Cogry Mill
The first phase of a regeneration plan for the former Cogry Mill in Doagh outside Ballyclare has been submitted to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
Planning permission is being sought for the conversion of the mill’s former administration building into two apartments at the disused premises at Cogry Road.
A statement provided with the application says:
“The priority is to secure the site and the various buildings which have been the subject of multiple break-ins and vandalism.
“The intention is for one apartment to be occupied by a site manager and the other to be used for short-term rental for tourism.
“Having a manager on site is considered imperative for site security and for the preservation of the buildings which are seriously at risk.”
Aerial views of the Cogry Mill site in Ballyclare, County Antrim, and proposed overall masterplan
The statement indicated that that future plans could see the redevelopment of the entire site with the retention of the “majority” of former mill buildings and “some new-build residential units” planned to the north-east.
“At present, we would propose to improve the existing access to DfI Roads’ requirements to facilitate phase one of the proposal with future upgrades being required as the redevelopment of the entire site progresses into the future,” the statement said.
Plans could also see a former on-site cinema building, known as The Picture House, built in 1919 to provide entertainment for workers, retained and developed for tourist accommodation.
A national school was also constructed at the location.
Elevations and floor plans of proposed apartments on site of Cogry Mill, Ballyclare, County Antrim
Correspondence from the borough council’s environmental health department says:
“The proposed development site is in close proximity to ground previously used as a flax spinning mill.
“Given the potential risks of land contamination, resulting from these historic land uses and the potential for migration of contaminants, it is requested that a preliminary risk assessment is provided to identify potential land contamination issues for the application site.”
The Department for Communities’ Historic Environment Division, which described Cogry Mill, as “a monument of local importance”, said in its response:
“Historic Environment Division (Historic Monuments) has considered the impacts of the proposal and is content that the proposal satisfies archaeological policy requirements, subject to conditions for the agreement and implementation of a developer-funded programme of archaeological works.
“This is to identify and record any archaeological remains in advance of new construction, or to provide for their preservation in situ.”
The Cogry Flax Spinning Mill was established in 1845 and was purchased by William McMeekin around 1879. Approximately 400 people were employed in the late 1880s, many of whom lived in houses belonging to the business.
The mill closed in the late 1950s although some buildings were used more recently by an engineering firm.