Howarth Metals, Jersey Street, Ancoats, Manchester- Desk-based Assessment

In April 2009, Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) was commissioned by GVA Grimley Ltd, acting on behalf of the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA), to undertake an archaeological desk-based assessment of land bounded by Radium Street, Poland Street, Naval Street and Jersey Street, in the Ancoats area of Manchester (centred on SJ 85147 98764). The study aimed to assess the potential for significant buried archaeological remains on the site, and was required to inform any future proposals for the redevelopment of the site. Whilst it is owned by the NWDA, the majority of the study area has been occupied since 1988 by a metals-processing plant, which produces aluminium alloy ingots and other silicon aluminium alloys; this plant is to be relocated to a purpose-built foundry at Ardwick. The metal-processing plant, and its associated buildings, are largely of twentieth-century origin, and are of little archaeological importance, although part of the site boundary wall along Jersey Street and Poland Street incorporate the vestiges of a nineteenth-century iron works. This wall is of historical interest, and should be retained if possible, as it represents the rare physical remnants of an industry that was once of key importance to the area.