Planning permission granted for apartments in upper levels of Lodge Mill

Planning permission has been granted to transform the upper levels Middleton’s oldest surviving mill to apartments.

Lodge Mill was built in the mid-1800s and was originally a silk weaving mill. It went on to cotton weaving and cloth dying, then to a home for many different small local businesses.

Sadly, in the early 2000s, it fell into disrepair and became derelict.

Lodge was bought in 2019 by local couple Martin Cove and Paula Hickey, who have been restoring the four-storey mill.

The ground floor of Lodge Mill will be retained for retail, with the upper levels accommodating 17 self-contained apartments.

The apartments will be a mixture of one- and two-bed flats, with an entrance hallway, bathroom and an open living and kitchen area. Heating sources would be electric with low energy lighting, sound proofing as appropriate and insulation.

As this building is a historic structure, the intention is to use the existing stone stairs leading to each floor.

These will be enhanced for the visually impaired, by using contrasting treads and nosings.

An accessible WC will be provided on the entrance level of each apartment.

The proposed brick work to both the internal and external elevations would be repointed and repaired. Limited enhancement of the existing landscaping is proposed, with the possibility of planting on the roof of the engine house to encourage bees and other wildlife.

Private parking will be provided at the rear and north side of the building with up to seventeen car parking spaces and a secure cycle storage.

A pedestrian gate in the main gate access will also be provided.             

A pre-application consultation application found the public overwhelmingly in support of the plans, with over 800 respondents saying they ‘loved it.’

Martin said: “It has taken over four years, the support of some truly amazing friends and every penny we could get our hands on and despite the massive fire in the neighbouring mill, the damage caused to our mill as part of the demolition of the neighbouring mill we have finally secured planning permission.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported us and become part of the Lodge Mill Community, the small local businesses who have taken a leap of faith to become part of the mill, our former local ward councillors (Donna and Kallum) who helped with council stuff, the rubbish movers, the button picker-uppers (a cast of thousands of buttons), the brick cleaners and everyone in between – together we are stronger and together we can make our town a beautiful place to live where we treasure our heritage and history.”

Planning permission was granted on 30 June.