Shrewsbury Flax Mill South Silo building to be demolished
The South Silo building on the Flax Mill Maltings site in Shrewsbury is set to be demolished to help prepare the site for future development.
An application has been submitted by English Heritage for Listed Building Consent for the complete demolition of the 22metre-high building, which was built in 1951 to store barley and is a notable sight on the Shrewsbury landscape.
The application says that it is necessary to demolish the South Silo as the external concrete shell is in poor condition, due to carbonation of the concrete and to corrosion of the in-situ reinforcement.
It explains that a number of specialist condition surveys have been undertaken, which indicate that none of the options for re-using the building are economically viable.
It also explains that public funding is currently available to pay for the cost of the demolition – through funding applications relating to the wider development of the site.
Councillor Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for built environment, said:
“Removal of the South Silo would be another important step towards preparing the Flax Mill Maltings site for future redevelopment. The demolition would clear that part of the site, make it easier to travel round the site, and improve access to the neighbouring buildings.”
Though the South Silo is not listed, Listed Building Consent is required for these proposed demolition works as the South Silo lies within the curtilage of a number of listed buildings on the Flax Mill Maltings site, in particular the adjacent Grade I-listed Main Mill.
Alan Mosley, Chairman of the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings and Shropshire Councillor for Castlefields and Ditherington, said:
“Although some have a high regard for the Silo we are satisfied that all potential uses have been investigated and found not to be economically viable. There are also definite advantages in its removal and the work will herald the start of the full blown regeneration project.”
Work to restore and bring back into use some of the main historic buildings on the Flax Mill Maltings site – including the Main Mill, the Kiln, the Dye and Stove House and the Office and Stables – could begin in September 2013 and be completed by 2016, if bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £12.8m, and to the ERDF for £6.6m, are successful this summer.
