South Silo at Flax Mill Maltings site set to be demolished

The Flax Mill Maltings site. The South Silo is the 'green' building on the left of the picture.

The South Silo building on the Flax Mill Maltings site in Shrewsbury is set to be demolished to help prepare the site for future development.

An application has been submitted by English Heritage for Listed Building Consent for the complete demolition of the 22metre-high building, which was built in 1951 to store barley and is a notable sight on the Shrewsbury landscape.

The application says that it is necessary to demolish the South Silo as the external concrete shell is in poor condition, due to carbonation of the concrete and to corrosion of the in-situ reinforcement.

It explains that a number of specialist condition surveys have been undertaken, which indicate that none of the options for re-using the building are economically viable.

It also explains that public funding is currently available to pay for the cost of the demolition – through funding applications relating to the wider development of the site.

Councillor Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for built environment, said:

“Removal of the South Silo would be another important step towards preparing the Flax Mill Maltings site for future redevelopment. The demolition would clear that part of the site, make it easier to travel round the site, and improve access to the neighbouring buildings.”

Alan Mosley, Chairman of the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings and Shropshire Councillor for Castlefields and Ditherington, said:

“Although some have a high regard for the Silo we are satisfied that all potential uses have been investigated and found not to be economically viable. There are also definite advantages in its removal and the work will herald the start of the full blown regeneration project.”

Chris Smith, National Planning & Conservation Director with English Heritage, said:

“A detailed re-use options appraisal study was undertaken in 2012/3 to explore all possible ways of retaining and re-using the South Silo structure. All design options were looked at, but it became apparent that none of the options provided sufficient economic return to warrant the retention or re-use of the South Silo.”

Though the South Silo is not listed, Listed Building Consent is required for these proposed demolition works as the South Silo lies within the curtilage of a number of listed buildings on the Flax Mill Maltings site, in particular the adjacent Grade I-listed Main Mill.

Work to restore and bring back into use some of the main historic buildings on the Flax Mill Maltings site – including the Main Mill, the Kiln, the Dye and Stove House and the Office and Stables – could begin in September 2013 and be completed by 2016, if bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £12.8m, and to the ERDF for £6.6m, are successful this summer.

This first phase of redevelopment work would allow people to visit and learn about the site and its long and interesting history, and space would be provided for business and commercial use.

The wider ‘Masterplan’ for the site looks at the possible future redevelopment of the remaining buildings and the surrounding land.

To view the planning application, click here.