Demolition of former mill is given go-ahead
PLANNING approval has been granted for the demolition of a long-derelict Victorian Mill to be replaced by a mix of industrial units and homes.
The full application, which includes the mill’s demolition, the erection of 12 industrial units, the refurbishment of some existing buildings and the construction of four dwellings, was granted subject to conditions by Rochdale council.
The former site of Dexine Rubber Company had previously been granted permission ‘in principle’ for 47 homes to be built in the Spotland Bridge Conservation Area.
However, submitted planning documents said: “This was reported to the Planning and Licensing Committee of 04 March 2019 with a recommendation for refusal, but the Committee resolved to approve the application subject to the completion of a section 106 obligation. This obligation has not been progressed at present, because of the intention to submit the current application.”
Developer Hallmark Developments previously asked the council to remove conditions blocking development of the site until they had ‘entered into contracts’ with a builder. The council said this was to prevent the premature razing of the Grade II-listed mill, and ensure the site was not left vacant indefinitely after it was knocked down.
Granting this newer proposal, council officers imposed a condition demolition work not take place until evidence has been submitted to show construction of the plan begins within six months.
They said this was to “prevent premature demolition” of the existing mill building in the interests of the protection of the designated heritage asset.
Planning documents added: “It is clear that the significance of the Spotland Bridge Conservation Area lies in its industrial heritage and documentation of how the textile industry developed to create modern Rochdale. As such Spotland Mill, may have been considered to make a contribution to the character and heritage of the area, however this contribution is diminished by the poor condition and visual appearance of the mill and the social problems it attracts.”
One letter of support from a resident was filed.
Built in the 1800s, Spotland New Mill was part of the booming cotton industry of the time, before it was purchased by Dexine in 1941 when it was in decline.
Planning documents said: “The scheme that is proposed following demolition of the mill will have a positive and energising impact on the surrounding area in that it will bring forward economic and social activity to an area of land in need of regeneration.”