Monument record 4251/3 - St Anne's Lane Gasworks

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1851, Nantwich Board of Health Map (Maps and Plans). SCH2431.

This is the first available map to depict the gasworks (although this area is not depicted in detail on the 1846 tithe map (see 2). The gasworks is located adjacent to St Anne’s Lane and to the rear of the properties fronting Welsh Row. There are two gasometers, one at the southern end of the site and one in the north-western corner. Labelled features include: a coal house, a purifying house and a lime house.

<2> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 285/2 c.1846 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

<3> Cheshire County Council, 2002, Cheshire Historic Towns Survey: Crewe & Nantwich Borough Part 1: Archaeological Assessments, Nantwich p.18 (Report). SCH6691.

The gasworks were constructed in the town on St Anne’s Lane in 1832.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1876, True Ten Foot Scale Town Plan of Nantwich (Maps and Plans). SCH8633.

This map depicts the gasworks. It depicts: a store house, a coal house, a purifying house, a lime house and two gasometers. They appear to be in different locations to those depicted on the 1851 map (see 1).

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ6452, 1910 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

The gasworks has expanded into the area to the immediate east, though there are few structures. A long terrace of houses which once occupied this location along the southern part of a north-south lane running between numbers 13 and 17 Welsh Row, have been demolished (this terrace was built sometime between 1851 and 1876).

<6> Cheshire County Council, 1988, Reclamation of Nantwich Gas Works by the Environmental Engineering Team, Cheshire County Council, p.1-2 (Unpublished Report). SCH6793.

The site was partially decontaminated in the late 1980s. Work was concentrated on those areas of the gasworks where development was anticipated. Ground disturbance in this area was up to 3m in places. Furthermore the report states that ‘…All known ground beams, floor slabs, underground structures and distribution pipes have also been removed. The remains of the Tar Well and Gas Holders are indicated on the site plan…’, which may suggest some survival of structural elements. Report includes a plan of the areas excavated and re-filled.

Commercial production of gas through coal carbonisation (town gas) began in the first half of the 19th century and continued until the early 1970s when it was replaced from natural gas from the North Sea. The production of town gas from coal gave four main classes of product, gas, coke, tar and ammoniacal liquor, along with numerous other by-products and wastes. Contamination of sites occurred by spillage and routine on-site waste disposal. Liquors arising in the process were sometimes discharged to land while solid wastes, mostly 'spent oxide' were often used as fill material.

<7> Johnson, EA, 1902, A Short History of Nantwich and Neighbourhood, p.85 (Book). SCH8634.

'…Gas was first introduced into the town by a private company formed for that purpose in 1832…'

<8> Platt J W, 1818, The History of Nantwich, p.243 (Book). SCH3154.

‘…1832. This year is remarkable for the erection of a Gas Works by a company of local gentlemen…’