CLIMBERS from across Britain could be flocking to Brighouse.
A plan to convert a former flour mill into a state of the art climbing centre has been unveiled.
It could mean an end to a decade-long saga about what to do with the former Sugden’s site in the centre of the town.
Developers working on the plans hope to be able to submit proposals to Calderdale Council early in the new year.
The climbing centre, which would include 20-metre high climbing walls, a competition wall and a bouldering cave, could occupy the old Sugden’s Mill in Mill Royd Street.
Previous plans to develop the site have fallen by the wayside in the wake of a planning row between Calderdale Council and local businessman Bill Ibberson over its future.
It has stood empty for 10 years after it was bought by Mr Ibberson’s company Younger Homes.
Now ROKT, the company behind the climbing centre project, hope that they can utilise the large towers of the mill to create a sporting attraction.
The plan would bring back into use the towering silos which have not been used for many years and are a feature of the Brighouse skyline.
Mr Leigh Topping, a director of ROKT, said: “There is a massive influx into the sport and we hope to cater for that.
“Everyone from beginners to professionals will be welcome as well as families and groups of school children.
“We feel other climbing walls don’t offer a friendly and welcoming atmosphere but we hope to provide that.”
ROKT has tried to set up in Calderdale previously but plans for a site in Elland fell through.
Mr Topping added: “We thought we had the site in Elland secured and it fell through at the last minute which was so disappointing.
“This site is even better though and I can't see many people objecting. It can only bring positives to the area.”
Designer Paul Ibberson said that it would attract people to Brighouse from across Yorkshire.
“There are no other climbing centres like it that we know of in the UK,” he said.
“We are providing a unique experience which makes great use of the existing building which would otherwise have been demolished and will help economic growth in the area.”
