In the Heart of Bestwood Village
F A Q 's
Who do I contact with questions about the proposed development?
Please feel free to submit queries, suggestions or feedback using the form below, and we will aim to respond to you directly within 48 hours. Naturally, once the full planning application has been submitted to Ashfield District Council, members of the public will be able to fully scrutinise and engage with the submission and the planning process. Phil Bryon has also been present at most of the monthly Bestwood Village Parish Council meetings on the second Tuesday of every month, where he shares an update.
What is the timeframe for the Forge Mill Development?
We will submit a full planning application late summer or early autumn 2026. We are working to get the last of the surveys and reports completed by specialists, including the Ecology Survey, Flood Survey, Highways Survey and the Heritage Statement, all of whom have been commissioned and we hope they will be able to complete their work in the next month or so.
How soon will the Forge Mill Coffee Shop open?
We are not sure yet, the best estimate is the Spring of 2027. This has been delayed as a result of vandalism in the commercial kitchen (May 2026) and the work that we are yet to undertake to make the site flood proof, which requires specialist trades to rebuild the sluice gate, so that we can control water flow underneath the mill. A business plan is currently being written to ensure that this business runs in a sustainable fashion, with input and oversight from consultants who have decades of experience in hospitality and catering.
How will the development benefit the local community?
In multiple ways: a homely and high quality coffee house in the heart of the village, function facilities available on site, employment opportunities, creative workshops, classes and hobbyist activities, both indoors and in the garden area, open to everyone, thus reigniting and preserving the diverse, creative and industrious heritage of this historical site. For more information see the 'Vision' page.
Who is heading up the Forge Mill Development?
The Creative Director, Phil Bryon, will be living on-site, overseeing the overall concept and development. He will also be running creative enterprises and has a highly professional and experienced team supporting him.
How many people will live at Forge Mill?
This planning application allows for a maximum of only six residents in the main dwelling (classification C3), plus an additional individual in the fully-accessible self-contained space on the ground floor, designed to accommodate a wheelchair user.
If Forge Mill is granted residential status, what is to stop it being converted into an HMO or a supported living unit in the future, for prison-leavers, for example?
This planning application will have a clause preventing any such development or changes happening in the future
What is to stop the landlord taking over the property to do something different with it?
This concern has been completely resolved, as we have now taken full ownership of Forge Mill, with completion having taken place on Wednesday 1st July 2026, so the previous owner and landlord is no longer in the picture.