Mid Suffolk ramps up efforts to address derelict site issues in Bramford
Owners of former Fisons factory given legal notice to secure and clear site
Mid Suffolk District Council has intensified its efforts to tackle issues surrounding a derelict site in Bramford, targeting anti-social behaviour and paving the way for potential redevelopment.
The focus is on Paper Mill Lane Properties Ltd, the owners of the former Fisons factory on Paper Mill Lane, who have been issued a legal notice mandating urgent actions to clean up and secure the premises.
This site has faced significant challenges since a fire in 2019 devastated the main Victorian factory building. The area has become a hotspot for vandalism and anti-social activities, rendering it unsecure and unsafe.
Following regulations under the Town and Country Planning Act, the council has delivered a section 215 notice requiring the landowners to:
- Demolish buildings in a specified area
- Clear up demolition debris
- Remove graffiti from external walls and fences
- Clear fly-tipped items
- Replace temporary fencing with permanent structures to restrict unauthorised access
Councillor Andrew Stringer, cabinet member for heritage planning and infrastructure, remarked, "Although serving a formal notice is typically avoided, it was necessary to address the ongoing issues and ensure public safety."
Previous measures have included securing the site and implementing mobile CCTV to deter trespassers.
The former Fisons site, largely destroyed by the 2019 fire, consists of derelict industrial buildings and offices littered with waste and signs of fly-tipping. The notice excludes areas with listed buildings.
Paper Mill Lane Properties Ltd has until 30th October 2027 to comply, failing which it risks a hefty fine. The company has expressed intent to begin the required work soon.