So Long Silos

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

Those who whizz to and fro on the ECML, take your last glances East at the one time Nabisco factory at Welwyn Garden City. It's all coming down, the contractor already half way through reducing the silos to rubble.

 

It was of some concern to thoughtful residents that the silos might be 'preserved' : to be a permanent drain on the local authority funds as their perpetual maintenance requirement made itself felt.

[Mike Storey]

Any clue yet as to what will be built in its place?

[black and decker boy]

Its in south england so only 1 likely answer. Many houses, lots of flats and maybe, if you are lucky, a token tree.

[Mike Storey]

Apparently, six of the silos are Grade II listed, so will not be demolished, along with the main building and one or two other parts. The main factory building is proposed to be converted into a museum, arts centre, restaurants etc, and the rest of the area into housing and parkland, plus an upgraded bridge connection to the station.

 

Tesco  (Spen) owned the site until late last year, but failed to get planning consent for their scheme, as they did not have enough affordable homes included. They sold it on to another developer who now has consents (with far more affordable housing), and that has led to the current demolitions.

 

More details here:

 

http://www.whtimes.co.uk/news/shredded-wheat-factory-updated-plans-unveiled-for-welwyn-garden-city-site-1-5294004

 

http://www.britainsdecays.com/abandoned-shredded-wheat-factory-welwyn-garden-city/

 

 

I remember the old, comical shunter that used to trundle around the Shredded Wheat site back in the 70's. I wonder what happened to it?

[eastwestdivide]

Listing here: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1101084

for "THE NABISCO SHREDDED WHEAT FACTORY"

1925. Architect Louis de Soissons. Two concrete ranges, at right angles with links. Southern range consists of giant range of cylindrical concrete drums 15 bays long with flat oversailing capping with railings right over the whole top. Behind this is a plain attic storey with 28 plain windows with plain capping over. On one end elevation is a 3 bay projecting tower rising just above the main roof level...

 

Also listed by the staton is https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1348142

for "OFFICE BLOCK (BUILDINGS 1 TO 4) TO ROCHE PRODUCTS FACTORY"

 

Of course being listed doesn't make them immune from being demolished, just harder to get permission.

 

 

Edit: de Soissons was apparently the architect for much of WGC in the 20s and beyond.

Edited February 5, 2018 by eastwestdivide

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

...Of course being listed doesn't make them immune from being demolished, just harder to get permission...

 We are going to have to work harder at having them all torn down then. Just left over junk. There are perfectly good examples in the former dock areas of London, and all over the North American Midwest.

[scottishlocos]

All

 

Not good new for local pigeon fanciers x 2 gasometers in my area have just been saved/listed much to the joy of local MPs and MSPs

 

When they blew up the gasometers and cooling towers at Ravenscraig hundreds of pigeons went missing as they use local landmarks to navigate

 

Dave