Huddersfield, Yorkshire
Tim Green from Bradford, CC BY 2.0
Grade II-listed, 1873, architect unknown
This former worsted mill at Newsome was built to replace a smaller, coal-powered woollen mill, founded by John Taylor in 1827. The earlier building had been destroyed by fire in 1872, and the textile manufacturer, Taylor & Littlewood, capitalised on the opportunity to redevelop the land and harness the expertise of the local people. The first part of their mill complex was completed in 1873, and by 1891, the entire block was occupied with weaving sheds, a clock tower, ancillary and office buildings.
The buildings form the major part of a significant worsted textile mill complex, and though several fundamental elements have since been demolished to make way for residential development, the massing still makes an important contribution to the surrounding street scene. The Victoria tower is the centrepiece of the complex, and is notable for the quality of its design – which combines Classical and Romanesque elements – and as the central axis around which all the remaining buildings are grouped. Other features of architectural significance, including the mill floor and gated archway, are largely unaltered and demonstrate in their form and their construction their original function.
Plans to demolish the main building had to be shelved late last year when the listing for the clock tower was extended to cover the whole complex. Since then, the derelict mill has fallen victim to vandals, who have taken advantage of the inadequate security of the site to set fires, steal valuable materials, and smash the faces on the mill clock. Spurred into action by a vigorous action group, the local council issued an urgent works notice in July, requiring the owner to secure the site. This has improved the situation slightly, although the building is still far from weatherproof and there are now plans to fill in and develop the mill ponds, compromising another feature of this significant site.
Status Update / March 2026
A planning application was submitted for the redevelopment of the site in 2023. The scheme involves the restoration of the clock tower and archway, the partial demolition of the remaining mill buildings, and the construction of new houses, apartments, and a residential home on the site. Works are yet to progress, however, and it is unclear whether the developers plan to move forward with the scheme. The local community remain divided on the proposals, as whilst most people are keen to see the clock tower restored to its former appearance, there are concerns about the impact on other heritage features.