A derelict textile mill in Sutton-in-Craven has been redeveloped in an £8 million scheme, providing 65 high quality, affordable homes for local people.

The homes at Greenroyd Mill were officially opened by Eric Whatmough, a local Yorkshire Housing tenant and former manager at the old textile mill and Councillor Andy Quinn, Chair of Craven District Council.

The conversion of the 150 year-old mill will provide:

• 19, two and one bed, sheltered flats for the over 55s - occupied by Yorkshire Housing tenants formerly living at Yeadon House
• 20, two bed, general needs homes that will be available for sub-market rent and shared ownership managed by Yorkshire Housing
• 26 homes managed by Jephson Housing Association, 12 two, three and four bedroom maisonettes plus 14 two-bedroom apartments

Mr Whatmough worked at the textile mill in 1972 as a production controller and left in 1980, shortly before the mill closed. Reflecting on the transformation of the mill, Mr Whatmough said: "I think the transformation of the mill has been a miraculous job and it’s a fantastic achievement to have turned it in to such beautiful homes."


The development partnership have also contributed towards new playground equipment for Sutton Park, two pedestrian crossings, a public footway and heated bat boxes to support the existing bat population in the area.

Ged Walsh, Business and Development Director at Yorkshire Housing, commented: "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 through 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 complete.

(CD)