Source/Archive record SCH4080 - Report on an Archaeological Desk Based Assessment; Land at Potchins, Forge Fields, Sandbach.

Archaeological desk-based assessment and site visit undertaken in 1995 for a proposed development site on land at Pochins, Forge Fields, Sandbach. The site occupies an area of land to the east of the village of Wheelock and is bounded to the south by the River Wheelock, to the west by open fields and to the north and east by an existing residential development. The Trent and Mersey Canal runs through the area. The research indicated that prior to the late 18th century there is no evidence of construction on site and land was given over to agriculture. The Trent and Mersey Canal was then built in 1778 and the bulk transport offered by the canal stimulated the development of small-scale iron smithing, brick making, salt extraction and refining and silk printing in the village of Wheelock. The site of the Wheelock Iron and Salt Company is located at the eastern edge of the development area and ground investigations obvserved up to 3 metres of made ground here indicating the probable presence of in situ remains of the salt works.