£10m Grant for British Library Outpost in West Yorkshire Faces Potential Withdrawal

The government has confirmed that a £10m grant, intended to facilitate the conversion of a disused West Yorkshire mill into a British Library branch, may be rescinded. The plan involved transforming the former Temple Works site in Leeds into a new public facility for the library. However, following the Budget announcement on Wednesday, the Treasury stated it was “minded to withdraw funding” as part of a cost-saving measure. The Grade I-listed Egyptian-style building, previously a flax-spinning mill, requires substantial structural repairs and forms part of a significant regeneration initiative situated near the city centre. A spokesperson for the British Library stated: “We are exploring a range of options to advance the British Library North project.” The £10m allocation for the Temple Works initiative originated from the Department of Levelling Up’s £100m culture regeneration budget. The British Library North was among 16 projects chosen to receive this funding. The government announced its intention to conduct consultations regarding each site prior to finalizing decisions on future financial support. West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin expressed to the BBC her disappointment regarding the uncertainty surrounding the £10m grant’s future, though she maintained that the project was not “dead in the water”. Ms Brabin affirmed her commitment to do “everything in my power” to ensure the project’s realization. She further suggested that additional funding avenues might arise through collaborations, Leeds City Council, and her own office, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA). She stated: “We still have devolved funding committed to British Library North and I will continue to update as we find alternative solutions to bringing the project forward.” The total cost for the transformation of Temple Works is estimated at £70m, with WYCA contributing £5m in 2021. The British Library reiterated its unwavering commitment, stating it remained as “committed as ever” to collaborating with communities in Leeds and West Yorkshire from its current location in Boston Spa. A spokesperson commented: “Following yesterday’s Budget announcement, we are consulting with DCMS, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and regional partners to navigate the next steps.” “We are exploring a range of options to advance the British Library North project.” Leeds City Council also affirmed its dedication to “unlocking the huge potential” of Temple Works and the proposed British Library North. Council leader James Lewis remarked: “We are currently working through the fine detail of yesterday’s Budget announcement and assessing how it might affect the make-up of the funding package for the scheme.” Temple Works is recognized for its distinctive Egyptian-style architecture and historical accounts of sheep grazing on its roof during its operation as a mill in the 19th Century. Historic England reports that the mill’s proprietors reportedly lifted sheep onto the roof to consume grass cultivated there, a practice intended to preserve humidity within the structure and prevent flax breakage. The location has been vacant for approximately 20 years, having served as a mail order warehouse prior to Burberry’s plans for its use being discontinued in 2017. In 2022, Temple Works also benefited from a £1m injection for repairs, provided by Historic England. The Leeds Civic Trust expressed apprehension regarding the potential withdrawal of the £10m grant, emphasizing that the building was “vulnerable” and its preservation depended on government subsidy. A representative from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government stated that £3bn had been allocated for local growth in the Budget. However, they noted that due to having “inherited £22bn of unfunded spending commitments,” the ministry was compelled to make the “difficult decision” to reassess certain projects announced previously. The BBC has contacted CEG, the proprietors of the building, for additional commentary.