Headstocks and Powerhouse at the site of the former Clipstone Colliery

The Headstocks and Powerhouse form a complex at the former Clipstone Colliery, dating from the 20th century. The design is asymmetrical and linear, with two tall steel-framed headstocks flanking a central brick powerhouse. These headstocks were intended to operate two shafts: the No. 1 Service Shaft to the north, handling staff and materials, and No. 2 Winding Shaft to the south, for raising coal skips.

The headstocks are the most prominent features, consisting of lattice towers constructed from steel plate and girders, supported by inclined A-shaped steel frames which rise from the powerhouse. The upper sections of each headstock incorporate twin headgear sheaves – large, 24-foot diameter spoked wheels – arranged in an 'under and over' configuration to support the winding ropes. Below and between the headstocks are functionally-detailed brick structures in a Modernist style, including the powerhouse with extensive upper-level glazing and the heapstead or pit bank buildings that enclose the shaft heads and surface car circuits.

The powerhouse building houses large machinery and electrical equipment, including two Koepe winding engines, each powered by two direct coupled electric motors linked to motor generator sets that convert the public alternating current supply to direct current. Control cabins adjoin each winder, enabling monitoring of both shafts. Generator sets and switch gear are located on two levels at the rear of the powerhouse. Pit bank buildings are situated on either side of the powerhouse, above the shafts, with the winding ropes extending upwards via the headstocks. The shafts are now sealed, but much of the original equipment remains, including rails for the colliery cars and turntables for manoeuvring them. Travelling cranes and running beams, supported by lattice metal piers, were present throughout the powerhouse, facilitating the installation and maintenance of the winders and generators.

When listed in April 2000, the complex was operational, with the machinery and fixtures in working order; since then, the site has suffered from considerable vandalism and structural deterioration, resulting in significant damage and dilapidation to both the exterior and interior.