Situated to the north-east of Tunstall, the former colliery site of Chatterley Whitfield represents one of the most challenging and endangered heritage sites in the United Kingdom today and encapsulates the current heritage emergency. Historic England have scheduled the complex in recognition of its national significance, but they have also given the site a Priority A condition which states that the heritage is at ‘immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric’. At present, no solution for ongoing preservation, or identified sustainable end use has been reached.
The colliery is considered to be the most complete survival of a deep mine complex in England and a snapshot of the coal industry's period of peak production. The complex comprises 13 grade II and 2 grade II* listed buildings, a scheduled monument, and numerous other non-designated structures. This extensive range of buildings, associated structures, and buried
archaeological remains, represent the sequence of mining technology utilised from the 1860s until production ceased in 1976.
Despite attempts to re-open parts of the site as a heritage attraction the scale of assets requires a dedicated masterplan in order to find suitable future economic uses for as many of the built assets as possible before further loss of historic fabric occurs. Chatterley Whitfield has an important story to tell, not only in terms of British mining heritage, but also contextualising the climate crisis and educating future generations. Without significant funding in the near future it is likely that elements of this internationally significant site will be lost forever. The City Council, in partnership with Historic England, has produced a visioning document which promotes the use of the site for green energy and further work is currently underway but this requires dedicated resources.
Current Condition| Most of the structures on site require urgent attention to avoid further loss of historic fabric. The scheduled area features on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, alongside the grade II* listed pithead baths complex and Hesketh heapstead mine car circuit, further highlighting the urgency of required intervention.
Restoration Cost (£100m - £150m)| Although difficult to put a precise figure on the investment required, it has been suggested that it would require up to £150m to bring the entire site back into sustainable economic use through a phased programme of prioritisation.
