Petition in protest against Bessbrook Mill redevelopment

VOICING the concerns of many residents of Bessbrook regarding the proposed redevelopment of the settlements eponymous linen mill is village native John Davis.

Mr Davis, along with several other denizens of the historically Quaker village, has started a petition expressing the worries felt on the part of town residents regarding the proposed redevelopment of the Bessbrook Mill.

Plans have been submitted on the part of the Farlstone Construction company who bought the site several years ago to have the structure turned into a mixed use residential facility.

Whilst there are many within the village of Bessbrook and wider south Armagh area who would welcome the plans lain in place for the redevelopment of the complex with open arms, so to would there be an equal number of residents who fear that this is just one more step along the inevitable path of ultimately washing away the villages historical assets.

The potential possibility that the redevelopment of the Bessbrook Mill has in obscuring the historical heritage of the site, which dates back to the early 19th century, is not lost on Mr Davis, who in founding the petition described the complex as the “very foundation stone “ of his home village.

Foundation Stone

“The mill is the very foundation stone of the village” said Mr Davis.

“There is great potential in the building, but people do not want this development, they are dead against it.”

John elaborated on the plethora of reasons as to why he started this petition explaining how many of the village residents are apprehensive of the ambitions shown on the part of Farlstone construction to redevelop the premises into a residential site.

According to Mr Davis, who has called the Quaint village of Bessbrook his home for over 3 decades, given the Mill’s heritage the premises should instead be used as a magnet to attract tourists to the area.

“People have asked me to do this as they don't want this development. They have nothing against housing developments but there are plenty of places where these can be placed other than the mill so we don't want this development here. The people in Bessbrook would love to see something done with the mile but for the right reasons such as to facilitate small and medium size enterprise, the likes of furniture shops and what have you. There is plenty of space for a lot of things to work here.

“People are also quite adamant that the development would take away from the mill’s heritage. People in Bessbrook have lost enough, as an awful lot of the heritage has been taken away by planners and developers so the people are depressed and very downbeat. People have got to the stage where they are fed up with it.

“I am personally opposed to it because I think that it is very important that we preserve our history and not turn it into a big development.

“ I have nothing against a housing development but it is in the wrong place as Bessbrook Mill is one of Newry and Mourne’s most historic buildings. This place holds a lot of memories for people both in Bessbrook and further afield and they are also against the wall being reduced on the Derrymore Road.

“If the development is finished they will put signs up which give the history of the place but this doesn't make any difference at all because it is living history as it is there at the moment..

“Park Lane was sealed of for years due to the troubles. There is no reason why Park Lane behind Bessbrook Mill could not be opened so that people can enjoy the lovely walkways that would take them to the centre of Bessbrook, the Bessbrook Mill pond and to the Derrymore Road. They should open the place up more for tourism, it would bring people to the village. There are people that I have met from all over the world that have come to see Bessbrook Mill and they cannot get into it.“

As many signatures as possible

Whilst Mr Davis petition in protest of the proposed plans to redevelop the Bessbrook Mill is still in its initial stages, he aspires to garner as many as 1000 signatures before he and his fellow villagers lay their pens to rest.

“We have quite a few signatures building up on the petition and a lot of people are very much against this development.

“We are hoping to get 1000 or more signatures and we need to push on with it. It was myself and few other volunteers involved. We are hoping that they will listen to us. Bessbrook Mill is a lovely piece of work built by the Richardsons, If it is taken away it will be a sad day for Bessbrook.

Development

The planned development of the mill if completed will comprise a total of 41 no. new-build residential dwellings, 223 No. Apartments of which 167 will be provided within the existing mill building as well as an office space and a gym.

The proposed plans for redevelopment of the complex have been drawn up by MRL architects and Genesis planning consultants on behalf of the Farlstone Construction company who bought the site in 2021.

Chief amongst these concerns is what will be done to the existing boundary wall located on the Derrymore Road as well as the weavers sheds situated within the complex itself.

Both of these structures have been mentioned within the proposed plans.

A reduction in size and repurposing to act as a boundary wall for the properties scheduled to be built as part of the plans is the fate that awaits the wall on the Derrymore Road.

Furthermore MRL architects have confirmed that the existing weaving shed structures on the site are set to be retained.

Given their historical significance dating back to 1885 MRL has also confirmed that on completion of the project a proposed interpretation board is set to be erected on site within the confines of the retained weaving shed structure.

This interpretation board will include a full process from spinning to weaving and the transfer of raw materials and workers to and from the mill complex via the also listed tram terminus opposite.

Interpretation Board proposals are to be submitted and agreed with NIE prior to completion on site.

Those residents who wished to express their concern or admiration with regards the proposed plans were invited to do so by way of the N.I Planning portal which closed on Wednesday April 9.