Farnworth: Century Mill being demolished to make way for homes

Having stood for 120 years, Century Mill in George Street, Farnworth, is currently in the process of being demolished.

Plans emerged in January last year that the cotton mill could make way for 106 homes, which would be built in place of it and on the land adjacent to it.

Built in 1902, Century Mill was used for ring spinning for a lot of the 20th century, until it was split into units.

The mill was one of 104 taken over by the Lancashire Cotton Corporation, established by the Bank of England, in 1929, and was one of only 53 that survived until the 1950s.

The mill partway through demolition (Image: Newsquest)

Century then passed to the Essex-founded fabric manufacturer Courtaulds in 1964, before the company was broken up in the 1990s and the mill was again resold.

When it was decided it would be demolished, some of the old cotton mill was still in use by businesses such as a car storage company and a skip hire company.

As well as the central structure, other elements to be removed include a chimney, a mill pond and a number of shrubs or trees.

The chimney, which accommodates telecommunications apparatus, is to be replaced with a telecommunications tower instead.

Demolition is currently taking place (Image: Newsquest)

Historic England considered the site for inclusion in its National Heritage List for England.

The site was also nominated by Bolton Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority for inclusion on their own GM Local Heritage List.

Last year, a report to Bolton Council’s Director of Place, Jon Dyson, recommended the application for approval, with approval being confirmed on December 16.

The mill, seen from George Street (Image: Newsquest)

The report reads: "The proposed development will result in the provision of housing which will contribute to the council’s housing land supply, which should be given significant weight.

“Furthermore, in the case of the proposed development, the scheme will result in the provision of 106 affordable housing units, which will help to address the affordable housing shortfall in the borough and should also be given significant weight.

"The proposed development is thereby recommended for approval subject to the recommended conditions.”