Plans for 60 homes on fire-ravaged mill site in Saddleworth dividing residents

Plans for a new housing development on the site of a former fire-ravaged mill in Saddleworth have been revealed.

Under proposals submitted to Oldham council, the site that contains Bailey Mill on New Delph Road would be transformed with the construction of 60 homes – with most of the now derelict mill buildings being demolished. The mill complex, which dates from 1863, was Grade-Two listed in 2016 as being of special historic interest and is contained within the Delph Conservation boundary.

However the main body of the woollen mill was destroyed by a fire in June 2016. Residents had to be evacuated from nearby homes and the surrounding roads were closed as the fire raged on for more than three hours.

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Bailey Mill previously had been standing empty for around 25 years following its closure. The planning documents state that the ‘devastating fire’ resulted from ‘young person’s trespassing into the building’ which destroyed the principal mill structure.

According to the documents submitted on behalf of the applicant Gledhill and Sons Ltd, the remaining structures are ‘on the whole in a perilous condition’ and are ‘structurally unsound’.

“Following the fire, the options for redevelopment were undertaken and residential conversion was the only realistic and viable option,” the design and access report states.

“The development of this semi-rural site serves to regenerate and respond to the housing demand in this area plus regenerates a run-down site and series of heritage buildings.”

The scheme, which includes the retention and conversion of the blending shed, office building and chimney comprises of one, two, three