A fascinating development opportunity for ‘loft style living’ has emerged on both banks of the River Avon in the centre of Tewkesbury.

A mixed residential, retail and leisure development is anticipated, with both new build and the conversion of former milling and brewery buildings and offices.

The town bank properties are at Quay Street, Red Lane and on the corner of Back of Avon, where stands the former Healings Mill Brewery building, an attractive Grade II Listed red brick multi level warehouse property.

Planning permission has been granted for the conversion of Healings Mill Brewery Building and associated buildings on Quay Street and Red Lane into a series of apartments, townhouses and a cafe, restaurant or shop over two floors on the townside bank.

The property also comprises the wider island site extending to 3.79 acres on the opposite west bank, which is yet to receive planning consent, although Tewkesbury Borough Council and the Environment Agency have indicated initial support for redevelopment of the site to include retail, leisure and residential uses, provided the scheme is sensitively designed to address flooding issues.

Architects have produced indicative drawings for the conversion of one building on the island into 12 3-bed apartments over 4 floors and 2 duplex apartments, totalling 13,200 sq ft.

The imposing and iconic buildings offer stunning views to the west over the river and open countryside and would in part convert to attractive town centre living and riverside retail and leisure premises, while other elements provide an opportunity to deliver new build townhouses.

Fisher German and Allsop are jointly marketing the development opportunity.

Fisher German partner Rob Champion said: ”This is a truly unique opportunity to create 21st century riverside loft style living with stunning views amid iconic 19th century buildings in the medieval Cotswold market town of Tewkesbury.

“The mix of residential and commercial conversion & new build gives a creative developer plenty of scope to design a charming and exclusive riverside community. The site is an iconic part of Tewkesbury’s history and demonstrates the town’s historically strategic advantage of being located at the confluence of the River Severn and River Avon.”

Healings Mill was built for Samuel Healing in 1865, when it was believed to be the largest and most modern flour mill in the world, producing 25 sacks of flour an hour by 1892.

AMD Milling ceased industrial flour milling at the site in November 2006 after 141 years with the loss of 80 jobs, while the Blizard Colman brewery was in its pomp in the late 19th century.