Alan D Horn 515733 OCA Landscape 2 Assignment 3 Spaces to Places 1 Introduction The work I did in exercise 3.5 – Local History is the inspiration for this exercise. My work covered “The Life and Death of the Bedfordshire Brickfields and their Re-Birth” and this assignment takes this theme through to a more in depth study of the area accompanied by photographs that demonstrate the slow evolution from Space to Place – from polluted wasteland to living space. 2 Wasteland The space that was left when Hanson (The London Brick Company) pulled out of manufacturing bricks was a series of around twenty massive holes in the middle of Bedfordshire, centred on the purpose built village of Stewartby. They were the result of almost indiscriminate clay extraction for over 100 years. My own personal examination of a number of these holes (resulting in one case of me being threatened with legal action for using a camera from a local road – legally) is that historically nothing was done to make good the damage done to the environment. It seems that as soon as one hole was exhausted it was abandoned and they moved on to the next one with no thought to any form of reparation. It is clear that when Hanson acquired The London Brick Company it was not to continue to develop brick manufacturing but to exploit the holes in the ground by using them as landfill which is what happened with mid Bedfordshire becoming the dumping ground for London’s waste. When the Brown government stopped landfill, Hanson was forced to cap the existing massive landfill sites and cease the business. Also, its attempt to cash in on the brick manufacturing site by creating a domestic / industrial development was killed off when the remaining chimneys and ovens were declared as Grade 1 Listed Buildings. A
Transcript
Alan D Horn 515733
OCA Landscape 2
Assignment 3
Spaces to Places
1 Introduction
The work I did in exercise 3.5 – Local History is the inspiration for this exercise. My work covered “The Life and Death of the Bedfordshire Brickfields and their Re-Birth” and this assignment takes this theme through to a more in depth study of the area accompanied by photographs that demonstrate the slow evolution from Space to Place – from polluted wasteland to living space.
2 Wasteland
The space that was left when Hanson (The London Brick Company) pulled out of manufacturing bricks was a series of around twenty massive holes in the middle of Bedfordshire, centred on the purpose built village of Stewartby. They were the result of almost indiscriminate clay extraction for over 100 years. My own personal examination of a number of these holes (resulting in one case of me being threatened with legal action for using a camera from a local road – legally) is that historically nothing was done to make good the damage done to the environment. It seems that as soon as one hole was exhausted it was abandoned and they moved on to the next one with no thought to any form of reparation.
It is clear that when Hanson acquired The London Brick Company it was not to continue to develop brick manufacturing but to exploit the holes in the ground by using them as landfill which is what happened with mid Bedfordshire becoming the dumping ground for London’s waste.
When the Brown government stopped landfill, Hanson was forced to cap the existing massive landfill sites and cease the business. Also, its attempt to cash in on the brick manufacturing site by creating a domestic / industrial development was killed off when the remaining chimneys and ovens were declared as Grade 1 Listed Buildings. A Wasteland evolved. Thousands of acres of abandoned fields, massive holes in the ground and derelict buildings.
The following images illustrate the neglect
1 The iconic STEWARTBY chimney which can be seen for miles. Taken from the road as access to the abandoned manufacturing site is strictly and aggressively forbidden.
115mm 1/125s f/22 ISO 400
2 Using my hard hat, steel capped boots and Hi Viz jacket that I use on the Bedford Riverside site (that I am using for Transitions) I walked through a couple of fields in my site worker disguise! No one confronted me and I gained access to the abandoned ovens and chimneys.
28mm 1/45s f/22 ISO 200
Image 1
Image 2
This was once the site of the world’s biggest brick producing site with an output of 500million bricks per annum.
Image 3 shows the abandoned site from a different angle with the derelict buildings emphasising the neglect.
75mm 1/45s f/22 ISO 400
Image 4 shows what happened to the millions of unused bricks when production ceased – they were dumped into the holes. Fortunately, fired bricks are inert in every way and are non-pollutant.
135mm 1/30s f/9.5 ISO 400
Image 3
Image 4
3 Landfill
Hanson’s decision to abandon brick manufacture for the more lucrative business of filling the deserted holes with London’s waste made the scenery of mid Bedfordshire even more unattractive. Thousands of acres were being used. The trains that delivered the waste waited at Bedford station for clearance to the sites and during warm days, the stench was unbearable.
But then good news – Landfill had to stop.
Capping the sites is almost complete and the landfill wastelands are gradually taking on a green hue. The thousands of scavenger birds have gone.
Image 5 A capped hill
150mm 1/250s f/11.0 ISO 400
The tops of two of the remaining chimneys can be seen in the distance and give an indication of the scale of one of the several landfill operations.
4 Rebirth – Space to Place / Waste to Rebirth
The Marston Vale Trust was formed in 1997 and created a 40 year plan to create a forest and return the land to nature and for leisure. It is now in its 20th year and it is clear that with the eyesore of the old plant there is still much to do – but a great deal has been done.
Whilst the whole area of environmental damage covers circa 150 sq miles, within the central part of the rejuvenation, a 61 sq mile park is evolving and two of the largest holes have become increasingly attractive lakes, used for water sports, angling and as wild bird reserves.
The once blighted villages of Stewartby and Wootton are now being seen as attractive due to their closeness to the forest.
Houses are being built – albeit with imported bricks!
The woodland walks now cover 8 km and are specifically designed as open access for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users alike.
1 million trees have been planted with 3 million to go.
Image 6 The main lake with brickworks in the background. Sailing club on right
44mm 1/75s f5.6 ISO 200
Image 7 is a shot of a landing area at the sailing club on the main lake – no boats unfortunately due to the time of year
Image 7 135mm 1/60s f/22 ISO 400
Image 8 The second lake (note the bricks) 125mm 1/60s f/8.0 ISO 400
Image 9 A further minor lake, outside the designated forest area letting nature take its course
125mm 1/20s f/22 ISO 400
Image 10 Tranquility 44mm 1/60s f/22 ISO 400
Tree planting cannot fully cover the landfill sites as the roots break the clay seal but the programme of creating a forest continues with a plan to have the core of 61 sq miles having 30% covering by indigenous trees by 2030.
Image 11 Tree Planting
100mm 1/90s f/11.0 ISO 400
Image 12 New houses as the once blighted villages become attractive places to live
100mm 1/15s f/22 ISO 400
Ironically despite the fact that all the new developments use imported bricks, the roads are named after the bricks that were made just a few yards away.
There is still some way to go as the central Grade 1 Listed site remains and Hanson seems to be vigorous in keeping everyone away from the site. Nevertheless, from a ravaged and polluted landscape of circa 150 sq miles, a 61 sq mile country park is evolving and of the remaining 90 sq miles or so, villages are gaining a new lease of life and the many remaining holes outside the park area are being allowed to fill with rain water and become havens for wildlife, anglers, windsurfers – the list goes on.
