Peat Processing Works, Fenn's Moss

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the scheduled monument.

The monument consists of the remains of an industrial building, dating to the early 20th century. Industrial exploitation of the peat began in the late-nineteenth century. As part of this industry, the Fenn's Moss Peat Processing Works was built in 1938 by the Midland Moss Litter Company, replacing an earlier works destroyed by fire. The remains of the peat processing works are listed grade II* and are an exceptionally rare survival. The steel-framed shed and roof was originally clad and roofed in corrugated iron. It had 3 sliding steel doors , facing a tramway on the north side. Inside the floor is raised above surrounding ground level and much of the original machinery survives including a hammer mill and crusher, elevators, rotary screen and 3 balers (2 by Webster and Bickerton and one by Shirtliffe). Attached to the west end of the shed is a lean-to engine house clad in modern galvanised metal. Inside here a National heavy-oil engine and belt drives survive. Adjacent to the engine house is a steel platform retaining 3 cast iron 1000-gallon ‘Corporation Transport’ tanks, 2 of which held water and the 3rd (and a 4th removed when the works closed) held fuel.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of 18th or 19th century industrial practices. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques. An industrial building may be part of a larger cluster of monuments and their importance can further enhanced by their group value.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.