Next Step for the Historic Flax Mill at Ditherington

Ditherington Flax Mill English Heritage and members of the Ditherington Flax Mills Steering Group have chosen an award winning Design Team to develop a vision and detailed designs to bring Shrewsbury's historic mills into the 21st century.

Built in 1797 Ditherington Flax Mill is the world's first iron-framed building and is the ancestor of the modern-day skyscraper. The mill was used as a flax mill for 100 years before it was converted into a maltings.  100 years later, in 1987, it was closed and it has been empty ever since, and is in a very poor condition.

English Heritage bought the site in 2005 and started the search for a company to redevelop the buildings last year.  The Design Team, led by award winning architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios was selected from a panel of the country's leading conservation consultants.  The team includes leading structural engineers Adams Kara Taylor and nationally acclaimed landscape architects Grant Associates.

English Heritage and the Ditherington partnership will now work together with the Design Team to find a viable and sustainable solution for the site.  In parallel with this work, the partnership has also initiated a procurement exercise to identify a preferred developer with whom to work to bring these concepts forward.

Geoff Rich of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios said: "The Flax Mill is a site of immense historic significance and it has amazing potential for the future.  Our team are thrilled at the opportunity to help breathe new life into these wonderful historic buildings and help deliver an exciting and sustainable new vision for Ditherington."

Chris Smith, English Heritage Planning and Development Director for the West Territory, who chairs the Steering Group, said: "We are very pleased that we are now in a position to move forward on the project with a Design Team of such quality.  Over the next twelve months the Design Team will work to define the future use of these internationally important buildings, and provide for them a third century of productive use.  This new life will also provide the catalyst to the wider regeneration of the area."

Nick Taylor, Assistant Director for Strategy and Development at Shropshire Council said: "The Ditherington Flax Mill is one of the key priority projects for the new Authority as part of the regeneration of the Northern Corridor area of Shrewsbury. We are confident that working with one of the country's leading architects, we are developing a very exciting and catalytic landmark project".

The Flax Mill site will be open to visitors over the Heritage Weekend between 11.00 and 16.00 on the 12th and 13th September.  Staff from English Heritage and members of the Design Team will be available to answer questions and to explain the next stages of development.