CONSERVATIONISTS have criticised plans to redevelop a Victorian brewery, which would involve demolition of some of its listed buildings.

Preservation group English Heritage have said the construction of over 130 properties on the site of the Kimberley brewery is “incongruous and out of character” with the area.

The town’s own Save Our Brewery Site (SOBS) campaign group are now urging developers Metis Development Ltd to do as much as they can to preserve the site’s historic buildings.

However Metis have said that decreasing the scale of housing on the site could make it difficult for them to redevelop and renovate the brewery, which has been closed since 2006.

The plans submitted by Metis have been redesigned three times since they were first proposed and are now in the hands of Broxtowe Borough Council planners.

They involved the construction of 91 houses and 39 apartments and would also include the demolition of a listed malthouse and brewhouse.

In their consultation report, English Heritage have said they do not support the listed building and hybrid planning applications and have requested both to be refused.

The reports states: “We recognise that opportunities exist to provide housing on the application site and secure new uses for the listed building and other heritage assets which make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area.”

“Unfortunately the scheme as submitted does not represent sustainable development and a more creative and sensitive approach is required to fully realise regeneration opportunities and wider public and heritage benefits which could be delivered by this site.”

In response, Kimberley’s SOBS group have said that while they are in favour of putting the brewery to good use, they too are mindful of the impact it could have on the town’s heritage.

SOBS spokesman Andy Wickham said: “We’re certainly in favour of redevelopment because without redevelopment the whole site will continue to fall apart but what we’re after is the best outcome possible.”

“It needs to be commercially viable but the design of the housing would need to respect the setting.

“There’s also a number of listed buildings there so the design of the housing would need to be sensitive to that.”

Alistair Russell, of Metis Development said that by reducing the scale of housing it would make it difficult for them to afford the regeneration of the brewery’s older buildings.

He said: “I don’t think the scale is particularly an issue .

“We have the density required to fund the regeneration of the brewery. If we reduce the density that will have an effect on the way in which we can redevelop.

“English heritage have their own remit, they emphasise the heritage aspect of the application but if it was up to them everything would be retained and regenerated.”

John Rand, 76, of nearby Gilt Hill, said he was concerned that developers might walk away if there was continued interference.

He said: “The brewery has stood empty for so many years.

“It seems as soon as somebody decides to do something with it, some people start objecting.

“If they continue the developer might well say I won’t bother.”

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