EIR2023/00834: Demolished Building at Ding Quarry, Rochdale
Case reference EIR2023/00834
Published 27 October 2023
Request
Request Received: 24 October 2023
I would be grateful if you could provide me with any information on an old demolished precast concrete building that lies on the eastern outskirts of Ding Quarry to the north of Rochdale, Lancs. The building is at National Grid ref SD 85402 18706, Easting/Northing 385402, 418706, Longitude/Latitude 53.66463, -2.22240.
Even though the building now lies demolished, I have determined that it measured approximately 20' x 11' x 13' high and probably dates from the 1940s. It is certainly not Victorian and therefore not associated with the quarry when it was working to full capacity. The building also had a precast concrete roof with a heavily reinforced insitu concrete topping and asphalt waterproofing. This was a substantial roof for such a small building, and it appears to have been designed as a secure or blast-proof structure.
Perhaps the building was associated with a Star Fish site during WWII. Or the building might have been used as an Orlit Post after the war, but it is not listed in the Royal Observer Corps' database.
One clue might be that there are a number of reinforced concrete marker posts close to the building (I've so far found four) that stand about 2' above ground and are inscribed 'BDWB'.
Perhaps 'BDWB' stood for: - - Weighbridge Building; - - Watchman's Building; - - Water Board; Bomber Defence Warning Building; Builder's Duct - - etc.
I would like to know something of the history and purpose of the building, and this is simply for my own interest. I have no business or commercial interest.
Response
Response sent: 27/10/2023
Our ref: IDA IDA 295095
Thank you for your request made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Because the information requested is environmental in nature it has been considered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
The British Geological Survey (BGS) holds no information on this building and therefore exception 12(4)(a) 'Information not held' applies. While the British Geological Survey does collect information concerning mines and quarries, this does not extend to buildings associated with these features.
Our experts in mines and quarries suggest that if the building is part of the quarry, you should contact the operator of Ding Quarry. Our records show that the operator is - D. P. Williams Group Ltd., Hendre, Mold, CH7 5QA, Flintshire (as recorded in the 2020 edition of the Directory of Mines and Quarries).
The local authority is Rochdale Borough Council who may have a record of the building https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/
If you think that the building may have historic significance, then contacting the local Historic England office or examining the National Heritage List for England may be useful.
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Kind regards
The BGS Enquiries Service
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