History
The Maltings is a Grade II* listed complex built between 1901 and 1907 for Bass, Ratcliff and Cretton Ltd.
The central block with its engine house and water tower is flanked on each side by four six-storey malthouses. It has a total floor space of 500,000 square feet, and occupies a site of 13.3 acres with a frontage almost 1,000 ft long.
The Engine House was built first, followed by the Malthouses. The whole complex, including the Houses, cost £350,000, and had the capacity to produce 60,000 quarters of malt in one season.
Sixteen malthouses were originally planned, with the second group located immediately to the south of the existing group.
Maltings operations ceased in 1959 due to the advent of new malting processes and the size and inefficiency of the Malthouses.
The buildings were subsequently used for poultry farming and vegetable processing. They are now all empty.
The fire that gutted three of the malthouses happened way back in 1976.
In January 2009, applications for Planning and Listed Building Consent were registered by North Kesteven District Council, including the change of use to provide 204 residential dwellings, healthcare and community facilities, retail and restaurant floor space, offices and associated open space and car parking.
In addition 24 new houses are proposed to the east of the Maltings. Permission was granted in 2011, but included a section 106 (road improvement) notice. As yet the two local councils have failed to agree on this road so work has not started.
Explored with Yorrick late in the afternoon of a hot day. We only looked in one building so planning another visit.
Pics
The Steam engine was removed, I think in the sixties, and is now at the Forncett Industrial Steam Museum. From the web -
The Sleaford Maltings Robey Tandem Compound Engine
A great example of a horizontal tandem compound condensing mill engine. Number 23857 it was one of a pair built by the manufacturers Robey in 1904. The customer being the Bass Charrington (sic) Maltings at Sleaford.
The engine developing 200 horse power at 70 revolutions per minute from its 14 inch bore high pressure and 22.5 inch bore low pressure by 30 inch stroke cylinders. The massive flywheel drove eight ropes connecting to various maltings equipment.
The high pressure cylinder has a variable expansion slide valve controlled by a belt driven Richardson governor this was a patented Robey design. The low pressure has a simple slide valve.
The exhaust steam runs into a jet condenser, the airpump for this being driven off the low pressure piston tail rod.
Thanks for looking.
Eeka
The Maltings is a Grade II* listed complex built between 1901 and 1907 for Bass, Ratcliff and Cretton Ltd.
The central block with its engine house and water tower is flanked on each side by four six-storey malthouses. It has a total floor space of 500,000 square feet, and occupies a site of 13.3 acres with a frontage almost 1,000 ft long.
The Engine House was built first, followed by the Malthouses. The whole complex, including the Houses, cost £350,000, and had the capacity to produce 60,000 quarters of malt in one season.
Sixteen malthouses were originally planned, with the second group located immediately to the south of the existing group.
Maltings operations ceased in 1959 due to the advent of new malting processes and the size and inefficiency of the Malthouses.
The buildings were subsequently used for poultry farming and vegetable processing. They are now all empty.
The fire that gutted three of the malthouses happened way back in 1976.
In January 2009, applications for Planning and Listed Building Consent were registered by North Kesteven District Council, including the change of use to provide 204 residential dwellings, healthcare and community facilities, retail and restaurant floor space, offices and associated open space and car parking.
In addition 24 new houses are proposed to the east of the Maltings. Permission was granted in 2011, but included a section 106 (road improvement) notice. As yet the two local councils have failed to agree on this road so work has not started.
Explored with Yorrick late in the afternoon of a hot day. We only looked in one building so planning another visit.
Pics
The Steam engine was removed, I think in the sixties, and is now at the Forncett Industrial Steam Museum. From the web -
The Sleaford Maltings Robey Tandem Compound Engine
A great example of a horizontal tandem compound condensing mill engine. Number 23857 it was one of a pair built by the manufacturers Robey in 1904. The customer being the Bass Charrington (sic) Maltings at Sleaford.
The engine developing 200 horse power at 70 revolutions per minute from its 14 inch bore high pressure and 22.5 inch bore low pressure by 30 inch stroke cylinders. The massive flywheel drove eight ropes connecting to various maltings equipment.
The high pressure cylinder has a variable expansion slide valve controlled by a belt driven Richardson governor this was a patented Robey design. The low pressure has a simple slide valve.
The exhaust steam runs into a jet condenser, the airpump for this being driven off the low pressure piston tail rod.
Thanks for looking.
Eeka