A well known canal landmark in Leicester looks to have been almost destroyed by fire.
Friars Mill or the Donisthorpe & Co factory building, built in the 1790's and a Grade 2 Listed Building, had been suffering serious and deliberate official neglect for around the last 5 years. The lead had been stripped from the roof and the unique Ibex weathervane stolen. Windows were left to rot and the Council did nothing.
From this is Leicestershire today:
Fire crews tackled a blaze at a former factory buiding in Bath Lane, Leicester, last night.
The fire caused the partial collapse of the three-storey former Donisthorpe and Co factory building into the adjacent canal and the roof was destroyed.
Crews were still at the scene this morning damping down the fire.
Police were also called out to the scene. An investigation into the cause of the fire was under way this morning.
The site has become increasingly run down and heritage campiagners had voiced concerns over the state of disrepait of the factory, which dates back to the 1790s.
Mercury reader Adrian Ablett sent us pictures of last night’s blaze.
In April this year Mr Ablett, photographed children playing on the derelict site and voiced his concern about the dangers of the rundown area.
He said: “The building is in a dangerous state and the area is awash with hypodermic needles, rotting rubbish and rats.
“I’m astonished at how simple it is to get in. Anyone can walk in and will not necessarily be aware of the dangers.
Mr Ablett had contacted the council about his concerns and a city council spokesman said: “Although we have been to the factory on several occasions to secure a number of the buildings and clean up needles, people continue to break in.
“We are in the process of contacting the owners, whose responsibility it is to clean up the site.
“In the meantime, our visits will continue.”
The former textile factory, also known as Friars Mill, is one of the oldest in Leicester.
A majority of the buildings on site were demolished when the grade II-listed factory was abandoned.
Several schemes have been proposed to develop the area, including a flats development, but have not gone ahead.
My thoughts:
Totally predictable! This is the culmination of 4 -5 years of deliberate neglect - the ibex weathervane was stolen along with the lead on the roof - but 'they' couldn't wait for it to be declared unsafe. 'Luxury Waterside properies! or more student flats anyone? - that they will not sell in the current financial climate. Criminal negligence!
What happened to investgative journalism? There is obvious a high level of corruption as regards new building projects on land with listed buildings In Leicester eg the High Cross Brewery etc etc