AMBITIOUS ideas have been put forward for plans to develop a new eco-village which includes up to 700 high-quality homes on a derelict site.

At an event held at Cooke’s Studios in Barrow, architects, developers, artists, project managers and young employees came together to share their thoughts and ideas for the new development planned for Salthouse Mills.

The site was purchased by London-based property company Hiltongrove for £500,000 in 2018 with plans in mind to turn the mills into a ‘smart industrial area aimed at businesses who need significant storage facilities’.

However, progress was halted on the development due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Nearly four years on Hiltongrove chief executive Guy Davis revealed the wheels are back in motion to transform the site, with plans to provide up to 700 ‘low-energy, high-quality’ homes together with leisure and retail facilities.

READ MORE: Plans revealed to develop up to 700 new homes on former Salthouse Paper Mills in Barrow

A plethora of ideas have been put forward for the site’s transformation plans including calls for high-quality apartments in the town.

John Burrell, lead architect from Burrell Foley Fischer, architects and urban planners said: “It’s so important to hear what people want from an opportunity site as we start to form ideas of mix and type of apartments to create.

“It was abundantly clear that there is a dearth of high-quality one and two bed, even studio apartments around and I’m confident we can create something truly unique and very high spec, especially given the green, eco brief.”

A local 18-year-old apprentice was also very clear in his aspirations for the new proposals.

He said: “There are no clubs around here.

“If you want a night out, you end up having to plan a trip and often a stay over in Manchester. It would be better to spend money in Barrow.

"The ability to have decent restaurants, several bars and at least one club would be a major boost."

Leisure activities such as a football pitch, sailing on Cavendish Dock and a gym have all been put forward as ideas - and would all go towards making Salthouse a desirable place to live and work.

Other participants said that a major draw in moving to a new village with the aspirations of near zero energy use would be the prospect of constant low energy bills, coupled with a ‘feel-good’ factor of doing the right thing for the environment.

Some concerns included an electric vehicle policy only but Geoff Pyle, project manager for Salthouse Mills, said: “Petrol and diesel cars are being phased out nationally so the scheme will include a substantial number of electrical charging points.

“The team is looking at how to maintain the best air quality in Salthouse during this transition period, through the design of pedestrian areas and managing parking in the scheme.”

Another worry was the security aspect given a history of anti-social behaviour at Salthouse.

However, John Burrell believes that places designed with proper residential streets and liveable places give a sense of ownership and pride in the place.

Hamza Kadeen, a senior team member from Hiltongrove, said he was delighted at the turnout and feedback given.

He said: “If you don’t engage early on you don’t gain the invaluable local insights that are key to developing something that the local community truly want.

“This event was an initial data collection and feedback exercise but we are planning larger events for all local residents to attend to hear a much wider range of views.

“We are developing a dedicated Salthouse Mills app for interested parties to feedback directly to the team and for us to share ideas as they progress. We are fortunate in having a very supportive council with a very positive attitude and having dealt with a number of authorities over the years, that isn’t always the case!”

Kim Hubball, an artist who has been working with BarrowFull on her ‘Colours of Barrow’ exhibition currently held at the Forum, was invited along to share her ideas of how art could be integrated into the streetscape to give Salthouse its own unique branding while building on the history of Barrow.

She said: “The opportunity to start with a blank canvas, and on a scale of this size, is every artist’s dream.

“My mind is already racing with ideas and I hope to be able to work with the Salthouse team over the next few months”

Martine Moore, CEO of 6Tine who organised the event, thanked Cooke’s Studios and The Duke of Edinburgh Hotel for their help.

He said: “To hold an event showcasing the new vision ideas for Salthouse, against the backdrop of the current ‘Going Through the Mill’ exhibition at Cooke’s was perfect timing - contrasting the industrial nature of the past against the new modern ‘Green Living’ future being proposed.

“It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm from those who attended and contributed ideas. The team and I are already planning the next Salthouse local engagement event in Barrow and looking forward to meeting more local residents and employees.”

The developer Hiltongrove hopes to progress plans to submit to planning before the end of the year and will announce further details of public engagement events within the next few weeks.