Second silo due to be demolished in push to redevelop Shrewsbury's historic flax mill
A second silo at Shrewsbury's historic flax mill is to be pulled down as work to clear the site to make way for a multi-million pound development continues.
English Heritage has submitted listed building consent for the complete demolition of the 72ft-high south silo at the Ditherington site.
The silo was built in 1951 to store barley.
Officials had hoped to keep the building, but say it needs to be demolished because of its poor condition. A number of specialist surveys have been carried out which suggest that none of the options for re-using the building would have been economically viable.
Councillor Mal Price, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for built environment, said: "Removal of the south silo would be another important step towards preparing the Flax Mill Maltings site for future redevelopment.
"The demolition would clear that part of the site, make it easier to travel round the site, and improve access to the neighbouring buildings."
Councillor Alan Mosley, chairman of the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings and Shropshire councillor for Castlefields and Ditherington, added: "Although some have a high regard for the silo, we are satisfied that all potential uses have been investigated and found not to be economically viable.
"There are also definite advantages in its removal and the work will herald the start of the full blown regeneration project."
Partners behind plans to redevelop the flax mill have submitted bids for almost £20 million in funding for the project.
If the money for the scheme is granted, work will start to restore and bring back into use some of the main historic buildings at the site – including the main mill, the kiln, the dye and stove house and the office and stables.
A completion date for the first phase of the work has been earmarked for 2016.
Chris Smith, national planning & conservation director with English Heritage, said: "A detailed re-use options appraisal study was undertaken in 2012/3 to explore all possible ways of retaining and re-using the south silo structure.
"All design options were looked at, but it became apparent that none of the options provided sufficient economic return to warrant the retention or re-use of the south silo."
