A survey of this site in advance of the construction of a gas pipeline identified this as the site of the former township of Haswell Colliery. The colliery was closed in 1895.

"The Haswell Colliery was sunk in 1835, and sent the first coals to Sunderland by rail in 1837. The seams being worked are the Five Quarter, at a depth of 558 feet; Main Coal, 663 feet; Low Main, 812 feet; and the Hutton, at a depth of 1931 feet. During the last few years, from twelve to fifteen hundred persons have been employed daily at the colliery, and nearly 400,000 tons of coal are raised annually. The colliery is held on lease by the Haswell, Shotton, and Easington Coal and Coke Company Limited, who possess the coal royalties from the colliery to the sea, including the adjoining under sea coal.

One of the most fatal explosions on record in the north of England occurred in the "Little Pit" in this colliery, on the afternoon of Saturday, September 28, 1844, when no fewer than ninety five lives were lost, either by the explosion itself or by the after damp.

The Schools, erected and supported by the colliery company, have been enlarged at various times. These have accommodation for 760 boys, girls, and infants, with and average attendance of 580.

Haswell Institute was established by the colliery company in 1889, for the benefit of their workmen, and contains reading, smoking, billiard-rooms, and lecture hall. Technical classes on mining, chemistry, and cooking, as initiated by the County Council, are held here. These are supported by voluntary subscriptions, assisted by the colliery company.

The Miners' Hall, erected in 1874, contains lecture hall, capable of holding 500 persons, reading room, and library." - Whellan's 1894 Directory of County Durham, courtesy of the Durham Mining Museum page

NEHL - The Haswell Colliery was a relatively old working compared to many in the area, operating from the 1830s. This resulting in an early waggonway being laid from Haswell Junction to the pit itself. The colliery village stood just north, with single storey cottages dominating the landscape. There was a low row, millers row, chapel row, butchers row and sinkers row defining particular roles within the village. It also incorporated an old quarry, with the stone likely used to build the dwellings. A Wesleyan Chapel also featured here, as well as two pubs over at Haswell Lane.

As defined in Whellan's, further expansion was made at the village the decade prior to the pit closing. An institute, temperance hall, primitive chapel and school were all added in benefit of the families who lived here. This is as well as further expansion to the village in the south, with Haswell Terrace laid out with more modern Durham terraces. A mission room, primitive chapel and pub were also located here. A cricket club was also formed with a ground directly to the east of the pit. (https://www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/sports-archive/has01/haswell%2C-cricket-ground)