Historic cotton mill which became a 'magnet for vandalism' could be in line for huge 285-home regeneration scheme

An historic cotton mill could be in line for a huge 285-home regeneration scheme, according to papers lodged with Rochdale council.

Warwick Mill, in Middleton, has been vacant for several years, becoming a magnet for vandalism, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour. A serious fire also broke out at the Grade-II listed building in 2018.

Plans to convert it into a £50m ‘global trade hub’ expired four years ago - much to the frustration of councillors, who urged then-applicant LED Emporium to bring forward new proposals as soon as possible.

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But now developer Kam Lei Fong (UK) Ltd has submitted papers revealing major new plans are in the pipeline for the Oldham Road mill, which dates back to 1907.

This is not a planning application, but requests the council’s opinion on whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA) would be required as part of any scheme.

However, the documents make clear significant proposals are being prepared with a view to a planning application being made in the near future.

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These include:

Although Warwick Mill itself is five-storey, the proposed new buildings would be ‘mid-rise’ with a maximum height of 10 floors above ground level.

However, the document