PLANS to redevelop Bessbrook Mill to go before council's planning committee

PLANS which could see the redevelopment of the long vacant Bessbrook Mill are to go before the council' s planning committee tomorrow (Wednesday)

The Mill, which has stood sentinel in the south Armagh village for over 150 years, had been purchased by construction company Farlstone a number of years ago.

They have submitted plans which if approved by the council's planning committee will see the Mill premises extensively redeveloped into residential premises.

This will encompass 48 new build residential dwellings and 219 apartments.

165 of these apartments are to be provided within the existing Mill building which is to be refurbished and adapted to facilitate residential use, with six commercial Office units and plans for the installation of a Gym to also forming part of the vision for the sights redevelopment.

A recommendation to approve the development was previously made by planning officials to the council’s planning committee in October but was since deferred.

The same recommendations for approval are set to go before tomorrow (Wednesday's) sitting of the council’s planning department.

If aspirations of redeveloping the mill into residential premises do materialise then those who take up residence within the complex will be inheriting a rich legacy of history which stretches all the way back to the late 18th century.

Whilst their would be many within the Bessbrook community who welcome the redevelopment of the vacant mill premises with open arms, there are an equal number of people who would feel a degree of apprehension regarding the proposed plans for redevelopment.

Chief amongst them are village resident John Davis and UUP councillor David Taylor both of whom have requested speaking rights at the meeting.

Mr Davis, who has been a resident of the historically quaker village of Bessbrook for over three decades and who in the past penned a petition of protest against the plans, shared what some of his apprehensions are with regards the proposed redevelopment of the site.

“I would oppose the redevelopment of the mill into residential units given the fact that it is an historic sight.” said Mr Davis “I have nothing against housing but you build it elsewhere, there are plenty of places you can build social housing, flats and apartments.

“This is alright in a town or a big city such as Belfast but not a village like Bessbrook.”

“People have nothing against residential premises but don’t build them here. It is an historic sight, the very foundation stone of the village and they have repeatedly said that it should be used for businesses, , commercial and industrial use.

"This would be better for the village. They don't mind the mill being redeveloped but for the right reasons.”

“I have worked years and years at this to try and protect the mill in many different ways, getting all the signatures on the petition.

“When I took the petition around I explained to each resident clearly what they were signing for. I said to them do you want housing development or do you want small to medium sized enterprises?

”They said they would be all for businesses, commercial use. They want a place for people to go to and visit, they want a shop in it a museum, arts and crafts, things like this. They said to me that a housing development would destroy the very foundation stone of the village.

“What they are pleading for is to have the area rezoned to small medium enterprises, definitely not housing because Bessbrook has had its fair share of housing as is."