'Historic moment' as plan to redevelop mills approved

Major redevelopment plans for historic mills that form part of a Unesco World Heritage Site have been approved after a decade-long battle.

Amber Valley Borough Council's planning committee recommended to approve the plans for the dilapidated site at a packed meeting at a venue on the Strutts heritage estate in Derbyshire.

The proposals for the Belper Mills - from First Investments Real Estate Management - detail the site could comprise 130 flats, shop space, a restaurant or cafe, office space and accommodate room for a museum.

Jonathan Davies, Labour MP for Mid Derbyshire, hailed the decision as a "very historic moment".

The application was unanimously approved by the authority's planning committee to cheers from the public.

The mills form part of the Derwent Valley Mills - which are situated along a 15-mile stretch of river between Cromford and Derby.

A number of heritage and local public bodies, including Historic England and Derbyshire County Council, were consulted on the plans.

Many noted in their feedback that the public benefit of the site being bought back into use, outweighed the potential harm caused to its heritage character.

Historic England told the committee: "The works are likely to cause a low level of less than substantial harm in respect of the significance of the Grade II listed East Mill through loss of industrial character and some fabric."

The mills are in a "poor condition",having stood largely derelict for decades.

According to the developer, revenue generated from the residential and commercial uses of the site would support its maintenance.

It is thought that it will take four to five years for the East Mill conversion to be completed.

Work on the site is likely to still be about a year away because of a number of planning conditions.

Once it begins, repairs to the Grade I listed North Mill will make up part of the early works.

Richard Purser, an agent for First Investments, hailed the moment as a "true milestone".

"No planning application is ever perfect. There's no such thing as a perfect development," he said in response to some of the concerns raised.

"I was at the public consultation in 2018. Around about 400 people came from the local community to that. They all had a story. Most people had a connection.

"They wanted to understand that the buildings were going to come back to life again... they didn't want to see it just going further into decay and just being empty.

"Hopefully, in a few years' time, you'll see lights on and it will be a completely different feeling to the place."

Local MP Davies told the meeting it was "a very historic moment", adding that saving the mills was "one of the most important things I could ever do".

He said the flats would help alleviate housing challenges locally and the commercial facilities would boost the local economy.

Davies also confirmed there was an agreement in principle with First Investments for a peppercorn rent for a museum on the North Mill, in partnership with the Belper North Mill Trust.

Many councillors raised concerns about the level of parking - which one councillor described as a "massive issue" - and the size of the "very small" apartments.

There will be about 92 car parking spaces for the 130 flats.

Councillor Ben Bellamy, who represents the Belper North ward, said he would get behind the decision despite some outstanding concerns.

"This is the most difficult planning decision this planning committee will ever have to make," he told the meeting.

"The owners have an obligation to look after it, and quite frankly haven't done so over a number of years. I don't see that as a public benefit; I see that as an obligation."

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