Homes plans at Flax Mill

Architects today unveiled plans to build 200 homes on the site of Shrewsbury’s historic flax mill.Designs set to transform the Ditherington site also include offices and a number of affordable homes. The homes are part of a masterplan for the 18th Century flax mill incorporating work units and a new museum for the town.

But council bosses said plans for the main mill building have not yet been drawn up.

Ian Kilby, planning services manager for Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, said architects, Feilden Clegg Bradley, had come up with their first concepts and designs for the development.

He said: “This provides for a mixed use scheme with approximately 200 residential units, the majority being new build with the possibility of some apartments in the cross mill.

“Uses for the main mill are unspecified and are dependent on further structural analysis although the preferred option is open plan offices on upper floors and active uses on the ground floor which is compatible with the 2004 master plan vision for the site.”

Mr Kilby said a conditional agreement would also be signed with developers Urban Splash within the next few months which will outline planning and funding for the £30 million regeneration project.

But he warned that plans were reliant on the acquisition of the Arriva bus depot which fronts the site. The council is currently working with Arriva on a possible relocation for the depot although bosses are determined to hold onto the site.

A public inquiry will take place in June if no agreement can be reached.

Borough Council leader Councillor Peter Nutting, today welcomed the plans.

He said: “Without wishing to compromise any future planning situation I do accept that the plan for the flax mill is likely to include a lot of residential as it is the only way finance will be raised to ensure a full restoration of the old mill.

“I am hoping it will not be too intensive a development but that will depend on money and what will be given as an acceptable planning application.”

The original masterplan also included ideas to develop an “historic core” at the site, operated by a non-profit making trust, a new public garden and a canal marina.