Building record MLI90614 - Navigation House, Sleaford
Summary
Navigation House, Sleaford.
Type and Period (2)
- OFFICE (Post Medieval to Late 20th Century - 1838 AD to 1973 AD)
- WEIGH HOUSE (Post Medieval - 1838 AD to 1878 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
Small, mid 19th century, Tudor style building of two storeys. Built of coursed weathered stone with ashlar dressings. Double span Welsh slate roof with hexagonal chimneys in stone, with cornices. Building recently repointed. 1st floor has two windows under gables, rectangular dripmoulds, two arched lights with glazing bars. Central small square opening above arched doorway with segmental dripmould. Wood door. Plaque above. Ground floor has one window of five lights, the two outer blocked, the other glazed as above, with centre opening casement, rectangular dripmould. Window of three lights to the right under rectangular dripmould similar. Roof to rear covered section of later 19th century appearance in red brick, part repaired, with sliding and hung sash windows with glazing bars. Stone plaque over main doorway said to be the arms of the Sleaford Navigation Company, the supporters being a coal-miner and an agricultural worker. These arms are said to have been designed by Sir Joseph Banks (see 'Lincolnshire Life' vol '7, No 1, 1967). This building is said to have been the offices of the Sleaford Navigation Company, and is included for that reason. For the full description and the legal address of this listed building please refer to the appropriate List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. {1}
Part of the foundations of this building were exposed during a watching brief. Remains of structures associated with a former weighbridge were also seen. {2}
The Navigation Office was commissioned and built in 1838, following a period of prosperity for the Navigation Company. A weighing machine was constructed at the same time, and the offices were originally planned to be just a shed to accompany the weighing machine. The structures had been expanded by the time of the final plan, however, to comprise 'a weighing office and clerk's dwelling', possibly due to increasing company profits being available. The office building was constructed by John Bothewary and R. Brewin, at a total cost of £166 plus £25/12/9d. The weighing machine was constructed by Benjamin Cort of Leicester, costing £69/19/0d. The red brick extension to the eastern side of the original building was probably added in the 1870s. Following the 'Sleaford Navigation Abandonment Act, 1878' the building appears to have been used as a house, and in 1890s it was bought by Messrs. Hubbard and Phillips, seed merchants, who also bought the rest of the Navigation Wharf buildings. By the mid 1970s it was derelict, following the liquidation of this company. A survey was carried out prior to possible re-development of the site in the 1970s. {3}{4}{5}
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SLI9678 Index: Department of the Environment. 1974. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. Sleaford. TF 0645 1/200 (402.027).
- <2> SLI11883 Report: Archaeological Project Services. 1996. Summary Report of Archaeological Investigations at Navigation House, Carre Street, Sleaford. -.
- <3> SLI11939 Article in Serial: Hunt, W.M.. 1975. 'The Sleaford Navigation Office' in Lincolnshire History and Archaeology. vol.10, pp.23-35.
- <4> SLI9583 Bibliographic Reference: Neil R. Wright. 2004. Lincolnshire's Industrial Heritage - A Guide. p.51, NK27.
- <5> SLI1062 Bibliographic Reference: Nikolaus Pevsner and John Harris, with Nicholas Antram. 1989. Buildings of England: Lincolnshire (Second Edition). p.654.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 06925 45811 (23m by 31m) Surveyed |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | SLEAFORD, NORTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (3)
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
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