On 12 April 2010 Robinson and Hall successfully gained planning permission for the conversion of the former mill at Milton Ernest along with a redundant thatched barn for residential use. Although the Grade II Listed mill had undergone some repairs in the past it was important to find a suitable use for the buildings to ensure the long term future of the site.
Although current adopted planning policy in the Bedford Borough Council District channels projects of this nature to be converted to commercial schemes however in some instances residential conversion is seen as the most appropriate development. In this instance due to the sensitive nature of this site along with highways concerns that the amount of traffic generated by a commercial use would have an impact on the highways safety of the A6, it was decided that a residential use was the only suitable option for conversion.
David Sawford, Associate and Chartered Building Surveyor at Robinson and Hall, was responsible for the project, when asked about the project he stated “with the Conservation Officers support for residential conversion we were able to persuade the Planning Officer of the benefits that a residential scheme could bring to the restoration of the mill which eventually led to a decision being granted which will ensure the life of the Mill for the foreseeable future.’’
The scheme will now be managed by Robinson and Hall through the next stages of the development process. Conditions attached to the consent will be discharged to ensure that work will commence as soon as possible to create two new dwellings on this historic site in rural Bedfordshire.
If you have a similar project which you would like to discuss with one of our team please do not hesitate in contacting either David Sawford or Andrew Barr at the Bedford Office - tel no: 01234 352201.