SD7113 : Brook Mill, Eagley - 8
taken 12 years ago, near to Toppings, Bolton, England
The three extant mill buildings at Eagley are all that remains of a much larger textile mill complex on the site. There were two other multi-storey mills, one on the site now occupied by Cottonfields, and the other on the area between Bridge and Brook Mills and Threadfold Way on the south side of the river. A large single storey weaving shed occupied the area now developed as Threadfold Way. Originally developed by James Chadwick and Brother, the mills became part of the Coats empire - best known as makers of sewing threads - in 1896.
Bridge Mill dates back to the earliest period of development at the end of the 18th century.
Brook Mill (formerly Spinning Mill No.2) was erected in 1887 after an earlier mill of 1881 was burnt out.
Valley Mill (formerly Spinning Mill No.3) was built in 1881.
Coats closed the mills in 1972, and after being used for a variety of industrial purposes, eventually most of the site was demolished for housing and the three remaining mill buildings, all Listed Grade II, were converted into apartments by 2007.
Listed buildings and structures are officially designated as being of special architectural, historical or cultural significance. There are over half a million listed structures in the United Kingdom, covered by around 375,000 listings.
Listed status is more commonly associated with buildings or groups of buildings, however it can cover many other structures, including bridges, headstones, steps, ponds, monuments, walls, phone boxes, wrecks, parks, and heritage sites, and in more recent times a road crossing (Abbey Road) and graffiti art (Banksy 'Spy-booth') have been included.
In England and Wales there are three main listing designations;
Grade I (2.5%) - exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important.
Grade II* (5.5%) - particularly important buildings of more than special interest.
Grade II (92%) - nationally important and of special interest.
There are also locally listed structures (at the discretion of local authorities) using A, B and C designations.
In Scotland three classifications are also used but the criteria are different. There are around 47,500 Listed buildings.
Category A (8%)- generally equivalent to Grade I and II* in England and Wales
Category B (51%)- this appears generally to cover the ground of Grade II, recognising national importance.
Category C (41%)- buildings of local importance, probably with some overlap with English Grade II.
In Northern Ireland the criteria are similar to Scotland, but the classifications are:
Grade A (2.3%)
Grade B+ (4.7%)
Grade B (93%)
Read more at Wikipedia Link