Work gets underway at vandalhit mill
RESIDENTS are celebrating after work finally began to demolish ‘eyesore’ derelict buildings blighted by antisocial behaviour.
Elisabeth Mill and the Friedland Building in Stockport have been standing derelict for more than 15 years, but are now set to be replaced with new homes.
Vandals have struck numerous times at the Reddish trouble spot.
Police were called around 120 times to the buildings in just two months in the summer of 2014, when anti-social behaviour was at its worst.
Workers are now on site and have demolished the Friedland Building to make way for around 50 houses. Elisabeth Mill will be converted into 150 apartments.
It is hoped the project will usher in a new era, with the surrounding Elisabeth Green conservation area, off Houldsworth Street, becoming a peaceful residential area.
Resident Dave Ashworth, 68, said: “Work has started in a big way and it is brilliant, what an improvement this will be. Everyone is very happy, this should make it into a lovely area.
“It was blighted by antisocial behaviour, there was graffiti, smashed glass and vandals running riot. It was horrible.
“And the Friedland Building was a horrible grey, concrete building.
“People are really pleased it is being brought up to 2017 standards. It seemed this day would never come.”
The developer behind the scheme, which will also include a cafe and marketing building, is De Trafford Estates Group.
Elisabeth Mill, a Grade IIlisted building, was commissioned by businessman Sir William Henry Houldsworth in 1874.
The Friedland Building was built in the 1980s.
Over the past decade, owners have had problems with squatters, free runners and vandals.
In 2014, following dozens of reports of anti-social behaviour, police were afforded special powers to ban yobs from the area.
Youngsters were seen pouring petrol onto roads and setting it alight when cars went past.