Demolition work begins on dangerous building at historic Wigan mill site

Contractors arrived on the Pagefield Mill site in Swinley on Monday to knock down one of the buildings amid concerns from people living nearby.

Known locally as the "nursery building", the structure has been severely fire damaged over the years and is in a dangerous state.

It has also been used as a platform for trespassers onto the wider Pagefield Mill buildings, causing concern to residents and councillors.

The demolition contractors started work today and will be there for around two weeks to knock down the building and remove asbestos.

Coun Lawrence Hunt, who represents Wigan Central, said: “The council has been in direct contact with the police, a resident representative and local councillors to inform everyone about this positive step forward.

“For a long time, the council has worked closely with emergency service partners to secure the area and has spent a lot of money to prevent access to the mill.

“This building is severely dangerous and there are real risks associated with entering the site.

“Though the council has no legal responsibility, it is important we keep our residents safe.

"It is frustrating that the owners have not done more to fulfil their own obligations and neighbouring residents deserve peace of mind, which is why we have continued to step in, but at our own financial cost."

The site once housed a busy mill complex and then a college building, but has now been vacant for several years and become a hot-spot for crime and anti-social behaviour.

Police and firefighters have been called there many times in recent years as people climb onto the derelict buildings and start fires.

It is privately owned, but the council has taken action a number of times to make the site secure and ensure no-one gets hurt there.

Earlier this year the council was successful in obtaining a closure order for Pagefield Mill, making it a criminal offence to trespass onto the site.

The order is valid until October 8 and anyone found within the perimeter could be liable to an unlimited fine and/or up to six months imprisonment.