Building record 6246/1/3 - Second World War Grain Silo

One of the fifteen sites around the country where grain silos or buffer depot were constructed in 1942 by the Ministry of Works, part of the larger mill complex. Externally it appears to be in good condition and is in use. HER note 28/05/2014: this may be the same building as 6246/1/2.

{1} Second World War Grain Silo or Buffer Depot, silo is part of larger mill complex, externally it appears to be in good condition and is in use.

{2} During the early Cold War (1940/50s) the wartime system was maintained to provide a strategic stockpile in the country and a degree of self-sufficiency in the regions. With realisation of the potential devastation of the hydrogen bomb, provision of Civil Defence was scaled down in the 1960s and with it the number of Grain Stores reduced. It is not known when government funding of the system ceased.
Grain silos were built during WWII to dry and store increased amounts of home grown cereals. Technologically the silos represent the most advanced contemporary design of combined grain storage, drying and mechanical handling facilities. 16 standard government grain silos were erected during the war, the location of only seven has so far been established, one of which was called Northampton at SP904666 (ie the Whitworths Irchester site, hence revised NGR above). It was described as being in good condition in June 1999. All silos conform to a standard pattern, comprising a central tower which houses machinery and drying plant, to either side of which are six pairs of concrete silos with a total capacity of 5,000 tons. Detailed design drawings with NMR. All government grain silos surviving structurally intact and with original plant are deemed to be of national importance. Further fieldwork and research required to locate and assess current condition of all silos.
Grain silo confirmed as still extant Dec 2001 by G Cadman.

{3} Refers to wartime camouflage and to a serious accidental fire in 1941 when 2 grain silos were destroyed.

{4} Grain silos were built around the country in three phases. In the first phase, fifteen silos were constructed in 1942 (Wellingborough, Gainsborough, Andover, Stratford, Melksham, Exeter, Lincoln Peterborough, Fulbourn, Oxford, Cirencester, Atherstone, Newport (Salop), Whitley Bridge, Paddock Wood).

{5} This silo differs from others seen elsewhere as the reinforced concrete grain silo to either side of the central brick stair and lift shaft are exposed. This design also appeared to have been used
in the now demolished silo at Stratford on Avon (SP 15 NE 15).

<1> NATIONAL MONUMENTS RECORD, 2012, NMR Monument Report, UID 1225725 (part checked) (Database). SNN108196.

<2> Cocroft W.D., 2001, Cold War Monuments: An Assessment by The MPP, (checked) (Report). SNN101874.

<3> Palmer J.; Palmer P., 1974, A History of Wellingborough, p.304 (checked) (Book). SNN101875.

<4> Ministry of Works, 1956, Grain Silos (Document). SNN111936.

<5> Kohan, C M, 1952, Works and Buildings, p. 369-70 (Book). SNN116242.

Record last edited

Feb 5 2025 6:10PM