Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of the Butterley Works, Ripley, Derbyshire

ARCUS was commissioned Michael Courcier Partners Limited, Town Planning and Development Consultants, to undertake an archaeological desk-top assessment and building survey of the Butterley Works, Ripley, Derbyshire (NGR SK 4020 5128). The works were founded in 1790 as Benjamin Outram Co. and initially operated a single cold-air blast furnace. The works were situated on top of the Cromford Canal tunnel, and the local transport network along with the wealth of resources nearby were important in the early and continued success of the Butterley Company throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The building survey established that a number of structural elements dating from the nineteenth century are extant and recommends that a full survey of standing remains be undertaken prior to re-development or demolition. The potential for sub-surface archaeological remains within the site cannot be assessed on the basis of current information.