Poots approves £100million regeneration plans for Hilden Mill, Lisburn
Published on Tue, 15 Dec 2009
Environment Minister, Edwin Poots today announced planning approval for the regeneration of the former Barbour Threads Textiles Factory in Lisburn.
Speaking today after a visit to the site Minister Poots said:
“Although it was a sad day when the Barbour Factory was closed down, this ambitious and innovative scheme represents a £100 million investment which will provide a real boost for the local economy and generate in the region of 300 jobs.
“This is welcome news for the greater Lisburn area and marks the beginning of a new era for Hilden Mill.
“I am delighted that the project will see the restoration of listed buildings which have strong historic ties for Lisburn and improved linkages to the River Lagan giving wider public use with improved amenities.”
The regeneration scheme will transform the former textiles factory providing 600 new homes, offices and light industrial units. The plans also include a leisure complex with a museum focusing on the history of the linen industry, to acknowledge the city’s association with the industry which made Lisburn renowned throughout the world for decades, while a riverside bar/restaurant, a gym, crèche, café and retail space are also planned. The existing canal and river bridges will be restored/ replaced.
Clyde Shanks of Turley Associates who led the development team for Hilden Developments Northern Ireland said: “We are delighted that planning permission has now been secured. It moves the exciting vision of transforming the site into a dynamic riverside quarter for this historical area into a phase of implementation and making it happen. The development will put vitality back into the area and provide an excellent modern living and working environment that will reflect the historical importance of the site, yet inject an exciting new future.”
The Minister stressed his commitment to supporting the future economic development needs of Northern Ireland and his expectations that all participants in the planning process play their part in achieving this.
Notes to Editors:
- The application was submitted on 2 November 2007 by Hilden Developments (NI) Ltd, accompanied by an environmental statement.
- It was designated as a major application under Article 31 of the Planning (NI) Order 1991 on 7 February 2008.
- The proposal involves renewal, refurbishment and conversion of existing listed former mill buildings to residential and mixed use, demolition of part listed and former warehouse sheds and ancillary buildings, erection of new buildings to provide 605 apartments, B1 office units, light industrial units, a fitness suite, a restaurant/ bar, a museum/ exhibition space, local and tourism related retail, community meeting rooms, cafe, crèche and landscaping, associated parking and ancillary site works, feature gardens, car parking and landscaping.
- For media enquiries contact DOE Press Office tel. 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours call the EIS Duty Press Officer on 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.
- The development stage will attract approximately 150 construction related jobs. The completed retail scheme when complete will generate in the region of 150 full and part time jobs.
- The final value of the scheme as approved will be in the region of £100 Million.
