Fresh bid for rubble at mill

Hartford Mill: attempt to develop the land continues

A LOCAL historian is on a mission to get a derelict mill de-listed so it can be demolished and the area regenerated.

John Burlison has spent a years researching the history of the Hartford Mill, Freehold, which has been blighted by arson attacks and vandalism in recent years. The mill was Grade-II listed in 1993, even though its dome was removed before 1980. The notes on why the mill was listed were destroyed when English Heritage took over the process.

Mr Burlison’s appeal to English Heritage to have the mill de-listed was rejected because of the architectural merit of the building’s detailed brick facade.

The council is currently working with the mill’s owner, who has also tried and failed to remove the listing, to come up with a plan to overhaul the site.

The council is working on a deal to transfer ownership of the land surrounding the mill to the current mill owner, to make it a better development site.

Council leader Jim McMahon said: “We are committed to making the borough a place people want to live, work and do business in. Hartford Mill is a symbol of decline and has blighted the area and the lives of residents for more than 20 years. Without action the mill will continue to be an eyesore for years to come.”