ABC Planning & Regulatory Services committee members have been asked to consider the listing of a historic ‘stench pipe’ at Mossvale Road, Dromore – essentially a Victorian vent that was once used to release odours from a sewer.
The Department for Communities (DfC), who are behind the request to list the rare artefact, explain in a report circulated at the meeting that the stench pipe dates back to the early 20th century: “This pipe is one of a type that was employed to ventilate gases from underground sewers – and sometimes also landfill sites – and dissipate the noxious fumes high above the level at which they could be smelled or breathed in.
“Commonly known as ‘stink’ or ‘stench’ pipes, most of the surviving examples in the British Isles date from the late Victorian/Edwardian periods, when, following the example of London in the wake of the ‘Great Stink’ of 1858, many of the growing urban centres either upgraded or constructed new sewage systems.
“They were modelled on those that had been devised for the London sewers by Cornish engineer Goldsworthy Gurney (1793-1875), largely constructed in cast-iron and designed to blend in with lamp posts, with some (particularly on hilltops where gas pockets would collect) crowned with actual lamp fittings within which the gases could be burnt off.
“The use of vent pipes on individual houses, as well as advances in sewage disposal in general, meant that stink pipes gradually became obsolete, and in more recent decades many have either been cut down to ‘stumps’ or removed altogether.
“The maker’s mark on the base is that of William E. Farrer Ltd of Birmingham, a firm established in 1896 and which became noted for its sewage purification products, so this pipe must have been installed sometime after this date.
“A March 1906 newspaper report of that month’s meeting of Dromore Urban Council refers to discussions regarding proposed improvements in nearby Moss Lane and Mount Street which involved the installation of ‘ventilation’ pipes.
“A pipe in Mount Street was in place by the following July, and another was planned for Rampart Street in summer 1908, so it is likely that this pipe dates from around this time also.”
Pointing to the scarcity of such artefacts, the relevant agenda item points out: “DfC advise that the pipe may only be one of two intact examples of such pipes in Northern Ireland, and indicate that it has had no replacement parts or alterations.”
The ABC Council’s draft response to the listing proposal is fairly non-committal. It is worded as follows: “It should be noted that while the council has no objections to the proposed listing, it would be supportive of the owner of the structure if they were to raise any concerns in relation to the proposed listing of this stench pipe located at Mossvale Road, Dromore.”
Committee chair, Councillorr Peter Lavery (Alliance, Lurgan DEA) clearly saw the lighter side to the listing request, commenting: “You see it all at this committee, so what’s your view on stench pipes? No response. So are we happy to go ahead with that draft response?”
The recommendation to approve the draft response was proposed by Alderman Gareth Wilson (DUP, Cusher DEA) and seconded by Alderman Gordon Kennedy (UUP, Cusher DEA).
