The report from a public consultation held to determine the future of Belper’s historic mills, has been published.
As a key part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site (DVMHWS), concerns over the deteriorating condition of the North and East Mills prompted the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Partnership (DVWHSP) to commission a study exploring various redevelopment options.
The consultation, which ran from November 20 to December 17 2023, presented five alternative scenarios for the site’s future. These options included residential, multi-generational/co-living, commercial/mixed-use, hotel, and live/work village concepts. The public was invited to provide feedback on these proposals to ensure any future development would be financially sustainable, meet the needs of the local community, and not damage the site’s World Heritage status.
The initiative comes after a 2018 redevelopment application for the Belper Mills complex has yet to be determined. The Partnership believes that exploring alternative options is crucial to finding a viable and sensitive solution for the long-term conservation and regeneration of this important heritage site. The results of the public consultation will be used to inform future decisions regarding the redevelopment of the mills.