Case Studies
The Prince's Regeneration Trust (PRT) - Stanley Mills
Stanley Mills is a unique complex of Grade A Listed water-powered cotton mills situated on a majestic bend in the River Tay. After becoming derelict, the Mid and East Mills were regenerated by The Prince’s Regeneration Trust (PRT).
Water-power was used on the site from 1729 when a tunnel was driven through the peninsula to power a corn mill until 1965 when the mills were finally connected to the National Grid. The lade system and water-wheel pits remain largely intact.
The brick-built Bell Mill was completed in 1787 to the design of Sir Richard Arkwright, inventor of the water-powered spinning process and pioneer of the factory production system. It is of international importance as the finest and most complete surviving example of its type.
The six-storey East Mill and four-storey Mid Mill were built of local sandstone around 1800 and were subsequently altered and extended as a result of fire damage and changing accommodation needs.
The development of the mills charts the sporadic growth and decline of the cotton industry in Scotland. At the height of their productivity they employed over 800 people, mainly women and children. The mills 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. A further grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund allowed Historic Scotland to commence the restoration of the Bell Mill and prepare proposals for its conversion to a visitor centre.
In 1997 Historic Scotland agreed that The Prince of Wales’s Phoenix 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.
Now part of The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, The Prince of Wales’s Phoenix Trust has restored the Mid and East Mills to their former splendour and adapted them for residential use, providing spectacular accommodation for 150–200 people.
The Mid Mill has been converted into five four bedroom, four-storey houses and four three bedroom, two-storey maisonettes.
The East Mill has been converted into thirty 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 have been met from income arising from the sale of the flats and houses. The future long-term maintenance of the buildings will be paid for by the residents of the two mills.
Both The Prince of Wales’s Phoenix Trust and Historic Scotland see their respective developments as being complementary to each other and have employed the same professional design team.
Extensive discussions took place to ensure that the development maintains the same high standards throughout, providing a friendly and welcoming environment for residents while increasing public accessibility.
The whole rescue was possible only because of generous financial support from Historic Scotland, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund, the enthusiastic involvement of the local community, and the sustaining encouragement of our President, The Prince of Wales.
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