Reduce text sizeIncrease text sizeDefault coloursImproved contrastHigh contrastThis project has improved the supply of housing in a rural community with very high housing prices. Using local labour includingapprenticeships, the project, in a conservation area, has brought back in to use a derelict industrial building that had been empty for four years to create general needs affordable homes and new housing for older people .
The project is unique in that a joint commissioning approach has been used throughout to minimise costs and reduce delays in the process. Even though there are two separate registered providers of social housing and some homes for sale privately, professional services have been shared. The three partners have used the same architects but then took the partnership approach beyond the usual levels by sharing building contractor, quantity surveyors, and solicitors.
The success of the Greenroyd Mill scheme was recognized when it was awarded the 'Outstanding achievement in collaborative and partnership working award' at the Local Government Yorkshire and Humber making a difference awards 2011.
Greenroyd Mill is a nineteenth and twentieth century textile mill on the edge of the village of Sutton in Craven that was built for yarn spinning and ceased production over 20 years ago.
The development is the largest of its type in the area for many years and will increase the availability of homes for local people who are living in an area of increasing unaffordability. The housing supply has been managed without building on a green field site, thereby protecting the environment.
The site is in three different ownerships that could, without a joint working approach, have created problems in the development, but proved not to create any real issues between the partners.
Greenroyd Mill is a nineteenth and twentieth century textile mill on the edge of the village of Sutton in Craven that was built for yarn spinning and ceased production over 20 years ago.
The development is the largest of its type in the area for many years and will increase the availability of homes for local people who are living in an area of increasing unaffordability. The housing supply has been managed without building on a green field site, thereby protecting the environment.
The site is in three different ownerships that could, without a joint working approach, have created problems in the development, but proved not to create any real issues between the partners.
The housing for older people will replace a local development that is no longer fit for purpose as well as increasing the supply.
The total site will provide 94 homes, 69 in the Mill building and the rest built within the original boundary. Craven District Council, with funding from the HCA is working with partners to create 69 affordable homes of which Jephson Homes Housing Association will manage 30 general needs homes for rent to families and Yorkshire Housing Association will make 19 homes available for older people with a further 20 available for intermediate rent to first time buyers.
The restoration and conversion work is being undertaken by Barnfield Construction (www.barnfieldconstruction.co.uk/greenroyd-mill.html) who will also be building ten homes for sale adjacent to the Mill. These homes will be completed in December 2011
By reusing a derelict industrial building, greenfield land in the Yorkshire Dales is protected from development and an eyesore in the community is brought back in to viable use.
The contractor is a local business who has used local labour on the site helping the northern economy – spending & pound;12 million in the area and has even recruited two apprentices who are developing the necessary skills.
The pupils at the adjacent primary school benefitted from money through the planning process when a ‘section 106 agreement’ provided £5,000 towards the provision of play equipment at Sutton Park.
Section 106 agreements are a way of delivering or addressing matters in the local community that are necessary to make a particular development acceptable in planning terms, the full list of such developer contributions are:
Alison Day, Jephson North Development Manager, said:
“We have worked closely with all of the partners from the very beginning of this project and are delighted to see the homes nearing completion. A lot of additional care has had to be taken to ensure everyone has been working with a coordinated approach and to make sure that everybody has been kept in the loop about progress on site. It’s been a unique way of working but is an exciting project which we’re proud to be part of.”
Gareth Smith, Head of Regeneration and Business Development, at Barnfield construction said:
"Collaborative working is key to delivering a technically demanding scheme such as Greenroyd Mill. The re-use of an existing mill can be problematic due to non efficiencies of historical design but the professionalism and best use of skills from all parties really has delivered an exemplar scheme, on time and to budget. Too often in this day and age are you faced with unrealistic timetables and these are usually driven by expectations beyond the scheme boundaries. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Homes and Communities Agency, Yorkshire Housing and Jephson Homes and look forward to delivering more schemes in this collaborative partnership style."
Ged Walsh, Business and Development Director at Yorkshire Housing, said:
"The conversion of a large industrial building of historic relevance is never easy, but it has been made possible due to the major partners in the scheme; The Homes and Communities Agency, Craven District Council, Barnfield Construction, Redloft and Jephson Homes. Working together in a thorough and collaborative manner, whilst retaining the flexibility to take advantage of all funding opportunities, has successfully produced 65 high quality affordable homes for local people."
Abdul A Ravat, project manager for the HCA said:
“I am really pleased with what has been achieved at Greenroyd Mill. Our investment has not only provided 65 much needed local homes, but also has ensured that a derelict building has been given a second life.”
For more information, a press release about the launch is available at http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/news/mill-revamp-creates-affordable-homes
The high levels of collaboration and cost sharing was recognised when the scheme was awarded the 'Outstanding achievement in collaborative and partnership working award' at the Local Government Yorkshire and Humber making a difference awards 2011, winning despite strong competition from five other projects across the region.
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