£8m homes project at derelict textile mill

The project at Greenroyd Mill, in Sutton-in-Craven, near Keighley, will provide 65 affordable homes for local people in a part of Yorkshire where many local people and families are priced out of the housing market.

The conversion of the 150-year-old mill is providing:

Nineteen, two-bed and one-bed, sheltered flats for the over 55s, which will be occupied by Yorkshire Housing tenants formally living at Yeadon House;

Twenty two bed, general needs homes that will be available for sub-market rent and shared ownership managed by Yorkshire Housing;

Twenty-six general needs homes managed by Jephson Housing Association, 12 two, three and four bedroom maisonettes plus 14 two-bedroom apartments;

The business and development director at Yorkshire Housing, Ged Walsh, said: “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 be completed.

The chairman of Craven District Council, Andy Quinn, said: “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.”