A move to bring a vacant Tayside mill back to life has been halted after objections over flood risk.
Baltic Works in Arbroath has been a loom linen weaving factory and a whisky bond in its 165 years, and has been empty for the last three decades.
Owner Cullross Developments submitted plans to Angus Council to transform the derelict factory into 24 flats, with a further 16 new-builds on the site.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said development could add strain to the nearby Brothock Water defence, which has a one in 25 year flood risk. A one in 200 year risk can be regarded as high for new buildings.
The developer has indicated it will reapply for a smaller development in the mill, without the new buildings.
Planning officer Stephanie Balman commented: “The whole development site will be inundated during the 0.5% annual probability flood event.
“The proposed new flats will increase the number of properties and people at risk of flooding and locating new development within the flood plain may also impact on the risk of flooding elsewhere.
“We are of the opinion that this development will increase the number of people living in an area at flood risk.”
Cullross Developments, which specialises in affordable housing, took on the development for client, Hillcrest Housing Association.
The firm previously created the housing development on the former Dens Metal Works site at Dens Road in Dundee.
It took the project through the full design and planning permission phases before selling the site to Hillcrest.
The application notes the significance of the building to Arbroath’s heritage, as one of the few remaining examples of the town’s industrial history.
It was given A-listed status, upgraded from B, in 2003 by Historic Environment Scotland.
Steven Garry, director at Cullross Developments, said: “It’s an exciting development opportunity which will bring new, much-needed, energy- efficient housing right into the centre of Arbroath — but it is an old building and will not be without its challenges.”
