16th September 2014

St. Modwen, the UK's leading regeneration specialist, has secured planning consent to deliver a major transformation to Finsley Gate Mill in Burnley.

Planning permission has been granted for the partial demolition and conversion of Finsley Gate Mill and the delivery of 18 new townhouses on the canalside aimed at young families. The plans also include a new public space linking to a footbridge over the Leeds Liverpool canal, providing a potential viewing platform and opening up the waterside to visitors and residents.

Work is due to start in the New Year with the removal of the mill extension and the retention and restoration of the original Finsley Gate Mill and landmark chimney for future commercial use. This could provide a new restaurant opportunity for the town.

This latest milestone also allows St. Modwen's existing planning consent for 149 homes on the adjacent canalside to come forward. The development, once complete, is expected to create 250 new jobs and significant future investment in the area.

Steven Knowles, Development Director at St. Modwen, said: "The planning consent is an important step forward for Burnley and will bring in new job opportunities and investment into the town. The scheme will bring forward new homes to Burnley and will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the wider area."

Mike Cook, Burnley Council's Director of Economic Regeneration, said: "The Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the Weavers' Triangle area are important assets for Burnley and we need to make the most of them. Canalside redevelopment is one of the council's key regeneration priorities and vital to the town's future. The planning approval for St. Modwen's proposals is an important step toward transforming this area of the canal.

"The St. Modwen plans for the former Finsley Gate Mill will transform this area of the canal and complement the On The Banks development also underway within the Weavers' Triangle. The Weavers' Triangle area is coming alive again and with the planned new homes, offices, restaurants and leisure and educational facilities it set to become a vibrant area of the town."

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