Government says site a priority after ‘grave concerns’ raised
THE UK Government says it is committed to protecting the Derwent Valley Mills as a “priority” after Unesco outlined concerns about the potential threat of developments.
A Government spokesperson said: “The UK has a significant number of world heritage sites, demonstrating our considerable commitment to protecting and promoting our world-class heritage. Protecting the heritage and industrial landscape of the Derwent Valley Mills site is a priority and we will continue to work closely with Unesco and the heritage community to address the latest recommendations from Unesco.”
Cllr Nadine Peatfield, Derby City Council leader, said: “Here in Derby we recognise the value of having a World Heritage site on our doorstep. We are currently digesting a report and working with Historic England and partners to get a better understanding of next steps.”
Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams, Amber Valley Borough Council leader, said: “The council has always been extremely proud to be guardians of part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Its maintenance and existence is therefore always a prime consideration, particularly regarding new developments. As a council, we also have a number of other hats to wear – for example ensuring suitable housing provision for our residents and ensuring that council taxpayers are fully represented and receive the best value for money possible.
“The Belper Lane application referred to in the Unesco report was actually refused by the borough council’s planning committee due to concerns regarding the potential impact on the world heritage site. However, it was subsequently passed by a planning inspector at appeal. As such, this decision was outside of our control.
“The Derwent Street site was a longidentified, former industrial brownfield site within Belper town centre. Extensive consideration was undertaken as part of the planning process, including with heritage partners, prior to approval being granted. It was determined that housing was the most appropriate re-use of the site.
“One of the great concerns in terms of heritage has been to see the gradual deterioration of the East and North mills in Belper. The council has therefore been extremely keen to see the site secured for future generations through an appropriate heritage-led development. To this end, the council has continued to engage with the owners of the mills to bring forward a viable planning application, which will need to identify suitable uses as well as responding to the heritage needs.”
Cllr Barry Lewis, chairman of Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Partnership and Derbyshire County Council leader, said: “It’s vitally important that we continue to protect the world heritage site and we will make every effort to address the concerns of Unesco but the Derwent Valley Mills are in a position whereby they are split across a number of different local authority areas along the River Derwent and into the city of Derby and the concerns raised do highlight the competing needs of sensitive heritage redevelopment and housing and business development in an urban setting.
“We’re pleased Unesco has recognised some of the successes within the world heritage site including the Museum of Making, the re-use of Darley Abbey, the new Ada Belfield Centre and Library in Belper, and the mixed-use redevelopment of Cromford Mills to ‘give the industrial heritage a function in the life of the community’.
“But with many of the buildings in private ownership which are outside the control of the Derwent Valley Mills Partnership – which is itself an organisation made up of many interested parties – maintaining and developing the site is a complex enterprise which relies on the collaboration and co-operation of many different organisation.
“We welcome the guidance from Unesco and await the recommendations of the World Heritage Committee in order to examine how the partnership can best respond for the future benefit of this unique site.”