Cranleigh Brickworks or Former Banywards was an environmental disaster that is still being cleaned up today.
History
The site started life producing clay in the early 20th century. During World War 1 it was used for storing munitions and weapons.
In 1937, the site was used by Steetley Chemical Company to produce a variety of chemicals. This ended in 1989, and in 1990 the site was declared biologically dead. The soil contamination included a rather fun range of chemicals including zinc, ammoniacal nitrogen, organo-phosphates, potassium bromide, cadmium, mercury, lead and dieldrin.
Later that year the site was reverted back to producing clay. This lasted until 2004 when the site finally closed down for good.
12 years later and development has begun to redevelop the site into housing with plans to create 19 large dwellings consisting of mostly 3 to 4 bedroom houses.
Details of the plans can be found here:
https://modgov.waverley.gov.uk/documents/s4857/A1%20WA2013-1947%20Cranleigh%20Brick%20and%20Tile%20Works%20Knowle%20Lane%20Cranleigh%20GU6%208JP.pdf
The Explore
Having just been to the cottage in the woods next to this place, it seems mad not to at least have a look at this place. It was an hour or so before sunset so it was somewhat of a quick wander round.
Work is well underway and steps to decontaminate the site are evident.
It was strangely deserted, without too much sign of recent activity. I was pretty nervous, acutely aware of how contaminated the site was. I didn't actually spent too long here, so there was quite a bit I did miss, however I'm not too fussed as its all been documented before many times.
The largest building with the brick ovens is still intact and looks pretty much the same as I've seen it in pictures.
Some of the smaller buildings have been demolished.
I did manage to get some drone shots of the entire site, to see the scale of the development work.
Entering from one side, you can see where they have tried to contain the soil run off using this half buried sheeting stuff.
Seems like it is being used for storage
The front gates
No mention of chemical hazards...
Thanks for reading
History
The site started life producing clay in the early 20th century. During World War 1 it was used for storing munitions and weapons.
In 1937, the site was used by Steetley Chemical Company to produce a variety of chemicals. This ended in 1989, and in 1990 the site was declared biologically dead. The soil contamination included a rather fun range of chemicals including zinc, ammoniacal nitrogen, organo-phosphates, potassium bromide, cadmium, mercury, lead and dieldrin.
Later that year the site was reverted back to producing clay. This lasted until 2004 when the site finally closed down for good.
12 years later and development has begun to redevelop the site into housing with plans to create 19 large dwellings consisting of mostly 3 to 4 bedroom houses.
Details of the plans can be found here:
https://modgov.waverley.gov.uk/documents/s4857/A1%20WA2013-1947%20Cranleigh%20Brick%20and%20Tile%20Works%20Knowle%20Lane%20Cranleigh%20GU6%208JP.pdf
The Explore
Having just been to the cottage in the woods next to this place, it seems mad not to at least have a look at this place. It was an hour or so before sunset so it was somewhat of a quick wander round.
Work is well underway and steps to decontaminate the site are evident.
It was strangely deserted, without too much sign of recent activity. I was pretty nervous, acutely aware of how contaminated the site was. I didn't actually spent too long here, so there was quite a bit I did miss, however I'm not too fussed as its all been documented before many times.
The largest building with the brick ovens is still intact and looks pretty much the same as I've seen it in pictures.
Some of the smaller buildings have been demolished.
I did manage to get some drone shots of the entire site, to see the scale of the development work.
Entering from one side, you can see where they have tried to contain the soil run off using this half buried sheeting stuff.
Seems like it is being used for storage
The front gates
No mention of chemical hazards...
Thanks for reading
