Canal Wharf Saw Mills: A Story of Industry, Fire, and Redevelopment
Canal Wharf Saw Mills, built in 1851, occupied a prominent location in Hebden Royd, West Yorkshire, nestled between Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge. Its position alongside the A646 Burnley Road, the Rochdale Canal, and the River Calder proved both advantageous and detrimental. While the waterways facilitated transportation during its industrial heyday, they also subjected the mill to repeated flooding, ultimately contributing to its decline.
Originally a working sawmill, the site later became home to the renowned Walkley Clogs. Tragedy struck in 1990 when an arson attack caused significant fire damage. The mill was subsequently refurbished and transformed into a popular tourist attraction, featuring a clog-making visitor center and various craft shops. However, the influx of visitors created traffic congestion, and despite several attempts, planning applications for necessary road improvements were repeatedly rejected. This ultimately led to the closure of the tourist attraction in the late 1990s.
The mill then sat vacant, a target for various redevelopment proposals, primarily for apartments. Each application, however, was denied due to concerns about flooding, access, and inadequate parking. The final blow came in 2019 when another devastating fire ravaged the already dilapidated structure, leading to its demolition shortly thereafter.
For nearly two years, the cleared site remained empty. Recently, however, planning permission has been granted for the construction of residential housing, marking a new chapter in the history of this once-bustling industrial location.
These photographs, captured on November 24, 2013, with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, document the mill in its abandoned state before the final fire and demolition. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.
