Kam Lei Fong tables 281-apartment Rochdale mill plans
Warwick Mill in Middleton is to be converted and extended under proposals lodged by the London-based developer.
Kam Lei Fong wants to deliver 135 apartments within the grade two-listed former cotton mill, located off Oldham Road, and another 146 in a new-build element where the derelict London House currently stands.
The new-build apartment block, known as the Loom, would be 10 storeys tall.
Overall, the development would provide 281 apartments; 18 studios, 152 one-bedroom properties, 110 with two bedrooms, and a single one-bedroom flat.
Around 23,000 sq ft of commercial space is also proposed.
GMA Architecture is leading on design, which takes inspiration from other mill conversions, including Capital&Centric’s Crusader Mill (top left). Credit: via planning documents
Designed by GMA Architecture, the transformation of Warwick Mill was first teased more than 12 months ago when Rochdale Council said it was working in discussions with the developer over the proposals.
While more than a year later than planned, the application is now in and can be viewed by searching for application reference numbers 23/00796/LBC and 23/00795/FUL on Rochdale Council’s planning portal.
WSP is advising Kam Lei Fong on its proposals. The project team also includes acoustic consultant Sandy Brown, fire consultant Jensen Hughes, MHA Structural Design, environmental consultant RPS, and heritage adviser Townscape.
Kam Lei Fong is not the first developer to propose redeveloping Warwick Mill.
In 2015, Rochdale Council approved the £50m conversion of the vacant 200,000 sq ft mill in into an exhibition centre for Chinese exporters. The scheme was put forward by Hong Kong-based developer G Suite Holdings.
Looks excellent!
By Anonymous
Strike a light! Need to get that tram stop built now.
By Rich X
Amazing looking conversion.
By Elephant
Looks a cracking edition to Middleton. There’s still lots of these solid buildings throughout the north west which can be converted into apartments/mixed use.
Also, the first photo of the four looks like another development?
By SW
Hi SW! We’ve updated the caption for the image to convey that these are images that will inspire the mill. – J
By Julia Hatmaker
This looks even better than the first iteration. Love a good mill conversion, plenty more out there in the north west that needs similar treatment
By Jon P
Pie in the sky. That will never stack up in a million years.
By Anonymous
Don’t think it will stack up in Middleton. A grade listed mill residential conversion will cost a lot more than a new build…and even new builds are becoming too expensive for suburbs that aren’t South Manchester or similar prices per Sq ft due to cost increases and development finance running at over 10% per annum. This will probably be done with the aid of grants possibly
By Anon
Looks good and agree with Rich X, Middleton needs a train line bringing back, or tram line.
By TG