WORK is now well underway on a £2 million project called Weaver’s Yard, which will transform the historic Sunny Bank Mills complex in Farsley.

The mills, once the home of Yorkshire Television’s Emmerdale and Heartbeat, are being regenerated through a modernisation programme which is creating working and living space for the 21st century.

Owners and directors John and William Gaunt have invested £7 million in Sunny Bank Mills during the past ten years to regenerate the 10-acre site.

Now the central part of the estate is being remodelled to create open spaces and to re-establish the prominence of historic mill buildings. Work is scheduled to be completed this summer.

William Gaunt said: “We have already created 355 jobs at Sunny Bank Mills, with more than 80 companies on site. This new phase, which will be developed over the next few years, will ultimately create many more and regenerate these lovely old buildings. We now have the flexibility, the time and the confidence to deliver a sustainable future for Sunny Bank Mills.

“The remodelling of the heart of Sunny Banks Mills will ensure that the mill woodland is protected, while mill ponds will provide fantastic amenity space for everyone who lives and works here,” he explained. “It will also provide 95 more parking spaces.”

“We believe very strongly that we must preserve the legacy of Sunny Bank Mills for future generations. We are wholly our committed to the site and to the Farsley community, encouraging the community to become involved in what we are doing here.”