Holme Valley Review July 2017

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July 2017

Inspectorate to decide future of Washpit Mills By Olivia Taylor

THE future of the former Washpit Mills site has been taken out of the council’s hands, after the developer appealed. Sheffield based company Prospect Estates has appealed the non-determination of the planning application to the Planning Inspectorate. This means the decision has not been made by Kirklees Council in the necessary time limit. Rob Cooke, regional acquisitions manager at Prospect Estates, said: “The planning application has been put to the inspectorate quite simply because Kirklees haven’t made the decision in the time frame they said they would.” This means Kirklees planning committee no longer have the

power to decide whether or not a huge redevelopment of Washpit Mills will go ahead, instead this decision now lies in the hands of a government inspector. A council spokesperson said: “The council received a planning application from developers for a site at Washpit Mills. “The council were in the process of preparing a Position Statement report on this major and complex application to brief the Planning Committee when the developer decided they would exercise their right to appeal the non-determination of the planning application to the Planning Inspectorate.” Washpit Mills was once the home to textile firm Westwood Yarns, but the historic mill went into administration in December 2015. If the redevelopment is

approved locals could see a 23-bed-hotel, eight houses, 16 apartments, spa, restaurant, offices and workshops come to Holmfirth. But residents have been quick to express their concerns about the potential increase in traffic. Lamma Well Road resident, Michael Martin, said: “The development needs fewer houses, more landscaping, a major upgrade to Washpit New Road and discrete car parking. Otherwise the development could help regenerate an area which will only become an eyesore over time.” Holmfirth councillors also condemned the application at a planning meeting in March on the same grounds. A spokesperson from the council said: “Had the council

remained in a position to decide on the planning application, it would have refused it on the grounds that the pedestrian access options from the site was not being sufficiently improved to promote accessibility. “At this time the appeal has not been determined by the Planning Inspector.” However, if the application is approved, Holmfirth could see an economic boost, with more jobs and a hotel to attract tourists. Rob added: “The development could create about 100 jobs which is a real boost for the local economy, and The Carding Shed are moving to the site and they employ about 65 members of staff.” The final decision will be made in August.

The rainy weather didn’t dampen the spirits of thousands of visitors to the annual Honley Show. The agricultural extravaganza, which has been entertaining crowds since 1921, welcomed thousands of visitors through its gates at Farnley Tyas in its 96th year. An overnight downpour which continued into the morning meant that wellies and raincoats were the order of the day. But in spite of the weather, families still lapped up a full day of entertainment.

Photograph by Sandie Nicholson.

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