Fears of ‘massive hole’ as plans to revamp Marsden mill hang in the balance

A “massive hole” could be left in Marsden town center if the New Mills development does not go ahead, a ward councilor has said.

Last week, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reported that council documents showed multi-million pound plans to transform New Mills in Marsden were financially “unviable”. This is despite £5.6m being awarded to the scheme from the government’s Leveling Up fund in March 2023 and £11.7m from private sector funding.

However, the pre-application team remains “confident” that their preferred option – “Option 6” – can be delivered, a meeting of the council’s Strategic Planning Committee heard yesterday (June 20), with additional funding being sought. This option differs slightly from the one that secured the funding and would see some of the mill buildings bulldozed and replaced and others renovated.

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Planning consultant Matthew Sheppard told the meeting: “The Crowther family have owned New Mills for generations and they have been on a long journey with this site. The buildings fall further into disrepair, becoming a liability for both them and Marsden.

“The residents I’ve spoken to over the last few days really want to see something positive happen here.”

He added: “If we can’t make it work financially, then the default option will be to do nothing, which will probably lead to buildings falling down, becoming even more of a crisis and just a liability for everyone . This is not a great outcome for the applicant or for Marsden and we really want to avoid this happening.”

Mr Sheppard also spoke about the balance that needs to be struck between preserving historic buildings and achieving a viable scheme. Although the plans are still at the pre-application stage, the report explains that the preferred option would create around 339 jobs and 21 apartments, along with office and retail space.

After the mill closed its doors in the early 2000s, a development was approved a few years later in 2006. This would see some of the mill buildings demolished and bring a doctor’s office, new apartments and commercial and office space, but that didn’t come off.

Colne Valley ward councilor Harry McCarthy (Labour) described the current scheme as “a great opportunity for Marsden” and spoke of the benefits for employment and housing in the village and wider Kirklees area.

One area of ​​concern was the lack of parking noted in the report, particularly with traffic and parking being some of the key issues said to be raised by local residents during the hiring.

The councilor added: “Any scheme to redevelop this site must be weighed against ‘option 1’ – do nothing. To do nothing is to actively decide to allow the mills to continue to decay and to actively leave what is effectively a massive hole in the center of an otherwise thriving village.”

When commenting on the plans, the committee was generally supportive, with Cllr Mohan Sokhal (Labour, Greenhead) saying he “welcomed” the development. Councilor Andrew Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) suggested the site be photographed before the buildings are demolished as a record of its heritage.

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