Partnership Success recognised at Local Government Awards Ceremony

Craven District Council won an Award for Outstanding Achievement in Collaborative and Partnership Working for the Greenroyd Mill development in Sutton in Craven at the Local Government Yorkshire and Humber, Making a Difference in Yorkshire and Humber Awards 2011.

The Awards recognise the workers and front line staff from councils, police, fire and national park authorities who have gone that extra mile to make a difference to the lives of local people.

Greenroyd Mill, a derelict textile mill in Sutton in Craven was redeveloped in an £8million scheme providing 65 high quality affordable homes for local people.

The mill was originally purchased by a private developer to develop into private residential housing. In 2008 the project stalled when the developer ran into financial difficulty because of the economic downturn.

Rather than let the development fail Craven District Council recognised that there might be the opportunity to work with its partners to save the project if the focus of the development was changed to affordable housing.

Rather than let the development fall into ruin again Craven District Council, as the local housing enabler brought together all the key partners with the aim of developing affordable housing.

The mill was officially opened earlier this year on 20th July 2011 thanks to the successful partnership approach between Craven District Council, Barnfield Construction, Yorkshire Housing, Jephson Housing, Homes and Communities Agency, Bowman Riley Architects and E C Harris.

Leader of Craven District Council, Councillor Chris Knowles-Fitton said: “We are thrilled to win this Award. Greenroyd Mill is a fantastic project, bringing a dilapidated mill back to life as affordable housing for families and young people in Sutton in Craven. The development clearly demonstrates the commitment of the Council to work closely with its partners to enable the provision of housing for those in greatest need and it is very satisfying to have this partnership approach celebrated by Local Government Yorkshire and Humber through the Award.”

James Webber, Barnfield Construction Contracts Manager said: “It’s great to hear that the Greenroyd Mill Development has won this award. The success of this scheme is testament to good working relationships being forged between the contractor, clients and designers at an early stage. The revival of the derelict mill into 65 fantastic new homes was very challenging throughout the construction phase, as is quite often the case with complex mill refurbishments, but despite this, the development was completed on time and to an exceptionally high standard, which is a credit to the hard work and determination which was demonstrated on site by all the construction team.”

Alison Day, Jephson North Development Manager, said: “We worked closely with all of the partners from the very beginning of this project. A lot of additional care was taken to ensure everyone has been working with a coordinated approach and to make sure that everybody has been kept in the loop about progress on site. It was a unique way of working but was such an exciting project to be part of so it’s fantastic this innovative partnership approach has been recognised. ”

Ged Walsh, Business and Development Director at Yorkshire Housing, said: "We’re delighted to see that Greenroyd Mill has won this award. The conversion of a large industrial building of historic relevance is never easy, but it was only made possible due to the major partners in the scheme; Barnfield Construction, The Homes and Communities Agency, Craven District Council, Redloft and Jephson Homes. Working together in a thorough and collaborative manner, whilst retaining the flexibility to take advantage of all funding opportunities, has successfully produced 65 high quality affordable homes for local people."

Abdul A Ravat, Area manager for the Homes and Communities Agency said: “We are so pleased with what has been achieved at Greenroyd Mill. Our investment has not only provided 65 much needed local homes, but also has ensured that a derelict building has been given a second life. It’s great to get the recognition for what the project has achieved which was only made possible through collaborative and partnership working.”

Craven District Council beat off competition from partnership projects delivered by City of Bradford MD Council, City of York Council, North East Lincolnshire Council, Selby District Council and West Yorkshire Councils to win the award The award was presented by Danni Hewson, local government Reporter for Look North on 17th November at an event in Wakefield City Centre.

The Awards 2011 are completely funded by corporate sponsorship and cost nothing for either LGYH to host or Local Authorities to attend.

The photograph shows Craven District Council receiving the award, along with Ian Goodfellow from Shanks who sponsored the award; and the host Danni Hewson.