PERSPECTIVES ISSUE 01 2017

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Textile mills are an undeniably
emotive symbol of our industrial
heritage. Their distinctive character
and often historic significance provide
an excellent focus for repurposing.
Two of the earliest such projects
were Salts Mill and Dean Clough Mills
in West Yorkshire. They illustrate
how effective a mill redevelopment
can be as a catalyst for local area
regeneration. The benefits are not
just in new housing, but also in the
employment, social and economic
benefits that come with the mill being
at the centre of the community again.
A growing appetite
There has been a marked
improvement in both occupier and
investor appetite for mill regeneration
opportunities in recent years.
Across the north of England,
local authorities are engaging with
public and private sector partners to
unlock delivery on some of the more
difficult mill sites. Consequently,
there is a wave of mill projects
coming forward creating new
commercial and residential floor
space. Delivery will hugely benefit
the regional economy and ensure
that these powerful symbols of our
industrial past play a role in the
evolving Northern Powerhouse.
Special challenges
Clearly, like other major
developments, mill regeneration
projects have their own challenges.
Some mills are located in areas of
weak occupier demand, which can
suppress rental and capital values
and therefore hinder viability of the
redevelopment as a whole.
Equally, the fabric and structure
of the mill building might be
compromised if it has been under-
used or left vacant for some time.
As a result, the cost of adapting it
could be higher than those of an
average building renovation and so,
again, there may be questions about
financial viability.
Regeneration
of underused
or vacant mills
generates
approximately
150,000 jobs
(equivalent to
£6.4bn Gross
Value Added),
or 27,000
homes
There are over
1,500 remaining
textile mills in
the West Riding
of Yorkshire, with
approximately
1,350 that are
either underused
or vacant
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MEETING THE CHALLENGE