A village made famous by Last of the Summer Wine has been left outraged over plans to turn its historic textiles works into luxury homes.
Locals blasted plans to turn Hinchliffe Mill in Holmebridge, West Yorkshire, into 19 two to three-storey houses and five more on a nearby hill with parking for 82 cars.
They claimed that the huge development will put primary school children in danger as traffic clogs up the narrow road.
The derelict Grade Two listed former wool factory, which dates from 1832, has been eyed up by developers for about a decade.
But villagers have been left stunned by the scale of the development, which is surrounded by traditional Yorkshire stone cottages.
Locals blasted plans to turned Hinchliffe Mill (pictured) in Holmebridge, West Yorkshire, into 19 two to three-storey houses and five more on a nearby hill with parking for 82 cars
They claimed that the huge development will put primary school children in danger as traffic clogs up the narrow road. Pictured: The east and west elevation of the mill and the proposed first floor plan
The derelict Grade Two listed former wool factory, which dates from 1832, has been eyed up by developers for about a decade. Pictured: The Last Of The Summer Wine cast
Villagers have been left stunned by the scale of the development, which is surrounded by traditional Yorkshire stone cottages. Pictured: A bird’s eye view of the plans
They say local roads are to narrow for two vehicles to pass and have no pavements meaning they will be swamped with traffic and endanger primary pupils
They say local roads are to narrow for two vehicles to pass and have no pavements meaning they will be swamped with traffic and endanger primary pupils.
They also fear woodland and wildlife will be devastated, along with Hinchliffe Mill Conservation Area and protected Green Belt land.
Planners were warned ‘aside from the loss of the ambience, character, unspoilt views, road congestion and parking’ the scheme will devastate tourism.
Hinchcliffe Mill is a popular stop for Last of the Summer Wine fans to catch a glimpse of the stone cottage home Edie Pegden lived with screen husband Wesley.
Dame Thora Hird played the role until she was 91 and her checking she had locked the front door became one of the show’s longest-running gags.
They also fear woodland and wildlife will be devastated, along with Hinchliffe Mill Conservation Area and protected Green Belt land
Planners were warned ‘aside from the loss of the ambience, character, unspoilt views, road congestion and parking’ the scheme will devastate tourism. Pictured: The landscapes where the properties will be
Hinchcliffe Mill is a popular stop for Last of the Summer Wine fans to catch a glimpse of the stone cottage home Edie Pegden lived with screen husband Wesley. Pictured: The proposed properties
Dame Thora Hird played the role until she was 91 and her checking she had locked the front door became one of the show’s longest-running gags. Pictured: The proposed overall site plan
Retired vicar Steve Davie, 69, Chairman of Holmfirth Conservation Group, summed up 85 letters railing against the plans
Retired vicar Steve Davie, 69, Chairman of Holmfirth Conservation Group, summed up 85 letters railing against the plans.
He said: ‘Holmfirth is in a very deep valley. The roads are narrow and slow and there is not a lot you can do about that without knocking houses down which would destroy the feel of the area.
‘We are looking at an overdevelopment of the site which will generate too much traffic for the size of the roads. We do not need more luxury housing. A lot of housing in the area is already too expensive.
‘In my view, this contravenes quite a lot of principles in the neighbourhood plan about affordable homes. We are not opposed to development. But it needs to be development which suits the character of the area and the character of Holmfirth.’
One local said: ‘The main selling points of the self catering accommodation and B&B providers in the village are the unspoilt views, picturesque location, historic, character cottages, tranquillity and ambience – which will all be lost.’
Another put: ‘The mill itself has enormous heritage value, this area ‘s history is of great importance and any development needs to be appropriate with conservation of the building and landscape it sits in as a vital part of any design.
‘This development is totally out of keeping with the character of Hinchcliffe Mill as a conservation area.’
One local said: ‘The main selling points of the self catering accommodation and B&B providers in the village are the unspoilt views, picturesque location, historic, character cottages, tranquillity and ambience – which will all be lost’
Developer M D One Ltd said: ‘We have ensured the updated designs and site layout are sympathetic to the conservation area and the industrial past of the site, whilst at the same time also providing well designed contemporary dwellings’
One man wrote: ‘The roads leading to the planned site are not suitable for huge construction vehicles whilst any planned works are carried out and are not suitable to support extra dwellings.
‘They are extremely narrow with no footpaths. The roads are used by parents and young school children on route to the first school and walkers and dog walkers.
‘It is already extremely busy and hazardous during peak times for people on foot and in vehicles too.
‘There will be a huge loss of habitat for wildlife who as we know are already struggling to survive in an ever decreasing world.
‘I urge you to please come and have a look at what is now a beautiful natural area, see the narrow streets that cannot support any further traffic before any decisions are made.’
And one more added: ‘The design of the scheme is not at all in keeping with the locations surrounding properties and will serve only to prove an eyesore viewable from the main Wood Head Road and Acre Lane where it will be clearly viewed sitting in the valley bottom.
‘The area forms part of the green belt area, falls within a conservation area and is also flood plain, all of which this scheme contradicts as detailed in the Local Kirklees Plan prepared for future development.’
Developer M D One Ltd said: ‘We have ensured the updated designs and site layout are sympathetic to the conservation area and the industrial past of the site, whilst at the same time also providing well designed contemporary dwellings.’
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