Our work to prevent the loss of a piece of local Mining History
In September 2017 The Foundation made representations to Durham County Council Planning Department regarding the proposed development of a new Lidl store on the site of the former Victory Pit. The proposals included the proposed demolition of the archway form the former colliery. We urged that consideration be given to retaining the archway and incorporating it into the design of the site to act as a memorial to the miners who worked at the Victory pit and contributed to the history of the community. This was probably the last remaining piece of mining history left in the area and it would be sad to see it removed. In September we were pleased to learn that a decision on the development had been postponed by the North Area Planning Committee pending further discussions relating to the protection of the Victory Pit Arch. The relevant report can be found here
The Planning Committee finally met on 26 October 2017 to consider this report. In addition to ourselves and our local councillors Durham Mining Museum also raised concerns at the proposed loss of the arch as the last remaining piece of mining history within the area.
In the report to members officers stated that at the time of the last Committee it was not proposed that the archway would be retained however, following subsequent discussions between Lidl, Elected Divisional Members and Officers, it had been agreed that the front façade of the archway would be retained but located in a new position on site. Work on the site commenced late March when the surrounding walls were removed leaving the arch which will be dismantled and re-built on the site. The new store is due to open by the end of 2018.
October 2018
We received some great photographs from Kelly Anderson whose husband Brian is the local builder who has done a magnificent job in rebuilding the arch in its new home on the site. The arch will now stand as a memorial to all of the miners who worked in this area. Our thanks go to Brian and Kelly for allowing us to share these photographs which are an important way of documenting how this last piece of mining heritage is being retained for future generations.
Victory Pit arch – Display Board
We were pleased to be asked by Lidl to help them design a display board which will be placed in front of the rebuilt Victory pit Arch at their new store on Delves Lane, Consett, this is the final design which is now on display at the Arch.
