Deadline is set for Hilden Mill development

The mill has lain empty since its closure some years ago. There had been plans to develop housing on the site, with a proportion of that being allocated to social housing with Clanmil.

At a recent meeting of Lisburn City Council’s Planning Committee, it was revealed that the council had written to the Department of Social Development to reaffirm their support for the scheme and to ask for an update on progress.

The Department responded to the council, saying that to date no plans had been brought forward by Clanmmil Housing Association.

The Council then agreed to write to Clanmil to establish the progress of the Hilden Mill development.

Regeneration

A spokesperson for Clanil confirmed the Association were working towards a summer 2014 deadline for a decision to be made on the scheme.

“As reported in the Ulster Star last October, under the terms of the option agreement with NAMA Clanmil is working towards a decision on the purchase and regeneration of the Hilden Mill complex by Summer 2014,” she explained.

“The options appraisal process for a project of this magnitude takes time to complete as the scale and complexity of the site necessitates detailed consideration of the options in order to identify a viable way forward.

“Clanmil continues to work with strategic partners to progress proposals for the regeneration of this historic site to deliver a mixed use, mixed tenure scheme that will reflect the area’s current and future housing and commercial needs and we welcome Lisburn City Council and the Department for Social Development’s support,” she concluded.