Shropshire Star

Move may take years off Flax Mill project

A new developer is being lined up to take over the regeneration of Shropshire's historic Flax Mill – potentially knocking years off the time for the project's completion.

Published
The Flax Mill in Shrewsbury

Talks have taken place with a view to appointing Urban Splash as the new developer for the redevelopment of the site in Ditherington, Shrewsbury. Daniel Kawczynski, the town's MP, said he hoped a final decision would be made soon which would allow the project to gather pace.

Culture Minister Sajid Javid, Mr Kawczynski and officials from UK Trade and Industry and English Heritage met to discuss the plan on Wednesday.

It comes after previous developers, Wates Construction, left the site in February. The project, which has been backed by a £12.8 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, has since been taken over by English Heritage and will see offices, bars, restaurant and public space opened up. No firm date has yet been set for when the scheme will be finished.

Mr Kawczynski said fears had been raised earlier this summer that English Heritage might have been forced to restart the entire procurement process from scratch rather than continue from the position that the project was in before the financial crisis.

Urban Splash has been responsible for buildings such as Fort Dunlop in Birmingham, Manchester's Albert Mill and Plymouth's Brewhouse.

Mr Kawczynski said: "This will be an excellent result for all those involved. I was seriously worried the project could be further delayed if we did not act to resolve this issue.

"This is a vital development for Shrewsbury and my constituents. The regeneration will do much to create jobs and growth at one of the most architecturally important sites in the country."

He said it could lead to the development being completed much more quickly.

English Heritage took over the site in 2005 in order to halt its further decline. The organisation has since funded and managed emergency repairs to ensure the buildings are secure and weather-tight, something which Mr Kawczynski said was costing them £300,000 a year.

Contractors were on site in September to begin stage one of the project to regenerate the site.

This work involves the conversion of the office and stables for use by the Friends of the Flax Mill Maltings as a visitor and reception centre and the demolition of the 1950s silo providing a public open space. The demolition of the silo is due to be completed by the end of January.

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