NEW LIFE FOR HILDEN MILL
Ronnie Hanna, NAMA's Head of Asset Recovery , (left), Chair of NAMA, Frank Daly, Mayor of Lisburn Alderman William Leathem, Joan Baird, Chair of Clanmil Housing Association, Alderman James Tinsley, Chair of Lisburn City Councils Planning Comittee, Cameron Watt, Chief Executive of the NI Federation of Housing Associations and Clanmill's Carol McTaggart, announced that Clanmil has signed an option agreement with NAMA for the purchase and regeneration of the historic 16 acre Hilden Mill complex in Lisburn. Picture by Brian Morrison.
PLANS are being made for the redevelopment of the historic Hilden Mill complex in Lisburn.
Clanmil Housing Association has announced that it is working in partnership with the Irish Government’s National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) to progress the scheme.
Clanmil has signed an option agreement with NAMA for the purchase of the 16 acre site, giving them time to consider proposals for its regeneration and an exclusive right to purchase the site if those plans prove viable.
The redevelopment project would provide a major boost for the local construction industry and for the wider economy.
Planning approval for the redevelopment of the complex to provide homes, offices and light industrial units along with retail, community and leisure facilities was granted by the Department of the Environment in December 2009.
Clanmil intends to deliver a mixed use, mixed tenure scheme that will reflect the area’s current and future housing and commercial needs. The preparation of a masterplan for the site and a development appraisal is currently underway. Throughout this process Clanmil is working with all strategic stakeholders, including Lisburn City Council, to ensure that its proposals will sustain the long term future of this historic site.
Joan Baird, Chair of Clanmil Housing said: “We hope that this announcement will mark the beginning of an exciting new era for Hilden Mill and a real boost for the local economy.
“This site offers an outstanding opportunity to provide much needed affordable homes in a vibrant, mixed neighbourhood and we’re very excited to be involved. Over the coming months we’ll be exploring how Clanmil can progress Hilden Mill’s transformation into a great place to live and work.
“A century ago the mill’s owners built good homes and community facilities here at Hilden for mill workers and their families. Clanmil wants to carry on that tradition by regenerating this site to provide high quality homes in a dynamic environment for a new generation of families.
“We understand the close ties that the local community has with Hilden Mill and we too believe that this historic site deserves an exciting new future that reflects its proud past. We are keen to engage with everyone who wishes to help shape its regeneration.”
Mayor of Lisburn, Alderman William Leathem welcomed the announcement. “Lisburn City Council is very pleased that the Hilden Mill site will be developed to provide accommodation for both residents and businesses,” said Mr Leathem. “I am glad that Clanmil is undertaking a consultation process, which will allow the residents of the Hilden area to express their thoughts on the proposals for this historic site.
“I look forward to seeing this development progress over the next few years and I wish Clanmil every success with its regeneration of Hilden Mill.”
Frank Daly, Chairman of NAMA, added: “I am delighted with this news. This agreement with Clanmil is extremely important for NAMA. It reflects NAMA’s determination to work in partnership with the social housing sector in Northern Ireland to provide affordable housing solutions through our portfolio. It also reflects our commitment to work with the wider state and public sector to develop and deliver, in tandem with our own commercial objectives, a range of initiatives which will bring social and economic benefits to Northern Ireland.”
Under the terms of the option agreement Clanmil will make a final decision on the purchase and regeneration of the site by June 2014.
Hilden Mill was formerly home to the Barbour Thread factory which had occupied the site since 1823, employing around 2,000 local people at its peak. In the early 1900s it was part of The Linen Thread Company, the largest producer of linen thread in the world, but was forced to close in 2006 due to company restructuring resulting from increasing global competitiveness.
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Tuesday 21 May 2013
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