STANLEY MILLS, PERTH

Stanley Mills is category A listed, and forms a unique complex of water-powered cotton mills situated on a majestic bend in the River Tay. The six-storey East Mill and four storey Mid Mill were built of local sandstone around 1800. At the height of their productivity they employed over 800 people, mainly women and children. In 1997 The Prince's Regeneration Trust (then the Phoenix Trust) agreed to develop rescue proposals for the derelict mid and east mills. The buildings have now been restored to their former splendor and adapted for residential use, providing spectacular accommodation for 150-200 people.

The development of the mills charts the sporadic growth and decline of the cotton industry in Scotland. They closed finally in 1989 and were subsequently badly vandalised and became derelict. In 1995 the mills were saved from demolition and taken into care by Historic Scotland with the aid of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. In 1997 Historic Scotland agreed that The Trust should develop rescue proposals for the Mid and East Mills, the two largest buildings on the site, for which no viable use was at that time envisaged. The Mid Mill was converted into 5 four bedroom, four storey houses and 4 three bedroom, two storey maisonettes. The East Mill has been converted into 30 flats ranging in size from one to three bedrooms. Flat prices were set to appeal to a local as well as national market. A significant element of the restoration and conversion costs was met from the income arising from the sale of the flats and houses. The long-term maintenance of the buildings is paid for by the residents of the two mills. Both The Trust and Historic Scotland saw their respective developments as being complimentary to each other and employed the same professional design ream. Extensive discussions took place to ensure that the development maintained the same high standards throughout, provided a friendly and welcoming environment for residents and increased public accessibility. The whole rescue was only possible because of generous financial support from Historic Scotland, The Heritage Lottery Fund, The Gannochy Trust and a loan from The Architectural Heritage Fund.