Project announced to create town's first 'green' mill

David Fletcher is hoping to turn his Innovation Cafe - built on one of the town's oldest established sites – into a self-sufficient structure. The idea is to mark the 700th anniversary of Bridge Mill in St George's Square.

By generating its own solar and hydro power the aim is to decouple the mill from the National Grid in time to mark its landmark birthday in 2014.

Mr Fletcher, who bought the building in 1973 to save it from demolition, wants to restore the 650-year-old water wheel which originally powered the mill.

He also wants to install solar panels and low energy compact fluorescent and LED lighting systems.

He said: ''The water wheel, now visible within the Innovation Cafe, was renovated in 2000 as a personal millennium project and, subject to planning consent, will now be amplified by an Archimedes screw turbine set into the river bank alongside the mill terrace.

''A heat pump, hidden in the goyt, and solar panels carefully concealed within the rooftop valley gutter will complete the system."

The top of the turbine, which will be approximately 1.2 metres (4ft) wide and 10 metres (33ft) long will be covered by a mesh so people can see it working in Hebden Water.

Mr Fletcher said: ''There will also be a power meter in the cafe so people can see exactly how much energy is being used at any one time.

''In addition to generating its own power it is also intended to convert the building to low energy compact fluorescent and LED lighting systems.

''We're going to get a lot of extra power. We have got the water wheel and that will generate about 80KW of power. We also want to install solar panels on the roof for use in the kitchen.

''We have already had discussion with the Environment Agency who have been very supportive and we have got a planning application in with Calderdale Council.

''We aim if possible to start the work next spring."

He added: "I'm doing it because I believe in it and I think it is an important part of the history of the building.''