Chapel Works: Marine Avenue Mill and Offices, Eastern Avenue, Montrose

Single storey and attic, 17-bay, rubble built with ashlar dressings and quoins. Central arched entrance with date 1795 over. Pend opens out to rear with twin cast-iron columns and bowed lodge. 2 and 3-storey rear elevation.

Oiginally intended to be a spinning mill but altered to offer a more grand entry. The side to Marine Avenue is one of the earliest single storey spinning mills in the district. Chapel Works was founded in 1795 as a linen and rope works, this range were originally intended to be a spinning mill but altered to offer a more grand entry. The side to Marine Avenue is one of the earliest single storey spinning mills in the district. (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry)

December 1993: December 1998: The works cease production and close. 1989: An application is lodged for the demolition of the entire complex save for the offices fronting Eastern Road, and the residential development of the cleared site. SCT objects, instead advancing the retention and conversion of the existing buildings, and in particular the retention of the Marine Avenue façade. 21 August 1990: The Aberdeen Press and Journal reports that Councillors have asked for full details of the site‘s future use before ruling on the demolition application. 2 January 1991: The Dundee Evening Times reports that extensive additional areas of the site have now been category A-listed, a move opposed by local Councillors. 8 January 1991: The Aberdeen Press and Journal reports that local Councillors have voted to invite the resubmission of the demolition application, with the Eastern Road elevation retained. 10 January 1991: The Montrose Review repeats the story. 3 February 1991: The Aberdeen Press and Journal reports that local Councillors have voted to accept demolition of all but the Eastern Road elevation. 4 April 1991: The Montrose Review repeats the story. May 1991: Press reports note that the works have been hit by fire. Meanwhile, the decision to permit demolition is referred to the Secretary of State, who refuses to grant permission. The decision is challenged at appeal. July 1993: The appeal is dismissed. SCT understands that the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, Angus District Council, and Historic Scotland are now working on a planning brief and are due to meet with the owners soon. The general concensus is that commercial or light industrial uses may provide the best option, although SCT understands that a housing association may be interested in the site. 13 January 1994: The Montrose Review reports that the works have been hit by a second fire. The eastern part of the complex is now owned by the Tayside Health Board who are proposing to build the new Montrose Community Hospital on the site. The remainder is in the ownership of Chivas Bros., part of Seagrams. February 1994: SCT understands that several expressions of interest in the site have been recently received. January 1995: Discussions of the construction of the new hospital also continue. The rest of the site enters new ownership, and quantity surveyors begin to investigate potential new uses. The resulting planning application proposes an 80-90% demolition, strongly opposed by SCT. The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland is similarly opposed. April 1996: SCT understands that the presence of a fertilizer plant nearby (subject to strict EC rules governing its proximity to inhabited structures) is militating against the development of the works. Although a proposal for a mixed residential development has been formulated with Angus Council, the Health and Safety Executive continues to operate a strict embargo on major developments in the area. The scheme would see about half of the existing buildings retained. November 1998: Local planners report that Health and Safety issues have still not been resolved. Angus Council is in informal discussions with Historic Scotland. March 1999: The Angus Local Plan notes that Angus NHS Trust is currently investigating the larger site at Lochside Distillery, in preference to building a new hospital on the site. June 1999: An application is submitted by Forfar-based Bonnyman Developments for the redevelopment of the site into 93 houses and flats, including widespread demolition. SCT strongly objects. 2 December 1999: The Montrose Review reports that planning chiefs are recommending approval. January 2000: The application is approved, and accepted by Historic Scotland. 2001: The Servite and Hillcrest Housing Associations purchase the site and embark upon its phased redevelopment. November 2002: Hillcrest Housing Association completes 50 units. The second phase of redevelopment will include the demolition of the existing structures, with the retention of 3 facades. June 2003: Hillcrest Housing Association reports that the construction of 8 town houses will commence later in the year. September 2003: Local planners report that an application by the Servite Housing Association for 10 houses has been approved. March 2004: Historic Scotland reports that the majority of the site has now been comprehensively redeveloped, though the east warehouse remains undeveloped. May 2005: Local planners report that the owners, Hillcrest Housing Association, are keen to see the property redeveloped, possibly as part of a façade retention scheme.

June 2008: External inspection finds that the building, or what remains of it, is in very poor condition and remains vacant and derelict. The roof is in very poor condition with missing flashings, slipped and missing slates. The rear (east) elevation shows roofless remains of former return ranges at both ends. The rainwater goods are conjested and leaking. Windows are boarded up. Walls to west elevation show erosion and water marks. Vacant status is the main threat as the building is vulnerable to vandalism.

May 2009: External inspection finds this remnant of the Chapel Works complex in a very poor state and rapidly deteriorating.

23 October 2012: External inspection finds no significant change from the previous site visit. One window to the West elevation has been re-boarded. The Montrose Review, in 2011, noted that a local construction firm was intending on commencing restoration and conversion of the site once the property market regained strength.

11 June 2015: A member of the public notes Full Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent for the redevelopment of the site, behind a retained facade, into a hotel is being sought ref: 14/00850/FULL & 14/00852/LBC.

7 June 2016: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition as seen previously. Full Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent for redevelopment of the site into a hotel, retaining the facade, were conditionally approved May/ Dec 2015 ref: 15/00965/FULL & 15/00968/LBC. The 2014 applications were withdrawn.

7 February 2020: Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent for alteration and extension of building (including facade retention) to accommodate 26 flatted dwellings approved subject to conditions (refs: 19/00689/FULL &
19/00690/LBC).

8 October 2021: Planning permission (19/00689/FULL) and listed building consent (19/00690/LBC) conditionally approved. Building standard warrant (20/00244/DOM) for conversion of mill to form twenty six affordable accommodation units approved and building work has commenced. Moved to Restoration in Progress.