Future of Lancaster Bomber mill uncertain

The historic mill played a vital role in producing the war plane, the Lancaster Bomber

The future of a historic mill where the Lancaster Bomber was made during World War Two remains uncertain after a decision on a major development was deferred.

Developer, Navid Dean, wants to add four new floors to the top of Ivy Mill in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, and build 98 apartments .

At an Oldham Council meeting on Wednesday, officers recommended refusing the plans because developers were disputing the need to provide affordable housing on the site.

But after a last minute offer to include 10 affordable homes in the designs, the planning officer agreed to give the developer more time to work out the details of the new plans.

Royal visit

The 140-year-old former cotton mill on Crown Street is not a listed building but it is steeped in local history.

Located in the Failsworth Pole Conservation Area, it used to employ over 75,000 spindlers daily.

The mill was even visited by King George VI in 1939 and played a vital role in producing the war plane, the Lancaster Bomber.

The plans involved adding four new floors in a tiered layout on to the top of the mill, resting on the five existing floors, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Three of the floors would continue to be used for business and they currently house the Ivy Mill Business Centre among other enterprises.

But the top floor would be converted into flats.

Including the existing apartments on the lower floors, the building would house a total of 102 apartments – six one-beds, 85 two-beds and 13 three-beds.

The apartments would house a minimum of 215 people once fully occupied but only have parking spaces for 50.

An artist's impression of inside the historic mill, should the development be given the go ahead

'Ill thought-out'

Some of the objections included complaints that it could create a "huge problem" for traffic and parking on the surrounding roads.

Others raised concerns about the limited number of amenities in the area.

One wrote: “Failsworth is already struggling with traffic, lack of doctors appointments, lacking of school places and other amenities.

"This would just cause more strain on an already full small town that doesn’t need more of this type of property.”

Another said the scheme seemed “ill thought-out”.

Planning officers agreed with some of the concerns raised, writing that the development was not "within 480m of amenities", which goes against the borough’s planning framework.

The amended plans will return to the committee for a final decision.