Blaze-hit mill can be turned into homes... and the old chimney stays

PLANS FOR the redevelopment of a Haworth mill that was gutted by fire a decade ago have been approved.

Bradford Council gave the goahead for Skipton Properties’ plans to convert listed buildings at Ebor Mills into homes and building new housing on the rest of the site. During a two hour debate, members of Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee heard from local councillors, who raised concerns about the scheme.

There have also been numerous objections from residents, who fear the development will lead to increased traffic to the site, off Ebor Lane.

But councillors pointed out that the land was still classed as industrial from its long history as a mill.

They said any resumption of industry at the site could lead to much more traffic than the planned housing would bring. Ebor Mills, then the home of Airedale Springs, was damaged by fire in 2010.

It led to the main mill building being demolished.

Skipton Properties’ plan for the site would turn the listed buildings into 14 homes and involve the construction of 24 houses. The mill chimney would be retained.

The committee heard that 68 people had objected to the plans, with concerns ranging from poor access to the site to claims the housing would be unwanted development on the edge of Haworth.

Sarah Barraclough, managing director of Skipton Properties, said the plans had changed “quite dramatically” from when the company had held public consultation.

But she said it was now “a scheme Haworth can be proud of ”.