‘Heritage’ crime’ as waterway concreted over at mill

AN investigation has begun after an important part of a historically significant mill site was destroyed.

Low Mill on Gresley Road in Keighley dates back to 1779 and was the first cotton mill to be built in Yorkshire. It is one of just two Grade II*-listed buildings in the town.

But the former mill has been derelict for decades, and last year it was added to Save Britain’s Heritage’s At Risk register of historic and heritage buildings that face an uncertain future.

Bradford Council has revealed that it has begun an investigation after the historic water features on the site were concreted over.

Details of the investigation were discussed at a meeting of the council’s Bradford planning panel.

Members were discussing a planning application to build a steel-fabricating workshop in front of the site.

The application had been submitted by JCL Machinery Ltd, which had bought a section of the site after the damage was done, unaware of the unauthorised work which had been done by a previous owner.

Although the plans had attracted 28 letters of support, heritage organisations raised concerns about the proposals.

Historic England had said the mill is “highly significant” and that the “destruction of the water management system constitutes an act of heritage crime”.

Chris Hinnit, representing the applicants, said: “My client took the property on face value, not knowing about the infilling of the waterway by the previous owner.”

Council legal officer Bob Power said approving the application could cause issues should the council take further action.

A decision on the planning application was deferred.