A crowdfunding appeal to take a crumbling Kirkstall mill building into community use has smashed its initial £40,000 target.
Members of the Kirkstall Valley Development Trust have raised the cash to put together an initial business plan to transform historic Abbey Mills for community and work use.
Amazing! We've reached our £40,000 target with a week to spare. Massive thanks to all supporters – we can't wait to get planning next steps. pic.twitter.com/1Z36TVgYsZ
— Kirkstall Valley DT (@kirkstallvalley) April 14, 2017
It’s hoped the mills, which date back to the late 18th century and have been empty for a number of years, would get a new lease of life as community facilities, a ‘Future City’ University research centre and flats.
More than 100 people have invested almost £44,000, which will allow the trust to undertake the development work, which includes architects, surveyors and business planning etc. This will produce the evidence to persuade Leeds City Council to transfer the mill to the Trust.
Campaigner and Burley resident Adele Rae said:
“It would be really nice to use this building for something quite remarkable in Kirkstall and Burley to support people that live here.”
The money has been raised in just two months.
The proposals are part of a wider plan to create a 200-acre urban park in the Kirkstall Valley.