Council acts over dangerous mill

Acting under emergency powers, Cheshire East Council is to demolish Bossons Mill in Congleton because of major safety concerns about the stability of its structure.

The Council has been advised the building is in danger of collapse and has informed the owners Kitewood that emergency works must be carried out on the seven-storey former silk mill and that this will take the form of demolition.

Cheshire East Council has proceeded under a Section 78 Notice under the Building Act 1984 after a last-ditch appeal to the owners to make the 200 year old building safe.

Emergency works were carried out by the Council last autumn after Kitewood failed to carry out the work themselves.

The Council has had to take immediate action owing to the condition of the structure.

Letters have been delivered to nearby residents urging them to take up temporary accommodation.

The old mill, also known as Big Mill and Brook Mill, has been empty for around 20 years and has been exposed to the elements, leading to rotted beams, floors and internal load-bearing structures.

As the building is Grade II listed, the Council has taken the appropriate steps to inform Historic England that it was left with no option but to take remedial action.

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