Petition in protest of Bessbrook Mill redevelopment garners over 1000 signatures        

ALTHOUGH plans are well underway to redevelop the linen mill in Bessbrook there still exists much opposition to the project on the part of village residents.

 This is evidenced in no small part by a petition started  by village native John Davis against the development of the premises garnering over 1000 signatures.

 The project, which is the outworking  of construction company Farlstone, will see the eponymous mill that has been at the centre of the  South Armagh village’s history since its inception  be repurposed into residential premises.    

 This will comprise a total of 41 new-build  dwellings, 223 numbered apartments of which 167 will  be provided within the existing mill building as well as an office space and a gym all to the estimated value of £25 million

Whilst there are many within  Bessbrook who  welcome the development  proposals with open arms, there are also many who  fear that the historically Quaker settlement will be losing yet another vital link to its industrial heritage if plans proceed.

Representing the purest concentration of the anxieties felt by  resident’s  was  Mr John Davis who explained that whilst those living in the village are not opposed to the construction of new housing premises they do not believe it should be at the expense of one of the Bessbrook’s most valuable historical assets.

Heritage

“I hope this petition will set minds thinking” said Mr Davis.

“People have come to the end of their tether, they are fed up with seeing their history eroded. Keep the history and work within the history. Keep the building their and do something positive with it.

“We are not against housing but you don't need to build it in an historic site, you can build it elsewhere.”

Having taken to the streets of Bessbrook evening after evening for the past two months to acquire as many signatures as possible, John is afforded with a unique perspective when it comes to articulating villager’s opposition to the redevelopment of the site.

Long walk

“I walked the estates of Bessbrook evening  after evening. I got good responses  from the people. It took me from July up to now. I have been walking around the estates. I would get out at 6pm. The light was dropping so I had to get out earlier to gain more signatures up to 9pm.  

“People are very annoyed. They have said to me that Bessbrook has given so much out during its linen history, is this what we are going to get at the end of it?

“It is not that they do not want something done with the mill, they do want something done but they want something other than apartments and houses as Bessbrook has its fair share of houses and developments. 

“ You need a place for people to go to socialise as   there is nowhere to socialise and met up. It is just houses,  and more cars  on the road. They are afraid that the schools can't cope, the doctors can't cope, there is just so much pressure on the system.  

“They are going on ahead with this but it shouldn't be allowed to happen. The Bessbrook Mill is the very foundation stone of the village, so why should they be allowed to do this? 

“It is a very historic site, a lot of linen history and it is just going to be forgotten about if this goes on ahead so people are not happy. There is too much heritage being lost in Bessbrook, an awful lot has gone already. All we have left is the Bessbrook Mill and the Tram station which is the heart of the village and it is totally ignored. Bessbrook was created by the mill, only for it Bessbrook would not be on the map”.     

With well over 1000 names engraved onto the petition John hopes to soon hand the document over to the Newry, Mourne and Down District council to best articulate the worries felt on the part of villages residents.

He would also like to thank any and all who helped him in this endeavour to  solidify the sentiment felt by those living in the village and their apprehensions should the development proceed as planned.

“I am going to take the petition up to Newry, Mourne and Down District council and  leave it in. I would like to thank the people of Bessbrook and the surrounding area for their signatures  because we need their support to help save the mill.”