Crown takes over ownerless 'death trap' mill
The Crown Estate has taken responsibility for a mill that was destroyed in an arson attack under ancient property laws.
Dalton Mills in Keighley has been derelict since a major fire in 2022, and there have been several other fires at the insecure site since.
The Crown took over the Victorian building, which is Grade II-listed, after the previous owner went bankrupt and a restoration project collapsed.
Yet the town's Civic Society has called for more security measures to be installed at the "death trap" mill to prevent further trespass and arson incidents.
Two teenage boys have been charged with arson in relation to the 2022 fire and are due to stand trial at Bradford Magistrates' Court in August.
Keighley Civic Society secretary Jane Lee said: "It is a death trap, it has been for some time. I'm not suggesting it will fall down on anybody.
"But if there were another fire started accidentally, or on purpose, then anybody who happened to be on that site would find it very difficult to get out.
"There have been a number of fires now and our concern is that the site as a whole now is a danger to health, safety and life. "
The BBC has established that the two title deeds for the site were "disclaimed" by the Treasury Solicitor in 2023.
Under the English and Welsh legal system, the freehold is now subject to an unusual and ancient process known as "escheat".
The mill was transferred into the custodianship of the Crown Estate, which is an independent, commercial business whose profits go to the Treasury.
That organisation says it cannot undertake any action that might be construed as an act of "management, possession or ownership".
But if someone offers to buy the land the Crown Estate can set up new deeds and keep the money from the sale.
Local authorities have powers under the Building Act 1984 to make dangerous buildings and structures safe.
A Bradford Council spokeswoman said it did not own any of the complex but that the Crown Estate was "aware of the current situation".
"While the council does not have a duty to keep the site secure, it is recognised that the current threat level of further theft, vandalism and risk to the public’s health and safety is significant.
"The council has been working in partnership with Historic England to agree the installation of some additional site security measures and these works will be carried out as soon as possible.
"We will continue to work with all parties to try preserve such an important heritage asset to Keighley and the whole district.”
A developer bought Dalton Mills in 2013 after it had been disused since the 1980s. The owner's plans were to turn the complex into an arts, cultural and wedding venue, but the main building was never renovated and was instead hired out for TV filming. It was used as a location for Peaky Blinders.
West Yorkshire Police said the most recent fires on 9 and 10 June are both being treated as suspicious with enquiries ongoing.
