Heritage groups demand Teignbridge council save historic mill buildings from demolition

In Newton Abbot, England, heritage groups have called on Teignbridge council to halt the demolition of historic mill buildings. Scheduled to begin on January 6, the demolition faces significant local and national pushback, arguing that these structures hold cultural and environmental importance. Local citizens express their belief that rather than being razed, the buildings should be preserved and repurposed due to their historical significance. Campaigners argue that these sites have provided jobs and have deep ties to the community's history, and they express fears of losing unique local character to cookie-cutter housing developments. The structure in question, which has stood since medieval times, formerly housed various industries, including corn and wool mills. Since their closure as mills in the 1970s, the buildings have transitioned into vibrant spaces for businesses such as music studios and car-repair shops. However, local heritage advocates warn that demolition would not only destroy a crucial part of the town's heritage but also threaten local wildlife, including bats and other species that depend on the existing structures. According to Eloise Rokirilov, the chair of the Newton Abbot and District Civic Society, the use of government funds designated for regeneration to demolish viable historic buildings is seen as shortsighted. She and other advocates are calling for a more sustainable approach that aligns with climate action, emphasizing there are numerous examples across the UK of similar old buildings being successfully renovated. Both Save Britain's Heritage and the National Trust have voiced their support for conserving the site, proposing a creative quarter that would involve apartments and workshops for craftspeople. The council's justification for the demolition centers around the urgency to utilize funds from the UK government’s future high streets fund, indicating that failure to act could lead to losing over £2 million in allocated resources. Critics question whether the economic benefits of redevelopment can outweigh the cultural loss that will occur with the destruction of these historically significant sites. This has turned into a heated debate over heritage preservation versus economic development in the region, highlighting a broader issue of conservation practices in the face of modernization.