Plans to turn old Kidderminster carpet factory into flats approved

The Shuttle revealed last month plans to bring the former Carpet Manufacturing Company site in Park Lane back into use as 22 two-bedroom apartments.

Known as the Rock Works, the building dates back to the 1880s but has fallen into a state of disrepair since the carpet factory closed down.

Architect John Shakeshaft and developer Rob Whitehouse at the old Rock Works carpet factory in Kidderminster

The plans will see the building extended upwards to create a fourth storey, while maintaining the sawtooth factory roof. Some of the apartments will have balconies.

During a Wyre Forest District Council planning meeting tonight (Tuesday), Councillor Fran Oborski said she was "really worried" that no undercroft car parking was included in the plans.

She said: "I'm absolutely delighted to see a proposal to bring the Rock Works back into use, but I am really worried about the concept of having no parking and somehow managing to prevent purchasers and future purchasers from owning cars. I don't believe that is going to be possible."

Councillor Marcus Hart echoed concerns about the lack of car parking, but said: "This is a redundant brown field site and a derelict factory that has been empty for probably 40 years.

The derelict carpet factory has fallen into a state of disrepair

"I will not vote against it. Anyone who rents a flat will know they won't have a car parking space.

"Even though it is close to the town centre and within walking distance, in this day and age even if there is only one car per family, they will have to park somewhere. The reality is people are going to have cars."

The council's development manager said undercroft parking was considered dangerous from a Highways perspective due to insufficient visibility and said he was "satisfied there is no need for parking".

Committee members voted to approve the plans, subject to the signing of a Section 106 Agreement and conditions.

Kidderminster builder Rob Whitehouse, the developer behind the plans, said he hoped Highways would reconsider their stance on the undercroft parking.

A separate planning application is being submitted to close of the steps next to the former factory

Mr Whitehouse, who bought the site 20 years ago, said: "It's very good news that the plans have been approved. We've got to try and get some parking though.

""I'm willing to pay more money for the parking underneath the flats or to buy the council's land next door and put car parking there.

"If it's a young mum for example looking to move in, they're going to want to be parked on site, rather than walking all the way down the street to their car. But Highways didn't like the idea of people reversing out of the building, over the pavement and onto the road.

"I'm hoping they'll reconsider. Apart from that, it's excellent news."

The development is expected to take three years to complete at an estimated cost of between £1.5 to £2 million.

Read more:

• Photos show what derelict Kidderminster carpet factory looks like inside
• Kidderminster girl saw stranger taking photos of her on walk to school

The derelict factory has been the target of several acts of vandalism over the years, including 14 break-ins and a fire.

A separate planning application is being submitted to close off the alleyway and steps at the side of the building, leading up to Hill Street, which Mr Whitehouse says is a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and drug dealing.

The plans include erecting iron gates at the bottom of the steps, incorporating a carpet loom to commemorate the building's history.

A network of tunnels beneath the Rock Works, which are said to have been used as air raid shelters during the war, will be opened to the public for school trips.