Exclusive: Heaps Rice Mill is saved - for now

LIVERPOOL City Council planning managers today blocked the proposed demolition of historic Heaps rice mill.

And the council said it won't rule on redevelopment plans until English Heritage has decided on whether the early 19th century mill should be granted listed status.

It is understood that had today's decision not been made, the owners of the mill could have moved in with the bulldozers at any moment.

It means the mill is act least safeguarded until proposals to reevelop it come before the planning committee, probably later this year. By then the council will be aware of its status.

Earlier this week, culture watchdog English Heritage asked Liverpool City Council to put the controversial redevelopment proposals on hold until it had inspected the site.

Seychelles-based developers want to bulldoze the historic building to pave the way for a high-rise mixed development of apartments, retail and leisure, but the plans have angered heritage campaigners.

Although Heap’s Rice Mill is older, by a few decades, than the Albert Dock complex, it is currently not listed on the heritage register. This month English Heritage is expected to decide whether the mill will be listed.  If it is declared to be a Grade II listed building it will considerably change the dynamics of the planning application.

The full story, revealed by Liverpool Confidential, is here.