Derelict Mill in £8 Million Revamp Provides 65 Affordable Homes
Date: 22.07.2011
A derelict textile mill in Sutton-in-Craven has been redeveloped as part of a £8 million partnership scheme providing 65 high quality, affordable homes for local people.
The homes at Greenroyd Mill were officially opened by Eric Whatmough, a local Yorkshire Housing tenant and former manager at the old textile Mill and Councillor Andy Quinn, Chair of Craven District Council on Wednesday, 20 July.
The conversion of the 150 year old mill will provide:
• 19, two bed and one bed, sheltered flats for the over 55s, these will be occupied by Yorkshire Housing tenants formally living at Yeadon House.
• 20, two bed, general needs homes that will be available for sub market rent and shared ownership managed by Yorkshire Housing.
• 26 general needs homes managed by Jephson Housing Association, 12 two, three and four bedroom maisonettes plus 14 two-bedroom apartments.
Mr Whatmough, worked at the textile Mill in 1972 as a Production Controller and left in 1980, shortly before the mill closed.
Reflecting on the transformation of the mill, Mr Whatmough said: “I think the transformation of the mill has been a miraculous job and it’s a fantastic achievement to have turned it in to such beautiful homes.”
The development partnership have also contributed towards new playground equipment for Sutton Park, two pedestrian crossings, a public footway and installed heated bat boxes to support the existing bat population in the area.
Ged Walsh, Business and Development Director at Yorkshire Housing, commented: “Homes in beautiful rural areas such as Sutton in Craven are in high demand, pushing house prices well above the national average. Many local families and young people have been priced out of the market and forced to move away, so being able to provide affordable homes for local people is vital.”
Work on the site originally began by a private developer, but the project stalled three years ago due to the economic downturn. Developer Barnfield Construction and two housing associations, Yorkshire Housing and Jephson Homes received investment support from the Homes and Communities Agency of £3,855,500 which enabled the development to complete.
Abdul A Ravat, Project Manager for the Homes and Communities Agency said: “I am really pleased with what has been achieved at Greenroyd Mill. Our investment of £3,855,500 has not only provided 65 much needed local homes, but also has ensured that a derelict building has been given a second life.” The four storey development retains the exisiting structure of the mill and many of the mills original features have been sympathetically incorperated into the design by local architects Bowman Riley of Skipton.
Councillor Andy Quinn, Chairman Craven District Council, commented: “The dilapidated mill has been brought back to life as affordable housing for families and young people in Sutton in Craven who under normal circumstances would not be able to afford to remain living in the area. “It demonstrates the commitment of the Council to work closely with its partners to enable the provision of housing for those in greatest need. I am confident that the new development will go some way to sustain an already vibrant community of Sutton.”
Greenroyd Mill has been developed in partnership between:
• Craven District Council
• Yorkshire Housing
• Jephson Homes Housing Association
• The Homes and Communities Agency
• Barnfield Construction
• Bowman Riley Architects
• E C Harris
