Go-ahead for historic Belper Mills resi scheme
Ambitious plans to build more than 100 apartments at the iconic Belper Mills have been given the green light, ending almost a decade of uncertainty over the future of the site.
Members of Amber Valley Borough Council’s planning committee voted unanimously to approve proposals from Chorley-based FI Real Estate Management for the site’s East Mill, part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, situated along a 15-mile stretch of river between Cromford and Derby.
Under the approved plans, the grade two listed former mill building will be converted into 130 residential apartments, which FI Real Estate says will deliver “much-needed housing for Belper” – while retaining the building’s distinctive industrial character.
Tim Knowles, founder and managing director of FIREM, said the firm was absolutely delighted that Amber Valley Borough Council had approved its plans.
“This is a hugely significant milestone and marks the beginning of an exciting new future for Belper Mills,” he said.
“As everyone knows, Belper Mills is a unique and historic site at the very heart of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. We firmly believe our proposals represent the best and most sustainable way to bring these remarkable buildings back into meaningful use.
“We’re particularly pleased that Historic England, Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust and the Council’s heritage officer raised no objections to our plans. Their support reflects the care and sensitivity that has gone into shaping this scheme.
“We can now move forward into the detailed design phase, including essential surveys, as we prepare for work to begin.”
The developer says viability of the East Mill project depends on securing investment from the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s brownfield housing fund, with additional heritage funding needed to deliver the wider vision.
In January, the EMCCA announced it had secured £36m from the government’s brownfield fund, which it says will meet its target of building 100,000 homes over the next ten years.
Documents and plans relating to the scheme can be found on Amber Valley council’s planning portal, using reference: AVA/2018/0819
