Mill conversion and housing at Lumsdale Mill Lumsdale Road Lower, Lumsdale

What was proposed

The application sought 11 apartments in converted mill buildings, 12 new homes, upgraded commercial buildings and associated demolition.

“APPLICATION NUMBER 24/00030/FUL SITE ADDRESS: Lumsdale Mill Lumsdale Road Lower Lumsdale Derbyshire…”

“DESCRIPTION OF DEVELOPMENT Change of use and conversion of mill buildings to form 11no. residential apartments, erection of 12no. new build residential dwellings, the retention and upgrade of the remaining outbuildings for commercial/business uses (E(g)iii and B8 Use Classes) and associated demolition.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The former bleachworks lies in the countryside, Lumsdale Conservation Area and the setting of a scheduled monument, near existing homes and a dwelling.

“The site consists of Lumsdale Mill on Lumsdale Road. The site is that of the former Farnsworth Bleachworks, part of a group of late mill buildings purpose-built for bleaching, first established in the late 1700s.”

“The site is located within the countryside and within the Lumsdale Conservation Area and within the setting of the schedule monument named ‘Lumsdale Mills and associated water management features’.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the housing, brownfield redevelopment and mill restoration benefits outweighed policy conflict and less than substantial heritage harm.

“The proposed development would convert the existing mill buildings on site into residential use at a time when the District Council’s housing supply of 1.36 years falls significantly short of the five year requirement. This would provide a significant public benefit and would restore the use of the building itself which makes a significant positive contribution to the character and significance of the Lumsdale Conservation Area.”

“The development will secure the redevelopment of brownfield land and the restoration of existing mill buildings on site, including the non-designated heritage asset of the Farnsworth Bleachworks, making a more efficient use of the site. This weighs significantly in favour of the proposal.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, flood, ecology, trees and heritage consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while the parish council and a ward member objected on drainage and design grounds.

“Consultee Name Date Comments Conservation 28/10/2025 Comments integrated into officer report, but summary is less than substantial harm that needs to be weighed against public benefits. Conditions recommended should recommendation be to grant permission. Councillor Joanne Linthwaite 18/03/2024 Objection due to lack of sufficient drainage capacity. DCC Archaeology 21/05/2025 Recommended condition securing pre-commencement Written Scheme of Investigation.”

“We would refer you to the advice of your Conservation Officers regarding the impact of the scheme on the character and significance of the Lumsdale Conservation Area. The archaeological impact of the proposals, and the scope of any required further work or mitigation, should be discussed with the Archaeologists in Derbyshire County Council’s Conservation, Heritage and Design team. Natural England 13/03/2024 No objection.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two local residents and the agent spoke in support, and the ward member commented on the application.

Committee debate

Councillor David Hughes proposed approval with changes adding neighbour screening, privacy wording and a revised order and link between drainage conditions.

“During debate Councillor David Hughes moved to approve with two condition changes:”

“Swap the order of conditions 6 & 7 and add the following wording to the start of the new condition 7:”

Minutes

The vote

The committee unanimously approved the proposal subject to the report’s conditions with the revised conditions.

“That planning permission be approved subject to the conditions set out in section 8.0 of the report with the following revised conditions:”

Minutes

Final conditions

The approved conditions added neighbour screening and privacy wording and required drainage hierarchy assessment before detailed drainage approval could proceed.

“No development shall take place until a detailed assessment has been provided to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, to demonstrate that the proposed destination for surface water accords with the drainage hierarchy as set out in paragraph 56 Reference ID: 7-056-20220825 of the planning practice guidance. The development shall be carried out in line with the approved details.”

Minutes