Fire Chief's plea to demolish danger mill

Reporter: Jan Harwood
Date online: 19/08/2008

The Rochdale Borough Commander of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue has pleaded with the council to demolish a Newhey mill before one of his fire-fighters is seriously hurt.

Coral Mill, on Shaw Road, has been a constant concern for the fire service, ward councillors and residents since it became derelict. The Mill has been blighted by fires, started deliberately by youths who play in the dangerously fragile building.

Borough Commander Michael Barke said: "These fires take away valuable resources from local and neighbouring fire stations. The result of these incidents is that the structure of the building is now very unsafe for my fire-fighters to enter, especially in fire situations, which they have had to do on several occasions raising real concerns for their safety.

"I am also concerned with the risk to the public, especially young people entering the building and becoming casualties, trapped by the resulting deterioration of the building, or trapped by fire with nobody available to raise the alarm.

"These incidents prevent us from carrying out essential risk reduction work within the borough, and cost the economy over £44,000 [2004 DCLG figure] every time we attend an incident there.

"I would support the demolition of Coral Mill for these reasons, and also because of the adverse effect to the environment and to the quality of life for those who live near to this site.”

Last year Redrow Homes received planning permission to build new homes at the site but they chose not to pursue the venture.

The dangerous mill building remains and another deliberate fire was started there last week.

The fire service are being supported in their plea to have the mill knocked down by ward Councillor Keith Swift. He said: "It is becoming increasingly clear that the owners can not secure the building and not only is it a danger to trespassers that are going in and lighting the fires but of more concern to me is the safety of the firefighters who are having to risk
their lives in a burning building.

"We know that manhole covers have been removed so anyone could fall down a shaft and become trapped.

"In the interests of everyone's safety, including local residents, who have to live with the threat of fires close to their homes, it would be in everybody's best interests if the building was demolished and the site made safe until such time as it can be developed."

The dangerous buildings department of Council Planning is currently looking into possible solutions to make the site secure. A decision is expected in the near future.