Findel’s Accrington site to become housing

HOME shopping giant Findel has been granted planning permission to redevelop the Express Gifts site at Hambledon Mill in Accrington into housing.

The company has gained approval from Hyndburn Borough Council to demolish its Hambledon Mill site at Marlborough Road and transform it into 91 new homes, as well as some ancillary business use. 

Findel said it would now begin marketing the site to housebuilders, but would remain on site until a buyer is found.

Head of group property Paul Richards said: “We have worked very closely and effectively with Hyndburn Council to ensure that the Hambledon Mill site will be developed sensitively and in accordance with the needs of the town of Accrington.

“The development will provide much-need housing, together with new jobs, for the town and will be a significant and welcome boost for the local economy in these challenging times. It is important that such a well-known local site is brought back into use.”

Its indicative scheme contains plans for 23 four-bed detached houses; 45 three-bed semi-detached houses; 13 two-bed semi-detached houses and 10 two-bed bungalows, with some ancillary business use.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn District Council, said: “We welcome the plans for the Hambledon Mill site.

“The development will help regenerate an important area of the town, satisfying the need for new housing and creating new jobs. We will continue to work with the developers, local residents and councillors to ensure the site is developed to a high standard.”

“Findel are the largest commercial employer in Hyndburn and the majority of the company’s workforce is local.  It is reassuring therefore that the money raised by the sale of this site is likely to be reinvested in the local community,” he added.

In recent years, Findel has shifted the focus of its operations away from its former headquarters at Burley-in-Wharfedale in West Yorkshire and the Accrington site to a new HQ near Hyde and a major warehouse and call centre building at a former BAE Systems site in Chadderton, near Oldham.

The site is being marketed by agents Dove Haigh Phillips and Trevor Dawson.