9912: NEW LANARK MILL HOTEL
This 1999 nomination, by South Lanarkshire Council, is for the restoration and conversion of Mill Number One, New Lanark to form the New Lanark Mill Hotel. It is nominated for several reasons. The project demonstrates the successful conservation and conversion of a former mill building dating from the 1780's to a viable economic use. The conversion of the derelict mill building to hotel use illustrates the positive influence of development advice on the design of the scheme, through the processing of associated planning applications. It also demonstrates the positive influence of listed building and Outstanding Conservation Area designations which might be considered as development constraints in comparable situations. The project is an excellent example of partnership working between the New Lanark Conservation Trust, Clydesdale District Council and its successor South Lanarkshire Council, Historic Scotland and several other major funding partners to establish a high quality development. Finally, the promotion of a hotel use adds to the variety of uses within the village and contributes to community and village life. New Lanark Mill Hotel is housed within Mill Number One, the first mill building constructed in 1785 as part of New Lanark Village. Established by Glasgow banker and entrepreneur, David Dale, and the inventor Richard Arkwright, New Lanark developed as a model village using the water power of the Clyde to spin cotton yarn. The village rose to fame under the enlightened management of social pioneer Robert Owen and was founded on far-sighted principles relating to work, education, leisure and community life. New Lanark is a fine example of an eighteenth century mill village which remains largely intact in its original form. Long before the closure of the mills, Mill number one lost its top two storeys in 1945 when the building was cut down after anxiety about its structural condition. Despite this, the mill continued to produce textiles until its closure in 1968, when ownership passed to a scrap metal company. The mill building continued to deteriorate. The New Lanark Conservation Trust was set up in 1974/75 to promote the restoration and development of the entire village and assist the New Lanark Association, established to restore village housing in 1963. In 1979 a Repairs Notice was served on the industrial buildings by the Local Authority, but the scrap metal company took no action. In 1983 the local Authority proceeded with a Compulsory Purchase Order which resulted in the mill buildings coming into the ownership of the New Lanark Conservation Trust. Mill Number One was the most derelict. Its riverside elevation was propped by scaffolding and a fire in 1970 completed a picture of desolation and likely demolition. Following compulsory purchase, emergency repairs were carried out to stabilise the building and remove tonnes of toxic waste and scrap from the interior. Planning Context: New Lanark village is the subject of a series of planning designations intended to conserve and enhance the historic settlement and its landscape setting. The original New Lanark Outstanding Conservation Area boundaries were extended in March 1996 to include the landscape setting of the village, and thus renamed the New Lanark and Falls of Clyde Conservation Area. Within the boundaries of the Conservation Area, the Council exercises control over development to acceptable standards which will not adversely affect the quality of the area. The boundary of the Conservation Area also denoted the boundary of the nominated World Heritage Site. Virtually all the built structures in the village are buildings of special architectural or historic interest, listed Category A. Listed building designations ensure proposals for conservation, restoration or re-use are discussed and negotiated in detail with South Lanarkshire Council and Historic Scotland. Such discussions secure a high quality of design in keeping with the special architectural character of the buildings. Development and Restoration of New Lanark Mill Hotel: Realisation of the project for restoration and re-use of mill number one took 15 years. It took 12 years to raise the finance, whilst the building work took 3 years to complete in two separate phases: exterior and structural restoration: and interior hotel development. The initial planning and listed building consent applications were submitted to Clydesdale District Council in 1989. The proposed change of use to a hotel was considered compatible with the existing residential and commercial uses within the village, whilst the design proposed restored the upper two storeys to the building, demolished in 1945. The original layout and orientation of the mill building dictated much of the design of the hotel, with access corridors located at the front of the hotel facing the Mill Lade and bedroom windows taking advantage of the splendid views over the Clyde Valley to the rear. After extensive discussions between the Conservation Trust, the planning authority and Historic Scotland, the bell tower was not replicated on the roof. Although the bell tower currently situated on New Buildings had originally stood on the roof of Mill Number One, a decision was taken to leave the bell tower in its current location to conserve the recent history of the fabric of the village. In 1996, further applications for planning and listed building consent were approved to modify the interior layout of the proposed hotel and incorporate a microbrewery on the lower ground floor. The alterations to the original proposals were of a practical nature to ease the operation of the Hotel and were approved in August 1997. Mill Number One emerged phoenix-like from the disintegrating shell which had remained derelict for so many years. The hotel opened on 14 May 1998 and incorporates many of the original mill features such as the vaulted ceilings, iron beams and columns, original window design and mill hoist, whilst providing accommodation of the highest quality and standard. Partnership working: New Lanark Conservation Trust was heavily dependent on public financial support for the project. Total costs were approximately £7 million. Funding partners included South Lanarkshire Council, the Lanarkshire Development Agency, the European Regional Development Fund, via Strathclyde European Partnership, Historic Scotland, Clydesdale District Council/ Strathclyde Regional Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Benefits and value: Hotel use has not only provided the vehicle for the restoration and refurbishment of Mill Number One, but has wider economic and social impact. The Hotel employs around 55 people and projects a turnover of £1.5 million by its third year. The Hotel is linked with Motherwell College of Further Education and provides training opportunities for up to 40 students. The village community has benefited from the enhancement of the immediate environment and an additional facility for residents. Restoration of the fabric of the building received a Quality Award from Historic Scotland in 1996. The project also received a 1999 Civic Trust Award for the quality of the development. Through effective development control discussions and negotiations, Mill Number One has been restored as the New Lanark Mill Hotel to high design and conservation standards. The development control process should be recognised as a major contributor to the quality of development achieved through this project.
The judges decided to consider this nomination in the 'development on the ground' category, and sought a presentation and visit. They fully appreciated the immensely long and arduous process that had led to present outcomes, not just for Mill Number One, but for the whole settlement of New Lanark. They were able to see for themselves how these outcomes on the ground have abundantly justified the early perception, persistence, and willing acceptance of risk by those involved. Many aspects of the New Lanark Mill Hotel project impressed the judges, from the quality of the external finishes linking old and new work to the way in which the Hotel plays a part in local social and economic events and youth training while providing on the spot facilities for tourists. The historical, cultural and landscape background of Robert Owen's community and the Falls of Clyde have been hugely complemented by this project. The judges acknowledge the sensitive work of architects Crichton, Lang, Willis and Galloway. They consider that this nomination reflects many years of outstanding work by the local authority planning service and the New Lanark Conservation Trust. To recognise this, the judges recommend a 1999 Special Award for this nomination in the development on the ground category, and suggest that the New Lanark Conservation Trust be linked with South Lanarkshire Council in receiving it.