Historic McDougall flour mill rises again
Press release: 24 March 2011
Planning and urban design consultancy Turley Associates has secured planning permission for the redevelopment of the last historic McDougall's flour mill in Hailsham, East Sussex.
Acting for Citiscape Developments, permission was granted on appeal on 18 March for 25 residential units and 10 commercial units. The scheme will see the mill restored offering 12 residential units, the construction of a 'New mill' and a third 'Riverside' building to include four affordable homes. The scheme will also see the sympathetic remodelling of existing commercial premises, offering a total of 1,158 sq m.
An application was first submitted in March 2010 and refused by Wealden District Council in July 2010, stating that set against PPS25 the scheme did not complying with the flood risk sequential test in that alternative sites for housing had not been considered. Turley Associates successfully argued that a lack of five year housing land supply and the significant environmental benefit that the scheme would bring weighed in its favour.
Mick Harkins, Director, Citiscape Development adds: "This is a significant planning decision for us and for Hailsham. It is an exciting building on an interesting site. We are looking forward to starting work and delivering a scheme that once again puts the McDougall flour mill at the heart of the community."
Steve Wilson, Director, Turley Associates said: "We are delighted with this decision. It will not only mean that Citiscape Developments can progress its scheme, but will secure the future of this historic building and bring much needed new homes.
"There is evidence of a mill on this site since the 1500s, but since McDougall closed its mill in 1969 the site has fallen into disrepair. This permission will grant the site a new lease of life."
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About Turley Associates
Turley Associates is the UK's leading independent planning and urban design consultancy. The company operates from 10 offices - London, Southampton, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast - and has market leading expertise in planning, urban design, masterplanning, sustainability and heritage. The company has a strong reputation in the residential, retail, infrastructure, energy, health, education, sports and leisure, waste, minerals and mining and financial sectors.