Part of Burnley historic mill to be razed

Construction firm Barnfield has come up with proposals which they claim will allow Sandygate Mill and Grade Two listed Slater’s Terrace to be converted into offices.

But this will result in the bulldozing of the former Waterloo Hotel, Sandygate, to allow a new public entrance to be created.

And most of the columns in the mill’s weaving shed will be lost, though architects have pledged to retain the walls and one remaining bay with a north-light window.

The scheme’s supporters admit that losing the columns, many of which have been degraded after being open to the elements, would have a ‘major impact’ but are adamant they have preserved as much of the internal fabric as they can.

Redevelopment of the terrace has been talked about since 1981, when efforts were first made to halt the decline of the canalside building.

Much of the nearby mill’s weaving shed will be used as a car park for the offices in Slater’s Terrace, which was a central feature of The Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles’ visit to Burnley last May.

Previous proposals to demolish the other elements of the mill, including the old Waterloo Works and 1907-built Trafalgar House, have already been agreed by planners. Referring to Slater’s Terrace, planning agent Daniel Jackson said in a design statement: “The exterior elevations are of outstanding significance and will be repaired and conserved.

“The interior is of great significance and all the significant features will be retained. Therefore the impact is negligible overall.”

He has also made a similar assessment of the impact on the main Sandygate Mill building, confirming that a stone staircase, the only feature worth retaining, will be kept.

The borough council was given a £2million boost to redevelop Slater’s Terrace earlier this year by the Growing Places Fund. It will form part of a Weaver’s Triangle hub with the new university technical college in nearby Victoria Mill.