Gilford Mill

Gilford Village near Banbridge was once at the heart of Ireland’s linen production. Since production ceased in the 1960s the Gilford Mill complex has seen several false dawns of potential redevelopment and regeneration of the Village. In 2016 Karp Group acquired the 20-acre site of dilapidated listed buildings and grounds much of which was overgrown with giant hogweed. As part of their ambition to approach the redevelopment of the site in a more organic way which was more responsive to local community aspirations and commercial opportunities Karl Group commissioned RMI to firstly undertake a condition survey of the existing buildings and follow up with a phased development masterplan. The key feature of the masterplan, which emerged strongly through the community consultations, was that the former mill pond should be reinstated. Around this the strategy involves environmental improvements which enhance the setting of these important historical assets, connecting the riverside walks to the mill pond and opening up and encouraging activity on the site. In addition, it then involves providing essential services infrastructure which would enable the buildings to reoccupied and to do so in a way that would enable flexibility in what end uses the buildings could be put to.

The Concept Feasibility Masterplan was completed in 2017 and community consultations on future
uses are ongoing.