An iconic factory which serves as a lasting reminder of Suffolk’s rich industrial past must not be left to crumble any longer.
That’s the message from concerned residents and heritage organisations as the former Fisons fertiliser factory in Bramford is ranked among Britain’s most endangered buildings by the Victorian Society.
Former employees and descendants of the Fison family have urged planners to step in and protect the dilapidated building, once home to a thriving factory situated in the heart of Suffolk.
Signing a petition launched by Bramford resident Kelvin Dakin to preserve the remaining North Warehouse buildings – which have fallen victim to several fires in recent years – they hope to secure a better future for the site they believe should be turned into a heritage asset.
Victorian Society bosses said urgent action needs to be taken to preserve the Grade II listed wooden warehouse.
Ipswich Society chairman John Norman added: “This is a rich part and in many ways an icon of Suffolk’s industrial past.
“We would fully support a plan to protect it because that is exactly what it needs.
“It is clearly deteriorating and at the moment it is being left to crumble in front of our eyes. Something needs to be done about it.”
The factory, in Bramford’s Paper Mill Lane, was earmarked for homes and offices in 2014 as development plans submitted by Paper Mill Lane Properties were given the green light. However, no progress appears to have been made on the development so far.
Mid Suffolk council bosses said that as a planning authority they do have powers to step in and safeguard heritage assets.
If necessary, they added, chiefs will consider using them.
A council spokesman said: “Work to explore routes by which the redevelopment can be unlocked has been ongoing for some time and the council continues to look for potential solutions or sources of funding that might help to safeguard this important heritage asset.”
The land was first developed in the mid 1800s as a fertiliser plant by Packards and when Fisons arrived the wooden warehouse, said to be Suffolk’s largest listed building, was erected.
Fisons left the site back in 2003.
Sign the petition here.
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