Sion Mills Buildings Preservation TrustID: 6704

AIMS  OF  SION  MILLS  BUILDINGS  PRESERVATION  TRUST

The Aims adopted by Sion Mills Buildings Preservation Trust in 2003, following the compilation of the Sion Mills Conservation Plan by Donald Insall Associates and others, are:

Sion Mills Buildings Preservation Trust aims to conserve the industrial, social and environmental heritage of the Conservation Area of Sion Mills, Co Tyrone, and use it for the benefit of the local and wider community of Strabane District and the Northwest of Ireland by:

1. Reviving the historic Herdmans Mill site as an exemplar project of conservation-led economic regeneration in a rural setting, in the spirit of its founders and true to the character of the place to benefit the community and the public at large.
2. Ensuring the history and all aspects of the Conservation Area’s cultural significance are   understood and that this knowledge and understanding is recorded, preserved and interpreted for the present and future generations and for the benefit of the community, visitors and site users.
3. Bringing the significant Mill buildings back into uses which will secure their future as heritage assets and as contributors to the local economy in a manner which will accord with the principles of sustainability.
4. Improving the environment within Sion Mills Village and Conservation Area, with special regard to sustainability and renewable energy.
5. Helping to improve, through a sense of pride in their shared industrial heritage, the self-image and self-confidence of the people of this area, thereby raising morale which will be reflected in community well-being, private sector confidence and economic investment.
6. Engaging and empowering the disadvantaged Sion Mills Community in achieving economic regeneration by harnessing their unique industrial heritage assets to attract major tourism.