Part of historic Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley could be transformed into a performance space and gallery.
Sunny Bank Mills landlords William and John Gaunt aim to transform The Old Woollen mill area in the middle of the site into a multi-functional space, with the option for tenants or performance teams to provide visitors with refreshments.
The move is the latest phase in the multi-million pound regeneration of the former mill site.
A design statement accompanying the application says:
“Trouble at Mill are a local business who have previously held successful ‘pop up events’ on the site, attracting people from outside of the area to Farsley, bringing a social and economic boost to the area – as has the Mill Gallery with various exhibitions.
“The aspiration of the application is to provide a dedicated space for such events.
“The site has been undergoing a demolition and regeneration project, which includes the demolition of redundant warehouse buildings adjacent to the application unit.
“These works have provided an opportunity to realise our aspiration of bringing the public into the heart of the site, and provides new opportunities for small independent businesses to set up in spaces that weren’t previously possible.”
The application adds that one of the key aspirations of the regeneration is to make Sunny Bank Mills more accessible to the wider community:
“The active promotion of the vacant buildings within the site, opening up the frontage and reconnecting Town Street, has already had a positive impact on the economy of the area.
“Further exposure of the site and activity within is encouraging new tenants and steadily regenerating life back into Sunny Bank Mills.
“Consequently the overall development is providing employment opportunities for the local community, opportunities which need to be encouraged at this time in order to boost the economic development of the area.”
The site is now home to many small but varied businesses from photographers, graphic designers and joiners to physios and a social enterprise business.
The planning application can be viewed in full here.