Plan in works to save globally important mills
BBCA planning application is being drawn up for a crumbling historic mill in Derbyshire.
Belper Mills, a historic site dating back to 1804, forms part of the Derwent Valley Mills - a Unesco World Heritage Site situated along a 15-mile stretch of river between Cromford and Derby.
Concerns have repeatedly been raised over the condition of the mills, which largely stand empty.
But owners First Investment Real Estate Management (FI) said a "complex proposal" was being developed with consultees ahead of being submitted to planning authority Amber Valley District Council.
FI hopes it can be submitted later this year.
The application for the site, which had been submitted to the planning authority in 2018 but not determined, would convert the mills into apartments as well as commercial uses.
A spokesperson said: "Belper Mills is a special place that we are very proud to be investing in.
"As a complex proposal, we are in the process of finalising a revised heritage report with Historic England and have been proactively engaging with key stakeholders throughout the process.
"The proposals and evidence will then be assessed by Unesco to receive its decision on our plans for Belper Mills, which we hope will happen over the next few months.
"We anticipate that the next stage of the site's important future will go to planning committee later this year, once all key consultatory parties are happy with the proposal."
Unesco world heritage status places the area including Belper Mills on a similar footing to the Taj Mahal in India, the pyramids of Giza in Egypt and the Great Wall of China.
The historic buildings were awarded world heritage status in 2001 although Unesco said it had "grave concern" about the area's future in 2024.
Unesco has cited repeated "inappropriate" developments in the area as cause for concern, and highlighted the "poor condition of the Belper Mills complex" - which campaign group Our Belper Mills said laid claim to being the first iron-framed building in the world.
Jonathan Davies, MP for Mid Derbyshire, who recently met FI over the plans, said supporting the regeneration of the site was a priority for him and that the town's community should be involved.
"These proposals could come to the planning authority as soon as September, when I very much hope that a decision will be made," he said.
"Progress on the development of this site has been stalled for many years now.
"I am optimistic that we are now within touching distance of a planning decision, and I will continue to support all efforts to deliver on this beautiful site's potential."
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