Planning Case Study 37
Arkwright’s Shudehill Mill, Miller Street, Manchester
Planning scenario(s)
Heritage assets affected
Non-designated heritage assets of archaeological and historic interest
Type of application & broad category
Local planning authority
Authority: Manchester City Council
References: 107722/FO/2014/C1
Development proposal
Erection of part 6 storey, part 33 storey buildings to form a mixed use development comprising 458 residential apartments (Use Class C3) and ground floor commercial units maximum of 1954 sqm (Use Classes A1, A2, A3, B1 and D1) along with associated roof top garden and Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) to 6 storey element, basement car parking, hard and soft landscaping and associated works including the creation of a new pedestrian route between Angel Street and Miller Street, Land Bounded By Miller Street, Rochdale Road and Angel Street, Manchester.
Archaeological information known about the site before the planning application was made, or before the development commenced, as appropriate
Remains of nationally important cotton mill. It was amongst the first steam powered cotton mills in the world, erected around 1783. It was destroyed in an air raid in 1940 and became a car park.
Archaeological/planning processes
In 2005 Time Team undertook a three day evaluation of the site of the mill, working with the local archaeology planning advisers, Manchester University’s archaeology unit and local archaeology society members.
Well preserved remains were identified but not fully understood within the constraints of the timescale. However, it was clear that there was good archaeological potential for significant archaeology which might be of national significance – although this was not pursued at the time in terms of designation as a Scheduled Monument.
In 2014 the car park became the focus of a major regeneration project. The new development required that three new buildings cover the mill site, which would destroy the archaeological remains.
Unfortunately, neither Historic England nor the LPA archaeology advisers were consulted at the early design stage so that the scheme was presented as a fait accompli. In 2014, the regeneration company funded detailed historical research, comparative analysis and a full archaeological strip of the site, with sample excavation.
NPPF 2012 paragraph 139 (now footnote 63) was invoked and meetings held at which it was agreed that the remains could be of national significance but much more detailed research and evaluation excavation needed to be undertaken to establish this, particularly as the scheme would not be viable if the remains were to be preserved in situ.
The resulting information was subject to an internal designation review by English Heritage. It was found that the mill had been destroyed by a fire in the mid-19th century and rebuilt as a warehouse. The engine house had been sealed at that time. The mill body was of only local significance but the engine house with its sequence of boilers, flues and engine bases, and the remains of the original wheel pit were clearly nationally significant although should be addressed through the planning system rather than via statutory designation.
Analysis of levels from the excavation against the proposed development foundation levels confirmed that nearly all of the archaeology would be removed. It was agreed that public benefit arising from the development outweighed that of preserving the remains in situ. Full planning permission was therefore granted far the development in 2014 with a pre-commencement archaeological condition.
Outcomes: archaeological
A substantial part of the public benefit was provided by the full excavation and detailed analysis of the mill in 2015 to provide a maximum record and understanding, the production of a popular booklet, dedicated website including educational materials, and state of the art digital presentation of the archaeology and history of the mill, together with specially designed references and interactive interpretation within the public realm, with a new street being named ‘Thread Street’ to commemorate the site. An academic monograph is currently in preparation.
Other outcomes/outputs e.g. other public benefit such as public engagement, research and new/changed work practices
See above.
References and links/bibliography
- Oxford Archaeology North 2014, NOMA Plot L, Angel Square, Miller Street, Manchester: Archaeological Desk-based Assessment. Unpublished report, no 2013-14/1594.
- Oxford Archaeology North 2015, ‘Hell upon Earth’: the archaeology of Angel Meadow, Greater Manchester’s Past Revealed 14.
