Community plans defy funding loss
Plans to breathe new life into 200 acres of land and two mills in Leeds close to the Kirkstall Abbey will go on – despite the project not receiving hoped-for lottery funding.
The Kirkstall Valley Development Trust wants to build an education centre for sustainable living and a community cafe at Abbey Mills.
AMBITIONS TO breathe new life into 200 acres of land and two mills in Leeds close to the historic Kirkstall Abbey will continue – despite the project not receiving hoped-for lottery funding.
The Kirkstall Valley Development Trust wants to build an education centre for sustainable living and a community cafe at Leeds City Council-owned Grade II-listed Abbey Mills next to Kirkstall Bridge shopping park.
Sponsors of the trust, which also hopes to transform the nearby St Anne’s Mill, have raised the £40,000 to get the project under way, with 155 people and five community associations on board.
After a failure to win lottery cash, the trust is to keep nearly all of the shareholder money in reserve until it is clearer on the council’s position on the future of the mill – though people can request the return of their investment before the end of June.
This came after 38 shareholders attended a meeting last week and voted “overwhelmingly” for the strategy.
Development director Chris Hill said: “We applied for £84,000 development money.
“We didn’t get it just because they felt that was quite a lot of money to risk.
“They’ve invited us to re-apply at a lower level.
“We are carrying on with the development plans.”
But Mr Hill, 63, of Headingley, said that Leeds City Council will undertake market testing to consider its sale options for the site in the next couple of months.
“It’s quite unlikely. It’s effectively been on the market for 10 years,” said Mr Hill.
The complex consists of a number of mill buildings dating back to the early 16th century. The mills were rebuilt after a fire in 1797 and by 1847 most of the present buildings produced corn, oil and woollen cloth.
Ideas for the site are being formulated by the trust alongside Leeds City Council, the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales and local community groups.
They hope to build a ‘Centre for Future Cities’, which would teach practical and high-level skills for sustainable living, focusing on water, energy, food and housing.
There would be environmental education aimed particularly at young people.
On-site power sourced from the nearby river and solar panels would be used.
New parkland and wildlife areas could be fostered, with improved access, cycle and walkways.
Alongside workspace for “sympathetic” small businesses, a community area could be available with a public café/bar and space for events and exhibitions.
The trust hopes that by late 2017 it has a “convincing plan” to put to put forward to the council that will enable it to transfer ownership.
Mr Hill said: “Everything’s there to be able to create something quite special.”
He added that the boost in those supporting the project – from 30 to 155 within four months – was “very positive”.
The trust is not going to have enough money to re-develop 50,000 sq m straight away, he added, so the plan is to build it up step by step.
The site is just around the corner from Kirkstall Abbey, the ruins of a 12th century monastery which in recent years has become a key leisure and tourism spot in the city.
Kirkstall Valley Development Trust’s next planning meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 20 from 7.30pm at the New Burley Club on Burley Hill Drive.
Everything’s there to be able to create something quite special. Chris Hill, development director of Kirkstall Valley Development Trust.