History in Structure

Former Llanbradach Colliery fan house

A Grade II Listed Building in Llanbradach, Caerphilly

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Coordinates

Latitude: 51.6101 / 51°36'36"N

Longitude: -3.2313 / 3°13'52"W

OS Eastings: 314830

OS Northings: 190860

OS Grid: ST148908

Mapcode National: GBR HV.9ZW3

Mapcode Global: VH6DL.YS2K

Plus Code: 9C3RJQ69+2F

Entry Name: Former Llanbradach Colliery fan house

Listing Date: 23 July 1999

Last Amended: 23 July 1999

Grade: II

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 22103

Building Class: Industrial

ID on this website: 300022103

Location: Llanbradach Colliery is on the steep hillside to the W of the village. The fan house is sited on the middle level of the colliery, S of the yard and engineering shops.

County: Caerphilly

Community: Llanbradach and Pwllypant (Llanbradach a Phwll-y-pant)

Community: Llanbradach and Pwllypant

Locality: Llanbradach Colliery

Built-Up Area: Llanbradach

Traditional County: Glamorgan

Tagged with: House

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History

Llanbradach Colliery was opened in 1894 by Cardiff Steam Coal Collieries Ltd. Although one of the smaller coal companies, it became one of the largest collieries in South Wales, employing 3000 colliers at its peak in 1913. It continued in operation after nationalisation but was closed in 1961. Ordnance Survey maps suggest 2 main phases of development, the extant structures mostly belonging to the second phase, of the early C20, when most of the original buildings appear to have been replaced. Most of the colliery buildings have survived and have been in use for a variety of light industrial purposes. They form an unusually complete and impressive colliery complex prominently sited overlooking the Rhymney Valley.

The fan house, built between 1898 and 1915 and belonging to the second phase of development at the colliery, was built for two fans and electric motors to drive them, replacing the original single steam-powered fan. The No 1 fan on the N side was originally a Guibal fan but was replaced by a Sirocco fan. The No 2 fan at the S end was a Walker Indestructible.

Exterior

A long building now roofless, of snecked rock-faced sandstone. The central engine hall housed the electric motors powering the fans, with fan chambers and evasees at either end. It is now roofless. The W side is 7 bays, the bay at S end set back and mostly demolished, but otherwise with round-headed windows in 2 groups of 3. On the S side is a concrete projection of the No 2 fan casing, above which is a castellated evasee. On the N side is another evasee, dating from the conversion to a Sirocco fan, and external stairs to a round-headed doorway. On the E side is a brick arch connected to the fan drift.

Interior

Not inspected (November 1998), but said to retain internal divisions for the fan chambers with openings for drives. Engine beds for the fan engines are visible. In the engine hall is a glazed tile dado and decorative plasterwork to the walls, and a spark-retardant floor surface.

Reasons for Listing

Included as a rare example of a surviving fan house and for group value with other associated items at Llanbradach Colliery.

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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Other nearby listed buildings

  • II Former Llandbradach Colliery workshops range
    Llanbradach Colliery is on the steep hillside to the W of the village. The former workshops are sited at the lower level of the site, E of the fan house.
  • II Former Llanbradach Colliery upper revetment wall
    Llanbradach Colliery is on the steep hillside to the W of the village. The upper revetment wall is sited at the middle level of the colliery complex below the engine hall and winding house.
  • II Former Llanbradach Colliery middle revetment wall
    Llanbradach Colliery is on the steep hillside to the W of the village. The middle revetment wall is sited immediately E of the engineering shops and fan house.
  • II Former Llanbradach Colliery winding engine house
    Llanbradach Colliery is on the steep hillside to the W of the village. The winding house is sited on the upper level of the colliery to the S of the reservoir and engine hall and immediately W of Col
  • II Former Llanbradach Colliery brick reservoir
    Llanbradach Colliery is on the steep hillside to the W of the village. The reservoir is sited immediately E of Colliery Road with the engine hall to the N and winding house to the S.
  • II Former Llanbradach Colliery engine hall
    Llanbradach Colliery is on the steep hillside to the W of the village. The engine hall is on the uppermost level at the NW end of the colliery.
  • II Former Llanbradach Colliery engineering shops
    Llanbradach Colliery is on the steep hillside to the W of the village. The engineering shops are sited on the E side of the engine hall, at a lower level, and N of the yard and fan house.
  • II Llanbradach War Memorial
    Located in the centre of the village, opposite the site of the demolished parish church, with the recreation ground behind.

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