Dudleys appointed to the restoration of Leeds mill

Dudleys Consulting Engineers has been appointed to assess the last two remaining buildings for redevelopment at the hugely successful Sunny Bank Mills regeneration site in Farsley, Leeds.

Dudleys is advising on the Structural and Civil design plans to support the redevelopment of the former 3,000 sq ft Dye House and the 2,500 sq ft Boiler House to enable refurbishment into modern, mixed-use accommodation.

Sunny Bank Mills is a collection of historic buildings, forming the community heart of Farsley town in Leeds. The site was founded in 1829 by a group of local weavers to become one of the world’s most important fine worsted mills.

Over the last ten years, considerable investment has been made by sixth generation family owners William and John Gaunt to regenerate the site to become a modern mixed-use complex and cultural hub where over 350 sustainable jobs have been created so far. As well as flexible space for businesses, it includes a heritage museum, art gallery and spaces for events and exhibitions.

Sunny Bank Mills prominence as a cultural hub continues to grow further having featured in numerous film, TV and radio events.

Dudleys has been retained as consulting engineers for the duration of redevelopment spanning over ten years. Working alongside Leeds based KPP Architects, the team has assisted with the transformation of the Sunny Bank Mills development, which sits in a site of approximately 4.5Ha at the centre of Farsley.

During this time numerous buildings have been refurbished, with various works undertaken to the associated external envelope and demolition work to create a focal central open space, in the Weavers’ Yard.

Peter Dixon, director at Dudleys, said, “We are delighted to be retained to advise on the last two important buildings at Sunny Bank Mills. The site is of considerable heritage value and so we must always seek to maximise the potential to retain as much of the old as well as incorporating the new.

“For all of the once derelict and dilapidated buildings we have managed to safely retain the substantial core as well as the historic buildings fabric to preserve the industrial setting within more contemporary elements to deliver some characterful spaces that are now thriving.”

John Gaunt of Sunny Bank Mills, said, “The story of Sunny Bank Mills is of considerable note, not just for Leeds but for the UK as the world leader in textile manufacturing. Since the value of weaving was lost, we have worked tirelessly to sympathetically regenerate the site for modern day use and maintain its employment potential.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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