Picturesque Yorkshire village where 'imminent' threat of bulldozers sparks action to save buildings

Aug 02, 2023

According to the council, the mills and other buildings linked with the textile industry are vital to the area's character

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Calderdale Council has proposed giving part of the village of West Vale special conservation status after a number of historic buildings were under threat.

According to the council, the "distinctive character" of Calderdale is partly due to the region's heritage buildings. These are largely mills and other buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

In West Vale, you can find the former mill office and two foremen's houses which were previously associated with the demolished West Vale Mill. According to the council they are in a good condition.

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However, they are currently under the "imminent" threat of demolition, which the council argues would have a detrimental effect on the area. This demolition does not need planning permission, making the situation more urgent.

As a result, all members of the council will be asked at a meeting on August 7, to recommend the council designates the centre of West Vale a conservation area. This would then mean any demolition of the buildings would require planning permission.

The council also considers a number of other buildings in the town as worth of the conservation area, including the 17th century Clay House and barn, other former textile industry buildings and homes, civic buildings and the Grade II listed railway viaduct over Stainland Road.

Councillor Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s Leader, said: "Calderdale’s heritage buildings and features play an important part in the borough’s identity, sense of place and distinctiveness. Our Local Plan and Council priorities champion the protection of our historic environment.

"West Vale played a prominent part in the borough’s textile and industrial heritage. It is only right that we do all we can to conserve the much-loved former mill buildings that are threatened with demolition but contribute so positively to the village’s character and appearance."

If this move is approved, then a public consultation would be undertaken after the designation. A 'Conservation Area' is defined in Section 69 (1) (a) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as an area of "special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance".