Derelict for 23 years, the last mill in Bacup’s town centre conservation area could get a new lease on life.
Rossendale Council has debated over the future of Waterside Mill for a decade. It sits roofless, sandwiched between Alder Street and Burnley Road – an eyesore of a grade two-listed building.
In recent years, with owners uncontactable, the council has had to step in to restrict access to the site and complete required health and safety work.
Valley Heritage has a plan, however, to start the mill’s next chapter. It just needs the deed and funding.
Rossendale Council is readying to help with the first part. At its cabinet meeting next week, the council will vote on agreeing to put in for a CPO of the mill. This, it would acquire, and then give to Valley Heritage as part of a back-to-back deal.
However, it’s all contingent on the second need of Valley Heritage: funding.
The developer has put forward a bid to The National Heritage Lottery Foundation and will hear back in December on whether it has been successful. The group has kept tight-lipped on its proposals, but it is understood that providing additional space for the mill’s neighbour, air filtration system manufacturer Beta Group, is part of the request.
This will not be Valley Heritage’s first project – the group also delivered the successful transformation of the grade two-listed Lancashire & Yorkshire Bank building into a mixed use development with coworking space, meeting facilities, and apartments.
If Valley Heritage is successful in its funding bid, then the mill’s future is rather straightforward. CPO from the council, given to Valley Heritage, and off to a new life as a modern industrial scheme.
If Valley Heritage is unsuccessful, the council will reevaluate the mill’s future. It may still move forward with the CPO.