Disused factory in Essex conservation area earmarked for development
Its hoped the site will be given a new lease of life
Last updated 25th Jan 2022
A disused factory surrounded by Grade II-listed properties in Coggeshall has been earmarked for redevelopment after engineers found one of the buildings needs to be demolished.
Following a site visit earlier this month, Medici Associates have said they “highly recommend” that building one at the former Hollington Brothers factory, in Church Street, is completely demolished and rebuilt to comply with current design standards and building regulations.
The Hollingtons Trust do not consider that to rebuild the factory building, which is based in a conservation area, in the absence of a viable commercial use would be viable or in deed appropriate and have said they would aim “to redevelop the entire site”.
A report to Braintree District Council indicates that the buildings are not listed but are likely to be seen as non-designated heritage assets, which are located within the Coggeshall Conservation Area – many of the houses in Church Street are graded II listed and date from as early as the medieval period.
The building complex is not considered to be of any architectural interest or importance. However the complex would have historic interest as part of the social and industrial heritage of Coggeshall, which would amount to their significance, a report adds.
Building 1 is one of three attached buildings that were once a row of ancient cottages but converted into a factory and warehouse in the early 1900’s for the production of clothing – including army and railway uniforms – when Hollington Brothers moved out of London.
Hollington’s closed its doors in 2013 and has stood empty ever since. More recently, concerns have been raised regarding the condition of the buildings, in particular the danger posed by roofing slates being thrown off the buildings in high winds.
But being within a designated conservation area planning permission is required for partial or full demolition of buildings.
A statement to the council said: “Therefore, before the building can be demolished as recommended, planning consent for that demolition is required.
“In this situation, demolition is urgently required and recommended for safety reasons, so the urgency and the need for approval was discussed with planning officers prior to the submission of this application. The advice received was that an application for planning permission for demolition should be made in the first instance, so the application has been duly made.”
The report adds: “The Hollingtons Trust do not consider that it would be viable or in deed appropriate to rebuild the factory building in the absence of a viable commercial use and would aim to redevelop the entire site.
“Of the three ranges on the site, it is recommended that building 1 is demolished for public safety reasons, as detailed in the structural report.”