Residents challenged to save old corn mill from bulldozers

Horsforth Office Park Limited (HOPL) owns the Grade II listed building, located in the Miller Homes Corn Mill Fold development, off Low Lane in Horsforth, Leeds.

The developer had initially planned to retain the old building but has now come to the conclusion that it cannot be saved because the land beneath it is too contaminated and there is an increased flood risk.

It wants to build offices on the site.

The decision to seek permission to demolish the building has angered local councillors.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Townsley pointed out that HOPL had gained planning permission in 2004 to build four blocks of flats on a site adjacent to the mill.

This permission included a requirement to retain and refurbish the mill building.

“However, the flats were built without this work ever taking place as the permission did not specify a date for it to be done by,” he said.

Coun Townsley, who represents Horsforth, has now received a letter from consultants employed by HOPL stating that they now want to demolish the building completely, stating that this is “absolutely the best solution” for the site.

He is calling on residents to unite in opposition to the scheme.

He said: “The building is woven into the fabric of Horsforth’s history. It would be an act of cultural hooliganism if HOPL were allowed to demolish it.

“This building dates back to 1772 and corn milling took place on this site for centuries beforehand.”

He said the building had steadily fallen into disrepair over recent years.

“There is deep and widespread concern within the town about this plan. But there is no way we are rolling over and HOPL should prepare themselves to be met by opposition in the strongest possible terms.”

The letter, sent on June 10 from WYG planning consultants, who represent Horsforth Office Park Limited, said the plans for the site followed discussions with council officers over many months as well as detailed technical assessments of the site and building “in order to explore possible solutions to retain the building.”

It adds: “The (planning) application package demonstrates that, unfortunately, it is not possible to retain the building but my client is committed to finding a solution to regenerate this site to allow a viable new use.”

The letter goes on to say that, due to flood risk and existing contamination, it has not been possible to achieve a viable conversion scheme for the mill.

“When the original conversion planning consent was granted, it was hoped that the site could be decontaminated and significant decontamination of the site has now taken place.

“However, it is evident that the remaining contamination is under the building and the structure is not stable enough to withstand further decontamination which will impact below the surface and affect structural stability,” the letter from WYG added.

On the subject of flooding risk, WYG said that “the examination of flood risk and potential flooding is far greater now than when the original conversion consent was granted.”

A Leeds Council spokesman said two applications had been received – one for an office block of two and three storeys, with car parking, and the other for the demolition of the former corn mill.

Both applications are at an early stage and consultations with English Heritage, Horsforth Town Council and others have just begun.

Councillors on the city council’s plans panel are expected to visit the site before they make a decision.

It is expected to come before the committee on August 18.