Highly Attractive Freehold Residential Development Opportunity
WESTWOOD MILL, LOW WESTWOOD LANE, HUDDERSFIELD, WEST YORKSHIRE
- Highly Attractive 10 acre (4.05 ha) Freehold New Build Residential Development Opportunity
- Rarely available waterside position in a highly convenient location
- Existing Planning Permission establishing the principle of residential development
SITE OVERVIEW AND OPPORTUNITY
This unique residential development opportunity extends to approximately 10 acres (4.05 ha), consisting of generally vacant scrubland surrounding the Westwood Mill complex (that is largely collapsed) and mill pond (for the avoidance of doubt the Westwood Mill complex is excluded from the sale). The site is bound by the Huddersfield Narrow Canal to its north, the Rover Colne to its south and west and Low Westwood Lane to its east, where access is to be taken. Beyond Low Westwood Lane sits the awards winning ‘Titanic Mills’ development. The boundaries to the site offer an opportunity to create a scheme within its own environment, benefitting from a rarely found ‘standalone’ waterside position.
Located approximately 5km south west from the centre of Huddersfield, the location offers convenient access to the wide range of local services in both Linthwaite and Slaithwaite and access to the motorway network (Junction 23 of the M62 lies 4km north of the site). Furthermore, Slaithwaite train station (1.5km west of the site, accessible along the canal tow path) offers regular rail links to Leeds and Manchester on the extensive Northern Rail service. Leeds City Centre is located approximately 30km north east, Sheffield 35km south east, and Manchester 35km west.
Titchmarsh & Bagley are instructed to secure a developer, on a subject to planning basis, to deliver the new build element of this scheme. Our client, Michael Wilson Restorations, will deliver the refurbishment of the existing/ retained mill buildings. Michael Wilson Restorations have an enviable track record in delivering award winning refurbished projects, and have funding in place to deliver this project. More details can be found at www.mwrestorations.co.uk.
TOWN PLANNING
In terms of planning, the site is located in the Green Belt and the Linthwaite Conservation Area.
Existing Planning Permission – The site benefits from Full Planning Permission (TP ref: 2020/90710) and Listed Building Consent (ref: 2020/65/90711/W), granted in September 2023, for a total of 127 units incorporating 64 new build houses and 63 apartments (38 of which will be converted from the former Westwood Mill, and the other 25 new build apartments in an adjacent block). The new build element of the scheme has been granted on the basis of ‘Enabling Development’ for the restoration of the mill, a Grade 2* Listed property.
A Sec. 106 Agreement accompanies the planning permission requires a £17,000 Commuted Sum for off-site highway improvements and £73,000 Commuted Sum as an Education Contribution. There is no Affordable Housing provision required as part of the existing planning permission. The Sec. 106 allows for the delivery of a first phase, including some new build housing and the apartments (both new build and refurbished units) immediately. The Phase 2 new build housing cannot be constructed over slab level until the refurbishment of the mill has achieved first fix and been signed off by the Local Authority. Copies of all the approved plans, Planning Decision Notice, Sec. 106 Agreement and Committee Reports are available in the ‘Documents and Downloads’ section.
Potential Revised Planning Application – Since the Planning and Listed Building consent was granted, our clients have engaged with Kirklees MBC to discuss delivering a more viable, housing – led new build scheme, and reducing the quantum of refurbishment of the retained mill buildings (as essentially the consented scheme is not viable to deliver). These discussions have been based on drawing ref: 112.127.1 Rev F showing 100 new build units, broadly within the footprint of what has previously been consented, in a more ‘deliverable’ form of two and three storey detached and semi-detached units, as shown below:
Minutes of the last meeting held with Kirklees Council (with representation form Historic England) held on 11.07.25, together with our clients planning consultants further views of the meeting can be found in the ‘Documents and Downloads’ section (in the ‘Site Area, 100 Unit Scheme Plans and Planning Meeting Minutes’ Section), but suffice to say there is support for a revised scheme broadly on the basis put forward. Whilst there are a number of other aspects requiring further consideration, the planners are keen to support development of this site.
In light of the above, we are seeking to enter in to a ‘subject to planning’ arrangement with a developer who will deliver the new build element, acquiring the land once planning consent has been granted. Our clients will deliver the refurbished element (it will be a requirement to link the delivery of the new build to the delivery of the refurb established by the existing planning consent). A pre-app will be required before the submission of an amend planning application, and our clients would be happy to work in partnership with our preferred developer to engage with Kirklees via a formal pre-app prior to entering in to contracts.
Further Information
A full suite of technical information is available for the ‘Documents and Downloads’ section to assist in preparing a scheme for the new build element, together with all planning information and drawings associated with the consented scheme by way of background.
VAT
The Property is elected for VAT
Tender Process
The opportunity is offered For Sale via Private Treaty.
VIEWINGS
The site can be viewed from Low Westwood Lane and the tow path that follows the Huddersfield Narrow Canal along the northern boundary. To walk the site, please contact the selling agents to arrange a suitable time for an accompanied viewing.
Contact
For further information, please contact:
| Matthew Bagley Tel: 07912 952 502 matthew@titchmarshandbagley.com |