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Monks Park North (Leafields) Slope Shaft

Gastard, Monks Park, Corsham.

The Leafield underground workings are the northernmost extent of Monks Park Quarry and were originally used to quarry Bathstone from about 1886. can be considered a separate quarry today, as it has been completely isolated from Monks Park by steel doors and concrete block walls.

Alternative Names: Lea Field Slope Shaft, Leafield Slope Shaft, Western Monks Park Slope Shaft

Notes: Monks Park was taken over by the War Department in 1937, and used for the storage of high explosives and ammunition, but was shut down in 1941. It remained unused until 1954 when the Royal Navy began converting the area into a storage depot. At this time, a new slope shaft and a vertical lift were constructed.

In 1995, this northern area was sold to Leafield Logistics. This defense sub-contractor was responsible for supplying equipment to Royal Navy Navy ships. The connecting doors to and from Monks Park Quarry were retained as fire escapes.

The company increased their security in 1996, to gain "List X" security clearance from the government. "List X" security clearance allowed Leafield Engineering to store classified information classified as 'Secret' or above. The storage facility was officially opened in 2002, as the "Leafield Explosive Handling and Test Facility." A report on the 28 Days Later website, states that the underground site was used to store "Category 5 radioactive material.

In 2009, an underground fire, caused by a faulty forklift truck battery resulted in fire crews from across North Wiltshire and as far away as Ramsbury and Warminster attending, as well as the Chemical and Environmental Protection Incident Unit from Devizes. being called to the incident.

Portchester Equity Ltd bought a controlling interest in the company in 2010 and redeveloped the site further. However, in 2022, the site was acquired by Stephens Industries, a manufacturer of work wear, rubber products and plastic products.