Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of Coltran Engineering Works, Church Street Mexborough, South Yorkshire

In June 2007, ARCUS were commissioned by Coltran Products Ltd to undertake an archaeological desk-based assessment on a site at Church Street, Mexborough, South Yorkshire (SK 4781 9972). The assessment was required to support a planning application for redevelopment of the site. The desk-based assessment comprised a site visit, documentary and cartographic research. The site is close to the medieval core of Mexborough, a short distance from the church and manor house. Plans of 1694-5 and 1767-70 indicated 17th- and 18th-century development on the street frontage. In 1839, the northern part of the site was occupied by farm houses, barns and stables, with yards, gardens, orchards and crofts to the south. The canal was constructed along the southern edge of the site in 1733, and improved in 1844. The Don Corn Mill was built at the southwest side of the site in the second half of the 19th century, probably in the 1860s-70s, and extended in 1884. A warehouse was constructed adjacent to the mill in the early 20th century, possibly originally designed as a factory. It was converted to a bakery in the 1920s, and extended during the 1930s-50s. The mill and bakery were closed in the 1970s, and the bakery became an engineering works. The mill buildings were used for storage, until they were demolished in the late 20th century. Standing remains associated with the 19th-century mill survive along the southwest and west boundaries of the site, as boundary walls. The engineering works includes buildings dating from the early to mid-20th century, several of which are considered to be of local historic interest. Further recording of the buildings may be required prior to demolition. There is the potential for the survival of sub-surface remains associated with the mill at the southwest side of the site, and for 18th- to 19th-century farm buildings towards the northern end, although it is possible that ground levels may have been lowered in this area in the 20th century. The potential for medieval remains cannot be discounted on the basis of the available evidence. Further archaeological evaluation, such as trial trenching, would be required to assess the extent, nature and condition of surviving archaeological remains.