Planning permission has been granted for the speculative development of an historic Grade II listed textile mill in the heart of the thriving Park Valley Business Park in Lockwood, Huddersfield.
The 20,600 sq ft heritage Mending Rooms building will be imaginatively converted to high-quality office accommodation.
The project has been supported by a grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), with the total project costing circa £2.3m.
Work is scheduled to start on site within the next six months, once architects and contractors have been appointed. There will be an 18-month build period.
Martin Duckett of developers Park Valley Huddersfield Ltd explained that the radically-refurbished Mending Rooms would deliver prime SME employment space on a successful site to support inward investment and company expansion.
He commented: “We are confident that this exciting opportunity will attract technology, digital, innovate manufacturing, food and drink and life sciences companies to occupy and work alongside each other within superb new cutting-edge office space within an historic building.
“The new-look Mending Rooms, with four state-of-the-art floors, will support economic growth in the Huddersfield area and enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.
“We will provide space that small start-ups and entrepreneurs can occupy, as they enjoy first-class physical and digital infrastructure, supporting the growth and sustainability of their businesses.
“We are tremendously proud of what has already been achieved at Park Valley Business Park and Park Valley House, where more than 150 sustainable jobs have been created already. Once completed, the Mending Rooms should be home to another 80 employees.
He explained: “We have been able to transform a derelict industrial site into a modern business park, with first-class industrial units and wonderful heritage building in Park Valley House. Now the Mending Rooms will be the next jewel in our crown.”
“We have built speculatively in a challenging commercial property market, placing our faith in the Huddersfield area and this faith has been rewarded on a site which has a proud history and a great future.”
Both Park Valley Business Park, which comprises 18 light industrial units, and Park Valley House are now fully occupied.
