Northern Lights: Finding a Future for the Sheds of Pennine Study Synopsis P2

Northern Lights: Finding a Future for the Weaving Sheds of Pennine Lancashire

Foreword

The weaving sheds of Pennine So, before a death sentence is served Lancashire are a unique reminder of on yet another weaving , we hope the innovation, energy and vitality of you will spare a few moments to read the region’s distinguished industrial this short booklet. We think you will past. They also have the potential to find it an eye opener. Summarised be a part of its future. here are just a few examples of successful conversion, and some of Weaving sheds are a distinctive the inspiring ways in which weaving element in the landscape and intrinsic sheds can be recycled to contribute to its character, yet of all the region’s again to the wealth and well-being of important historic buildings, they are this area. You will see too that re-use especially vulnerable to demolition. can be economical, offer good value They suffer all too often through ill- for money, and reflect in the twenty- considered resort to the bulldozer. first century some of the attributes But, as you will see in this booklet, of nineteenth century inventiveness, with imagination and ingenuity these thriftiness and zeal that made fine buildings can be brought back Pennine Lancashire one of the most Sir Neil Cossons into viable new uses that not only extraordinary manufacturing districts Former Chairman of English Heritage, retain their character but also afford in the world. current Chair of the Royal College of Art new and interesting places for people and the Weavers’ Triangle Working Group to live and work. P3 P4

A Pennine Lancashire industrial legacy

The 18th and 19th centuries witnessed As the industry grew, a new type of the transformation of the economy building emerged – the North Light of Britain and the rapid growth of our . These new buildings industrial manufacturing. At the heart for weaving were single storey and of this growth was the spinning and allowed large numbers of power weaving of . to be housed on a well-lit open floor. Cotton manufacture required a damp and humid climate, abundant fast- By the end of the 19th century, flowing water for power and steam, Pennine Lancashire was the cotton good transport links and skilled weaving capital of the world, and the labour, all of which were to be found legacy of this is evident in the weaving in Pennine Lancashire. sheds that survive and contribute to its distinctive landscape today.

Many weaving sheds were built alongside the Leeds-Liverpool Canal

Queen Street Mill Overlooking a Museum, weaving shed in Whitefield, Nelson P5

A typical weaving shed

Weaving sheds are usually large The sheds were aligned so that the buildings, with many more than 1000 rooflights faced predominantly to sqm. They have very deep floor plans the north, giving excellent levels often completely filling the sites on of natural light for working on the which they are built, due to their complex looms with a minimum of flexible form, and having no windows direct sunlight. in the external elevations. Their external walls were built of local North light Weaving sheds were constructed stone, often partly set into the slope using a standardised system of simple of their sites, and their floors of stone structural components: cast iron slabs were laid on beaten earth. This columns, 6m long gutter beams and construction kept their internal floors raking T-section props holding up the humid, which was essential for the roof ridges. weaving process.

T-section prop Gutter beam Light Cast iron columns

Canal

A cross-section of a The main components typical weaving shed site of a weaving shed P6

Successful Conversions

The original purpose for weaving Junction 12 is a thriving retail These projects demonstrate that by sheds has long since been lost, and centre located just off the M65, in applying a little vision and some subsequently many have either Brierfield, Pendle. This light and airy design creativity, weaving sheds can fallen into disuse or been demolished. conversion provides an attractive be repaired and altered for a wide However, there are exceptions. environment for shoppers. range of exciting new uses. A large number of sheds have proven convenient for other functions such Higherford Mill in Barrowford as storage and trade workshop space. is a hub for creative industries. And what’s more, there are examples A successful refurbishment of exciting, resourceful refurbishment programme by the Heritage schemes which demonstrate that Trust for the North West provides these buildings can also be put to a studio space for local artists in the range of more imaginative uses. converted weaving shed.

Some owners have already seen Farmhouse Biscuits in Nelson the potential of their weaving sheds is an example of a thriving food and converted their buildings in a manufacturer whose commercial variety of ways to meet the changing business is partly based in a requirements of modern life and converted weaving shed. work. They have taken advantage of the character of the weaving sheds, Pace is a digital TV technology the ease of their conversion and company located in Saltaire. The their relatively low costs to create staff restaurant is an outstanding outstanding new developments which example of how a weaving shed are both viable and appreciated by can be dramatically transformed. their users. Pace has also made good use of a weaving shed as office space.

Artists’ studios at Higherford Mill

Farmhouse Biscuits, Nelson P7

Pace Pace Offices, Café / Hub, Saltaire Saltaire

J12 Shopping Outlet, Nelson P8

Potential New Uses

Many other options are also possible including: School

Schools Homes Student accommodation

Lobby & Garden Hall WCs Staff Private Library Computer Dining / Classroom Reception Room Study Space Facilities Flexible Mezz Quiet Rooms Space Space

Homes

Circulation Garden Kitchen WCs Bedroom Living

Student accommodation

Plant Garden Common Warden’s WC/ Wet Communal Bedrooms Bicycle Room Flat Room Kitchens Store P9

These examples of actual and possible uses illustrate how the potential design and technical problems of reusing north light weaving sheds can be solved.

Creating sub-divisions, improving fabric performance, reservicing and environmental improvement, for example, can achieve high levels of sustainability, increase working heights, create new external spaces and accommodate access and parking.

Creation of an inner court area

Use of column protectors Sections of roof removed to form a service yard and improved access

Possible roof garden

Views

Views

Views

New-build on stilts. New-build tower pods that sit over Minimal damage to the roof. Potential for elevated views existing fabric over and out of the sheds P10

Financial viability

As well as being physically practical, For owners without the necessary the conversion of weaving sheds resources to complete a large to new uses can also be financially weaving shed development in a viable. Indeed the Northern Lights single phase, or where their building study includes robust financial is partly occupied, the form and appraisal and confirms that for most layout of weaving sheds makes their uses, the conversion of a weaving incremental development possible, shed can cost the same as or less allowing progress to match the than an equivalent new building. With available funding. flexible and supportive local planning policies this viability can be further enhanced, with shorter development periods and fewer development constraints and obstructions.

Higherford Mill, Barrowford P11

The study Acknowledgements

The complete Northern Lights study, Thanks are due to English Heritage of which this document is a brief for funding the study, to Purcell Miller summary, can be downloaded in Tritton for its research and production, PDF format free of charge from the and to the many individuals from following websites: the following organisations who contributed to it: Lancashire County Council www.lancashire.gov.uk with Darwen Borough Council, Burnley Borough Council, Regenerate Pennine Lancashire English Heritage, the Heritage Trust for www.regeneratepl.co.uk the North West, Hyndburn Borough Council, Lancashire County Council, For advice about a specific site we Pendle Borough Council, Regenerate recommend you contact the planning Pennine Lancashire, Ribble Valley and conservation officers in the Borough Council and Rossendale appropriate Council. Borough Council.

Booklet design by Source Creative www.sourcecreative.co.uk

Printed on 100% recycled paper

Farmhouse Biscuits, Nelson

Conference facilities at Higherford Mill, Barrowford P12