Construction could start soon at Glemsford

Demolition is about to start of an old silk mill in a Suffolk village signalling that construction work could finally be commencing soon.

The development of the site at Chequers Lane in Glemsford – a medieval village which dates to the Domesday Book and has had a silk mill operating there since the 18^th Century – has taken some time to come to fruition. The land which was previously owned by Stephen Walters & Sons had been vacant since 2008.

In March 2015, an application to build large executive homes on the site was approved. However, while the site lay dormant waiting for work to commence, a fire broke out in the building, causing significant damage to the remaining gable of the original mill leading to the plans being put on hold whilst other options were explored and considered.

The most recent plans approved by Babergh District Council has seen Wincer Kievenaar Architects working with Orchid Properties, to design a new residential development at the site comprising 13 low key, low rise bungalows. Taking into consideration previous concerns around traffic along Chequers Lane, the scheme has also focused on minimising vehicle movements.

Additionally, the 13 bungalows will enable downsizing and provide a variety of homes for an increasing aged demographic, meaning larger homes should subsequently be released along the property chain.