A FORMER 19th century cotton and silk mill has been sold to Bovis Homes following site clearance and remediation works.
Birmingham-based property development company Richborough Estates bought the freehold of the 25-acre Bath Vale Works, in Congleton near Stoke, in 2005 after which it obtained planning permission for 130 homes.
The complex now has an estimated gross development value of £25m, says the company.
Director Paul Campbell said: “It has been a long haul because of the recession and the challenges presented by the site but we got there.
“These will be quality, family-led homes and everything is in place for Bovis to make a start when they choose to do so.
“Even in a poor overall market for housing, demand is high for the right product in the right location.
“The supply of land is tight in Congleton. It will allow new life to be breathed into the Bath Vale Works site.
“The general downturn in manufacturing activity in the UK and the poor quality of buildings meant re-development was paramount.”
The site was previously been owned and occupied by P&F Congleton, a metal pressing company and automotive supplier, which went into receivership in October 2004.
Richborough took on 157,000 sq ft of run down industrial units and ancillary office space covering 25 acres since when the land has been cleared and decontaminated by Urban Regen.
Picture: Richborough Estates directors Danny Parkinson (left) and Paul Campbell at the Bath Vale Works site in Congleton with Richard Lever (rear) of Urban Regen.
