Council ramps up action against derelict site owners

Paper Mill Lane Properties Ltd, owners of the former Fisons factory in Paper Mill Lane, has received a legal notice requiring them to take urgent steps to clear up and secure the site. 

Following a fire in 2019 that destroyed the main Victorian factory building, the site has been left derelict, subject to vandalism and anti-social behaviour which has left the site unsecure, unsafe and a blight for locals. 

Under the Town and Country Planning Act, the council has now served a section 215 notice which requires Paper Mill Lane Properties Ltd to:

•    demolish all remaining buildings within a specified area 
•    remove all building material debris arising from the demolition
•    remove all graffiti from external boundary walls and fences
•    remove all fly-tipped items 
•    remove all temporary fencing and replace with permanent fences/gates to prevent unauthorised access for fly-tipping or anti-social behaviour

Councillor Andrew Stringer, cabinet member for heritage planning and infrastructure, said: “For a number of years, we have shared community’s concerns about this site and have tried to work alongside the owners to find and implement solutions to a series of problems.  

“As a council, we would love to see the site redeveloped, especially as a previous planning permission has been allowed to lapse, a huge amount of officer time has gone into this but primarily, our concern is for public safety and while serving a formal notice is something we usually want to avoid, there does come a time when enough is enough and something needs to be done.”

The notice builds on previous action taken to secure the site, together with the installation of mobile CCTV by the council earlier this year in a bid to deter trespassers.

Cllr Stringer said: “We’re hopeful that if complied with, the notice will be the turning point for this site and the community will see a reduction in anti-social behaviour and vandalism however, if this is not the case, we will not hesitate to take further action.” 

The former Fisons site comprises the remains of a Victorian-era industrial complex, largely destroyed by fire in 2019. The site now contains remnant structural elements, some potentially unstable and hazardous derelict industrial buildings, offices and ancillary structures. There is significant litter, waste accumulation and evidence of fly-tipping. 

The notice does not include the area onsite which contains the listed buildings. 

Unless Paper Mill Lane Properties Ltd now appeals the notice, it has until October 30, 2027, to carry out the work.  Otherwise, the company could face a substantial fine.

The company has, however, indicated it intends to comply, with work due to start on site within coming weeks.