ThePress
Friday December 2, 2016
Building a community
15
News in Brief The Rose blooms BATLEY: A charity single recorded to raise funds in memory of Jo Cox has raised £1,600 so far. The Batley Community Choir released the song which will raise money for The Royal Voluntary Service, Hope Not Hate and The White Helmets through the Jo Cox Fund. The choir, featuring more than 200 singers, performed The Rose single live on Channel Four’s The Last Leg the day after her death and then recorded it at Batley Town Hall in July. The song can be bought from the choir’s website,www.batleysings.org/buy-the-rose.
Most wanted caught The 150-year-old buildin gs have been sympathetically red eveloped
rkforce on site at Some of the 80-strong wo
Special Feature By David Bentley “WE’RE trying to build a community”. That’s the view of the team behind Blakeridge Mill Village, the impressive development which is taking shape just outside Batley town centre. Commuters, shoppers and locals won’t have been able to miss the hive of activity just off Mayman Lane, as new life is breathed back into the 150year-old mill complex. Binks Developments, who have owned Blakeridge Mill since 2004, have more than 80 tradesmen and women on site converting eight former industrial buildings into apartments for up to 500 people, once the project is completed. The Blakeridge Mill Village concept is the brainchild of well-known businessman Richard Binks, who has sympathetically redeveloped a number of former industrial sites in the district, including Ledgard Bridge Mill in Mirfield and Sprinkwell Mill in Dewsbury. The 10-acre JT & J Taylor textile mill site employed 2,000 people in its heyday but
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Blakeridge Mill Village
had been left derelict in recent years. The original mill was built in 1863 and extended in 1913. Mr Binks said: “We’re huge fans of Batley and we’re contributing a lot to the local economy. “So many Batley people have a story to tell about these mills, we want to do them justice. “This site is a real gem and each building has a different story to tell. It’s very special and uplifting. We can see why people are queueing up to rent here. “Investment of this scale will encourage other businesses to invest in the people of Batley as I think that success breeds success.” Several of the buildings have been completed – one as far back as 2007 – and scores of people from across the region are now calling Blakeridge, and Batley, their home. Work continues on a number of residential buildings and an access road, originally planned as part of a nowmothballed supermarket scheme, is nearing completion. Years of planning applica-
KIRKLEES: Police say they have arrested Kirklees’ ‘most wanted man’ in Dewsbury. Officers, aided by a police helicopter made the arrest in the Westtown area yesterday (Thursday). Armed police swooped on three men at a property, including one who was wanted on recall to prison. Chief Supt Steve Cotter made the announcement via social media, commending his officers for their work. The men remained in custody for further questioning.
Disabled fraud trial tion bids and a failed deal with Netto to build a store on spare land at the top of the site have not dampened the Binks family’s devotion to the Blakeridge project. Mr Binks’ daughters Harriet and Hannah run the on-site rental agency, called Raspberry Lettings, and they share their father’s passion. Harriet said: “We’re trying to build a community here, which is closely linked to Batley. We have great physical links into the town and residents work at lots of local employers, such as Fox’s Biscuits, Dewsbury Hospital, Tesco, local schools and the Junction 27 retail parks. “It’s a great mix of people with lots of professionals and young families, and we put on community events for everyone to get involved in. People stay with us for a long time. “We were very disappointed that Netto did not materialise, especially when we had spent vast sums of money on the planning process. But we have a waiting list for new tenants and we’re becoming a real rental destination.” Another planning applica-
The
PLOUGH ------------------------------ MIRFIELD ------------------------------
Monday 5th December
Ambitions4kirklees Christmas Sale Handmade gifts and crafts produced by Adults with learning difficulties and disabilities. Tree decorations, stocking fillers, Christmas art/crafts, Christmas wreaths, Cards, gift tags etc. Tea/coffee and mulled wine available.
from 10.30am-2pm
Saturday 10th December
Travelling Light (duo) NEW YEAR’S EVE DISCO FROM 8pm - no ticket required
Christmas Menu available from Monday 5th December (bookings only)
Normal menu will be available. Can cater for private parties, call us to discuss your requirements. Please call for a copy of the menu. Also available on facebook.
65 Shillbank Lane, Mirfield 01924 480787
The Plough Bar & Restaurant - Mirfield
tion was submitted by Binks Developments last week to create 104 apartments, leisure facilities and management offices on the lower floors of Blakeridge Mill itself. By spring 2017 the developers aim to have a swimming pool and gym on site for residents’ use, with the whole project hopefully finished by the end of that year. For rental details contact Raspberry Lettings 01924 474058 or email harriet@ binksvertical.co.uk.
LIVERSEDGE: A pensioner has appeared at court over accusations that he fraudulently used his wife’s disabled parking badge. Roland Ferenci, 68, appeared at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court where he denied six charges including having an article in his possession to commit a fraud, displaying a cancelled blue badge and failing to produce it when required. The court heard he allegedly avoided paying £1,000 in parking fees to the council. Ferenci, of Willow Walk, will stand trial at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court at a later date.