RBL in consultation regarding future of Legion building

THE chairman of the Bessbrook Royal British Legion has confirmed that the organisation  is in consultation regarding the future of the legion building situated within the Bessbrook Mill.  

John Murray made the comment in the wake of correspondence being sent to the resident’s of the village updating them on the current status of the proposed  plans to redevelop the village’s iconic mill.  

  The subject of  both praise and controversy since being purchased by Farlstone Construction several years ago if fully realised the ambitions the firm has to redevelop the mill would see several new amenities installed on the site.

This would include the implementation  of 219 apartment buildings on the site, 48 new build residential dwellings as well as the building of a gym and a number office buildings. 

 However as is the case with the  redevelopment of any long standing  structure there are many appendages of the mill which will need to be either retained, altered or outright demolished in order to facilitate the introduction of these new features.

 These include the upgrading and adaptation of the existing Mill building, retention and incorporation of the existing blast wall, the partial demolition and removal of the  weaving shed’s which date back to the 19th century  and also the proposed demolition of the existing British Legion building situated within the mill site.

Regarding concerns pertaining to the proposed demolition of this structure, Bessbrook Royal British Legion Chairman John Murray confirmed that he and his organisation are currently in consultation with the relevant parties regarding the future of the building.    

Consultation

“I have seen this in the plans and we are in consultation at the minute.” explained Mr Murray “We are trying to preserve it.” 

“The legion had a constructive conversation and we have a fair good relationship with them.” 

 If completed the plans to redevelop the mill will see the construction of a mixed use development proposal that will incorporate the retention and refurbishment of the existing Bessbrook Mill Complex. 

This will facilitate for the provision of a total 48 number new-build residential dwellings along with the construction of 219 numbered apartments of which 165 are to be provided within the existing Mill building. 

The Mill is to be refurbished and adapted to facilitate the residential use with associated works including for provision of an additional storey to the mill building. The Mill building is also to incorporate three number office units along with provision of a gym.

The development will also include the provision of a storage building, a refuse& waste storage building in addition to a temporary wastewater treatment works.  

 Associated site works will include provision of car parking, connection to existing services, provision of internal access roads with ancillary site landscaping works.  

Opposition

Whilst there are many living within Bessbrook who would be in favour of the proposed redevelopment's moving ahead, there are just as many who fear that if the mill is redeveloped it may be just another step upon the path to having the history of the village erased from sight.

Chief amongst the plan’s critics was village native John Davis whose petition in opposition to the plans garnered in excess of 1000 signatures. 

As Mr Davis explains  many of those living in his home village would prefer if the Bessbrook Mill site was redeveloped into facilities that could house small to medium sized enterprises as opposed to residential facilities.

“The people of Bessbrook would like the mill rezoned for small to medium sized enterprises as well as industrial use, it would bring work to the village and bring life back to the village.”