Plan to replace kiln roof at Bursledon Brickworks Museum

Bursledon Brickworks Museum has submitted a proposal to re-roof a kiln to ensure the building "can be viewed safely by volunteers and the public".

Fareham Borough Council is being asked to approve plans to replace the asbestos with corrugated fibre concrete sheeting.

Bursledon Brickworks in the 1950s. Picture: Pritchard Architecture (Image: Pritchard Architecture)

A heritage statement that accompanies the application says: "Bursledon Brickworks are unique in being the only remaining steam-driven brickworks in the UK.

"They helped revolutionise the process of brickmaking.

"Not only was the manufacture of bricks mechanised but they also patented a method of drying bricks which meant large quantities could be manufactured all year round."

An archive photograph of a worker outside the kiln at Bursledon Brickworks. Picture: Pritchard Architecture. (Image: Pritchard Architecture)

The brickworks, at Coal Park Lane, Swanwick, were established by the Ashby family in the late 1890s.

Demand soared as people living in the countryside migrated to Portsmouth, Southampton and London, sparking a building boom, and at one stage the works were producing 20 million bricks a year.

The statement says the site, now Grade II-listed, even had its own railway siding.

"The works remained in production until 1974, when a combination of factors including the declining quality of clay, problems with its extraction and increased labour and running costs, combined with the construction of the M27, meant the works was no longer viable.

"The kiln was used from 1897 to the closure of the site in 1974."

An archive photograph of a worker loading bricks at Bursledon Brickworks. Picture: Pritchard Architecture. (Image: Pritchard Architecture)

Describing the brickworks as being of "national significance" the statement adds: "The working machinery and the ability to demonstrate the historic process for making bricks is unique in the country.

"The site was only marginally updated during its working history and as a consequence has its original machinery in place with only minor modifications.

"What remains of the buildings and site represent the revolutionising of the brickmaking process to meet the increasing demand for bricks at the beginning of the 20th century.

"The [kiln's] asbestos roof was introduced in the 1960s and is therefore not considered to be of great significance.

"To ensure the kiln is preserved and can be viewed safely by volunteers and the public, it is recommended the deteriorating roof is removed and replaced."

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