A closure order is set to remain in place at a derelict mill in Wigan that has become the subject of vandalism. The three-month order initially put in place at Pagefield Mill in June was granted an extension by Wigan Magistrates Court.
It will now remain in place until December, with trespassers found within the perimeter of the site potentially facing an unlimited fine and/or imprisonment. Wigan Council worked alongside several partners as part of the Place and Community Safety Partnership to obtain an extension to the order following repeated reports of anti-social behaviour.
Pagefield Mill is a privately owned listed building and forms part of the borough’s heritage assets but has fallen into a state of disrepair due to the age of the building and repeated vandalism.
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Councillor Kevin Anderson, portfolio holder for Police, Crime and Civil Contingencies, said: “Wigan Council is continuing to work closely with our partners to secure this site for the safety of our residents.
“I am pleased to see this extension be granted and I hope that by making it a criminal offence to trespass onto the site, it will highlight the seriousness of this behaviour, as well as the dangers posed by this site which is in a serious state of disrepair.”
For public safety, the council and police have urged everyone to avoid entering the property due to it being dangerous and have released a video of the inside to show why. A number of closure orders have been placed on the building in the last few years in a bid to reduce vandalism.
Coun Anderson added: “In the past closure orders have proven to significantly reduce the number of people trespassing on the site and the number of calls to the emergency services. This allows our emergency responders from Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to concentrate their efforts and make the best use of their resources in the area.”
Between August 2019 and 7 July 2020, prior to the first closure order, the police received 27 reports at the site, it has been reported previously. During the period the order was in place, there were only nine.
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