Building record 1176/2/2 - Deanshanger Oxide Works (Elementis Pigments Site, Formerly E & H Roberts Ironworks)

A foundry was established in the first half of the 19th century initially manufacturing and repairing agricultural implements. By the end of the century 'Deanshanger Iron Works' was producing a wide range of goods. The business closed in 1927 and in 1935 the works were taken over for the production of iron and lead oxides. The works were closed and largely demolished in 1999.

{1} Notes and plans etc about the Elementis Pigment site and its history. The factory manufactured yellow synthetic iron oxide. It was previously a foundry founded by Richard Roberts in 1821. It was closed in 2002?. Much more detailed information re plans of the site and individual buildings and structures. The foundry originated on the site of two cottages and a blacksmith's shop, which were purchased by Richard Roberts in 1821. He was a descendant of a line of blacksmiths originating in Wicken in the 1760s.

{2} Surviving buildings of Roberts' engineering business - except for the stone north gable it is of red brick, two storeys high with five bays. The elaborate cast-iron window frames are currently boarded up. There are cast-iron rectangular ventilators between the ground and first floor windows. At the north end there is a single small cast iron round tie plate worded 'Roberts Deanshanger'. Adjacent to the south side is a single-storey building of red brick, almost the same height as the first, of eight bays with brick pilasters. It has a string course of blue bricks above the windows which follows the curve of the top of the windows. A foundry was established here in 1847 by John Roberts. The first of the above buildings was built about 1860. Later, trading as E and H Roberts, the company made portable horse engines, elevators and other agricultural implements, wind operated pumps and runners for barn doors until 1929. Subsequently the site was used for the production of oxides and other pigments for paints, the most recent owner closed in 1999. The site is being cleared for development.

{3} This building is reputedly one of the original foundry buildings. Brick built structure in two halves under welsh slate roof. Eastern half of two storeys containing metal windows of 3 light Gothic style. Single storey western half with windows of more utilitarian design.

{5} Identified by South Northamptonshire Council as being a building of historic and/or architectural significance.

{6} Photos taken in 1999 before site was demolished. Photos aren't labelled so unsure which buildings they refer to.

{8} A new iron foundry was established by Richard Roberts in 1821, close to the canal that could be used to transport heavy ironwork. The foundry initially made and repaired agricultural implements but by the end of the century “Deanshanger Iron Works” was producing a wide range of goods from railings to kitchen ranges, in addition to agricultural machinery. The works expanded and by the 1884 Ordnance Survey map they show a heavily developed area. The business increased its output during the First World War but it was closed in 1927. In 1935 the works were taken over for the production of iron and lead oxides. The oxide works grew and additional industrial buildings, plant and overhead pipelines were constructed, including construction over the disused canal in 1954. The industrial buildings and chimneys of the works continued to dominate the village until the closure of the works and their demolition in 1999.
By 1972 there had been some significant alterations to the site. The iron/smelting works had been changed to an oxide works. The earlier buildings had been demolished or incorporated into new buildings and the site expanded east. A large oxide works building is shown orientated east-west with a tank farm to the north and single tanks to the west. By 1973 a further building had been constructed to the north aligned on a north-west to south-east axis. The buildings remained on the site until 1999.

{10} Foundry was situated by the former Buckingham arm of the Grand Junction Canal (SP764397). Brief history:
1847 foundry established by John Roberts.
1853 John Roberts died and foundry run by his widow, Caroline, and his eldest son, Edwin.
1859 Edwin Roberts took control and enlarged premises.
1866 Edwin joined by Henry Roberts.
1869 E&H Roberts, Deanshanger Ironworks.
1898 E&H Roberts Ltd.
1927 Business in liquidation.
1929 Stock and premises sold by auction.
The company made agricultural implements, wind-pumps, gates, fencing and runners for barn doors. Several examples of their elevators, portable horsewheels and other items of agricultural equipment survive in restored condition. The runners for the barn doors for the Stacey Hill Collection at Wolverton are by Roberts.

{11} At the time of the survey in 2016, the frontage building was the only surviving remainder of the former complex. The project recorded the structure of the former works. A plan of unknown date, though probably from the 1980s, labels the buildings as a lab (west building) and offices (east building). Five phases of building were apparent; the lab block, office block, lean-to, an extension and additional porch. The earliest building is likely to be the lab block, predating the 1884 map. The office block was built between 1884 and 1900, the extension to the lab block between 1900 and 1925, the lean-to between 1938 and 1971 and the small porch to the extension between 1971 and 1977.

The lab is constructed of a combination of brick and stone with a gable-end roof covered in slate tiles. The windows are of cast iron allegedly cast by E and H Roberts themselves. The office block is brick-built with a gable-end roof covered in corrugated asbestos sheets. The High Street frontage consists of eight recessed panels of brickwork, each containing a window.

<1> Ellison M., 2003, Elementis Pigment Works, Deanshanger, (unchecked) (Note). SNN103385.

<2> Brown O.F.; Roberts G.J., 1973, Passenham, The History of a Forest Village, p.137-141 (checked) (Book). SNN4109.

<3> Ellison M., 2000, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN100676.

<4> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 1996-2013, Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group Newsletter, Issue 117 p.8 (checked) (Newsletter). SNN55360.

<5> SOUTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL, 2012, South Northamptonshire Council Survey of Significant Historic Buildings, (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108984.

<6> Ellison, M., 1999, Elementis Pigment Works, (checked) (Slides). SNN107475.

<7> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, NIAG Industrial Gazetteer, (unchecked) (Draft). SNN101121.

<8> Holland, K., 2013, Residential Development, Hayes Road, Deanshanger: Heritage Statement, (checked) (Report). SNN109334.

<9> Scott, H., 1998, Villages wait for the (red) dust to settle…, (checked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN59469.

<10> STARMER G., 1981, A Check-List of Northamptonshire Foundries, p.2 (checked) (Extract). SNN103905.

<11> Milbank, D and Elliott, G., 2016, Land at Britannia Works, High Street, Deanshanger, Northamptonshire: Building Recording, 2016 (Report). SNN110560.

Record last edited

Jan 17 2020 11:09AM