 31/12/1975, SJ 506 841 Bedale and Sir R. Peel, 1971- throughout (1970-75) 1975

zCheshireEventListRpt © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 1 Cheshire Historic Environment Record: Designation List 02/03/2012

DesigUIDName Type Ref NGR

DCH1524 GOSSAGES TOWER Listed Building 1130415 SJ 5126 8411

DCH1527 RUNCORN BRIDGE RAILWAY BRIDGE Listed Building 1130418 SJ 5089 8343 OVER RIVER MERSEY DCH1528 FORMER TRANSPORTER BRIDGE Listed Building 1130419 SJ 5110 8370 POWER HOUSE DCH1529 CHURCH OF ST MARY Listed Building 1130420 SJ 5130 8379

DCH1530 RUNCORN WIDNES ROAD BRIDGE Listed Building 1130421 SJ 5094 8342

DCH1594 MERSEY LOCKS ST HELENS CANAL Listed Building 1330354 SJ 5139 8420

DCH1613 WAYSIDE PULPIT TO CHURCH OF ST Listed Building 1325946 SJ 5131 8376 MARY

zDesignationListRpt © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 1 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Designation Record 02/03/2012

Name: GOSSAGES TOWER Status: Active DesigUID: DCH1524 Type: Listed Building Preferred Ref English Heritage UID Volume/Map/Item 1130415 1130415 36, 5, 91 Grade: II Date Assigned: 06/10/1983 Amended: Revoked:

Legal Description SJ 58 SW FORMER BOROUGH OF WIDNES MERSEY ROAD 5/91 Gossages Tower 6.10.83 II Offices, now Works, built circa 1860 for early chemical manufacturers Hutchinson & Co. Rendered with slate roof, mainly four storeys with two storey wing. Classical features include projecting plinth, rusticated quoins, projecting bands at sill level, curved heads with keystones and architrave to ground floor windows, flat moulded heads elsewhere. There is a moulded string course midway up ground floor windows and a moulded eaves cornice. Sash windows to main buildings, triple at ground floor. Double two panel bolection moulded entrance door, with plain fanlight, flanked by flat pilasters. The two storey section and the interiors are not of interest. This is a dominant building in the landscape which was formerly known as the Tower Building. Listing NGR: SJ5126184117

Curatorial Notes Type and date: c1860 OFFICE. Date: from 1840 to 1880 Type and date: c1860 CHEMICAL INDUSTRY SITE. Date: from 1840 to 1880 Type and date: Now WORKS. Main material: render Covering material: slate Designating Organisation: Department for Culture Media and Sport Location Grid Reference: SJ 5126 8411 (point) Map sheet: SJ58SW Area (Ha): 0.00 Administrative Areas Borough HALTON Civil Parish RUNCORN, HALTON Postal Addresses - None recorded Listed Building Addresses Statutory GOSSAGES TOWER Alternative TOWER BUILDING

Sources Digital archive: English Heritage. 2005. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Associated Monuments - None

Additional Information Borough Ref: LB Online Ref: 56052 List Locality: List Parish:

z_FullListingReport © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 1 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Designation Record 02/03/2012

List District: HALTON List County: CHESHIRE Group Value: Upload Date:

z_FullListingReport © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 2 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Designation Record 02/03/2012

Name: RUNCORN BRIDGE RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER RIVER MERSEY Status: Active DesigUID: DCH1527 Type: Listed Building Preferred Ref English Heritage UID Volume/Map/Item 1130418 1130418 36, 5, 96 Grade: II* Date Assigned: 06/10/1983 Amended: Revoked:

Legal Description SJ 58 SW FORMER BOROUGH OF WIDNES RUNCORN BRIDGE 5/96 Railway Bridge over River Mersey 6.10.83 II* Bridge 1864-8. By William Baker, Engineer, iron on two river piers of yellow sandstone with rounded base cutwaters. The bridge is flanked on both banks by arched viaduct but is separated from these by square sandstone approach towers with crenellations and machicolations. The bridge parapet is of metal latticework construction clasped above support piers by high standing metal half tower features which have similar treatment to the approach towers. The bridge has shields with cross daggers, Britannia and Liver Bird motifs on the tower and river support piers. The sections of the viaducts immediately adjoining the bridge are of yellow bricks with stone piers, smaller secondary tower features against the bridge and double tower-like pilasters against the main blue brick viaducts. Remainder of the viaducts not included in the item. Listing NGR: SJ5089483431

Curatorial Notes Type and date: 1864-1868 RAILWAY BRIDGE. Date: from 1864 to 1868 Type and date: VIADUCT. Main material: iron Main material: sandstone Main material: brick Main material: stone Designating Organisation: Department for Culture Media and Sport Location Grid Reference: SJ 5089 8343 (point) Map sheet: SJ58SW Area (Ha): 0.00 Administrative Areas Borough HALTON Civil Parish RUNCORN, HALTON Postal Addresses - None recorded Listed Building Addresses Statutory RUNCORN BRIDGE RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER RIVER MERSEY

Sources Digital archive: English Heritage. 2005. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Associated Monuments - None

Additional Information Borough Ref: LB Online Ref: 56057 List Locality: RUNCORN BRIDGE List Parish: List District: HALTON

z_FullListingReport © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 3 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Designation Record 02/03/2012

List County: CHESHIRE Group Value: Upload Date:

z_FullListingReport © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 4 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Designation Record 02/03/2012

Name: FORMER TRANSPORTER BRIDGE POWER HOUSE Status: Active DesigUID: DCH1528 Type: Listed Building Preferred Ref English Heritage UID Volume/Map/Item 1130419 1130419 36, 5, 99 Grade: II* Date Assigned: 31/10/1983 Amended: Revoked:

Legal Description SJ 58 sW FORMER BOROUGH OF WIDNES VICTORIA PROMENADE 5/99 Former Transporter Bridge Power House II Small red sandstone rectangular building built on 3 levels, 1901. Twin steeply pitched slate hipped roofs, with ridge terminal finials, now over-covered with green. felt. Upper storey, at former bridge level, has Gibbs surrounds to door and window openings, a stone moulded cornice with modillions and a torus moulded plinth. The lower levels are rock faced and there is a white glazed tiled tunnel with rusticated external arch at the lowest level. This is 1 of 3 support buildings which survive the Transporter Bridge, closed in 1961. Now used as an Electricity Board Sub-Station. Listing NGR: SJ5110783706

Curatorial Notes Type and date: 1901 POWER HOUSE. Date: 1901 Type and date: TRANSPORTER BRIDGE. Type and date: Now ELECTRICITY SUB STATION. Main material: sandstone Covering material: slate Main material: tile Covering material: felt Designating Organisation: Department for Culture Media and Sport Location Grid Reference: SJ 5110 8370 (point) Map sheet: SJ58SW Area (Ha): 0.00 Administrative Areas Borough HALTON Civil Parish RUNCORN, HALTON Postal Addresses - None recorded Listed Building Addresses Statutory FORMER TRANSPORTER BRIDGE POWER HOUSE

Sources Digital archive: English Heritage. 2005. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Associated Monuments - None

Additional Information Borough Ref: LB Online Ref: 56061 List Locality: VICTORIA PROMENADE List Parish: List District: HALTON

z_FullListingReport © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 5 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Designation Record 02/03/2012

List County: CHESHIRE Group Value: Upload Date:

z_FullListingReport © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 6 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Designation Record 02/03/2012

Name: CHURCH OF ST MARY Status: Active DesigUID: DCH1529 Type: Listed Building Preferred Ref English Heritage UID Volume/Map/Item 1130420 1130420 36, 5, 100 Grade: II* Date Assigned: 31/10/1983 Amended: Revoked:

Legal Description SJ 58 SW FORMER BOROUGH OF WIDNES VICTORIA PROMENADE West Bank 5/100 Church of St.Mary II* Parish Church 1908-10 by Austin & Paley. Red sandstone with red tiles to main roof and lead to roofs of aisles. West tower embraced by aisles, five bay nave, transepts and chancel in perpendicular style. Square tower with projecting full heiqht octaqonal staircase to S.E. corner and corner buttresses S.W. corner. Oak panelled door in Gothic opening with large perpendicular style windows above and louvred perpendicular windows at bell-stage to all faces. North West porch set diagonally to building. All windows are perpendicular style, those of the chancel having stained glass. There is a Latin religious text carved in masonry above the clerestorey windows on the east side only. Interior: Massive octagonal columns support tower and enclose an 8 ribbed vault with circular opening for bell rope. Large panelled round columns support chancel arch and 4 smaller octagonal columns, supporting Gothic arches, form the aisles. The single bay north transept contains the organ whereas the south transept Lady Chapel is three bays in length. The wall surfaces are rock faced and the main roof has collar trusses with curved struts from the tie beams. Listing NGR: SJ5130783790

Curatorial Notes Type and date: 1908-1910 PARISH CHURCH. Date: from 1908 to 1910 Main material: sandstone Covering material: tile Covering material: lead Designating Organisation: Department for Culture Media and Sport Location Grid Reference: SJ 5130 8379 (point) Map sheet: SJ58SW Area (Ha): 0.00 Administrative Areas Borough HALTON Civil Parish RUNCORN, HALTON Postal Addresses - None recorded Listed Building Addresses Statutory CHURCH OF ST MARY

Sources Digital archive: English Heritage. 2005. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Associated Monuments - None

Additional Information Borough Ref: LB Online Ref: 56062 List Locality: WEST BANK List Parish:

z_FullListingReport © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 7 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Designation Record 02/03/2012

List District: HALTON List County: CHESHIRE Group Value: Upload Date:

z_FullListingReport © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 8 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Designation Record 02/03/2012

Name: RUNCORN WIDNES ROAD BRIDGE Status: Active DesigUID: DCH1530 Type: Listed Building Preferred Ref English Heritage UID Volume/Map/Item 1130421 1130421 36, 0, 948 Grade: II Date Assigned: 29/03/1988 Amended: Revoked:

Legal Description SP948 RUNCORN RUNCORN Runcorn-Widnes Road Bridge. 0/948 GV. II Road bridge. 1956-61. Designed by Mott Hay and Anderson. Steel. Single steel latticework arch . The lower surface coming to a point at either end to rest upon concrete cutwaters, the upper surface flattening out to run horizontally to either end of central span. Road surface suspended from the arch. The span is 1,082 feet, the total length 1,628 feet. This was the largest steel arch in Europe when it was built. N.Pevsner and E.Hubbard B o E: Cheshire p 327 Listing NGR: SJ5094383422

Curatorial Notes Type and date: 1956-1961 BRIDGE. Date: from 1956 to 1961 Type and date: ROAD BRIDGE. Main material: steel Main material: concrete Designating Organisation: Department for Culture Media and Sport Location Grid Reference: SJ 5094 8342 (point) Map sheet: SJ58SW Area (Ha): 0.00 Administrative Areas Borough HALTON Civil Parish RUNCORN, HALTON Postal Addresses - None recorded Listed Building Addresses Statutory RUNCORN-WIDNES ROAD BRIDGE

Sources Digital archive: English Heritage. 2005. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Associated Monuments - None

Additional Information Borough Ref: LB Online Ref: 56066 List Locality: List Parish: List District: HALTON List County: CHESHIRE Group Value: Upload Date:

z_FullListingReport © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 9 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Designation Record 02/03/2012

Name: MERSEY LOCKS ST HELENS CANAL Status: Active DesigUID: DCH1594 Type: Listed Building Preferred Ref English Heritage UID Volume/Map/Item 1330354 1330354 36, 5, 106 Grade: II Date Assigned: 31/10/1983 Amended: Revoked:

Legal Description SJ58 SW FORMER BOROUGH OF WIDNES SPIKE ISLAND 5/106 West Bank Mersey locks St Helens Canal II East lock with restored gates, one of pair of locks where the St Helens Canal joins the River Mersey at Spike Island, 1833 with later alterations and repairs. The locks control a difference in water level of 12' between canal and river level. Constructed of large timber with massive posts and rails; the canal end gate with catwalk. Gate restoration to east lock and removal of gates and sealing of north end of west lock formed part of an enhancement scheme in 1981. Listing NGR: SJ5139184209

Curatorial Notes Type and date: 1833 LOCK. Date: 1833 Type and date: Post 1833 LOCK. Date: from 1833 Type and date: 1981 LOCK. Date: 1981 Main material: sandstone Main material: timber Main material: concrete Designating Organisation: Department for Culture Media and Sport Location Grid Reference: SJ 5139 8420 (point) Map sheet: SJ58SW Area (Ha): 0.00 Administrative Areas Borough HALTON Civil Parish RUNCORN, HALTON Postal Addresses - None recorded Listed Building Addresses Statutory MERSEY LOCKS ST HELENS CANAL

Sources Digital archive: English Heritage. 2005. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Associated Monuments - None

Additional Information Borough Ref: LB Online Ref: 56059 List Locality: SPIKE ISLAND WEST BANK List Parish: List District: HALTON List County: CHESHIRE Group Value: Upload Date:

z_FullListingReport © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 10 Cheshire Historic Environment Record Designation Record 02/03/2012

Name: WAYSIDE PULPIT TO CHURCH OF ST MARY Status: Active DesigUID: DCH1613 Type: Listed Building Preferred Ref English Heritage UID Volume/Map/Item 1325946 1325946 36, 5, 101 Grade: II Date Assigned: 31/10/1983 Amended: Revoked:

Legal Description SJ 58 SW FORMER BOROUGH OF WIDNES VICTORIA PROMENADE West Bank 5/101 Wayside Pulpit to Church of St.Mary GV II Circa 1910 by Austin and Paley. Octagonal red sandstone ashlar pulpit set in boundary wall of St.Mary's Church approached up 6 steps. Like the Church. q.v. the pulpit has a religious text cut into its masonry which reads :- "Go out into the highways and compel them to come in that my house may be filled". Listing NGR: SJ5131383762

Curatorial Notes Type and date: c1910 PULPIT. Date: from 1900 to 1920 Type and date: STEPS. Main material: sandstone Main material: ashlar Designating Organisation: Department for Culture Media and Sport Location Grid Reference: SJ 5131 8376 (point) Map sheet: SJ58SW Area (Ha): 0.00 Administrative Areas Borough HALTON Civil Parish RUNCORN, HALTON Postal Addresses - None recorded Listed Building Addresses Statutory WAYSIDE PULPIT TO CHURCH OF ST MARY

Sources Digital archive: English Heritage. 2005. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Associated Monuments - None

Additional Information Borough Ref: LB Online Ref: 56063 List Locality: WEST BANK List Parish: List District: HALTON List County: CHESHIRE Group Value: Upload Date:

z_FullListingReport © Copyright Cheshire Historic Environment Record Page 11 APPENDIX 2: EXTENSION OF STOBART PARK / 3MG, WIDNES ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT JANUARY 2012 CHAPTER 10 & SELECTED FIGURES

19 Planning & Development Stobart Park / 3MG Widnes Environmental Statement, January 2012

10.0 ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

INTRODUCTION

10.1 This section details the Archaeological and Cultural Heritage importance of the development site and assesses the potential impacts and effects of the proposed development. This section comprises an archaeological desk-based assessment of land at Widnes, which was produced in accordance with National and Local Policy following National Museums Liverpool Field Archaeology Unit’s standard procedures for projects of this nature.

LEGISLATION, PLANNING POLICY AND ARCHAEOLOGY

10.2 Archaeological sites may be protected by the following legislation and planning policies. Policies relating specifically to church archaeology are considered at the end of this section.

10.3 The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979) as amended by the National Heritage Act (1983) provides statutory protection for sites of national importance as scheduled by Secretary of State upon advice from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) as advised by English Heritage. This Act, building on legislation dating back to 1882, provides for nationally important archaeological sites to be statutorily protected as Scheduled Ancient Monuments. There are currently around 19,000 entries in the Schedule, covering 35,000 sites ranging from prehistoric standing stones and burial mounds to Roman forts and medieval villages, and include some more recent structures such as collieries and wartime pill-boxes. The scheduling of a monument means that permission - 'Scheduled Ancient Monument Consent' - is required for works to that monument. English Heritage will presume a 10 m fringe around the boundaries of a scheduled site to also require consent.

10.4 The National Heritage Act (1983) established the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (English Heritage). English Heritage is an Executive Non- departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It acts as the government's advisor on the historic environment, working with the office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Departments for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and for Trade and Industry.

10.5 The work of English Heritage is overseen by a board of up to 16 Commissioners selected by the Government for the breadth of their national and regional expertise. Expert advisory committees and panels in turn, advise the Commission.

10.6 English Heritage works in partnership with the central government departments, local authorities, voluntary bodies and the private sector to:

§ Conserve and enhance the historic environment § Broaden public access to the heritage § Increase people's understanding of the past

10.7 The National Heritage Act (2002) extended English Heritage’s responsibility for marine archaeology including ancient monuments in, on or under the seabed within a 12-mile boundary around England.

10 - 1 Stobart Park / 3MG Widnes Environmental Statement, January 2012

10.8 However, the vast majority of archaeological sites have no formal statutory protection and are dealt with through Planning Process.

10.9 Listed Buildings. The Town and Country Planning Act (1971) as amended by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act (1990) empowers the Secretary of State for the Environment to maintain a list of built structures of historic or architectural significance.

10.10 Conservation Areas The ‘Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires local authorities to designate areas of ‘special architectural or historic interest’ as Conservation Areas with the aim of preserving and enhancing their character and appearance. English Heritage may need to be consulted with regard to proposed works within a Conservation Area and section 72(1) requires Local Authorities to pay particular attention to Conservation Areas in the planning process.

10.11 Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. English Heritage has responsibility for maintaining the Register of Parks and Gardens of Historic Interest in England under section 8C of the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 (Inserted by section 33 of, and paragraph 10 of section 4, to the National Heritage Act 1983). This ensures that they are managed in a manner that considers their historic character and value.

10.12 Listed building and conservation area legislation requires that statutory consultation takes place with a number of national amenity organisations, such as the Victorian Society, the Georgian Group, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), the Ancient Monuments Society, the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and English Heritage.

10.13 World Heritage Sites. The UNESCO World Heritage List aims to:

§ Encourage countries to sign the World Heritage Convention and to ensure the protection of their natural and cultural heritage; § Encourage States Parties to the Convention to nominate sites within their national territory for inclusion on the World Heritage List; § Encourage States Parties to establish management plans and set up reporting systems on the state of conservation of their World Heritage sites; § Help States Parties safeguard World Heritage properties by providing technical assistance and professional training; § Provide emergency assistance for World Heritage sites in immediate danger; § Support States Parties' public awareness-building activities for World Heritage conservation; § Encourage participation of the local population in the preservation of their cultural and natural heritage; § Encourage international cooperation in the conservation of our world's cultural and natural heritage.

10.14 National policies on the place of the historic environment in the planning process have recently been revised (23 March 2010). The earlier guidance (PPG15 and PPG16) was replaced by Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 5 on 23rd March 2010 and integrates the approach to buried archaeological sites, historic buildings, parks, landscapes and submerged sites into a holistic whole, applying the term ‘Heritage Asset’ to the diverse components which comprise the Historic Environment. PPS5 is

10 - 2 Stobart Park / 3MG Widnes Environmental Statement, January 2012

accompanied by a guidance document from English Heritage which sets out how the PPS is to be implemented and interpreted.

10.15 Heritage Assets are defined as ‘Those parts of the environment that have significance because of their historical, archaeological, architectural or artistic interest.’ In addition to archaeological sites these can include buildings, parks and gardens, landscapes and other features. PPS5 also states that ‘Planning has a central role to play in conserving our heritage assets and utilising the historic environment in creating sustainable places’ and sets out the aim that heritage assets should be conserved and enjoyed. To achieve this the planning system should deliver sustainable development by recognising that heritage assets are a non- renewable resource, take account of the wider benefits of conservation and recognise that ‘intelligently managed change’ may be necessary in some instances. Other objectives are to conserve heritage assets in ‘a manner appropriate to their significance’ and to contribute to our knowledge and understanding of the past by ensuring that opportunities are taken to ‘capture evidence……..and make this publically available’. The management of Heritage Assets in the planning system is covered by policies HE6 to HE12. HE6 specifies the information requirements for applications affecting heritage assets which should include at a minimum consultation of the appropriate HER. A desk-study, and in some cases, a field evaluation may also be required.

10.16 Policy HE7 defines the principals guiding determination of consent relating to heritage assets, specifying the means of assessing significance, the sources to be consulted and the principals of field evaluation. HE7 also specifies early consultation with the Planning Authority and any other relevant bodies.

10.17 Policies HE8, HE9 and HE10 set out the principals guiding the consideration of applications for consent relating to non-designated and designated heritage assets whilst policy EH11 governs enabling developments.

10.18 Policy HE12 provides the principals relating to the recording of heritage assets and in particular specifies that whilst investigations such as excavation may reveal new knowledge ‘…a documentary record of our past is not as valuable as retaining the heritage asset’. The policy further specifies that evidence gained through investigations should be made publically available. Local planning authorities should impose planning conditions or obligations to ensure that such work is undertaken to appropriate standards.

10.19 Halton Borough Council Unitary Development Plan. The Unitary Development Plan (UDP) is a statutory document that sets out council policies used to guide development, conservation, regeneration and environmental improvement activity. The council is required by the government to keep the UDP up-to-date, to reflect changes to national and regional guidance, local conditions and the councils own priorities. The Unitary Development Plan (UDP) is the current development plan for Halton Borough pending the adoption of the Local Development Framework (LDF). In March 2008 the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government directed that all but six policies in the UDP would be saved until superseded by the LDF. These policies will remain in force until the adoption of Local Development Documents (LDDs) for Halton such as the emerging Core Strategy. As the Core Strategy (CS) is at an advanced stage of development and will be adopted in Spring 2012, policies within the document have been afforded weight in this Environmental Statement (see Chapter 5 – Planning Policy). However, until its formal adoption,

10 - 3 Stobart Park / 3MG Widnes Environmental Statement, January 2012

decisions on planning applications must be made in line with the UDP, unless there are clear material considerations which indicate otherwise. The most relevant sections of the current UDP for Halton are paragraphs 20-40 of Chapter 2 ‘The Built Environment’ which cover archaeology, Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings.

10.20 The Archaeological Research Framework for North West England (Brennand, 2006) is a key document, setting out the current state of knowledge and describing the nature of the archaeological resource for an area extending from Cheshire in the south to Cumbria in the north. It identifies gaps in current understanding and identifies research priorities for the region.

10.21 The Archaeological Research Agenda and Strategy for North West England (Brennand 2007) identifies the gaps within current knowledge, assesses the potential for addressing these and defines consequent research initiatives. It also sets out priorities and proposals for delivery of future research, work programmes and changes in working practice to promote research objectives.

ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

10.22 The assessment comprised a desk study, site walkover, discussions with the relevant bodies and consulted the following sources:

§ Cheshire Historic Environment Record. § Lancashire Record Office. § Cheshire Record Office. § Widnes Local Studies Library. § The internet / world wide web.

10.23 Sources used included:

§ Printed and manuscript maps, including estate maps, Tithe maps and Ordnance Survey maps. § Place and fieldname evidence. § Aerial photographs. § Published and unpublished documentary sources. § Engineering/borehole data as available from the client.. § Geological/soil surveys.

BASELINE CONDITIONS

Site Location and Description

10.24 The site is located at NGR 495 845 (centred) to the west of the modern town of Widnes (Appendix 10.1, Figure 1). Although the site is currently situated within the County of Cheshire; prior to local government changes in 1974 it was situated in Lancashire. Much of the site is vacant but the western area of the site is characterised by two distinct areas: a large reclamation mound; and existing storage and distribution units. The westernmost area of the site is currently occupied by a mix of storage and distribution uses. South of this area lies a landscaped reclamation mound formed from galligu and shaped to create steep sides. The site is broadly triangular in plan; the Ditton Brook forms its south-western boundary, the main Liverpool to Manchester railway the northern boundary whilst the south eastern limit is defined by the Steward Brook. A thin strip of land for a potential future rail link

10 - 4 Stobart Park / 3MG Widnes Environmental Statement, January 2012

is also included, which runs along the northern boundary crossing Stewards Brook and into the site of the existing Stobart Port rail freight terminal.

10.25 A rectangular area to the east abuts the first area and is defined on its northern boundary by Stobart land and rail sidings. The eastern area of the site consists of three parcels of land divided by the Mathieson and Ronan Roads. The area, which has now been cleared, consisted primarily of storage and distribution units. The application site is separated from the Mersey Estuary by adjoining properties on its southern border.

Solid and Drift Geology and Soils

10.26 The drift geology consists of Quaternary alluvium (BGS Sheet 97) with rockhead contours of between –20 to –40 m below Ordnance Datum. Further information on the soils and geology of the site are presented in Chapter 13: Land Contamination.

10.27 The soils are depicted as ‘unsurveyed’ on the Soil Survey map of the area (Hall & Folland, 1970) but by analogy with adjacent areas are likely to have been waterlogged gleys or podzols of the Astley Hall or Sollom Associations.

Historical and Archaeological Background

10.28 The site lies on the western fringe of modern Widnes, straddling the boundary between the townships of Widnes to the east and Ditton to the west. The study area lay within Lancashire until the reorganisation of local government in 1974 so regional comparisons are made with that county, rather than Cheshire.

10.29 No recent archaeological fieldwork has taken place either in the study area or within the immediate vicinity, though this may at least in part reflect the past neglect of archaeologists in investigating the archaeology of the Lancashire lowlands. Two archaeological desk-based assessments have occurred within the search area (Adams 2004 & Gifford 1997) and a series of other desk studies outside the proposed area for development (Gifford 2003, Oxford Archaeology North 2005 & Earthworks Archaeological Services 2007). A geophysical survey at Ditton was undertaken by Stratascan in 2006 but also lies outside the study area (Stratascan 2006). Consequently the only available evidence for settlement within the study area is documentary and cartographic, supplemented by the site visit (See below).

Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Periods (up to 4000 cal BC)

10.30 The north of England remained glaciated until the end of the Ice Age, consequently there is little evidence for occupation prior to the Mesolithic period. The remains of an elk, with an associated bone barbed point, were found at Poulton-le-Fylde and provided a radiocarbon date of 10400 ± 300 BC, though the dates may have been taken from contaminated samples and could require revision (Middleton et al 1995, 87). The remaining evidence consists of two sites from the north of the (pre-1974) county.

10.31 Evidence for Mesolithic activity is largely confined to scatters of flint tools gathered from fieldwalking on the Pennine uplands in the west of the county. However, systematic fieldwork conducted since the 1980’s has begun to expand the available evidence from the lowlands. Fieldwalking has demonstrated the presence of small scatters of flintwork, often as few as two or three pieces, primarily concentrated

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around the coastal zone. This evidence is supplemented by that from studies of the palaeo-ecology of the region. This has shown that the woodland which covered the region was being extensively affected by fire and this may represent human management of the woodland. There is a limited quantity of excavated evidence, especially from the lowland sites (Cowell 1996).

10.32 Given the fragile nature of deposits dating to this period and the extensive 19th and 20th century disturbance across the site there is little or no potential for deposits off this date within the study area.

Neolithic (4000-2500 cal BC)

10.33 The Neolithic is generally associated with the construction of large scale funerary monuments and ‘ceremonial’ earthworks though relatively few are known from Lancashire and those tend to be confined to the upland areas.

10.34 Most of the evidence derives from fieldwalking, particularly that conducted as part of the North-West Wetlands Survey (Middleton et al 1995), and palynological evidence. It seems that, in the north of England at least, the transition from the Mesolithic to the Neolithic was stimulated largely by a gradual rise in population which resulted the establishment of year round settlements, especially in coastal areas. No sites dating to this period are located close to the study area (Middleton et al 1995) though by analogy with adjacent areas would consist of surface material distinguished by the presence of small blades removed from cores of good flint.

10.35 In addition to flintwork polished stone axes have been found at a wide range of locations across the county, though there is a ‘notable lack’ of this type of material from the study area (Middleton et al 1995, 110). Most seem to originate from Great Langdale, Cumbria and the majority have been found in or close to rivers or mires and it has been suggested that this represents intentional ritual deposition rather than casual loss.

10.36 Pollen evidence suggests that there was a gradual transition from Mesolithic practices, which may have involved careful management of woodland in order to manipulate wild resources, to a Neolithic economy involving limited arable agriculture. However, meat probably remained the main basis of the diet. In fact the pollen evidence suggests that cereal production declined later in the Neolithic and it is assumed that the economy largely depended upon herding.

10.37 Little excavated evidence exists for the nature of settlement and that which exists tends to be confined to isolated post-holes and pits located by chance on excavations of later sites. Evidence from fieldwalking suggests that settlements were concentrated along river valleys and on the coasts in the Early and Late Neolithic, there is little or no evidence for occupation of the uplands. There seems to have been a general preference for light, well drained soils. It is likely that many of the river valley sites are buried by a substantial thickness of clays and silts.

10.38 No sites are recorded within Widnes, the closest evidence to the present site are scatters of flint tools at Hale 3 km to the west, though it is conceivable that the area may have been a focus for activity, possibly as a crossing point for the Mersey (Cowell, pers. comm.). However, given the 19th and 20th century disturbance across the site there is little or no potential for deposits off this date within the study area.

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The Bronze & Iron Age (2500 cal BC-43 AD)

10.39 Slightly better evidence is available for the Bronze Age. Relatively large numbers of stone and bronze implements are known and occur as casual finds, with a marked concentration of axe-hammers in the north of the county and Cumbria. Though little is known about their relationship to settlement or date, most stone objects seem to occur in ‘dryland’ locations and are probably Early Bronze Age. In contrast most of the early metalwork has been found in wetland areas and this seems to be a continuation of the tradition of ritual disposal in wet areas observed in the Neolithic (see above). Most of the metal finds occur singly, though a few hoards are known.

10.40 Funerary monuments are relatively more common than in the Neolithic and round barrows and cairns have been excavated at several locations in the county. The best preserved occur in upland locations, though ‘ploughed-out’ examples have been excavated at lowland sites, for example at Peel c. 20 km to the west of the study area (Middleton et al 1995, 91-98). Flat burial sites containing cremations are also known and occasional use seems to have been made of caves.

10.41 Very little is known about the settlement and agriculture of this period, though pollen evidence suggests a decline in cereal production and an increased emphasis on stock rearing and hunting. Most of the evidence for settlement is based upon flint tools gathered during fieldwalking. These consist of small discrete scatters suggestive of a relatively mobile society following a seasonal migration pattern. The only excavated evidence for Middle Bronze Age settlement is from Kirkby, Merseyside (Adams in prep) where two radiocarbon dates of 3360 +/- 110 BP (1910- 1410 cal BC) and 3490 +/- 60 BP (1945-1655 cal BC) were obtained from the fill of a heavily truncated gully. The site was difficult to interpret but could have been a temporary camp. Otherwise the only evidence from the lowland North-West is from Irby, Wirral where radiocarbon dates suggest that settlement began in the Middle Bronze Age (Philpott and Adams 2010). There is even less evidence for Late Bronze Age activity and it has been suggested that the lowland areas were largely abandoned during this period.

10.42 This paucity of evidence continues into the Iron Age; Lancashire has the fewest known Iron Age sites of all the English counties. However, on a regional scale it is becoming clear that the lowland north-west was more densely populated than had previously been realised (e.g. Matthews 2000). A few Iron Age settlement sites have been excavated in the region, e.g. Irby, Wirral (Philpott & Adams 2010), Brook House Farm, Halewood (Cowell & Philpott 2000) and possibly Lathom (Cowell & Adams 2000) though these have largely been found by chance as a result of work on later settlements. In addition palynological evidence suggests that episodes of forest clearance occurred in many parts of Lancashire and there is evidence to suggest that the heavier clay soils became more attractive for agriculture as a result of technological developments. It is likely that the current paucity of Iron Age sites is largely the result of the relative ‘archaeological invisibility’ of the sites. Few Lancashire soils are conducive to the formation of cropmarks and even on excavated sites few artefacts likely to occur as finds in fieldwalking are found. These problems are compounded by the fact that most of the likely locations are under pasture and so not available for fieldwalking and by the relatively high density of modern urbanisation across much of Lancashire. It is also possible that many lowland sites were unenclosed and therefore totally undetectable by aerial survey. Hillforts are generally small and confined to the Pennine fringes and the limestone hills in the

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north of the county. The limited available evidence suggests that most were abandoned in the later 1st millennium BC.

10.43 Isolated finds of metalwork are known, generally from bogs and rivers and these were probably part of the wider Iron Age tradition of ritual disposal of items into wetland. This tradition may also be associated with at least some of the ‘Bog Bodies’ which have been recovered from several sites across the region. These include a number of apparently severed heads.

10.44 No sites of this date are recorded within Widnes, and whilst it is conceivable that items of metalwork would have been discarded in the wetlands which occupied the site prior to the mid-19th century it is highly unlikely that these could be located in advance of construction.

Romano-British Period (from 43 AD to 410 AD)

10.45 The Roman occupation of North West England began in the AD 70’s following the gradual subjection of the Brigantian tribes which occupied the area. Until relatively recently most excavation and research focussed upon the readily visible military and urban centres. No villas are known from west of the Pennines north of Cheshire and the rural settlements suffer from the same problems of visibility as those of earlier periods.

10.46 Most evidence for settlement is based upon the vici established close to or around forts, e.g. Lancaster, Ribchester and Manchester. The exact status of the apparently civilian centres at Wilderspool and Walton-le-Dale remains uncertain. Both were clearly involved with the manufacture and supply of goods to the military, though to the extent to which ‘private enterprise’ was involved is unclear.

10.47 Recent work has begun to demonstrate that this picture is at best incomplete and most likely misleading. Aerial photography in the south of the region (e.g. Philpott 1994; Cowell & Philpott 2000) has begun to locate numerous enclosed farmsteads, though few have been evaluated or excavated. Similar surveys have also been conducted in the Lune Valley. However, the only extensively excavated settlements from the region, Lathom (Cowell & Adams 2000) and Court Farm, Halewood (Adams & Philpott in prep) appear to have been unenclosed and would therefore be undetectable by aerial photography. Pottery from Wilderspool was being used at Court Farm and possibly Lathom and it seems possible that Wilderspool had some role as a redistribution centre to these settlements (Adams in prep).

10.48 These, and other excavations at Ochre Brook and Brunt Boggart, (Cowell & Philpott 2000) have demonstrated that the areas fringing the Mersey were in fact much more densely settled than had previously suspected. The site at Ochre Brook appears to have operated briefly as a tile works for the XX legion then based at Chester. Prior to these excavations the only direct evidence for occupation close to Widnes was from excavations at Halton, south of the Mersey (Newstead & Droop, 1937). Intensive Roman occupation is known to have been present at Wilderspool, Warrington 11 km to the east where a series of excavations since the 19th century (e.g. Hinchcliffe & Williams 1992) have produced evidence for a large settlement associated with industrial activity. The closest undisturbed possible Romano-British settlement site is in Ditton, c. 5 km to the west (R. Philpott pers. comm.).

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10.49 However, potential prehistoric and Roman activity in the wider area was identified in 1881 when an artesian well was sunk 2km west of Widnes. This revealed a medieval jug along with two Roman coins, a Samian sherd, bones, stags horns and worked bog oak of potential prehistoric date (Site 2). Also located within the River Mersey a 1st century AD Roman coin was discovered (Site 27) and east of this a metal object also of 1st century date (Site 28). There may have also been an early crossing point of the Mersey located at the Runcorn Gap. This crossing is well documented in the medieval period and may have a much earlier origin (see below).

10.50 This evidence suggests that settlement in the area was dominated by isolated small farmsteads, probably occupied by individual kinship groups. This pattern of settlement appears to have continued into the Medieval and early Post-Medieval Period (See below).

Pre-Conquest Period (410-1066AD)

10.51 The Pre-conquest period is probably the least well represented period in Lancashire’s archaeology and studies remain almost entirely dependent upon the limited documentary and place-name evidence.

10.52 The broad political picture supplied by documentary sources is one of a series of small British kingdoms developing during the fifth and sixth centuries. Through the seventh century these were subsumed into the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria which eventually established the Mersey as its southern boundary. The decline of Northumbria from the ninth century created a power vacuum, filled by Mercia and then Wessex as the latter established itself as the predominant English power. However, political instability was probably compounded by the claims of the Scots kingdom of Strathclyde, which laid claim to much of North-West England, and by Norse settlers from Ireland and the Isle of Man who occupied most of the coastal fringe of the region in the ninth and tenth centuries.

10.53 Place-name studies tend to support this evidence, names with Scandinavian origin dominate the coastal region, whilst British and Anglo-Saxon place-names tend to occur in land, especially along river valleys. Exactly how these relate to settlement patterns has not been established. For example it is not clear if the survival of British place-names relates to a remaining core of British population or if Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian usage merely reflects political control.

10.54 Very few archaeological sites are known and those are mostly ecclesiastical such as carved stone crosses and church buildings. These tend to be concentrated in the Lune Valley, though Heysham, Halton and Lancaster all have good examples. Other concentrations occur at Whalley and along the Mersey. The only extensive modern excavation was of the church site at Heysham, the remaining material has been derived from chance finds of burials or hoards of metalwork and coins. The closest excavated settlement site is at Irby on the Wirral (Philpott & Adams 2010) and possibly at Wallasey, also on the Wirral (NMLFAU fieldwork in progress).

10.55 There is no documentary evidence for settlement at Widnes, though the place- names of the hamlets composing the original parish suggests that the area was settled. Runcorn was the site of a fortress or burh built in 915 AD by Æthelflæd, daughter of King Alfred the Great. This was intended to control the crossing of the Mersey, which formed the northern boundary of Mercia, against the Danes (Stenton F. 1971, 326). Unfortunately the site was destroyed in the 19th century though some

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descriptions survive (Bu’lock 1972, 61), though its existence implies the use of Widnes as a crossing point and therefore of settlements on both sides of the Mersey.

10.56 The name Widnes is probably of Old English origin meaning the Wide Promontory (Wid + Ness) (Mills 1976) taking its name from the headland which still projects into the Mersey to the east of the study area.

10.57 Domesday Book supplies a little additional information though this is scant by comparison with the rest of the country.

Medieval Period (1066-1485AD)

10.58 The political instability of the region during the Pre-conquest period is reflected in the fact that the county of Lancashire is a medieval foundation. At the time of the Domesday Book the area covered by modern Lancashire was still organised along Pre-conquest lines; the northern part of Lancashire was regarded as part of Yorkshire, whilst the area between the Mersey and Ribble was listed under Cheshire and this division was retained until the 12th century. The area had few towns and no cities and appears to have been almost entirely rural.

10.59 The rural settlement of the early part of this period is as poorly represented in the archaeological record as earlier periods, again largely as a result of the apparent paucity of ceramic material which normally allows such sites to be located. It seems likely that settlement patterns followed that of earlier periods and consisted largely of dispersed single farmsteads, the evidence of the Tithe Map (see below) suggests that Widnes followed this pattern.

10.60 Moated sites occur throughout Lancashire and are generally believed to be associated with higher status settlements such as manors and granges and several are known in the borough of Halton, the closest to the study area is at Lovell’s Hall c. 2 Km to the west of the study area. Population growth in the 12th and 13th centuries led to much new land being taken into cultivation from woodland. These assarts frequently resulted in small irregularly shaped fields situated close to the new farmstead.

10.61 Population decline in the 14th century, largely the result of plague, resulted in the abandonment of many settlements, especially on marginal land. However it is possible that many abandoned villages may simply be the result of shifting settlement patterns.

10.62 The town of Widnes has only existed since the mid-19th century, becoming a borough in 1892, though the name dates to at least the 14th century (Farrer & Brownbill 1907, 386). Widnes (spelt Wydenesse, Wedenes or Wydnes) appears to have referred to the district, Appleton being the name of the township and the hamlet at its centre, though the township was actually composed of five other hamlets. Farnworth lay to the north and was the site of the chapel, Upton was situated to the north-west and Denton to the north-east. Simm’s Cross and Lugdale lay to the east.

10.63 The district of Widnes formed the northern portion of the fee of Halton which was known as the barony or lordship of Widnes. Farrer and Brownbill (1907) provide a detailed account of the various holdings in Widnes which are well documented from the 13th century onwards. In 1242 the earl of Lincoln held half a fee in demesne in Appleton and Cronton when Appleton was valued at £3 7s 11d. This passed to the

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earls of Lancaster in 1311 who held it into the 20th century. Most of the documentary evidence for this period is concerned with rents, fines and other charges due to the estate, Baines (1891) also reviews this evidence. Mention is made of a water mill and a windmill in the 14th century though these are impossible to locate (Farrer and Brownbill (1907)). However Baines (1891, 252) documents a Tudor (1557-8) reference to ‘Appleton Mill’ in a court case between Sir Bryan Brereton and others with Roger Charnock and Richard Daveyson. This produced earlier documentary evidence regarding levys on goods and chattles ‘ in the Warthe and Plocks, adjoining the waters of Marseye, called also Wydnes More; and particularly of a place called Appleton Mill. This suggests that the mill was located close to the Mersey, possibly near the present site.

10.64 Free Passage across the Mersey to Runcorn was permitted very early. The passage was granted to the Hospitallers by John, Constable of Chester early in the 12th century. In 1190 the prior, Garner de Nablous granted it to Richard de la More who was to maintain a boat for the purpose. In 1311 Richard, son of Henry del Shaw held of the earl of Lincoln two acres in Appleton for maintaining the passage. A boat and two men were to freely convey all wishing to cross. A report on the state of the river bank was made by Edward Eyes in 1828 Trans. Hist. Soc. Xxii, 217. At this time the ferry was owned by Lord Colmondeley as a lessee from the crown. The north bank was described as marshland divided into 69 cowgates.

10.65 The documentary sources present a picture of a rural area occupied by a scatter of small farms and hamlets. The site of the manor appears to be unknown, though from patents dated to the 17th century it appears to assigned as part of the dowers of the queens. It was leased to Richard, Earl rivers in 1699 and in 1728 to George, earl of Cholmondeley. The population appears to have been widely dispersed with few large concentrated areas of settlement. Even in the early 19th century most of the rural population lived in scattered cottages and farms. This dispersed pattern of settlement would probably be difficult to detect even on land which had remained relatively undisturbed to the present day. Therefore it is unlikely that any traces of occupation dating to this period survive on the site.

Post-Medieval Period (1485-Present)

10.66 The late medieval settlement pattern continued largely unchanged in Lancashire until well into the 18th century. However the industrial revolution had a major impact upon the county. One of the most obvious changes was the rise of the industrial cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Preston.

10.67 The area around Widnes appears to have been prosperous and well populated following the population expansion of the 15th and 16th century. Documentary sources describe a landscape of enclosed meadows and pasture, interspersed with areas of unenclosed moss and heath. This prosperity is reflected in the substantial 17th century farmhouses constructed in the area, some of which still survive on the fringes of Widnes. The dispersed pattern of settlement described above characterised the area until well into the middle of the 19th century when the first detailed maps of the area were produced.

10.68 The area was not greatly affected by Industrial Revolution of the late 18th and early 19th centuries and it was not until the construction of the railway link between St. Helens and the Mersey that the chemical industry became established and Widnes began to expand rapidly.

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10.69 The Sankey Canal linked the St. Helens coalfields to the Mersey and allowed the development of a chemical industry at St. Helens based partly upon the import of salt from Cheshire. The canal was very successful and this success was reflected in the dividends paid to shareholders in the canal which were of the order of 33% per annum in the early 19th century (Barker & Harris 1993 p.185). However, when the Liverpool-Manchester Railway was constructed two miles to the south of St. Helens between 1826 and 1830, the potential of a similar line linking St. Helens to the Mersey was soon realised by the mine owners. Construction of a railway link between St. Helens and the Mersey met with understandable opposition from the shareholders in the canal, who by that time had little direct interest in the coal industry. The first record of the coal proprietors interest in constructing a railway dates to 1829, Royal assent was gained for the Act of Parliament in 1830 and the railway carried its first commercial load in 1833. The Widnes Dock at Spike Island was the first rail, canal and dock complex. Although the railway was very successful at transporting coal and helped to further stimulate coal mining in the St. Helens area, it was not in itself a commercial success. In 1844 the railway company merged with the canal company in a bid to ease the problems experienced by both companies.

10.70 The town of Widnes began to develop in the 1830s as a result of these improved communications, although it did not truly develop as a town until the 1860s (Shaw and Clark 2003). The manufacture of alkali at Widnes rapidly out competed that at St. Helens because of the lower transport costs at Widnes (Barker & Harris 1993, 342-4) and opposition to the pollution the industry caused at St. Helens (Brooks & Wilson 1986, 7). Although the town grew largely as a response to the expansion of the chemical industry Baines (1891, 252) also lists bone manure works, iron foundries, sail cloth making, oil, paint and railway grease works.

10.71 As late as 1841 the population of Widnes was only 2,209 and it was still a rural township, with 80% of land under cultivation and only 3.6% occupied by buildings (Shaw and Clark 2003). The first chemical factory was built by John Hutchinson in 1849 but even by 1858 Widnes was not of sufficient importance to appear in Slater’s Directory of Lancashire. However, by the time of the 1867 edition it was described as ‘a very populous and important place with extensive chemical works, soap works, and an oil mill’ (ibid).

10.72 Descriptions of Widnes at the turn of the 19th century provide a dismal picture of a heavily polluted industrial landscape, permanently overhung by clouds of smoke from the chemical works and surrounded by an agricultural landscape of open fields devoid of trees (Farrer & Brownbill, 1907, 386). One writer, in a describing Warrington, was driven to comment ”...a town more dreary or dismal, more dirty, or damp, could not have been imagined, had not Widnes happily sprung into existence and revealed a still lower depth of ugliness.” (Langton, 1892).

10.73 The population of Widnes doubled every ten years between 1841 and 1871 when it reached 14331. Settlements were located in West Bank, Spike Island and Newton and attracted immigrant workers from Southern Lancashire, Ireland and Europe. In the late 19th century the new town began to acquire facilities such as a sewage system, water and gas supplies. Widnes adopted the Local Government Act of 1858 in 1865 and was created a borough in 1892 (Farrer and Brownbill 1907, 389). The Town Hall was constructed in 1887 and the library and technical college in 1895 and 1896.

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10.74 The chemical industry still forms a significant aspect of the local economy, though the associated problems of pollution and other intrusions into the landscape have been resolved at least in part by the advent of modern legislation.

10.75 Ditton, to the immediate east of the study area, remains a relatively rural area, though the section fronting the Mersey was incorporated into the industrial development from Widnes in the early 20th century and the area has recently seen extensive redevelopment for housing. The placename is also of Old English origin meaning farm or settlement with a ditch (Dic + Tun) (Mills 1976).

Documentary, Cartographic & Other Sources

Early Map and Field-Name Evidence

10.76 A copy of the historical maps and figures described below is presented in Appendix 10.1.

10.77 Although Lancashire is depicted on many early maps (e.g. Saxton’s Map of Lancashire, printed in 1577) none are of a sufficient scale to provide useful detail of the study area. The earliest map to show any useful detail is William Yates’s Map of Lancashire (1786) (Figure 2) which provides no evidence of any structures within the present site. Ditton Mills are shown on the banks of the Ditton Brook and a boathouse for the crossing to Runcorn is shown to the east. Otherwise the present site is shown as devoid of any buildings and Stewards Brook is omitted. Greenwood’s Map of Lancashire, dated 1818, shows the area largely unchanged since the Yates survey apart from the road from West Bank to Ditton Mill which runs across the study area (Figure 3). Later mapping (see Tithe Map below) shows that this road was never actually constructed. Gilberts ‘Map of the Proposed Sankey Brook Navigation Extension’ dated 1819 (Figure 4) is the first detailed map of the area and shows Widnes Marsh as undeveloped marsh land. George Hennet’s ‘Map of Lancashire’, published in 1830 (Figure 5), shows the area after the construction of the St Helens Canal. Widnes & Ditton marsh are still shown without any buildings. The road to Ditton Mill shown on the Greenwood & Gilbert maps is also omitted.

10.78 The Tithe Map for Widnes (LRO DRB 1/86) which covers the area to Stewards Brook was produced in 1839 but is based upon a survey of 1808 (Figure 6). The present site is shown as a series of large, irregularly shaped fields with curving boundaries. These probably result from gradual enclosure of the marshland. The accompanying apportionment provides details of ownership, tenancy and land use in addition to the acreage of each plot. Details of fieldnames are also given. The present site is listed as salt marsh and no fieldnames are given. The Ditton Tithe Map (LRO DRB 1/123), surveyed in 1844, covers the area to the north-west of the Stewards Brook (Figure 6) and depicts a similar landscape of relatively large, sub-rectangular fields, also reclaimed from the salt marshes. This is the first map to show the Ditton and Steward Brooks meeting at Snipe Head, the earlier maps all appear to show the Steward flowing into the Mersey slightly to the east. A small area on the west bank of the mouth of the Ditton is actually within Halewood township (Figure 6). The Halewood Tithe Map (LRO DRL 1/32) also produced in 1844, depicts an identical landscape of sub-rectangular fields fronted by marshland on the Mersey shoreline. The line of the proposed road to Widnes (as depicted on the Greenwood map) is shown as ‘obsolete’ suggesting it was never constructed.

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10.79 The earliest OS coverage of the area is the First Edition 6 inch map published in 1849 (Figure 7). This shows the area largely unchanged since the tithe maps apart from the construction of the Liverpool Manchester Railway to the north and the Ditton Brook Iron Works have been established on the west bank of the Ditton Brook. The line of the proposed road to Widnes is still shown and the eastern half of the marsh is named as Hurst’s Marsh.

10.80 Roper’s ‘Map of Widnes’ surveyed in 1875 (Figure 8) covers the study area as far as the boundary with Ditton (i.e. the Steward Brook) and shows most of the study area as undeveloped marsh land, unchanged since the Tithe Award. However, industrialisation is beginning to encroach upon the northern and western fringes, most notably in the form of the Mathieson & Co. Chemical Works, Widnes Metal Works and the Marsh Alkali Works which are served by a system of rail sidings extending from the west. The L&NWR railway from Widnes to Liverpool is shown running alongside the northern boundary of the site whilst the West Dock now forms its eastern boundary and the Runcorn line runs just to the north of the dock. However, much of the marshland appears to remain undeveloped, though targets, presumably for the rifle range shown on later mapping, are depicted on the banks of the Mersey.

10.81 The First Edition 25 inch Survey published in 1893 and the second edition 6 inch survey published in 1896 (Figure 9) show an increase in industrialisation since Roper’s survey of c. 20 years earlier, particularly on the eastern side of the site where the Mathieson Chemical Works, Satinite Works and Widnes Pottery are situated. Additional sidings have been constructed around the Mathieson Works and an addition branch to the West Bank Dock has been excavated south of the Hall & Shaw Chemical Works. Little change appears throughout the early 20th century, most development occurring on the fringes of the site as a result of changes in use of some of the smaller properties. This was presumably as a result of the site’s use as a dumping ground for chemical waste. The biggest change occurs between the production of the 1968 and 1982 editions (Figures 10 and 11) when the West Bank Dock was filled in and the West Bank Dock Estate constructed on the sites of the former Mathieson works, Satinite works, Widnes Pottery and Hall & Shaw works. A timber yard and sidings have been constructed in the angle between the Ditton and Steward Brooks. Later maps to the present show the expansion of the timber yard (though the sidings have been removed) and additions and alterations to the West Bank Dock Estate.

Existing HER Data

10.82 Information from the Cheshire Historic Environment Record is presented in Section 14 and the location of the sites is given on Fig. 1. Most of these lie outside the present site and relate to the industrial history of Widnes, primarily chemical works established from the mid-19th century onwards. Other sites include a timber yard (Site 14), metal works (Site 23) and the Ditton Brook Iron Works (Site 7).

10.83 The only sites located within the application area the Ditton Marsh Cement Works (Site 6), Widnes Pottery (Site 26), Satinite Works (Site 24), a cement works (4241/56/0) and ‘Craig’s Saw Mill (Site 25). All of these sites have been demolished and new buildings erected over them.

10.84 Other sites in the wider study area reflect the areas pre-industrial past and include Ditton Mill (Site 3), first shown on Yates’ map and demolished by the production of

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the 1st Edition 25 inch OS map in 1893 (though its site was marked by the ‘Windmill Inn’).

10.85 Although all of the available evidence suggests that from the end of the Roman occupation to the 19th century the present site was unoccupied marshland, there is a surprisingly large amount of evidence for Roman activity in the area. A Roman coin found ’27 feet deep in sand at Runcorn Bridge’ (Site 27) and a hoard of twenty lead pigs dated to AD 84-96 and AD 76 (Site 28) show that at the very least this section of the Mersey was in use for the transport of materials. Further evidence of Roman and medieval activity in the area is provided by finds made during the sinking or an artesian well at Ditton Station in 1881 (Site 2). The stratigraphy consisted of ‘5 feet of dark grey marsh silt…..(above) 13 feet of dark brown earth….(over) 16 feet of peaty earth, before a stratum of gravel lying on red sandstone was reached. At 12 feet a medieval jug (12th or 13th century) was found and at 14 feet two Roman second brass coins, one of Domitian, AD 96, the other of Nerva, AD 98. A fragment of Samian ware (2nd century AD pottery imported from Gaul) was found with them. In the peaty earth great quantities of bones and stag’s horns occurred with remains of trees. There was also a quantity of black oak timber which had been worked, and which, Mr. Webb informs me, had evidently been used as tanking, for keeping an ancient well open.’ Thompson Watkin (1880, 227). Thompson Watkin speculated that Webb had chanced upon a Roman well, though the description of the deposits closely resembles those excavated at Gate Warth Farm, Warrington (SJ 586 869) in the 1990’s. This excavation demonstrated the survival of sequences of flood plain deposits up to 11.00m deep which contained peat, timbers, animal bones and deer antlers (Shimwell, 1996). A radiocarbon date of 2660 +/- 60 BP (calibrated 910-780 BC to 2 sigma) from the base of the main sequence of peats indicates that they began to accumulate during the Late Bronze Age. A timber from the top of the section was dated to 1660 +/- 60 BP (290 AD), dates from another cutting suggested that pollen analysis would cover the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition (D. Shimwell, pers. comm. to J. Collens). Analysis of the animal bones suggested that it was “a casual assemblage, accumulated by the natural processes of riverine deposition.” If the deposits at Ditton are indeed a similar assemblage it is possible that they extend into the study area.

10.86 A crop mark plotted from an aerial photograph taken in 1945 may indicate a Romano-British farmstead c. 1km to the north of the present site, though unfortunately this has since been built over (Site 1).

10.87 No metal detector finds have been reported from the area as a result of the portable antiquities reporting scheme (Teressa Gilmore, pers. comm.)

Borehole and Test-Pit Evidence

10.88 The site has been the subject of a number of geotechnical investigations since the late 1980’s, summarised in Table 10.1.

Table 10.1: Summary of Ground Investigations Since 1980s. Author Nature of study WS Atkins (1992) Desk Study DTS (1997) Desk study, Borehole and test-pits

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Ironside Farrer (2001) Desk study Norwest Holst (1984) Boreholes, test-pits and concrete probes Strata Surveys (1988) Boreholes and test-pits Strata Surveys (1992) Boreholes and test-pits Strata Surveys (1993) Boreholes and test-pits Strata Surveys (1995) Boreholes and test-pits Strata Surveys (1997a) Boreholes and test-pits Strata Surveys (1997b) Desk Study

10.89 In general these reports were concerned with providing data on ground conditions, in particular contamination relating to the site’s history as a dumping ground for chemical waste. The test-pits provide little useful archaeological data, being of insufficient depth to penetrate the deposits of chemical waste which are up to 10m thick in places. The boreholes generally penetrate at least to Boulder Clay and consequently provide a much better indication of the likely presence or absence of archaeological deposits.

10.90 Nearly all of the boreholes found evidence of a thick layer of alluvium underlying the chemical waste across the site. The descriptions of this deposit vary slightly but in general are very consistent, i.e. a soft to firm odourous silty clay with rotting roots and occasionally peaty. This is 2-5 m thick and usually overlies Boulder Clay at 0 to –4.5 m AOD. Occasional more substantial lenses of peat are also present along with lenses of sand. Figures 12 and 13 are reproduced from the Norwest Holst (1984) and Strata Surveys (1993) reports and provide a useful summary of conditions across the site.

10.91 Boreholes taken for the previous scheme in 2004 also encountered occasional undisturbed peat horizons (N. Coyne, pers. comm.), within the Foundry Lane site. None was encountered during the EAME 2011 investigation.

10.92 More recent surveys (ENVIRON 2004 and EAME 2011) undertaken for contamination assessment, have broadly confirmed the ground conditions across the site. Further information is provided in Chapter 12 – Land Contamination.

Site Visit

10.93 The site visit for the original desk-study (Adams 2004) was undertaken on the afternoon of Tuesday 29th June 2004. Information from the client and current aerial photographs suggest that there have been significant changes to the site since.

10.94 In 2004 the site was set within an industrial landscape of warehousing and light industrial units served by a road and rail network occupied by AHC Warehousing, the successor company to the Hutchinson Estate & Dock Company. There was little surface indication of the topography of the site prior to its industrialisation other than the courses of the Ditton and Stewards Brooks. Since 2004 a large Tesco distribution centre has been built on the adjacent land (former Tessenderlo Chemical Works) utilising the material from the reclamation mound, and also most of the buildings which occupied the site have been demolished.

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10.95 In general little survives above ground of the areas’ industrial past, with all of the standing structures on the site being modern (i.e. late 20th century). One of the most prominent features are the large mounds of chemical waste, largely alkali waste (galigal) derived from the Le Blanc process. One mound lies at the centre of the development, the other lies to the south of Stewards Brook. These have recently been landscaped to form large regular mounds. In archaeological terms the two most significant features are the courses of the Ditton and Stewards Brooks. Both are tidal where they cross the site and the site visit was undertaken at low tide. This exposed the muds and silts in the beds of each, though there is currently no safe access to either.

Summary of the Archaeological Sites Identified Within the Proposed Development.

10.96 No Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Listed Buildings, or other designated sites have been identified within the Study Area. There West Bank Promenade Conservation Area lies on the eastern fringe of the study area and is separated from the proposed redevelopment by a major road (the A533 Queensway) and the two sites are not intervisible.

10.97 The following Listed Buildings lie within the wider study area

Table 10.2: Listed Buildings in Surrounding Area Name Location Grade Church of St Michael Nazareth House Lane, Grade: II* Runcorn, Halton WA8 8TB Former Transporter 147 Mersey Road, Grade: II* Bridge Power House Runcorn, Halton WA8 0EG Wayside Pulpit to VICTORIA Grade II Church of St.Mary PROMENADE Church of St Mary 84 St Mary's Road, Grade: II* Runcorn, Halton WA8 0EB Gossages Tower Grade II Runcorn Bridge Railway Queensway, Runcorn, Grade: II* Bridge over River Mersey Halton WA7 1HB

Runcorn Widnes Road Queensway, Runcorn, Grade: II Bridge Halton WA7 1HB

10.98 From the 18th century to the present, the development of the study area can be traced reasonably well from the cartographic sources. Further details for this and later periods could probably be extrapolated from more detailed research,

10 - 17 Stobart Park / 3MG Widnes Environmental Statement, January 2012

particularly of primary documentary sources, but are unlikely to modify the outline given in this report. There is no documentation for earlier periods.

10.99 Most of the identifiable sites within the proposed development relate to its industrial development since the late 19th century. However, the majority of these have been destroyed by redevelopment of the area since 1950 and the area retains little evidence of its industrial heritage. From the mid-19th century much of the area was used for the dumping of chemical waste which still covers much of the area.

10.100 Prior to its industrialisation the area was occupied salt marsh crossed by the Ditton and Stewards Brooks and was subject to periodic flooding by the Mersey. Map evidence suggests that the area was not occupied during the medieval and later periods. However, there is some evidence for the presence of Roman and earlier deposits within the site.

10.101 This consists of two elements; firstly the Ditton Brook is very likely to be the route by which tile produced at the tile works at Ochre Brook (a tributary of the Ditton) was transported to Chester. The site, excavated in 1993 was situated between Tarbock and Speke Boulevard, on the eastern edge of Liverpool close to the M62 Tarbock interchange. The excavation found quantities of Roman roof tile, some of it distorted and wasted, alongside burnt clay and amongst the tiles were a few bearing legionary stamps for the Roman army’s 20th legion, based in Chester. There were two different stamps, both of which were found in Chester but not at Holt, the legionary tile factory on the river Dee. One of the Tarbock stamps is the only British tile stamp with a date, the 3rd consulship of Verus in Rome, equivalent to AD 167. This stamp also referred to one Aulus Viducus, who was probably a contractor making tiles for the legion, perhaps for a short period. These were shipped to Chester where they were used to re-roof barracks buildings for the 20th legion after they returned to the fortress from the Antonine wall. There is therefore the possibility that the silts of the Ditton Brook contain remains relating to Roman transport networks.

10.102 In addition borehole data strongly suggests that the Roman deposits found during the excavation of a well at Ditton Station (See above), situated at the north-west corner of the site, are present within the proposed development. There is the additional possibility that deposits relating to Prehistoric land use also lie deeply buried within the proposed development.

10.103 It has not been possible to establish the extent of survival of these deposits within the study area. However, the site’s past history as a dump for Widnes’s chemical industry suggests that any such deposits are likely to be deeply buried and/or contaminated with alkali waste, though these deposits are extremely vulnerable to damage during earth moving operations and other deep groundworks.

10.104 Despite recent fieldwork the late prehistoric and Romano-British settlement of the region remains poorly understood, in particular in relation to coastal change. The deposits of peat present within the site boundaries are likely to contain significant evidence for these periods. Consequently on the above criteria, the study area contains remains of at least local importance, though it is possible that the deposits of peat discussed above contain evidence of at least regional significance.

Archaeological and Heritage Potential of the Study Area

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10.105 Under PPS5 Archaeological sites, historic buildings and heritage landscapes are collectively termed ‘heritage assets’. The following criteria have been used to assess the significance of assets within the site boundaries.

Table 10.3: Assessment Criteria Significance Criteria International World Heritage Sites (including nominated sites).

Assets of acknowledged international importance.

Assets that can contribute significantly to acknowledged international research objectives. National Scheduled Monuments (including proposed sites).

Undesignated assets of schedulable quality and importance.

Assets that can contribute significantly to acknowledged national research objectives.

Grade I and Grade II* Listed Buildings.

Other listed buildings that can be shown to have exceptional qualities in their fabric or historical associations not adequately reflected in the listing grade.

Conservation Areas containing very important buildings. Regional Designated or undesignated assets that contribute to regional research objectives.

Grade II Listed Buildings.

Historic (unlisted) buildings that can be shown to have exceptional qualities in their fabric or historical associations.

Conservation Areas containing buildings that contribute significantly to its historic character.

Historic Townscape or built-up areas with important historic integrity in their buildings, or built settings (e.g. including street furniture and other structures). Local Designated and undesignated assets of local importance.

Assets compromised by poor preservation and/or poor survival of contextual associations.

Assets of limited value, but with potential to contribute to local research objectives.

‘Locally Listed’ buildings.

Historic (unlisted) buildings of modest quality in their fabric or historical association.

10 - 19 Stobart Park / 3MG Widnes Environmental Statement, January 2012

Table 10.3: Assessment Criteria Significance Criteria

Historic Townscape or built-up areas of limited historic integrity in their buildings, or built settings (e.g. including street furniture and other structures). Negligable Assets with very little or no surviving archaeological or heritage interest. Unknown The sensitivity of the asset has not been ascertained.

Stobart Park

10.106 The following cultural heritage assets lie within the site boundaries.

Table 10.4: Cultural Assets Onsite Site Description: Period/Date Significance Remarks Number

6 Cement Works Post- Negligible The site has marked on the First Medieval been destroyed Edition Ordnance (1540 AD to by later Survey 25 inch to 1 1900 AD) redevelopment. mile Lancashire Maps. 24 A stibnite Works (a Post- Negligible The site has product used to line Medieval been destroyed furnaces) marked (1540 AD to by later on the First Edition 1900 AD) redevelopment. Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. 25 Craig’s Saw Mill. A Post- Negligible The site has Saw Mill marked on Medieval been destroyed the First Edition (1540 AD to by later Ordnance Survey 1900 AD) redevelopment. 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps, and the OS maps until the fourth edition 6 inch. 26 Widnes Pottery. Post- Negligible The site has Pottery Works Medieval been destroyed marked on the First (1540 AD to by later Edition Ordnance 1900 AD) redevelopment. Survey 25 inch to I mile Lancashire Maps. NA Deposits of peat Roman? Unknown and other organic material associated with the Ditton and Steward Brooks

10 - 20 Stobart Park / 3MG Widnes Environmental Statement, January 2012

10.107 In addition two Listed Buildings, Runcorn Road Bridge (Grade II) and Runcorn Rail Bridge (Grade II*), lie adjacent to the eastern site boundary and the West Bank Conservation Area together with five Grade II Listed Buildings on the eastern fringe of the study area.

ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS

The archaeological impact of redevelopment on a site can be identified as follows.

Direct

10.108 This would involve an alteration to the physical condition of the site. The alteration might be either positive or negative. A positive effect might, for example, remove possible threats to its survival e.g. causes of erosion. A negative effect would involve damage or destruction to a site. These impacts can be refined by assessing the likely extent of the alteration to the site.

Indirect

10.109 This would involve an alteration to the setting of a site. Indirect impacts can be positive or negative, i.e. they can improve or detract from the appearance, understanding or appreciation of a site. Indirect impacts may be either temporary (i.e. lasting during the groundworks or other works for a development) or permanent.

Stobart Park

10.110 The following sites have been identified as lying within or close to the proposed development and the impacts are assessed as follows.

Table 10.5: Impact Assessment Site Description: Period/Date Direct Indirect Number Impact Impact

6 Cement Works Post-Medieval None None marked on the First (1540 AD to Edition Ordnance 1900 AD) Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. 24 A satinite Works (a Post-Medieval None None product used to line (1540 AD to furnaces) marked on 1900 AD) the First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile Lancashire Maps. 25 Craig’s Saw Mill. A Post-Medieval None None Saw Mill marked on (1540 AD to the First Edition 1900 AD) Ordnance Survey 25 inch to 1 mile

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Table 10.5: Impact Assessment Site Description: Period/Date Direct Indirect Number Impact Impact

Lancashire Maps, and the OS maps until the fourth edition 6 inch. 26 Widnes Pottery. Post-Medieval None None Pottery Works (1540 AD to marked on the First 1900 AD) Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch to I mile Lancashire Maps. NA Deposits of peat and Roman? Slight Possible slight other organic Negative negative as a material associated result of local with the Ditton and changes to Steward Brooks drainage and/or intrusive groundworks. NA West Bank Post-Medieval None None Conservation Area (1540 AD to 1900 AD) NA Victoria Square Post-Medieval None None Conservation Area (1540 AD to 1900 AD)

10.111 The negative impacts upon Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings all relate to the visual setting of the heritage assets. However, in general these will be relatively minor and only impact from distant view points. For example, the proposed development will not largely be visible from within the West Bank Conservation Area.

10.112 The impacts upon the Runcorn Road and Railway Bridges are upon their visual settings and should perhaps be viewed within the context of their setting within an industrial landscape which has seen significant changes within the last century. When this is taken into account the impact of the proposed development is relatively minor.

PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES

Stobart Park

10.113 The only elements of the proposals requiring mitigation are deep ground works (over 1 m below present ground level) which may affect deposits of peat in the area within c. 50 m of the banks of the Ditton and Steward Brooks. These should be monitored as an archaeological watching brief conducted to a method statement agreed in advance with the Development Control Archaeologist for Halton Borough Council. Monitoring would be confined to works such as the exaction of trenches for services and excavation around pile caps. The operation of piling rigs would not require monitoring.

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Sources Adams M. 2004 An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of Land at the Proposed Widnes Strategic Rail Hub. Unpublished NMLFAU Report.

Atkin M. A. 1985 ‘Some Settlement Patterns in Lancashire.’ In Hooke D. (Ed.) Medieval Villages. Oxford University Committee for Archaeology. Monograph No. 5. Oxford.

Baines T. 1867 Lancashire and Cheshire Past and Present. William McKenzie. London

Bedale & Peel R. Sir 1971 – 1975 Fieldwork on the Mersey Flats. (CHER report no. N/A)

Brennand M. (Ed) 2006 Research and Archaeology in North-West England: An Archaeological Research Framework for North-West Region: Vol 1 Resource Assessment. Archaeology North-West, Vol 8, Issue 18.

Brennand M. (Ed) 2007 Research and Archaeology in North-West England: An Archaeological Research Framework for North-West England: Vol 2 Research Agenda and Strategy. Archaeology North-West, Vol 9, Issue 19.

Brooks W.M. & Wilson C.M.J. 1986 The Industrial Archaeology of St. Helens. Non-Glass Manufacturing. Un-Published Report by the Groundwork Trust for Merseyside Museums

CL Associates 1998 Landfill Gas and Ground Investigation Cottam Hall Brickworks, Preston. Report No. 3058/1. Report for Turner & Sons Ltd.

Cowell R. W. 1996 The Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic. In Newman R. (Ed.) The Archaeology of Lancashire. Present State and Future Priorities. Lancaster University Archaeological Unit.

Cowell R. W. & Adams M. 2000 Romano-British and Late Prehistoric Excavations at Duttons Farm, Lathom, West Lancashire. Unpublished NMGM Report.

Cowell R.W. & Philpott R.A. 2000 Prehistoric, Romano-British and Medieval Settlement in Lowland North West England: Archaeological Excavations along the A5300 Road Corridor in Mereyside. National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside. Liverpool.

Earthworks Archaeological Services 2007 Proposed Site of the Strategic Rail Freight Terminal at Ditton, Widnes. (CHER report no. 2767)

Ekwall E. 1960 Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names. Oxford

Farrer W. & Brownbill J.A. 1907 The Victoria History of the County of Lancaster. Vol. 3, London.

Gifford 1997 Halewood Closure Project (CHER report no. R2174)

Gifford 2003 Building a Bridge to Prosperity (CHER report no. R2520)

Graystone P. 1996 Walking Roman Roads in the Fylde and the Ribble Valley. CNWRS.

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Hall G.H. and Folland C.J. 1970 Soils of Lancashire. Soil Survey of Great Britain England and Wales. Bulletin No. 5. Harpenden.

Kenyon D. 1991 The Origins of Lancashire. Manchester University Press.

Margary I. D. 1957 Roman Roads in Britain. Vol. II North of the Foss Way-Bristol Channel (including Wales and Scotland). Phoenix House Ltd.

Matthews K.J. 2000 The Iron Age of Northwest England: a socio-economic model. Draft paper for forthcoming conference proceedings.

Middleton R. 1996 The Neolithic and Bronze Age. In Newman R. (Ed.) The Archaeology of Lancashire. Present State and Future Priorities. Lancaster University Archaeological Unit.

Middleton R., Wells C.E., Huckerby E. 1995. The Wetlands of Lancashire, North West Wetlands Survey 3, Lancaster Imprints 4, Lancaster

Mills D. Lancashire Placenames

Stratascan 2006 Geophysical Survey Report; Ditton, Widnes, Cheshire. (CHER report no. R2617)

Sub-Surface Ltd. 1993 Desk Study at Cottam Hall Brickworks, Preston for Cassidy & Aston Architects. Report No. 2350.

Morgan P. (Ed.) 1978 Domesday Book, 26, Cheshire. Phillimore, Chichester.

Nevell M. 1991 A Field Survey of High Legh Parish, Pt I: Prehistoric and Roman Evidence. Archaeology North West, 2, 16-19.

Newman R. (Ed.) 1996 The Archaeology of Lancashire. Present State and Future Priorities. Lancaster University Archaeological Unit.

Oxford Archaeology North 2005 Ditton Rail, Freight Park, Widnes, Cheshire; Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment. (CHER report no. 2638)

Philpott R. A. 1994 New Light on Roman Settlement: Recent Aerial Photography in Cheshire. Cheshire Past 3, 6-7.

Philpott R.A. and Adams M.H. 2010 Irby, Wirral Excavations on a Late Prehistoric, Romano- British and Medieval Site, 1987-96. National Museums Liverpool.

Sawyer P.H. & Thacker A.T. 1987 ‘The Cheshire Domesday’ in: Harris B.E. A History of the County of Chester (Victoria History of the Counties of England) Vol. 1, University of London.

Shaw M. and Clark J. 2003 Cheshire Historic Towns Survey. Widnes Archaeological Assessment. Cheshire County Council.

Shimwell, D.W. 1996 A Note on the Animal Bones and Deer Antlers Retrieved From Excavations at Gate Warth Farm, Sankey Bridges, Warrington. Unpublished Report to Cheshire County Council.

Shotter D. 1997 Romans and Britons in North-West England. University of Lancaster.

10 - 24 Stobart Park / 3MG Widnes Environmental Statement, January 2012

Thompson Watkin W. 1880 Roman Lancashire. Liverpool

10 - 25 Stobart Park / 3MG, Widnes Document Ref: 89429/0020

Historical Maps West Bank Dock Site

Lancashire And Furness Published 1849 Source map scale - 1:10,560 The historical maps shown were reproduced from maps predominantly held at the scale adopted for England, Wales and Scotland in the 1840`s. In 1854 the 1:2,500 scale was adopted for mapping urban areas; these maps were used to update the 1:10,560 maps. The published date given therefore is often some years later than the surveyed date. Before 1938, all OS maps were based on the Cassini Projection, with independent surveys of a single county or group of counties, giving rise to significant inaccuracies in outlying areas. In the late 1940`s, a Provisional Edition was produced, which updated the 1:10,560 mapping from a number of sources. The maps appear unfinished - with all military camps and other strategic sites removed. These maps were initially overprinted with the National Grid. In 1970, the first 1:10,000 maps were produced using the Transverse Mercator Projection. The revision process continued until recently, with new editions appearing every 10 years or so for urban areas.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Slice B

Order Details Order Number: 34261095_1_1 Customer Ref: 010-1048 National Grid Reference: 350580, 384340 Slice: B Site Area (Ha): 33.83 Search Buffer (m): 1000 Site Details Stobart Park, WIDNES, Cheshire, WA8 0PB

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A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 3 of 28 Lancashire And Furness Published 1908 Source map scale - 1:10,560 The historical maps shown were reproduced from maps predominantly held at the scale adopted for England, Wales and Scotland in the 1840`s. In 1854 the 1:2,500 scale was adopted for mapping urban areas; these maps were used to update the 1:10,560 maps. The published date given therefore is often some years later than the surveyed date. Before 1938, all OS maps were based on the Cassini Projection, with independent surveys of a single county or group of counties, giving rise to significant inaccuracies in outlying areas. In the late 1940`s, a Provisional Edition was produced, which updated the 1:10,560 mapping from a number of sources. The maps appear unfinished - with all military camps and other strategic sites removed. These maps were initially overprinted with the National Grid. In 1970, the first 1:10,000 maps were produced using the Transverse Mercator Projection. The revision process continued until recently, with new editions appearing every 10 years or so for urban areas.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Slice B

Tel: 0844 844 9952 Fax: 0844 844 9951 Web: www.envirocheck.co.uk

A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 8 of 28 Lancashire And Furness Published 1927 Source map scale - 1:2,500 The historical maps shown were reproduced from maps predominantly held at the scale adopted for England, Wales and Scotland in the 1840`s. In 1854 the 1:2,500 scale was adopted for mapping urban areas and by 1896 it covered the whole of what were considered to be the cultivated parts of Great Britain. The published date given below is often some years later than the surveyed date. Before 1938, all OS maps were based on the Cassini Projection, with independent surveys of a single county or group of counties, giving rise to significant inaccuracies in outlying areas.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Segment B5

Order Details Order Number: 34261095_1_1 Customer Ref: 010-1048 National Grid Reference: 350580, 384340 Slice: B Site Area (Ha): 33.83 Search Buffer (m): 50 Site Details Stobart Park, WIDNES, Cheshire, WA8 0PB

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A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 5 of 14 Lancashire And Furness Published 1928 Source map scale - 1:10,560 The historical maps shown were reproduced from maps predominantly held at the scale adopted for England, Wales and Scotland in the 1840`s. In 1854 the 1:2,500 scale was adopted for mapping urban areas; these maps were used to update the 1:10,560 maps. The published date given therefore is often some years later than the surveyed date. Before 1938, all OS maps were based on the Cassini Projection, with independent surveys of a single county or group of counties, giving rise to significant inaccuracies in outlying areas. In the late 1940`s, a Provisional Edition was produced, which updated the 1:10,560 mapping from a number of sources. The maps appear unfinished - with all military camps and other strategic sites removed. These maps were initially overprinted with the National Grid. In 1970, the first 1:10,000 maps were produced using the Transverse Mercator Projection. The revision process continued until recently, with new editions appearing every 10 years or so for urban areas.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Slice B

Tel: 0844 844 9952 Fax: 0844 844 9951 Web: www.envirocheck.co.uk

A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 13 of 28 Ordnance Survey Plan Published 1949 - 1956 Source map scale - 1:10,000 The historical maps shown were reproduced from maps predominantly held at the scale adopted for England, Wales and Scotland in the 1840`s. In 1854 the 1:2,500 scale was adopted for mapping urban areas; these maps were used to update the 1:10,560 maps. The published date given therefore is often some years later than the surveyed date. Before 1938, all OS maps were based on the Cassini Projection, with independent surveys of a single county or group of counties, giving rise to significant inaccuracies in outlying areas. In the late 1940`s, a Provisional Edition was produced, which updated the 1:10,560 mapping from a number of sources. The maps appear unfinished - with all military camps and other strategic sites removed. These maps were initially overprinted with the National Grid. In 1970, the first 1:10,000 maps were produced using the Transverse Mercator Projection. The revision process continued until recently, with new editions appearing every 10 years or so for urban areas.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Slice B

Tel: 0844 844 9952 Fax: 0844 844 9951 Web: www.envirocheck.co.uk

A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 18 of 28 Ordnance Survey Plan Published 1982 - 1987 Source map scale - 1:10,000 The historical maps shown were reproduced from maps predominantly held at the scale adopted for England, Wales and Scotland in the 1840`s. In 1854 the 1:2,500 scale was adopted for mapping urban areas; these maps were used to update the 1:10,560 maps. The published date given therefore is often some years later than the surveyed date. Before 1938, all OS maps were based on the Cassini Projection, with independent surveys of a single county or group of counties, giving rise to significant inaccuracies in outlying areas. In the late 1940`s, a Provisional Edition was produced, which updated the 1:10,560 mapping from a number of sources. The maps appear unfinished - with all military camps and other strategic sites removed. These maps were initially overprinted with the National Grid. In 1970, the first 1:10,000 maps were produced using the Transverse Mercator Projection. The revision process continued until recently, with new editions appearing every 10 years or so for urban areas.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Slice B

Tel: 0844 844 9952 Fax: 0844 844 9951 Web: www.envirocheck.co.uk

A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 23 of 28 Ordnance Survey Plan Published 1990 - 1994 Source map scale - 1:10,000 The historical maps shown were reproduced from maps predominantly held at the scale adopted for England, Wales and Scotland in the 1840`s. In 1854 the 1:2,500 scale was adopted for mapping urban areas; these maps were used to update the 1:10,560 maps. The published date given therefore is often some years later than the surveyed date. Before 1938, all OS maps were based on the Cassini Projection, with independent surveys of a single county or group of counties, giving rise to significant inaccuracies in outlying areas. In the late 1940`s, a Provisional Edition was produced, which updated the 1:10,560 mapping from a number of sources. The maps appear unfinished - with all military camps and other strategic sites removed. These maps were initially overprinted with the National Grid. In 1970, the first 1:10,000 maps were produced using the Transverse Mercator Projection. The revision process continued until recently, with new editions appearing every 10 years or so for urban areas.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Slice B

Tel: 0844 844 9952 Fax: 0844 844 9951 Web: www.envirocheck.co.uk

A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 25 of 28 10k Raster Mapping Published 1999 Source map scale - 1:10,000 The historical maps shown were produced from the Ordnance Survey`s 1:10,000 colour raster mapping. These maps are derived from Landplan which replaced the old 1:10,000 maps originally published in 1970. The data is highly detailed showing buildings, fences and field boundaries as well as all roads, tracks and paths. Road names are also included together with the relevant road number and classification. Boundary information depiction includes county, unitary authority, district, civil parish and constituency.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Slice B

Tel: 0844 844 9952 Fax: 0844 844 9951 Web: www.envirocheck.co.uk

A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 26 of 28 10k Raster Mapping Published 2010 Source map scale - 1:10,000 The historical maps shown were produced from the Ordnance Survey`s 1:10,000 colour raster mapping. These maps are derived from Landplan which replaced the old 1:10,000 maps originally published in 1970. The data is highly detailed showing buildings, fences and field boundaries as well as all roads, tracks and paths. Road names are also included together with the relevant road number and classification. Boundary information depiction includes county, unitary authority, district, civil parish and constituency.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Slice B

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A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 28 of 28 Stobart Park / 3MG, Widnes Document Ref: 89429/0020

Historical Maps ‐ Foundry Lane and Reclamation Site

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Slice A

Order Details Order Number: 34261095_1_1 Customer Ref: 010-1048 National Grid Reference: 349110, 384440 Slice: A Site Area (Ha): 33.83 Search Buffer (m): 1000 Site Details Stobart Park, WIDNES, Cheshire, WA8 0PB

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A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 3 of 26 Lancashire And Furness Published 1893 Source map scale - 1:2,500 The historical maps shown were reproduced from maps predominantly held at the scale adopted for England, Wales and Scotland in the 1840`s. In 1854 the 1:2,500 scale was adopted for mapping urban areas and by 1896 it covered the whole of what were considered to be the cultivated parts of Great Britain. The published date given below is often some years later than the surveyed date. Before 1938, all OS maps were based on the Cassini Projection, with independent surveys of a single county or group of counties, giving rise to significant inaccuracies in outlying areas.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Segment A7

Order Details Order Number: 34261095_1_1 Customer Ref: 010-1048 National Grid Reference: 349110, 384440 Slice: A Site Area (Ha): 33.83 Search Buffer (m): 50 Site Details Stobart Park, WIDNES, Cheshire, WA8 0PB

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A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 2 of 15 Lancashire And Furness Published 1908 Source map scale - 1:10,560 The historical maps shown were reproduced from maps predominantly held at the scale adopted for England, Wales and Scotland in the 1840`s. In 1854 the 1:2,500 scale was adopted for mapping urban areas; these maps were used to update the 1:10,560 maps. The published date given therefore is often some years later than the surveyed date. Before 1938, all OS maps were based on the Cassini Projection, with independent surveys of a single county or group of counties, giving rise to significant inaccuracies in outlying areas. In the late 1940`s, a Provisional Edition was produced, which updated the 1:10,560 mapping from a number of sources. The maps appear unfinished - with all military camps and other strategic sites removed. These maps were initially overprinted with the National Grid. In 1970, the first 1:10,000 maps were produced using the Transverse Mercator Projection. The revision process continued until recently, with new editions appearing every 10 years or so for urban areas.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Slice A

Tel: 0844 844 9952 Fax: 0844 844 9951 Web: www.envirocheck.co.uk

A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 8 of 26 Lancashire And Furness Published 1928 Source map scale - 1:10,560 The historical maps shown were reproduced from maps predominantly held at the scale adopted for England, Wales and Scotland in the 1840`s. In 1854 the 1:2,500 scale was adopted for mapping urban areas; these maps were used to update the 1:10,560 maps. The published date given therefore is often some years later than the surveyed date. Before 1938, all OS maps were based on the Cassini Projection, with independent surveys of a single county or group of counties, giving rise to significant inaccuracies in outlying areas. In the late 1940`s, a Provisional Edition was produced, which updated the 1:10,560 mapping from a number of sources. The maps appear unfinished - with all military camps and other strategic sites removed. These maps were initially overprinted with the National Grid. In 1970, the first 1:10,000 maps were produced using the Transverse Mercator Projection. The revision process continued until recently, with new editions appearing every 10 years or so for urban areas.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Slice A

Tel: 0844 844 9952 Fax: 0844 844 9951 Web: www.envirocheck.co.uk

A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 13 of 26 Ordnance Survey Plan Published 1958 Source map scale - 1:1,250 The historical maps shown were reproduced from maps predominantly held at the scale adopted for England, Wales and Scotland in the 1840`s. In 1854 the 1:2,500 scale was adopted for mapping urban areas and by 1896 it covered the whole of what were considered to be the cultivated parts of Great Britain. The published date given below is often some years later than the surveyed date. Before 1938, all OS maps were based on the Cassini Projection, with independent surveys of a single county or group of counties, giving rise to significant inaccuracies in outlying areas.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Segment A8

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A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 7 of 14 Ordnance Survey Plan Published 1956 - 1958 Source map scale - 1:1,250 The historical maps shown were reproduced from maps predominantly held at the scale adopted for England, Wales and Scotland in the 1840`s. In 1854 the 1:2,500 scale was adopted for mapping urban areas and by 1896 it covered the whole of what were considered to be the cultivated parts of Great Britain. The published date given below is often some years later than the surveyed date. Before 1938, all OS maps were based on the Cassini Projection, with independent surveys of a single county or group of counties, giving rise to significant inaccuracies in outlying areas.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Segment A7

Tel: 0844 844 9952 Fax: 0844 844 9951 Web: www.envirocheck.co.uk

A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 6 of 15 Ordnance Survey Plan Published 1970 - 1977 Source map scale - 1:10,000 The historical maps shown were reproduced from maps predominantly held at the scale adopted for England, Wales and Scotland in the 1840`s. In 1854 the 1:2,500 scale was adopted for mapping urban areas; these maps were used to update the 1:10,560 maps. The published date given therefore is often some years later than the surveyed date. Before 1938, all OS maps were based on the Cassini Projection, with independent surveys of a single county or group of counties, giving rise to significant inaccuracies in outlying areas. In the late 1940`s, a Provisional Edition was produced, which updated the 1:10,560 mapping from a number of sources. The maps appear unfinished - with all military camps and other strategic sites removed. These maps were initially overprinted with the National Grid. In 1970, the first 1:10,000 maps were produced using the Transverse Mercator Projection. The revision process continued until recently, with new editions appearing every 10 years or so for urban areas.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Slice A

Tel: 0844 844 9952 Fax: 0844 844 9951 Web: www.envirocheck.co.uk

A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 19 of 26 10k Raster Mapping Published 1999 Source map scale - 1:10,000 The historical maps shown were produced from the Ordnance Survey`s 1:10,000 colour raster mapping. These maps are derived from Landplan which replaced the old 1:10,000 maps originally published in 1970. The data is highly detailed showing buildings, fences and field boundaries as well as all roads, tracks and paths. Road names are also included together with the relevant road number and classification. Boundary information depiction includes county, unitary authority, district, civil parish and constituency.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Slice A

Tel: 0844 844 9952 Fax: 0844 844 9951 Web: www.envirocheck.co.uk

A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 24 of 26 10k Raster Mapping Published 2006 Source map scale - 1:10,000 The historical maps shown were produced from the Ordnance Survey`s 1:10,000 colour raster mapping. These maps are derived from Landplan which replaced the old 1:10,000 maps originally published in 1970. The data is highly detailed showing buildings, fences and field boundaries as well as all roads, tracks and paths. Road names are also included together with the relevant road number and classification. Boundary information depiction includes county, unitary authority, district, civil parish and constituency.

Map Name(s) and Date(s)

Historical Map - Slice A

Tel: 0844 844 9952 Fax: 0844 844 9951 Web: www.envirocheck.co.uk

A Landmark Information Group Service v42.0 22-Mar-2011 Page 25 of 26