Three 18th century weavers’ cottages in Middleton have been listed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, following an emergency listing application by SAVE Britain’s Heritage.
SAVE submitted the listing in response to plans by the current owner to convert the three cottages into flats.
The proposals, received by Rochdale Borough Council in February 2022, would have seen much of the well-preserved interior fabric lost to subdivision, as well as an oversized two-storey extension at the rear of the building and a harmful vertical roof extension to create an additional storey (including the loss of the unusual Yorkshire sash windows).
The listing, announced in May 2022 by Historic England, recognises the cottages as rare survivals from the early development of Middleton in the 18th century, as a nationally significant centre for textile manufacturing, including silk and cotton weaving.
The building’s interior also retains a number of historic features dating from its original use, including a large loomshop on the top floor together with original pullies and unusual horizontal Yorkshire sash windows.
Listed status means that the owner’s plans for conversion must now be reappraised and subject to listed building consent application.
