Apartments scheme at historic mill
An historic Staffordshire mill may get a new lease of life as residential apartments. Plans to transform the Grade II listed Tolstons Mill at Fazeley, near Lichfield, may be backed by Lichfield District Council next week.
An historic Staffordshire mill may get a new lease of life as residential apartments. Plans to transform the Grade II listed Tolstons Mill at Fazeley, near Lichfield, may be backed by Lichfield District Council next week.
The mill, built in the 1880s and part of the Fazeley Conservation Area, is earmarked for conversion into 52 apartments, with three new blocks built alongside incorporating a further 34 flats. Development would involve demolition of all modern buildings on the site and part demolition of the Mill House and would also include five townhouses.
Planning officers in Lichfield are satisfied the proposals to convert the listed mill and mill annex buildings would be sympathetic and respect the historic character of the site, which overlooks Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. But plans to demolish the curtilage listed Mill House have raised eyebrows among conservation and heritage groups.
The Victorian Society has said it is broadly supportive of the scheme, but objects to the substantial demolition of the detached building.
Similarly, the Ancient Monuments Society has strongly objected to the proposed demolition, which would see only the building's front facade retained.
Staffordshire County Councillor Matthew Ellis, who represents Lichfield Rural East, said he welcomed proposals but he had "serious reservations" about the potential increase in traffic in the area.
"The plans for Tolstons Mill are really smart and will really lift the area and I welcome them," he said. "I also welcome the injection of Section 106 money that will come from the development and could really be put to good use in Fazeley.
"But I do have serious reservations with regard to traffic management.
"The extra visitors to Drayton Manor, traffic at the Ventura retail park, and cars coming off the M42 are all conspiring to cause some real problems at peak times in the area," he said.
Councillor Ellis has arranged a meeting with Staffordshire Highways to discuss the traffic problems and said he would be raising his concerns.
Lichfield District Council's planning committee will discuss the proposals on Monday.
