Full Report for Listed Buildings
The list description is not intended to be a complete inventory of what is listed: it is principally intended to aid identification. By law, the definition of a listed building includes the entire building (i) and any structure or object that is fixed to the said building and ancillary to it and (ii) any other structure or object that forms part of the land and has done so since before 1 July 1948, and was within the curtilage of the building, and ancillary to it, on the date on which said building was first included in the list, or on 1 January 1969, whichever was later.
Summary Description
Reference Number
15292
Building Number
Grade
I
Status
Designated
Date of Designation
09/02/1995
Date of Amendment
09/02/1995
Name of Property
Balance Tower
Address
Location
Unitary Authority
Torfaen
Community
Blaenavon
Town
Locality
Blaenafon Ironworks
Easting
324997
Northing
209295
Street Side
Location
Situated at the northern end of the Blaenavon Ironworks site and dominating the complex.
Description
Broad Class
Industrial
Period
History
The water balance was used to lift iron and raw materials in trams between the furnace tops and the yard area. The tower was built in 1839, as part of a modernisation programme by James Ashworth, managing director of the Blaenavon Iron and Coal Company. Originally linked to the high ground behind by wooden bridge; later replaced by the surviving stone bridge. The tower housed a hydraulic lift comprising iron frame with wheel and chain over, linking a pair of lift cages. The cages each incorporated an iron water tank; by piping water in or out, trams could be lifted or lowered as required. Known locally as the 'guillotine' due to the action of the cages falling past the oval openings in the tower. Very few such towers survive.
Exterior
Built adjacent to high ground, on a T-shaped plan, the facade of this monumental stone construction tapers towards its ruined top. Remains of the iron hoist also survive. The rusticated ashlar facade has three large openings running vertically through its centre, each with three centred arches top and bottom. These are flanked by two huge pilasters. The lowest opening contains an arched entrance way for the trams, with a pit behind to accommodate the water tanks. Dressed stone to quoins and openings. The north-west corner of the tower incorporates a ruined structure. To the south-east the tower adjoins a retaining wall. The top of the tower and the bank to the rear are linked by a large, single span, stone bridge with dressed voussoirs.
Part of Scheduled Ancient Monument Mm 200.
Interior
Reason for designation
Listed at grade I as the most complete example of a balance tower in Wales.
Group value with other listed items at the internationally important Blaenavon Ironworks.
Cadw : Full Report for Listed Buildings [ Records 1 of 1 ]
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