Developer’s £13m mill scheme ‘depends on supermarket plan’

Binks Developments has submitted plans for a supermarket, petrol station and 181 apartments at Blakeridge Mills, a 10-acre site the company owns close to Batley town centre.

The company needs at least £12m to turn the derelict mills into apartments but does not have all the money.

The developer is proposing to sell the land with planning permission for a supermarket to kick-start the ambitious development.

The food store would be located on vacant land to the south west of the mill buildings near the junction of Mayman Lane and Blakeridge Lane.

Binks Developments has already completed 80 apartments on the same site but the downturn in the housing market has stalled further investment.

If the latest scheme gets the go-ahead, the site will eventually be home to around 500 people.

The scheme also includes plans for a private swimming pool and gym for future residents.

Company managing director Richard Binks says the scheme will bring more residents into the heart of Batley as well as create more jobs, both in construction and in the proposed supermarket.

“We are a family firm who are desperately keen to make this development happen. We live and breathe this site. This application is giving Batley a chance to be the jewel in the crown of north Kirklees. Batley has fantastic road and rail connections and one of the finest market squares in Yorkshire.

“We have already converted four of the smaller buildings facing Blakeridge Lane into apartments and we know from our current 120 residents that once they arrive they do not want to leave.”

One of the mills at the centre of the current proposals, Taylors Mill, is 150 years old this year.

Mr Binks hopes the mill will see out another century and more.

“Taylors Mill is 150 years old and we want to recycle it and give it another 150 years watching over Batley. So many Batley people have a story to tell about these mills, we want to do them justice.

“Investment on this scale will encourage other businesses to invest in the people of Batley as I think that success breeds success.”

Mr Binks says the development will create jobs but also restore the mills to their former glory.

Planning documents submitted by Binks to Kirklees Council state that money from the sale of the foodstore land would be used to support the “large, up front costs” of undertaking the conversion of the two mills.

One report said: “The sheer size of the 1863 and 1913 mill buildings, coupled with the difficult market conditions and the lack of previous developer interest in the mills (other than for total demolition) point towards the enabling development argument having some weight in the decision-making process to achieve a successful and sustainable future for the prominent landmark buildings.”

The report adds: “There is a major cash-flow issue faced by the developer in trying to achieve the satisfactory conversion of the mills.”

Mr Binks told the Yorkshire Post that existing residents had been supportive of the proposals.

“By the time we have done it all there will be 500 people living in the middle of town.

“We want councillors to see the vision. We have got a lot of support from local people. People are looking for jobs here and this would be a major investment in the town.

“We think this will bring more people into Batley and will help the town centre.”

Binks Developments has been involved in several mill conversions in West Yorkshire, including Millroyd Island in Brighouse and Ledgard Bridge Mill, Mirfield.

Consultation on the proposals ends on Monday, February 25.

A date has yet to be fixed for a decision on the scheme.

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