Housing bid 'to improve area'

Photo: Justine Potter

Huge fire rips thorugh Bailey Mill, Delph

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

DEMOLITION of a listed mill building damaged in a fire would make the site safer and help future housing development if the council approve a planning application.

A plan to demolish the remains of Bailey Mill, Delph - which suffered a blaze that destroyed the main building causing emergency services to evacuate the surrounding village last June - and clear the site with future housing development in mind has been submitted to Oldham Council.

Following the fire the main building was demolished the day after and if the proposal is approved the other fire damaged and dangerous buildings within the complex which were left standing will be removed.

As well as removing damaged buildings the proposal seeks to conserve historic buildings on the site which will be better revealed by the removal of later 20th century extensions.

The damaged buildings to be removed are the elevated link bridged building which is located alongside the warehouse and former boiler house and the former finishing and warping sheds which are described as being in a derelict and dilapidated state while the offices and warehouse immediately fronting Oldham Road and the chimney and boiler house will be repaired using materials from the demolished site.

All demolition debris would be removed with the mill floor grubbed up and crushed and building construction materials, principally natural walling stone, retained and safeguarded.

The application said: "The proposal arises from an urgent need to remove fire damaged and dangerous buildings and structures from the site which are unsightly, dangerous to public safety and a source of nuisance to local residents.

"The works will also serve to facilitate appropriate future development of the site for housing purposes in line with the council's aspirations for the site."

The application goes on to say: "Once cleared of fire damaged structures the site will be both visually and environmentally improved and will afford opportunity for suitable residential development of resultant open land areas together with re-use and conversion of remainder buildings including the former offices and warehouses which are suited for residential use.

"In conjunction with the adjacent former station yard area immediately to the south, the overall site will offer a viable development opportunity for this important site in the new Delph Conservation Area which is accessible from Delph."