Public Exhibition of the Re-Development Options for Clark & Butcher's Lion Mills Site

Wednesday 29th June 2005
The Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Fountain Lane, Soham from 12.00pm – 8.30pm

Operations at Lion Mills ceased on 4 March 2005, having gradually wound down over recent years and have yielded a site which can make a significant contribution towards the forecasted development needs of Soham and East Cambridgeshire. GVA Grimley has been appointed to prepare a design and development brief for the site. In preparing the brief GVA Grimley will examine the options for redeveloping the site for a residential use.

A sustainable approach will be investigated involving residential development (including affordable housing), open space provision, any necessary highway improvements and increased public access to the site. A comprehensive approach raises many exciting possibilities – enhancement of the Soham Lode corridor, better public access, open space for residents of Soham, good design to replace the ugly industrial legacy, integrated landscaping on the edge of the town.

The aim is to reach a consensus with East Cambridgeshire District Council on the content of the design and development brief that releases the full potential of the brownfield site in land use, design and environmental terms. In due course a suitable development partner will be selected who can bring the experience of realising creative solutions for obsolete sites.

A public exhibition of the initial proposals for the site will be held between 12.00pm and 8.30pm on Wednesday 29th June 2005 at The Pavilion. The exhibition will provide an opportunity for members of the public and stakeholders to find out more about the site and proposals and to provide GVA Grimley with feedback on the proposals. Following the exhibition the consultants will be re-appraising the proposals in light of consultation responses in the spirit of community participation fostered by the new Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004). The final options will then be discussed with the local planning authority and local stakeholders during the summer of 2005.

Contact: Richard Newsome – GVA Grimley
Tel: 020 7911 2304

June 2005