A MASSIVE industrial site in Huddersfield is set to get a new lease of life.
Councillors will next week be urged to back a major redevelopment of the Park Valley Mills complex.
The site, off Meltham Road in Lockwood, will see existing dilapidated buildings replaced with 18 purpose-built new industrial units.
Developers hope the new scheme will bring dozens of jobs and help regenerate the area.
Some of the new tenants are expected to be businesses wanting to relocate or expand in more modern premises.
The application is due to be considered by members of the Huddersfield planning sub-committee next Thursday. The current site is owned by Holmfirth Dyers, which already occupies part of the sprawling three-hectare site.
The firm uses some of the buildings but many on the site are empty and are falling into disrepair.
The proposed scheme would be in two parts, with the first phase seeing a small number of units created with ancillary office space.
The rest of the development would be tackled at a later date.
The current complex includes the main office blocks, a Grade II listed former mill building which is to stay and a range of different-sized storage and manufacturing buildings.
Experts who have inspected many of the buildings say that refurbishment is impractical and that demolition is the best option.
Traffic studies for the new development have taken into account the poor road safety record on Meltham Road, which runs from Lockwood to Netherton.
It has been the scene of several very serious accidents and new signs and road markings have been put in place to try and reduce speeds.
A report to members of the planning committee says: “The outdated form of the existing buildings and their poor state of repair and the lack of suitable design for the modern business is highly apparent.
“The extent of work required to refurbish and update the majority of the buildings precludes the re-use and conversion.
“The proposed development will help attract businesses wanting to relocate or expand in a sustainable location.”
