Project manager appointed to lead Flax Mill regeneration plans
A new project manager has been appointed to help develop plans to regenerate Shrewsbury’s historic Flax Mill Maltings.
Elizabeth Perkins, who lives in Birmingham, will take up her new role in October 2012 and will work with the partners behind the regeneration plans – Shropshire Council, English Heritage and the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings.
She is currently Director of Birmingham Conservation Trust, a charitable buildings preservation trust, that aims to help rescue threatened buildings of architectural or historic significance in Birmingham.
She is also an occasional lecturer in heritage management to postgraduate students at the University of Birmingham, Ironbridge Institute and Nottingham Trent University.
In May 2012, following a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for £12.1m, Shropshire Council, English Heritage and the Friends of the Flax Mill Maltings were awarded a ‘first-round pass’ plus £465,300 of development funding.
In her new role Elizabeth will oversee and co-ordinate all of the development work that must be carried out before a second-round bid for £11.6m is submitted to the HLF next year. This includes an interpretation plan that aims to identify potential users, and the development of a business plan to ensure the long-term sustainability of the buildings through a mix of public and commercial activity.
Elizabeth said:
“Ditherington Flax Mill is a hugely important historic building and the whole complex presents one of the biggest heritage challenges there is around at the moment. I was involved in an early scheme for the site over ten years ago when I was living in Shrewsbury but so much has happened since then. I am delighted to be joining the team who will be starting the transformation of the site over the next couple of years.”
Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for economic growth and prosperity, said:
“We received a large number of high-quality applications for this role, but with her experience and knowledge Elizabeth was the outstanding candidate, and really impressed us at her interview. We’re now looking forward to working with her to develop our plans ahead of the second-round bid to HLF.”
Meanwhile, Lisa Cowley from Bilbrook has been appointed as Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings Manager, to help the Friends push forward their plans for managing the public access areas of the site, and manage a wide range of community and heritage activities while playing a key role in the overall development.
Alan Mosley, Chair of the Friends said:
“We are lucky to be able to appoint Lisa given her abilities, her great experience and record of success. After two years of significant achievements we need this kind of support to build our capacity to undertake future roles and to help deliver our exciting plans.”
Both posts are being funded from the £465,000 of development funding awarded by HLF in May this year.
Further information
- Built on the northern edge of Shrewsbury, the Ditherington Flax Mill Maltings site includes many buildings of historic interest, including the internationally-important Main Mill. Built in 1797, this is the world’s first cast-iron framed building and is the forerunner of the modern skyscraper.
- In May 2012, following a bid to the HLF, Shropshire Council, English Heritage and the Friends of the Flax Mill Maltings were awarded a ‘first-round pass’ plus £465,300 of development funding. This funding will now be used to develop more detailed plans, before a second round bid is submitted to HLF within the next 18 months in the hope of securing a further grant of £11,686,000.
- If the full £12.1m of funding is secured, it would be put towards the first phase of the redevelopment of the site, which aims to restore and bring back into use some of the main historic buildings – including the Main Mill, the Kiln, the Dye and Stove House and the Office and Stables. The site would be opened up to allow people to visit and learn about its long and interesting history, and space would be provided for business and commercial use.
- English Heritage acquired the derelict buildings in 2005, and has since been working with a steering group made up of Shropshire Council, the Homes and Communities Agency, the Friends of the Flax Mill Maltings and architects of the scheme Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, to find a new use for the site. The goal is to create a long-term future for the historic buildings and for the community of which they have so long been a part.
- The Friends of the Flax Mill Maltings will continue to play a pivotal role in developing the project. With objectives based on restoration, access, community involvement and learning the Friends has now grown, over the last two years, to have over 800 members and is based on the work of volunteers. The first round approval from HLF will provide them with revenue for the appointment of a manager and to undertake a number of heritage related community activities alongside research and education projects. This capacity building will enable the Friends to take full responsibility for the areas designated for public access and other activities as described in the proposals. For more information on the Friends go to: http://www.flaxmill-maltings.co.uk
- Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,000 projects, allocating £4.9bn across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
