upperlands - Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment

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14 Industrial ArchaeologyIndustrial activity began at Upperlands in the 1730s with thesetting up of a bleach green by Jackson Clark. A water-poweredbeetling mill was subsequently erected and formed the basis fora family-run business which has been in operation for almostthree centuries.The bleaching and beetling of linen remained the focus of MessrsClarks’ activities until the mid 1800s when a dyeing facility wasadded. A major expansion occurred in the decades either sideof 1900 with the erection of additional bleaching, beetling andstorage facilities a weaving shed, the installation of a steamengine and water turbines, and linking of the premises to Ulster’srailway network. These developments formed a solid basis forthe firm to prosper and develop despite two world wars. In the1960s, Clarks developed ‘Everbond’, a fusible interlining whichcontinues to play a key role in the firm’s operations. In the 1970s,they also manufactured industrial filters in partnership with aGerman company under the name of BWC Textiles Ltd. Today,Messrs Clarks is one of the few operational textile manufacturersin Ireland, engaged in jobbing bleaching, dyeing, specialist clothtreatments and the manufacture of interlinings. It is also the onlyfirm still using beetling engines on a commercial scale.The above historical and technical developments are reflectedin a rich industrial heritage legacy of buildings, the architectureof which reflects their use for weaving, bleaching, dyeing andfinishing. A massive network of mill ponds and races whichutilized the Knockoneill River for power- and process water alsosurvives. The buildings contain a significant assemblage of plantand machinery for power generation and cloth production. Ofparticular note is the engine house which contains four steampoweredengines installed between the 1920s and ‘80s for thegeneration of electricity.Some of the buildings which are of special industrial heritagemerit have been listed by the Northern Ireland EnvironmentAgency and virtually all of them will be incorporated in theproposed new development. In addition, there are a numberof significant buildings which are not listed but which will alsobe retained. The network of mill ponds and races will also bepreserved and it is also proposed that significant items of plantand machinery be displayed in the new development. Whereit is necessary to demolish buildings of heritage interest, theirrecording both photographically and by way of measureddrawings will mitigate their loss and ensure a permanent recordof their existence.Inside building 4bBuilding 1aFrom an industrial archaeological perspective, the proposeddevelopment will be largely beneficial. Most of those buildingswhich are of special heritage significance will have a viablereuse which will ensure their future survival as a reminder of thesite’s unique contribution to Ulster’s linen industry. In addition,the waterworks will also be preserved as will significant items ofplant and machinery.Building 2aPage 16UPPERLANDSNON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY, MARCH 2009
Fig 9. Historical photo from 1982, view of the site from the north-eastFig 10. Historical photo from 1926, view of site looking south over the Bleach Green15 Built HeritageThe proposals for regeneration of the former William Clark andSons’ Linen Mill have been designed around the retention, repairand re-use of the majority of the listed buildings on the site andsome not currently listed buildings.The proposals include the alteration, extension and re-use ofsubstantial listed buildings, principally the Engine House (block4) and the ‘New’ Brown Room (building 10). This is a significantbrownfield site and all the new buildings are on the site of, orclose to modern industrial blocks or other previously developedareas. Proposed new buildings have a potential impact on thesetting of the listed buildings.The proposals have been tested against all relevant policiesin Planning Policy Statement 6 and there are no significantnegative impacts. There are however, considerable positiveimpacts with the maximum heritage interest being retained asthe listed buildings are restored and put to suitable new uses.Page 17TURLEYASSOCIATES
Page 1 and 2: UPPERLANDSNON-TECHNICAL SUMMARYMay
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS1 INTRODUCTION PAge 42 Site
Page 5 and 6: KILLSIDE ROADCRAIg’S DAMISLAND DA
Page 7 and 8: Fig 2. Aerial Photo within indicati
Page 9 and 10: BUILDING HEIGHTSThe siteListed Buil
Page 11 and 12: 6 PopulationA baseline survey of ex
Page 13 and 14: s)Summary of Bat Activity on the Si
Page 15: proposal that will be slightly visi
Page 19: Fig 11. Aerial photo of sitePage 19

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