Homes plan is latest in series to regenerate region’s redundant mills

PROPOSALS TO redevelop a 19th-century mill in Kirklees have been revealed in the latest of a series of plans to breathe new life into the region’s old mills.

Planning chiefs in Kirklees will this week consider the proposals to change Dobroyd Mills in Holmfirth into apartments and develop land surrounding it with up to 75 homes.

A total of 44 representations have been submitted to Kirklees Council about the plans by Z Hinchliffe & Sons Ltd, including objections concerned about the impact on traffic congestion in the area.

The proposals come after Historic England last week highlighted the potential for jobs and homes that could be unlocked by regenerating redundant mill sites across Yorkshire. As reported by

the public body found that there are an estimated 1,350 redundant and under-used mill buildings in the region with the capacity to deliver up to 27,000 homes and 150,000 jobs.

Meanwhile, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority commissioned a feasibility study which looked at a sample of ten historic sites in Yorkshire to assess their potential, and found that with intervention and initial investment of about £7.5m, these locations alone could create 1,223 homes or 4,800 new jobs.

The application to redevelop Dobroyd Mills will be considered by Kirklees Council’s strategic planning committee on Thursday. A report prepared ahead of the meeting by council officers said that part of the proposals for homes on land surrounding the mill falls into the Green Belt.

However, the plans have been recommended for approval, according to the report.