Conservation of Textile Mills and Weaving Sheds

Textile mills are a prominent feature of our landscape. Many of these mills also have distinctive north-light sheds, where rows of cotton weaving looms were housed. 

Recognising that mills are being lost across the country, often with no permanent record of their existence, Historic England commissioned a number of studies. The studies show that, with imagination, textile mills and their weaving sheds can be brought back into viable new uses. These uses provide new and interesting places for people to live, work and visit, whilst retaining their historic character and key features. In Pendle, the Northlight mixed use development is a good example.

Historic information on the mills in Pendle is in the following documents:

Design Code

We are working to prepare a Design Code. This Code will help to highlight best practice in the refurbishment and re-use of textile mills and weaving sheds.

Tell us what you think

We're asking what you think of the Pendle's historic textile mills, whether you think they are special and how you think they should be reused.

The design code will show ways to transform mill sites to create new homes and business spaces with high-quality design and good conservation practice.