THIS image shows how a Grade II-listed former mill complex will look when transformed into 117 apartments, helping to restore “an important part of Bradford’s industrial heritage”. 

Plans to transform the imposing Barkerend Mills were approved in June, with planning chiefs highlighting how buildings on the site have been subject to arson attempts and are falling into disrepair.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Barkerend Mills in its current state Barkerend Mills in its current state (Image: newsquest)

Barkerend Mills was built in the 1870s, and at its height employed more than 400 people, when it was one of Bradford’s leading worsted spinning mills. It’s thought it was designed by Bradford-based architects Milnes and France and was built to be fireproof.

The surviving mill was part of a much larger collection of industrial buildings, many of which were demolished in the 1990s.

The complex consists of three main buildings and will be developed by Barkerend Mills Ltd, with the scheme designed by Brewster Bye Architects.

The site’s two main buildings, known as Barkerend Mill and North Mill, will be converted into a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments, and the third building, Tahiti Mill, will be demolished to make way for a high-quality outdoor space and car parking area. 

Peter Hemingway, director at Barkerend Mills Ltd, said: “The size and scale of Barkerend Mills makes it extremely prominent locally and it’s sad to see such a landmark standing empty and neglected for so many years, so securing planning permission is very good news for the Barkerend area as a whole. 

“The site is three quarters of a mile from Centenary Square and The Broadway Centre and there are three bus routes passing within a minute of the site, so it’s extremely well connected. 

“There’s also limited development in the local area, so we’re confident these high quality, well-designed apartments will be popular.”

Architect Nathan Wilkinson, who is a director at Brewster Bye, added: “We’ve specifically designed this development to reveal the structural frame of the building as well as its rich industrial past. This will involve restoring the existing fabric of the buildings as much as possible and integrating the whole development into the overall street pattern of the surrounding area. 

“Particular care will be taken to conserve key original features in the main building such as its impressive engine room and ‘rope race’, which originally housed the belt drives for the spinning machines.

"Crucially this will restore an important part of Bradford’s industrial heritage and will ultimately help to create a development that is full of character and history, where people aspire to live.”