Listed Huddersfield mill to get a new life as offices

Jan 8 2009 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

“Given the current economic climate it is heartening that a local development company which now owns the properties – Dewsbury-based Bradbury Investments Ltd – is confident of bringing these buildings back into use, with the potential of providing more than 150 new jobs.

“The development will provide badly-need top-grade office accommodation.”

Swedish bank Svenska Handelsbanken is backing the regeneration, and Kirklees hopes English Heritage and Yorkshire Forward will also add their support. Clr Sims hopes the Folly Hall development will enhance wider development plans.

Kirklees College won planning permission last year to build a new campus on a triangle of land between Manchester Road, Chapel Hill and the River Colne. The Waterfront Quarter plan, which also includes three blocks of flats and four offices buildings, will create 2,000 new jobs.

Clr Sims said: “Folly Hall is an extremely prominent former mill complex. The proposed scheme will improve the appearance of what is an important gateway to the town, and also complement the wider programme for the Waterfront Quarter and other proposed developments in this part of the town.”