Site Event/Activity record ECH6597 - Land at Gaw End Lane, Macclesfield: Historic Desk-Based Assessment

A desk based assessment was undertaken in 2018 to assess the heritage significance of land at Gaw End Lane, Macclesfield (SJ 912 707), prior to its development for residential purposes. The site, approximately 23ha in area, is currently semi-improved grassland. The assessment has established that there are no designated heritage assets within the study site. Furthermore, the proposed development will not adversely affect the heritage significance of any designated assets in the surrounding area, with the exception of the Macclesfield Canal Conservation Area, for which any adverse impacts are considered to be negligible. One non-designated heritage asset is recorded within the study site; the findspot of an Iron Age quern recovered in the mid-19th century during the construction of the railway line. Given that the artefact was recovered during the construction of the railway line, it is highly likely that the actual findspot was outside of the study site, on the western side of the canal. However, the 1882 Ordnance Survey map shows a ‘Chemical Works’ in the north-western corner of the study site. The nature of these works is unknown, although they could have been associated with the ‘White Lead Works’ on the adjacent bank of the canal, or ‘Harrington’s Bone Works’ to the south, which was engaged in the production of glue and fertilizers from animal by-products. The chemical works is no longer present on the 1898 Ordnance Survey map. (1)