Slatiňany is working on the building permit for the community center

Slatiňany – The town of Slatiňany in the Chrudim region aims to obtain a construction permit this year for a community center to be built in the Kabeláč mill. Previously, the zoning plan prevented this, but the new document approved by the town allows for construction. Jan Brůžek, the mayor, stated this to ČTK. The property has belonged to the town for ten years and has been abandoned since the 1990s.

"The zoning plan was blocking the realization of the construction. We approved a new zoning plan in the autumn, and now we are renewing opinions and continuing preparations for the building permit. If everything goes well, we could have it this year," said Brůžek.

The town will need a grant for the transformation of the former mill into a community center, which will involve tens of millions of crowns. "We will seek a grant for the brownfield; we probably wouldn't want to pay for it solely from our own budget. We have other investments as well," the mayor said.

The town purchased the Kabeláč mill in 2014; it has been vacant since the 1990s. Historical records mention the mill since the 16th century. It belonged to the Kabeláč and Panoch families. During the previous regime, it became a smaller textile factory for the Modela company, producing clothing. Gradually, two other buildings were added to the mill structure. The courtyard serves as a parking lot.

The mill is located on the left bank of the Chrudimka River below the castle. The Kabeláč mill is not a protected monument, but it is in the protection zone of the castle. In 2016, an architectural competition was held, and prior to that, the councilors decided to convert the building into a community center, and there could also be a library. Initial cost estimates were 40 million crowns, but the current price will likely be higher.