Site of early 19th century iron foundry and agricultural factory, 'EH Bentall and Co Ltd' and 'Trafalgar Engineering Works', Heybridge (EHER 15304)

An early 19th century iron foundry and agricultural implement manufactory which opened in 1815. Most of the buildings were demolished in the 1970s, although a large warehouse built in 1863 survives (EHER 38479). The site has been mostly redeveloped as a modern industrial estate.

Iron foundry and agricultural implement manufactory EH. Bentail and Co. Ltd. (now one of the Acrow group of companies). <1> Site shown on OS 1st edition 6" series. <2> 1997. Field survey. The site was founded by W. Bentall in 1815 on the west side of the Blackwater navigation and is depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1874 (sheet 54.2). The improved communication links with access to the Blackwater Navigation and the coming of the railway profited the company, which went on to become one of the major iron founders and suppliers of agricultural implements in Essex. By approximately 1949, the foundry had expanded its operations with buildings on the east side of the Blackwater Navigation. The original site has been extensively re-developed and now houses a modern industrial estate, whose buildings seem to respect the layout of the demolished foundry buildings. All that survives of the works is a single internal wall with brick pilasters that supported a travelling crane, a converted warehouse erected by Bentall in 1863 (EHER 38479) and part of the former saw mill. ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL: Slight; demolished and re-developed SITE SIGNIFICANCE: The only significant building is the four storey warehouse. MANAGEMENT: The warehouse building should be preserved and if threatented by major works recorded RCHME Level 2; this should include photography (internal and external) and written description. <3> Note: The index tree records an aircraft hangar dated to 1949, but it is unclear where this information has come from, or if there was indeed ever an aircraft hangar at the site. NRHE data transfer, 880525: Ironworks, 19th century. A much-reduced group, basically dating from 1815 when William Bentall moved his foundry here (established at Goldhanger, 1808) to be on the canal bank. His son traded as E.H Bentall and Co, by which title the firm is still known, although now in Acrow group. Most of the older buildings were demolished 1970s but the famous grey-brick warehouse of 1863 remains (derelict), 4-storeys and slated, 17 bays long, with the scale and symmetry of a classical temple (TL 857 079). Also notable are the very early concrete walls in the Goldhanger Road Area, especially along the boundry of the Towers, and Italianate concrete house built by E.H Bentall for his own use in 1873-1875 but of which only the lodge remains. The ironworks are best remembered for the Goldhanger plough and the short lived Bentall motor car. <4> NRHE summary description: Agricultural engineering works, opened in 1815. Most of the buildings demolished in the 1970s. A large warehouse of 1863 survives. The works specialised in agricultural machinery. NRHE data transfer, 1514728: Recorded by NRIM. <5> <6> NRHE summary description: Site of Bentall's `Trafalgar' Engineering Works of 1805 which sprawled over some 14 acres of the south bank of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation at Heybridge. bentall's Cars were produced here. The company was acquired in the 1960s and a new works built on the north side of the navigation. The old buildings have been demolished and the site redeveloped.