A dilapidated Grade II listed mill by the River Ure at one of the National Park’s most renowned beauty spots, Aysgarth Falls, is to be converted and restored.
Planning Committee on Tuesday granted permission for the conversion of Yore Mill into nine apartments with a visitor centre and commercial unit, with a reinstated hydro-electric turbine.
Currently the building, which was operated as a carriage museum for 34 years until 2003, is unsafe to enter and the roof is falling in.
The Highways Authority objected to the application on grounds of lack of parking and highway safety. Planning Committee decided that these concerns had been addressed in the past month by the applicant entering into an agreement with the National Park Authority to use the nearby National Park Centre car park.
Speaking at the meeting, the applicant’s agent, Timothy Crawshaw, thanked Members for deferring consideration of the application by a month.
“We thank officers for working hard with us come up with a solution. We’ve had positive and productive discussions. The building is at risk and is a very, very important architectural and cultural asset. The development will add to the vibrancy of the village. Another winter of the building in limbo would be potentially very harmful and the applicant is keen to implement the scheme.”
National Park Authority Chairman Carl Lis said: “Thank goodness we’ve got there. Can I take this opportunity to thank our officers for sheer doggedness and determination in working with the applicant to find a viable solution.”
Member Robert Heseltine told the meeting: “The whole complex is an absolutely magnificent industrial gem and the cultural heritage of that has to be preserved.”
Such wonderful news about Yore Mill… so important to retain our heritage for the next generation. My father did a lot of work for the Civic Society in Settle in the late 1960’s & 70’s. Knew John Miller who was instrumental in raising funds for the Folly & starting Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford.
How can I get involved?
Hi Joanna, Thanks for your comment. Yore Mill is going to be converted and restored by developer Dave Peacock. Not sure there would be an opportunity to get involved in that project. But there are volunteer opportunities with the National Park Authority to get involved in conserving cultural heritage? Pls email me at andrew.fagg@yorkshiredales.org.uk and I could put you in touch with people.
This is great news, as we have been sad to see these beautiful buildings fall into disrepair. As a probable relative of the Birkbecks of Settle who built the mill, my husband would love to come and open the new development!
My God father David Plumb used to live in the Miller’s House which can be seen in the back left of the picture. I spent several happy summer’s visiting in the late 1980’s, spending my time walking their dog on the National Park, and fly fishing the stretch above and below the Upper Falls. At the time the mill was a thriving museum / gift shop and was a lovely building with a lot of visitors. I look forward to it being restored sympathetically.