5-7-23: Site Visit to Greenholme Mills
This was the Shed's second visit to the site, the first being in October 2022, when it was still very much a construction site, and it was impressive to see how it has been developed since then.
Transport was provided for those who were unable to make the walk down Iron Row to Greenholme Mills, where we assembled near the entrance to the new Atrium, to meet up with Mark, the site manager.
Mark was able to give us some well informed commentary about the origins of the project, and how it is one of several similar mill developments in the Bradford area being undertaken by MMR Construction, who are private investors. see the feature in the Yorkshire Post.
We were able to take a look around the show apartments that are on each floor, several of which have elevated views over the pastures and river as it sweeps passed the site.
After taking us through the security face-recognition system, Mark unlocked a door to an otherwise hidden area under the mill (which is in the process of being made in to a gym for residents), and gave us an interesting insight to the important work done to open up the tunnels, which originally funnelled water from the Mill's Goit, so as to drive the twin turbines that were housed at an even lower level. The turbines are actually still in place, but for construction reasons are now cased in concrete, as they were unable to be salvaged due to the way the building was originally constructed around them! Photographs were taken and passed to the village History Archive which is based in the Library, and the Burley Local History Group.
Finally we were able to gather under the Pagoda, for discussions about the water treatment system that is in place to clean up water run-off before being directed to the river, and the new Cafe that will eventually be open to the village community.
Transport was provided for those who were unable to make the walk down Iron Row to Greenholme Mills, where we assembled near the entrance to the new Atrium, to meet up with Mark, the site manager.
Mark was able to give us some well informed commentary about the origins of the project, and how it is one of several similar mill developments in the Bradford area being undertaken by MMR Construction, who are private investors. see the feature in the Yorkshire Post.
We were able to take a look around the show apartments that are on each floor, several of which have elevated views over the pastures and river as it sweeps passed the site.
After taking us through the security face-recognition system, Mark unlocked a door to an otherwise hidden area under the mill (which is in the process of being made in to a gym for residents), and gave us an interesting insight to the important work done to open up the tunnels, which originally funnelled water from the Mill's Goit, so as to drive the twin turbines that were housed at an even lower level. The turbines are actually still in place, but for construction reasons are now cased in concrete, as they were unable to be salvaged due to the way the building was originally constructed around them! Photographs were taken and passed to the village History Archive which is based in the Library, and the Burley Local History Group.
Finally we were able to gather under the Pagoda, for discussions about the water treatment system that is in place to clean up water run-off before being directed to the river, and the new Cafe that will eventually be open to the village community.
