‘Several interested parties’ in talks to buy former Bowyers factory

Property developer Innox Mills Ltd is seeking offers for the 9.96-acre site next to Trowbridge railway station.

Jonathan Dean, managing director of Innox Mills, said: “We are talking to several interested parties.

“I can’t and I won’t say anything more because it would really bugger up a deal but it is highly unlikely the purchase price will ever be disclosed.”

The huge complex was put up for sale on the open market in February with Mr Dean saying he would “let the market decide” the purchase price for the land.

The former woollen mill and Bowyers meat processing factory site has lain mostly derelict since 2008. (Image: Innox Mills)

Innox Mills is selling the site through the Bristol office of up-market commercial estate agents Knight Frank with planning permission for 255 new homes.

They are describing the site as an “outstanding residential development opportunity” in the centre of Wiltshire’s county town.

Innox Mills gained outline planning permission from Wiltshire Council last year for 243 open market homes, and full planning consent for a further 12 open market homes.

The historic factory site in the cerntre of Trowbridge is being marketed as a development opportunity. (Image: Innox Mills)

The current proposal vision is to build the new homes through a mix of four-storey townhouses and flats contained within four blocks each four or five storeys high.

The scheme also included a convenience store, associated access, public realm improvements and landscaping.

The full planning consent also included 3,073 square metres of commercial floorspace, landscaping, access and public realm improvements.

Mr Dean said Innox Mills Ltd plans to retain the commercial and listed building elements of the scheme.

The brownfield industrial site has lain derelict since 2008 and sits on four plateaus that have been formed by the historic development of the land.

The site has a six-metre change in levels from the southern boundary to the northern edge.

The Innox Mills site has outline planning permission for 255 new homes, plus commercial premises. (Image: Innox Mills)

Innox Mills and Knight Frank say: “There is potential for build to rent and build to sell development. The site levels provide suitable development plots and minimise the need for ‘cut and fill’.”

Knight Frank originally set a deadline of Thursday, April 4 for unconditional offers. Innox Mills says it will consider “other forms of agreement”, with potential buyers, including joint ventures.

The site was used for the large Bowyers meat processing factory complex that was later demolished. Most of the historic former woollen mill site has lain unused since 2008.