Council take action after trespassing at derelict Wigan mill

Despite being privately owned, yesterday, Wigan Council removed a section of ironwork at Pagefield Mill, which was at risk of falling from the chimney.

This is the latest intervention taken by the council, which has spent more than £160,000 to date on making the building secure.

The local authority also plans to weld shut entrances to a number of underground tunnels on the complex later this month.

The work comes after a legal notice to the owner in April was not complied with in the timescales set.

Councillor Paul Prescott, cabinet member for planning, environmental services and transport at Wigan Council said: “Over recent weeks, a small group of individuals have started to trespass onto Pagefield Mill and engage in acts of anti-social behaviour, endangering themselves and nearby residents.

“This is an extremely unsafe building and could cause serious injury should any accidents occur. For years, the council has tried to engage with the building owner to ensure they fulfil their legal responsibility to secure the site. To date, this has not happened and the council has had to intervene in the interest of public safety.

“We understand the anti-social behaviour at Pagefield Mill has had substantial implications on nearby properties, including debris being thrown into gardens.

“As a result, we have taken the decision to carry out more works to the building to prevent further access and disturbance.

“We take this matter extremely seriously and we are actively speaking with colleagues in the police and fire service to look at what further steps we can take to ensure the safety of our communities.”

In April, the council served a legal notice to the owner to make structural changes.

These changes included:

- Removing access into the mill chimney

- Removing ironwork that is currently hanging from the chimney

- Resealing underground passageways

- Re-securing the main gate

- Further repairing fencing along the boundary of the site

The works were not carried out within the timescale set, meaning the council has been undertaking these changes on the owner’s behalf over a number of weeks.

Coun Prescott added: “We do want to stress that the mill is a listed building and sits in a prime location. Its immediate setting is a park on the edge of the town centre, nearby to local residencies and a college

“We are keen to protect our heritage and continue to work with Historic England to look at future viable uses for this site so the building can once again serve its community.”