Developer pushes to demolish 'iconic' factory

The factory was built in 1897

An historical factory connected to a Leicestershire town's industrial past could soon be bulldozed to make way for homes.

The site of the former Herbert Morris works in Empress Road, Loughborough, has been earmarked for 18 affordable properties.

Developer Judris Management has not yet got planning permission for the scheme, but has asked Charnwood Borough Council for permission to commence demolition work, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

Documents lodged with the council said it wanted to start demolition this month.

The factory closed in 2010

The developer declined to comment when contacted by the LDRS but previously said its proposals for a mixture of houses and maisionettes, would improve the appearance of Empress Road and deliver "much-needed" affordable housing.

The LDRS said the council had invited people to submit their views on the latest proposal by 7 July but had not responded to its request for a comment.

The factory was built in 1897 to manufacture cranes. It was expanded during World War One when it was targeted in German zeppelin bombing raids.

It ceased production and closed in 2010.

Tom Kinally, chairman of the Loughborough East Community Association, called for the factory to be preserved and converted into affordable homes or turned into a community centre.

He said: "It is an iconic building important to the history of Loughborough."

Historic England said the building has "local importance and interest as part of the history of Loughborough" but that it did not meet the bar to be locally listed.

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