Lion Salt Works site is safe to build on - concludes specialist report
‘Key milestone’ in Council’s plans to restore unique site
6 February 2012
A geological study published today (Monday) concludes that the Lion Salt Works site can be safely built on.
Cheshire West and Chester Council commissioned specialist ground investigations as part of its proposals to develop the derelict works into an £8m heritage tourist attraction.
The report assessed the risk of subsidence from the top and bottom salt beds and Adelaide Mine, which touches the site boundary.
The results of the investigations - which included borehole tests and ultrasonic surveys - conclude that any risk is minimal and the site can be built on providing certain guidelines are followed.
Produced by geotechnical experts Arup, the report’s findings are based on a projected 75-year life of the attraction.
Test results from the mine, which sits on the bottom salt bed, reveal there is a fewer than one in two million chance of any further collapse.
In the unlikely event of any change in behaviour, the report recommends installing an ‘early warning’ monitoring system that would allow mitigation measures to be put in place.
The proposals being put forward for planning approval incorporate this recommended system.
Meanwhile, assessment of the top salt bed shows it is causing surface settlement of 1-1.5mm per year which, the report states, is typical of areas of Cheshire subjected to shallow brine extraction.
It predicts settlement rates to be a maximum of 5mm per year and recommends buildings are constructed in a way that accommodates this.
Councillor Stuart Parker, Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, said: “Arup’s conclusions are based on specialist investigations involving on-site testing and a comprehensive review of past archive and monitoring data.
“The publication of this report is a key milestone in our proposals for the Lion Salt Works and enables us to move forward with the planning application.”
The planning application will be considered on 20 March. Subject to consent, restoration of the 19th century open pan salt works will begin in the spring.
It is expected to open in spring 2014 as a ‘living museum’, providing a unique insight into a period in history when Cheshire produced 86 percent of the nation’s salt.
Visitors will be able to explore the restored buildings, discover how the salt works operated and find out how the industry impacted upon Cheshire’s people, economy and landscape.
The project is being funded by a £5m Heritage Lottery Fund grant and a £3m contribution from the Council.