Additional homes are now proposed for Mansfield’s historic Hermitage Mill site after fresh plans were submitted to the council.
Housing developer Walker Homes first submitted plans for 21 homes at the site in Hermitage Lane in March 2025.
But fresh plans submitted to Mansfield District Council last week reveal the developer wants to build an extra 10 homes in the scheme.
March’s proposals sought approval for 15 bungalows and six ‘lakeside’ houses – backing onto the mill pond at the site – but now Walker Homes has submitted an alternative option for the development’s layout.
Instead, 31 units could be approved, which would be split between 23 houses and eight apartments.
If plans are approved, eight two-bedroom houses, 11 three-bedroom, and four four-bedroom homes, along with two one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments, would be built.
Nottinghamshire County Council’s highway team objected to the original plans as officers felt measures against “unacceptable impacts” to highway safety could not be proved.
In a September response to these concerns, the developer states that a speed survey has been completed on Hermitage Lane. Widening the footway on the western side of Hermitage Lane and an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing point next to the railway bridge were also added to the plans.
Hermitage Mill on the River Maun is believed to date back to the late 1700s and was built by the fourth Duke of Portland.
Following several expansions it went out of use in the 20th century.
In March 2022, the five-storey mill was set ablaze in a suspected arson attack and buildings were demolished a couple of years later following fire damage.
There have been several attempts to revive the unused site but previous projects failed to materialise.
In 2016, plans were passed for 32 homes and 25 flats, with the mill turned into an exhibition space. Following the fire, there were plans to convert the building into a 70-bed care home.
The District Council will decide on the fresh housing plans at a later stage.