Archaeological Desktop Assessment and Building Recording at the Dema Glass Factory, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

In July 2003, ARCUS were commissioned by AWG Developments Ltd, to undertake an archaeological desktop assessment and Historic Buildings Appraisal at the site of the former Dema Glass factory, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The archaeological recording examined the whole site, both in terms of its historical development and the nature of the built structures standing at the time of survey. The factory ceased to operate in September 2001 and since being in receivership, saleable property has been auctioned and a complete re-development of the site is proposed. The site, centred on NGR SK3850 7310, covers an area c12.3ha within an area known as Whittington Moor. It is immediately adjacent to the A671 on the northern approach into Chesterfield, with principal access from Sheffield Road. During the early nineteenth century the land use was agricultural in character with a string of potteries and brick works along the northern boundary. Pearsons Pottery was a medium sized concern operational from 1810 to 1919. It produced stoneware bottles and jars and salt-glazed Chesterfield Brownware, consisting of three main sites along Pottery Lane West. The railway forming the eastern boundary was constructed in mid nineteenth century and was used to transport materials to and from the site, until it was removed to make way for the A61 that allowed through traffic to bypass the centre of Chesterfield. The first buildings of the British Thompson Huston Glass Factory were built on the site in 1922, with their main works located in Rugby. A second associated works to the west of the site was the Lamp Caps Company that fronted on to Sheffield Road. The site gradually expanded and new factory buildings, silos, chimneys and furnaces were constructed between 1932 and 1996. Internal developments mirrored new production and technological processes. The assessment of the surviving standing buildings has identified a core group of buildings that relate to the early 1920s-1930s factory complex and further recording has been recommended. The desktop survey has identified that the potential for historically documented features and or structures is mainly limited to the northern part of the site, where the former sewage works and potteries were located. A vast paper archive has been identified, consisting of plans, technical drawings, company records and scientific research. The records are scattered throughout various offices and laboratories across the site and represent an important and almost unique documentary timeline for twentieth century glass manufacture, technological advancement, factory operation and management.