Owners lodge plans to demolish Lisburn's 19th century listed landmark Hilden Mill

The 19th century site was at one point one of the largest linen-thread manufacturers in the world – but despite several plans to redevelop it over the years, none have come to fruition.

Owners PJK Developments Ltd are now asking for permission to knock most of it down, though they state two structures close to Mill Street will be kept.

An application for listed building consent was recently lodged with Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, stating that the owners are seeking the ‘demolition of listed Mill buildings’.

A spokesperson for PJK Developments told the BBC that it would be ‘completely and utterly uneconomic to restore’ the existing site - adding that after the Mill is knocked down, the area could be turned into housing.

But the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society branded the move ‘totally outrageous’, issuing a statement in which they complained that they had already objected to a partial demolition three years ago, only for planners to give it a green light.

“Authorities have the powers to stop the rot and force owners to do something, but to date nothing has occurred,” stated the body.

"Hilden deserves better.”

Lisburn North councillor Gary Hynds stated that the local community needs to be consulted about future plans for the site, reinforcing: “We must get this right – we have all waited a long time.”

"As someone who has lived in the local community all my life, and now has the huge privilege of representing it on the council, the Hilden Mill site means so much to me,” he said.

"Since getting elected last May, I have encouraged the developers to come forward with plans for the site. I have emphasised throughout that any plan must have at its heart the enormous historical significance of the site, making sure that some of the buildings are kept to recognise and celebrate that history, alongside community facilities for the local area.

"Community engagement and involvement are key going forward, and I am happy to help facilitate that. Our history is so very important, and so too is having a happy and prosperous local community in Hilden.”

He added that he was sure the Barbour family, who originally built and ran the mill, would have been keen to see any development proceed with those values in mind.

Built during the 1820s and greatly expanded over the next century, the mill was listed for protection at grade B+ in 1989, but has lain empty for more than 15 years since the linen-thread factory there shut down.

Its previous owners were at one point given planning permission for up to 650 homes on the 24-acre site, but construction never began.

PJK Developments bought the mill in 2017, at the time indicating that they hoped to create an affordable housing scheme with more than 200 homes.

The mill has repeatedly been hit by vandalism and anti-social behaviour. There have also been arson attacks on the facility, most recently in May of this year.