A GOVERNMENT inspector has highlighted the importance of Bradford’s towering mill chimneys to the district’s heritage and character.

Like many Yorkshire towns and cities, Bradford is peppered with landmark chimneys that hearken back to the days when mills and factories proved to be the lifeblood of the district.

Some, such as the 249 foot tall chimney at Listers Mill, and the chimney at Salts Mill in Saltaire, have become landmarks, and defining images of the area, even if the mills they were built for have long since fallen out of use and been re-purposed.

And the importance of mill chimneys to Bradford has now been confirmed by a government planning inspector, who was weighing in on controversial plans to demolish a chimney in a Bradford Conservation Area.

Council blocks plans to demolish listed mill building after history groups object

Developers who were planning to re-develop Jowett House, turning the vacant building on Sunbridge Road into flats.

As part of the development, the building’s mill chimney would have been demolished, along with other smaller buildings on the site, to make way for a landscaped garden area for residents.

The plans were criticised by the West Yorkshire Archaeological Advisory Service, which called the chimney a “rarity in the district and county.”

The building, a former wool combing mill, lies in the Goitside Conservation Area - where historic buildings are given an extra layer of protection.

The Conservation Area includes a large area on the outskirts of the city centre, from Thornton Road to Westgate, and takes in areas of Grattan Road and Sunbridge Road.

Bradford council refused the demolition plan, submitted by H Hussain, earlier this year, referencing the “unjustified loss of a rare mill chimney which would be detrimental to the heritage asset and wider area.”

An appeal was lodged against the Council’s decision, with the appeal documents describing the chimney as being “in a poor state of repair.” It added: “We feel that the chimney is not rare, with multiple similar examples located both in the immediate vicinity and many others in the wider district. Given that it serves no purpose within the existing site, and taking into account the current state of disrepair, retention will only see further decay.”

However, that appeal has now been dismissed by government appointed planning inspector Sarah Manchester.

In her decision, she referred to the importance of “traditional” mill chimneys to not only the Conservation Area, but also the character of the wider district.

Referring to the plans to demolish the Sunbridge Road chimney, her decision report says: “Together with the traditional former mill buildings that characterise the area, the chimney points to the industrial heritage of the Conservation Area and the district. It therefore makes a positive contribution to the significance of the Conservation Area.

“Moreover, while there are other historic chimneys nearby and in the wider area, the evidence before me indicates that such chimneys are now rare in the district as a whole and in the county.

“The loss of traditional features, such as mill chimneys, are identified threats to the significance of the Conservation Area.

“The demolition of the chimney would therefore fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation Area.

“Development should conserve and where appropriate enhance Bradford’s heritage assets, especially its industrial heritage relating to the textile industry including mills and chimneys, reinforcing the distinctive character of the area and taking account of Conservation Area guidance.”

The decision has been welcomed by local heritage guardians.

Si Cunningham, Chair of Bradford Civic Society, said: “I’m pleased that the government inspector has recognised Bradford’s unique architectural character and I hope that this sends a clear message to any developers with an interest in taking on a piece of industrial heritage.

“If you think of the Bradford skyline, it’s really enhanced by these grand industrial structures.

“If we go around knocking down all our old industrial features, we’ll just look any other boring town.”

Plans to convert Jowett House into 59 studio apartments have since been approved by the Council, as has an application to demolish a number of small, more modern buildings on the site. However the appeal decision means the chimney must remain.