Revised proposals for the development of Bessbrook Mill have received over 100 objections since opening to public consultation on March 9.
Plans were initially lodged by Keady-based Farlstone Construction Ltd for the £60 million redevelopment of the former Bessbrook Mill site – and one-time army base – into a mix of housing, retail and office accommodation back in August 2023.
At that time, the proposal sought permission for a total of 272 residential units – comprising 214 apartments and 58 houses – two retail units, three office units and a gym.
However, revised plans have been submitted partly in response to a ‘further information letter’ issued by council in June 2024 which noted that while the redevelopment proposals were “welcomed in principle” a previous planning permission which had been granted in December 2011 had now expired and “the previously approved scheme can no longer be relied upon as an accepted design / layout given subsequent changes in planning policy, area plan and guidance since this time”.
Related: Revealed: The £60 million plan to redevelop Bessbrook Mill and former army base site
Specific concerns were addressed within the letter and an updated application was then submitted addressing the outlined concerns.
The updated application submitted on March 24 notes that the number of residential units has been reduced from 272 units to 264 units, with the two retail units now reduced to one. The three office units and gym remain unchanged within the revised plans.
Of the 264 units, 232 will comprise apartment units to be provided within the existing listed status Mill Building which is to be refurbished and adapted to facilitate the residential use.
CGI image designed by MRL Architects
A planning statement states: “The residential mix will include both private and social housing to be provided in an appropriate mix across the site”.
Permission is also sought for the “provision of an additional storey to the Mill building” to accommodate the number of apartments.
In terms of unit mix the Mill Building will provide 38 single bedroom units, 106 two bedroom units and 23 three bedroom units.
The application also seeks to construct 41 new-build residential buildings which will consist of a mix of two bedroom and three bedroom dwellings.
Works to the Mill complex and associated structures within it’s curtilage include for the upgrade and adaptation of existing Mill building for the proposed development; retention and incorporation of the existing blast wall within the Mill complex; partial demolition and removal of the existing weaving sheds and associated outbuildings; alterations and part removal of the existing boundary wall along Derrymore Road; demolition of the existing ruin located to the western aspect of the Mill complex and demolition of the existing British Legion building.
The planning statement states the main objective of the proposal to be the creation of a “positive physical and visual impact on the character of the site and the village of Bessbrook” and in doing this provide an “opportunity to achieve urban consolidation and increased density, whilst bringing a historic building and site back into productive use”.
However, the public consultation has so far received more than 100 objections to the proposals.
Many of the objections cite concerns for traffic congestion as a result of the drastic increase in housing in such a small village or allude to increased pressures on the existing amenities.
One woman asks in her objection: “How will our schools etc cope with even more people – no need for more housing?”
Others feel strongly that the building should be redeveloped into a museum, or preserved in its current state, to protect the heritage of the historic village.
One person added: “We are a small local village and it’s crucial to us as residents to preserve our local, and historical heritage at all cost.
“By developing housing to this historical building would completely destroy the architectural significance of this building. As a resident, this building could benefit other things but not housing; for example, a museum for the history of this village, games room for teenagers, the list is endless. But not housing.”
There was a single letter of support for the redevelopment, however, it does also outline the need for consideration surrounding the existing infrastructure: “I fully support the development if the surrounding infrastructure is improved to support the extra residents.
“The Mill in it’s current state is an eye sore. Such a historic building should be used and surely social housing would fit with the Quaker ethos of the original owners.”
