1. The History
Permanite Asphalt was incorporated in 1989 and later became known as Ruberoid (part of the IKO Group). According to Companies House, they were dissolved on 2nd September 2016. Located just outside Matlock, the plant made asphalt flooring blocks which were mainly used to waterproof the floors of new buildings.
The plant took powdered limestone from several of the local quarries and mixed it with hot bitumen emulsion that was brought down from the refineries of Ellesmere port, this being a bi-product of the fuel oil-refining process. The mixed tar and limestone solution was poured into metal moulds on the floor of the big shed and allowed to solidify, then the back-breaking process of manually separating and stacking the cooled blocks could begin.
During the late 80's part of the process was mechanised when Permanite spent a lot of money on a shiny new plant that would replace the labourers, but kept breaking down. The site was regulated by the local Derbyshire Dales District Council on the condition that the heating of tar or bitumen is regulated under section 6.3 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations.
Originally, the site was part of the larger Cawdor Quarry complex. It is suggested that the factory closed sometime around 2009.
2. The Explore
This was a back up as the nearby explore at Tansley Wood mills failed due to what appeared to be on site security (we came across a guard dog who started barking at us!) This place was a much easier prospect. A park-close-by and walk straight in job. It is pretty trashed and there isn’t much left. That said there’s some interesting industrial remnants from the asphalt floor block making process and a fine array of graff. So good for a relaxed hour or so wander.
3. The Pictures
Nice to be greeted by this lovely Coloquix piece:
img9863 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9864 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9866 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9868 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9869 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9870 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The main tower:
img9871 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The old admin block burnt down:
img9872 by HughieDW, on Flickr
More admin blocks round the back:
img9877 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9878 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Obligatory penis graff:
img9883 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9886 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9887 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Inside the main hall (note speed boat bottom left!)
img9889 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9890 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9891 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9894 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And on to the other large hall:
img9895 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9897 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9899 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9902bw by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9904 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9905 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Finally, up the tower:
img9910 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9911 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9912 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9915 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9917 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9918 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img9924 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Permanite Asphalt was incorporated in 1989 and later became known as Ruberoid (part of the IKO Group). According to Companies House, they were dissolved on 2nd September 2016. Located just outside Matlock, the plant made asphalt flooring blocks which were mainly used to waterproof the floors of new buildings.
The plant took powdered limestone from several of the local quarries and mixed it with hot bitumen emulsion that was brought down from the refineries of Ellesmere port, this being a bi-product of the fuel oil-refining process. The mixed tar and limestone solution was poured into metal moulds on the floor of the big shed and allowed to solidify, then the back-breaking process of manually separating and stacking the cooled blocks could begin.
During the late 80's part of the process was mechanised when Permanite spent a lot of money on a shiny new plant that would replace the labourers, but kept breaking down. The site was regulated by the local Derbyshire Dales District Council on the condition that the heating of tar or bitumen is regulated under section 6.3 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations.
Originally, the site was part of the larger Cawdor Quarry complex. It is suggested that the factory closed sometime around 2009.
2. The Explore
This was a back up as the nearby explore at Tansley Wood mills failed due to what appeared to be on site security (we came across a guard dog who started barking at us!) This place was a much easier prospect. A park-close-by and walk straight in job. It is pretty trashed and there isn’t much left. That said there’s some interesting industrial remnants from the asphalt floor block making process and a fine array of graff. So good for a relaxed hour or so wander.
3. The Pictures
Nice to be greeted by this lovely Coloquix piece:
The main tower:
The old admin block burnt down:
More admin blocks round the back:
Obligatory penis graff:
Inside the main hall (note speed boat bottom left!)
And on to the other large hall:
Finally, up the tower:
