bass england large group disused houses originally owned burton trent constructed design largest group houses england designated grade recognising particularly important special interest predominantly agricultural county lincolnshire area major producer 1880s dried form forms key ingredient production beer town railway links attracted bass brewery company town use efficient techniques bass plant led closure despite rear late 20th century buildings fully occupied bass left fire caused severe damage derelict 1990s proposals convert buildings office retail residential space hold early lengthy delays planning permission withdrawal major investor history industry vacancy century area major producer 1880s stop railway lines connecting town boston lincoln qualities town desirable production crucial ingredient beer production brewers bass attracted town proposed new complex consolidate closer source reduce costs scaling production drilling revealed suitable water sources plans submitted years later acres land purchased work started complete company ran complex capacity second world war 1950s bass installed new efficient systems original burton trent plant making complex redundant paving way closure vacant space let businesses enormous complex partially occupied bass left vulnerable damage poorly maintained fires started resulting major damage space chicken property 1990s regeneration regeneration scheme announced supported converted residential retail business space public consultation took place participants supporting regeneration quarters asking cinema entertainment complex granted regeneration scheme came forward develop project years worked draw plans site regeneration protected historic exterior proposals submitted planning permission approved million development granted permission build million supermarket redevelopment converted retail office space alongside apartments refused grant permission link road connecting boston road site concerns closing level crossing loss trees lengthy stalemate served compulsory purchase order site announced early following year longer investing complex following series financial setbacks company known announced commitment converting parts site residential use leader stated plans effectively hold following withdrawal architecture constructed designs chief engineer built red brick welsh slate complex follows rectangular plan east west orientation central storey water tower flanked tower tall octagonal chimney identical design layout fed section moved floors eventually transported twin took place southern fronts consisted storey building bays spanning windows faces ranges projecting northwards bay section storeys formed floors frontage nearly total area complex believed largest type england architectural historians sir commented sheer little english industrial architecture equal scale building recorded designated grade listed building recognition importance example large scale industrial complex considerations form symmetry scale produced design high aesthetic quality combined clear functional expression represents importance english industry early 20th centuries large scale peak owing derelict state building placed english heritage risk register workers cottages path industrial site grade listed complex offices storage depot weigh offices walls mess rooms listed grade
Bass Maltings, Sleaford