Masterplan to bring Brierfield mill to life

Joe Cooney & Tim Webber at Brierfield Mill (S)

The ambitious masterplan for Brierfield Mills will be exhibited on the day has just been completed by award winning David Morley Architects.

It sets out a vision and ideas for the future transformation of Pendle’s imposing Victorian landmark.

The masterplan will be unveiled for the first time at the event, along with a new development name for the mill.

Brierfield Mills: Left to right,: Coun.r Joe Cooney, Paul Hartley artist from Brierfields in-situ, Julie Palmer (Pendle Councils Regeneration Team), Tim Webber Managing Director of Barnfield Investment Properties.(S)

Anyone interested in the mill’s future is welcome to go along to a drop-in event at the mill tomorrow from 11am to 3pm.

“This is an important first step in attracting businesses, entrepreneurs and funding organisations to transform the mill,” explained Pendle Council leader Coun. Joe Cooney.

The event is being organised by PEARL, the pioneering joint venture company combining Pendle Council with Barnfield Investment Properties.

Pendle Council bought the mill, which covers 380,000 square feet and over seven acres, for £1.5 million in 2012 thanks to a 100% grant from the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency.

As the new owners of the mill, the PEARL team has been putting the building blocks in place to bring the mill back to life.

Coun. Cooney, who leads the council on regeneration and is also a PEARL board member, said: “I urge people to come and see the masterplan. I think it’s stunning and it helps us visualise how Brierfield Mills could be developed over the coming years. Seeing is believing!

“When people look at the plans, I think they’ll see how Brierfield Mills has huge potential to become a vibrant new working, living and cultural quarter of regional significance.”

Mr Tim Webber, managing director of Barnfield and a PEARL board member, said: “David Morley Architects have proved themselves to be worthy winners of our design competition for Brierfield Mills.

“Their masterplan has been designed in a way which is sensitive to the mill’s history but includes striking contemporary features which will make this a thriving new destination for the whole region.”

The process for transforming the mill will take years and will depend on many factors including attracting the first organisations and businesses to the mill and winning public funds, as well as attracting private sector investment.