Historic dry stone wall in “heritage village” to be partially demolished and rebuilt

A deteriorating dry stone wall which is a key part of a “heritage village” needs to be partially demolished and rebuilt.

Parts of the wall in the purpose-built industrial village of Nangreaves, north of Bury, are home to sizable trees and shrubs and much of it has collapsed.

The wall faces the Grade II Listed Weavers’ Cottages at Mount Pleasant in the village.

The row of cottages are listed as a Conservation Area, designated in 1974 and the village contains other listed buildings in the Lord Raglan Pub and High Hope Farm.

In an urban planning request, Bury Council, which will undertake the work, said: “The buildings that make up the village are industrial terraces and farm buildings, highlighting the two previous uses of the site.

“The wall that is the subject of this request faces the Grade II classified terraces.

“It is an important limit to contain the forest but also to define the perimeter of the built environment of the conservation zone.

“There is a proposal to repair the wall, restore the original solid border with Mount Pleasant and secure it.

“To do this, the fallen sections will be rebuilt.

“Vegetation such as ivy, self-seeded escaped garden plants and self-seeded ash trees growing in the wall will all be removed and these wall sections reconstructed.

“The roots will have sunk into the heart of the wall, which means that a complete reconstruction will be necessary.”

The request says Bury Council agents have already spoken to Mount Pleasant residents about the condition of the wall and the repair and reconstruction.

Historically, residents have created planters at the top of the wall to create a colorful view from their windows.

The council said that by installing new flat stone copings, residents will continue to have the option of hanging plant pots and tubs on the wall, providing a colorful backdrop.

The planning request was approved by council last week.