Heritage guardians have highlighted one of the district’s historic mills as being “at risk” in a bid to attract suggestions from the public about what should happen to decaying ancient buildings.

It will lead to a document, to be published in October, which will reveal exactly how much of the area’s industrial heritage is at risk and under threat.

The English Heritage investigation is aimed at proposing possible ways forward to protect buildings such as Low Mills in Keighley.

The building, off Low Mills Lane, is the oldest cotton mill in Yorkshire – it was constructed in 1779 – and is the only cotton mill left in the county.

Neil Redfern, planning team leader with English Heritage, said they wanted to get owners, developers, local people, voluntary bodies, academics, professionals and politicians involved in debating the future of industrial heritage before it was too late.

He said: “The period from 1750 to the First World War shaped the region’s place in the world and laid the foundations of the modern age in which new forms of industry have emerged.

“But much of this industrial heritage is now at risk and the current economic climate isn’t helping. Owners are finding it hard to look after the needs of their buildings as well as their businesses.

“Developers are cautious about taking on vacant industrial buildings and public bodies and regeneration agencies are less able to support schemes for re-use."

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