Listed landmark for New Charter » Housing » 24dash.com

An Ashton landmark is set for a change of ownership and management.

New Charter Housing Trust Group confirms it is in negotiation with Worcester-based Sanctuary Housing Association to purchase the converted Cavendish Mill, opposite the Asda supermarket in Ashton-under-Lyne. When concluded, the deal will see transfer of 165 homes to New Charter. Existing tenants’ rights including security of tenure will be protected.

Many of the apartments have a waterfront location by the Ashton Canal which joins Manchester with the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

The Mill is a grade II* listed building, principally because of the floor construction which was designed to soften the vibration from the cotton spinning machinery. It will not be the first listed building to be owned by New Charter; Gibson Terrace in Ashton also has listed status.

Cavendish Mill was built in 1884 and was one of the area’s largest spinning mills. Parachutes were made there for the War effort. Listed in 1990, it was rescued from dereliction in 1992, and converted to residential use using a Business Expansion Scheme model.

New Charter’s Group Chief Executive Ian Munro said: “We are pleased to be working with Sanctuary to provide tenants with a local landlord. This is a good growth opportunity for us in the centre of our current trading area. We have some ideas about improvements and will want to consult tenants about these as we finalise the purchase. But our immediate message is to reassure tenants that their rights are safe.”

New Charter is not unknown to Cavendish Mill residents. New Charter Building Company won a commercial tender to provide repairs and maintenance services last year, and its reputation and experience of managing tenant relations was a perfect introduction.

Residents are invited to a drop in session this Thursday (April 17th) at Cavendish Mill. Staff from both landlords will be on hand to answer any questions about the switch.

www.newcharter.co.uk