Survey Data
Reg No
22803075
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Historical, Social, Technical
Original Use
Engine house
Date
1835 - 1840
Coordinates
246098, 115298
Date Recorded
23/07/2003
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached single-bay two-storey rubble stone engine house, built 1838, with segmental-headed carriageway, three-bay two-storey side elevation to east, and single-bay two-storey recessed lower end bay to west. Renovated, c.1940, with replacement engines inserted. Now disused and derelict. Flat felt roofs behind parapets. Random rubble stone walls with lime mortar, and rendered coping to parapets. Square-headed window openings with some shallow segmental-headed window openings having stone sills, and red brick dressings. Fittings now gone with some retaining remains of 3/3 timber sash windows, and some openings blocked-up using random rubble stone. Segmental-headed carriageway with cut-stone lintel, and red brick dressings to arch. Fittings now missing. Interior now derelict with replacement steam engines, c.1940, connecting to electricity generator having control/switch panel. Set back from road in grounds shared with Portlaw Cotton Factory having overgrown grounds to site.
Appraisal
An integral component of the Portlaw Cotton Mill complex, this engine house was originally built to augment the power supplied by the adjacent waterwheels (22803074/WD-08-03-74). Subsequently converted to electric power, the later engines remain intact and are of considerable technical interest. The house, which is now in a derelict state, remains an attractive feature in the grounds and warrants restoration.