Mid 19th century maltings at Station Road (EHER 15054)

A mid 19th century brick maltings, recorded in 1996-1997 and 2011-2012 prior to conversion.

1996. Field survey. 1853 maltings complex with malthouse, stores, stables and offices. The three storey brick-built malthouse is of pier and panel construction with gable ends and Welsh slate roof. At the east and west end the walls above first floor level are weather-boarded and there is a locum mid-way along the south facade. Two tile clad conical kilns project from the roof at east end of the building, but these are late for kilns of this type and may reflect the type of malt that was being produced. The original floors were lost when the building was converted into light industrial units and several new openings have been inserted. To the east of the malthouse stands a two phase, two storey stable and storage block with double wooden doors and first floor taking-in doors - this building has also been converted and the south gable carries the painted inscription ‘B B 1854’. A two-storey gabled office block dated 1856 fronts the works and a single-storey building stands to the west. The complex had its own railway siding which ran behind the stores. Archaeological potential: Slight, any internal technological information was lost once the buildings were converted. Site significance: Several mid 19th century Essex maltings were erected near railway stations and had their own sidings. Those at Newport have been converted, but retain their external integrity. The kilns are of particular interest; few examples of this type now survive in Essex and by the mid 19th century most new maltings were erected with pyramidal kilns. Those at Newport probably reflect the type of malt being produced. Recommended action: The site is remarkably complete and although the buildings have been converted their function is still apparent; the kilns are also rare examples of their type. List Grade II. Management: The buildings are in a good state of repair and an internal inspection should be undertaken in advance of any major works. If threatened record RCHME Level 3; this should include a drawn plan and section through the length and width of the malthouse; the remaining buildings should be photographically recorded. <1>. Building survey. 2012 Three structures included a malting of 1853, an associated stable or store, and a goods warehouse constructed to transport malt from the site by railway were recorded in advance of conversion or demolition. Technical analysis revealed the malting to be of fairly conventional form and layout, though with unusual kiln flues. Though the internal elements have largely been obliterated by past conversion to offices, the external composition and surviving features allow the layout to be reconstructed in outline, comprising three central malting floors with flanking, half-timbered steeping and storage areas. The associated buildings were constructed in plain style as simple storage sheds, but have similarly been remodelled comprehensively. <2>