Proposals for retirement complex at Bath Street Mill in Darley Abbey go on display
VILLAGERS have been given the first glimpse of plans to build retirement homes on the site of a derelict mill.
Under the proposals, the former Bath Street Mill, in Darley Abbey, would be demolished to make way for the 82 apartments, which would form an extra-care development.
Extra-care is in between sheltered housing and residential care. People receive their own flat but with the support of care on site 24 hours a day.
Yesterday, a consultation event was held in the village to give people the chance to air their views before a planning application is submitted to Derby City Council.
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Peter Holland-Lloyd who lives in Otter Street, said he liked the plans.
The 64-year-old said: "I think it's a brilliant idea. The fact is, we have an ageing population. And when you're 64 you are looking into the future.
"The building used to be a warehouse but burnt down a few years ago.
"I was a bit concerned what was going to go there. I hope they get approval."
Roy and Sheila Hartle said they thought the development, which would be built in a conservation area, was essential.
Mrs Hartle, who is secretary of the Darley Abbey Historical Group, said: "There will be a demand for these apartments.
"It's just such a shame they're pulling the old building down, even the facade."
Mr Hartle, chairman of the historical group, said: "There was a boiler room at the back and a decision was made a few years ago that they had to retain it. But now someone is saying it's structurally unsound and therefore has to come down."
Radleigh Homes is the developer behind the plans for the apartments, which would be for the over-55s, have two bedrooms and be available to buy or rent.
Communal facilities would include a restaurant, communal lounges, hairdressing salon and gardens.
Building work would take around 18 months.
Paul Barnes, construction project manager for Housing 21, the company providing on-site care, said it had tried to maintain a similar facade to the mill in their new building.
He said: "With it being a conservation area, the main criteria is that a new building looks like the building that was there."
Mr Barnes also said the fact the site was in a flood-prone area had posed some challenges.
He said: "We have to provide flood defences to the building as part of the requirements for the Environment Agency."
Comments
by dianae
Saturday, November 24 2012, 12:05PM
“The new plans on show were not quite the same - as it said in article, after the fire, some features were damaged and so apparently can not be kept.
According to Housing 21 they've not yet got to planning permission stage - plans could alter before that”
by Derby_born
Friday, November 23 2012, 8:49PM
“This proposal would bring the site into use, but it may not be as straight forward as it seems as the proposed development is located within the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site.
Planning permission was granted, conditionally, on November 29th, 2007, to convert the old mill buildings into apartments, before the buildings were destroyed by an arsonist. The plans showed the requirement for the protection of the World Heritage Site.
The planning permission notes for the previous plans to convert the mill stated: "and the proposal would be an acceptable form of residential conversion and development, which would protect the setting and character of the World Heritage Site and nearby listed buildings, preserve the appearance and character of the Strutts Park Conservation Area and be in keeping with the appearance of the local streetscene".
http://tinyurl.com/cnbr62c
The drawings show exactly how the development should look: http://tinyurl.com/c9l3vls”
by dianae
Friday, November 23 2012, 1:28PM
“Once they get round to putting in for planning permission,I am sure the issues of traffic will be mentioned by some people”
by RobF11
Friday, November 23 2012, 12:56PM
“It is in Strutts Park not Darley Abbey. You are correct. The only access in and out is via Bath Street too, very narrow roads with parking problems already. Hopefully they've taken into account the increase in traffic and parking from visitors?”
by dianae
Friday, November 23 2012, 9:12AM
“Is Bath St in Darley Abbey? Thought it was Strutt's Park conservation area- other side of park.”