A CITY councillor has backed calls for ports bosses to preserve a historic Southampton flour mill following claims it could be demolished.

Councillor Dave Shields, who represents Freemantle ward at Southampton City Council, says the Rank Hovis Solent Flour Mill provides a “key link to the city’s industrial past”.

The Labour councillor has now urged port bosses to find a new purpose for the building, following claims by the city council’s heritage champion, Sarah Bogle, that it could be demolished – something he believes would be a “tragedy”.

In a letter to the Daily Echo, published on page 11 of today’s paper, councillor Shields said: “Whist I am fully behind ABP in wanting to establish a modern state-of-the-art cruise terminal in the vicinity of the former mill, together – I very much hope – with the UK’s first ship-to-shore power supply, the loss of this building would be a tragedy.

“We need to try and bring other partners in and instead of losing a much-loved part of our heritage, find a new purpose for the building that can benefit both the city and the port. “

Councillor Shields also urged residents to write Alastair Welch, Regional Director for the Southampton Region at Associated British Ports (ABP), to express their concerns.

As reported in yesterday’s Daily Echo, city councillor Sarah Bogle called on ABP to engage with residents and work with civic chiefs as she claims ABP is planning to demolish the Solent Flour Mills on the Western Dock.

She said the plans come as the port looks to expand its operation.

Cllr Bogle also said ABP would not need to submit a planning application to the city council as the site has permitted development rights.

Cllr Bogle said: “We need to work with ABP to find alternative solutions to demolition, bring other partners in and instead of losing a much-loved part of our heritage, find a new purpose for the building that benefits both the city and the port.”

ABP did not confirm or deny the claims but stressed that port bosses are still working on plans for the site.

The building was completed in October 1934 and was heralded the beginning of a new commercial life for Southampton Docks.

But last year Hovis said a review of its milling business found that the Southampton Mill was “significantly loss-making” and it proposed to cease operations at the site at the end of 2018.

The building is now empty.

When asked whether the claims are true and what are the plans for the site, an ABP spokesman said: “The Solent Flour Mills were in active use until earlier this year when Hovis handed the site back to ABP.

“We are now working on plans for the future of the site and hope to know more detail in the coming months.”

“We have recently offered the opportunity to Cllr Bogle to come and visit the site and to talk us about future plans and we hope she will take up the offer. ABP works closely with Southampton City Council.”