One of Yorkshire’s richest men has told councillors offering social housing at a site in Huddersfield isn't viable

Multi-millionaire Alan Lewis CBE, who is worth £270m and ranks 12th on the Yorkshire rich list, appeared at Huddersfield Town Hall to lobby councillors.

The council’s strategic planning committee was meeting to consider major housing plans at the former Jarmain textile mill at Dalton.

Consultants employed by Mr Lewis’ firm the Hartley Group told councillors “it was not viable” to provide affordable housing as it would hit their profits too hard.

The committee heard only 17% profit would be made instead of the industry norm of 20%.

Councillors on the committee reluctantly approved the 126 home plan without a single affordable home.

Many spoke of their frustration at being between a “rock and a hard place” as they urgently needed houses built.

Clr Graham Turner described it as a “stitch up”.

Councillor Graham Turner

“We have a free market but then we have housing developers that insist on a 20% profit margin,” he said.

Clr Carole Patterson, said: “We’re caught between a rock and hard place, backed into a corner.

“The one positive is we are approving some useful building on a brownfield site.

“Those sites are currently an absolute scar on the area. It’s a shame it has to come at this cost.”

Clr Andrew Pinnock said a number of questions about housing policy needed to be asked

Globe Mills owner Alan Lewis
Globe Mills owner Alan Lewis

“Is a 20% profit, the industry norm, acceptable?” he said. “Is this going to rule every decision that we have to make about affordable housing?”

Speaking to the Examiner after the homes plan was approved Mr Lewis defended his record.

“We’re passionate about regenerating Yorkshire,” he said. “We’re investing millions into Globe Mills at Slaithwaite which is financed by my own money.

“We’re leaving money in Yorkshire, not taking it away.

Take a look at the Yorkshire rich list for 2014 and see the county's 20 richest people

“Where we are capable of offering affordable housing we’re very keen to give it but there are some sites where it is not possible.”

It is usual for 20% of the site to be ‘affordable’ – roughly 25 homes in this case – but the proportion can be negotiated with the council.

It was agreed that the developer would instead provide £150,000 to the council and complete a “green corridor” public open space on the site.

Mr Lewis’ firm must now seek approval from the Health and Safety Executive as it is thought the former industrial premises are heavily contaminated.

Who is Alan Lewis?

Alan Lewis made his fortune in the textile industry with brands under his ownership including upmarket coat firm Crombie.

Mr Lewis funds a scholarship for disadvantaged young people at the University of Huddersfield

He was appointed as Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship at the university last year.

His company is working in partnership with the university and corporate giant 3M to build a technology hub at Globe Mills in Slaithwaite

A devout Christian he is reported to read the Bible every day.

If approved the houses will be on two plots off Crossley Lane and Cold Royd Lane – 50 on one, 76 on the other.

Speaking to the committee before the decision, Mr Lewis, 77, said: “We’re very keen to get moving on delivering houses in this area.

“We’ve been waiting a long time.

“These sites are brownfield and they’ve lay idle for four or five years.”