In the bottom of the valley are two high rise buildings, built in the 1960s in an attempt to modernise the village.[2] These reached public notoriety in the 1980s when they were found to contain high levels of asbestos[citation needed], which had been built into the fabric of the building, under the regulations in force at that time. A request by Kirklees Council for money from central Government to assist with the predicted £1 million cost of removing the asbestos was rejected in February 1991.[3]
Expecting to take approximately 6 months to complete the task of removing the asbestos, Kirklees Council temporarily re-housed the tenants in other areas, the majority of whom consisted of mature and elderly residents[citation needed]. As the 6 months dragged on into three years, the tenants were offered more permanent housing elsewhere. The two blocks were eventually refurbished at a cost in excess of £6,000,000[citation needed]. They were then used to house younger single people and asylum seekers from other countries.[4] As part of the refurbishment a 'State-of-the Art' CCTV security system was installed in 2009 to cover both buildings, as well as other locations in Dewsbury and Batley.[5]
Early history
The oldest part of the village is Deadmanstone. Originally known as Dudmanstone, Dudmanstone House is situated above Berry Brow.[6] In 1584 the estate was recorded as belonging to the Lockwood family:
Thomas Lockwood holdeth a messuage called Dudmanstone, now made into two ; two gardens ; one little croft, called Tenter Croft ; two closes, called Cockshutts ; two closes, called Ouroyds ; one close, called Sykes ; third part of one called William Croft ; one little meadow, called Calf Croft ; one other meadow, called the Lime Croft ; four closes called the Lees, &c. One house, called the Forward House ; one garden and one close to the same belonging. One house called Budge Royd. One house and one garden in the tenure of one Shaw ; and one meadow to the same adjoining. One messuage, called Stirley ; one garden and one croft to the same belonging.[7]