Archaeological investigations have been ongoing at David Wilson Homes’ Garnett Wharfe development in Otley, where CFA Archaeology, working under Prospect Archaeology, David Wilson Homes and Leeds City Council have been working in partnership to uncover evidence of a corn mill, first recorded as present at the site in 1135.
Archaeologists have been working at Garnett Wharfe for several months to establish the exact location and function of the Garnett’s Mill buildings.
Garnett’s Mill buildings used to exist at the site up to and including the 20th Century, adding to the understanding of post-Medieval Otley and the importance of industry to the development of the town.
David Wilson Homes specifically commissioned archaeological work at the development to complete investigations, with the intention of establishing whether anything of the 18th Century or earlier structures survived.
Evidence of water wheel pits, the power transfer systems and the water management systems required to run the mill has been discovered through excavations, as well as paper and fulling mills for cleaning wool, and water culverts allowing water to flow under roads and pathways, which date as far back as the 17th Century.
Discussions are now underway about how best to preserve the findings at the development so they can be enjoyed and used for educational purposes for generations to come.
Stacey Foster, Sales Manager at Garnett Wharfe, commented:
“Building on brownfield land can make for some very interesting discoveries, and we hoped we would find some here at Garnett Wharfe. The archaeological team has uncovered former culverts that transferred water through the site from the weir to the wheel pits, then back out to the River Wharfe, which they knew existed from historic maps and the course of these has been traced within the site. As well as this, flecks of gold and pins from cloth that may have been used to manufacture high quality paper at the mill centuries ago have also been discovered. The team will continue to excavate the site and discussions are currently underway about the best way of preserving what has been found and how we can display it for future generations to come”.
Garnett Wharfe is a beautiful development of two, three, four and five bedroom homes priced from £189,995.
Set along the southern side of the River Wharfe in the attractive market town of Otley, the homes benefit from being located in a truly picturesque setting, with walk ways along the river bank, open spaces and a pedestrian route leading to Otley town.
For more information about David Wilson Homes visit
www.dwh.co.uk.
