This mill is part of a cotton manufacturing complex that was once the largest of its kind in the UK. After sitting empty for many years, the Heaton Group planned to bring it back to life by converting it into contemporary apartments, along with a new rooftop extension for penthouses.

The project was designed to feature 137 apartments of different types and sizes. This included two and three bedroom gallery apartments, all designed to keep the key heritage features exposed to show off the building’s history.

The layout was centred around two standout features: a water tower to the north, which would house the main staircase and a unique apartment at the very top, and an old engine room to the south, which was reimagined as a greenhouse and feature entrance.

Unfortunately, due to strict fire safety requirements, the housing plan was found to be unviable. The project has since pivoted and is now being converted for commercial use instead.