Warehouse that was once a swimming pool could become a home

A warehouse with a fascinating history in a village near Huddersfield could soon be turned into a home.

According to local historians, the building at Low Town, Kirkburton, was built by a baker, Joseph Pickering, around 1882. It once housed a swimming pool where hundreds of children across the district learnt to swim.

The property changed hands following Mr Pickering’s death. In the mid-20th century, the pool was converted into a warehouse.

Next to the warehouse stand two cottages which are thought to be several decades older, appearing on an 1854 map. More recently, these have been combined to form a single residency.

An application has been submitted to Kirklees Council relating to both of the buildings.

James Wimpenny Homes wants to transform the warehouse into a four-bedroom property with a garage, and make the cottages into a three-bedroom home, also with a garage.

One resident raised concerns over congestion. They said: “Existing parking is stated as one for cottage and two for warehouse – however there is only the one space for the cottage (very narrow garage) and none whatsoever for the warehouse. There is very little on-road parking capacity. Proposed parking is a total of five spaces. I am concerned about congestion in Low Town as a whole although I understand that some spaces may be on the lower floor of the warehouse.”

While council officers acknowledge a “shortfall” in off-street parking provision, they say it would be difficult to justify the refusal of the application on the grounds of highway safety. This is due to the potential for on-street parking in addition to that provided in the application.

The applicant said: “The proposals will take the building through a comprehensive refurbishment scheme and enhancements to allow it to continue offering a positive contribution to the Low Town part of the Kirkburton Conservation Area.

“Through the construction phase the scheme will create construction jobs for local contractors, which boosts the local economy.

“The retention of the buildings within the conservation area will ensure they continue to add to the charm and character of the Low Town area.”