Plans to bulldoze an iconic mill to make way for up to 200 homes have been given support by the community.
Wesley Street Mill in Bamber Bridge, which is more than 100 years old, has been derelict for a number of years.
Two planning applications looking to tear down the mill and replace it with a new housing development have been welcomed by more than half of residents who responded to the plans, saying something needed to be done to transform the site.
They did, however, raise concerns about how access to the development from Wesley Street could affect traffic congestion in the area.
Coun Tom Hanson, who represents Bamber Bridge West, and is a governor at Cuerden Church School, which could swap a parcel of land with developers under plans, said: “We have been trying to do this for 30 years, and at last we have got some movement.
“We have got to get rid of the mill, it’s an eyesore.
“The people who live around the mill want to see it go. The people who want to save it don’t live around here.
“I am looking forward to it, but I do hope there is just pedestrian access on Wesley Street, and not access for vehicles. It is a busy area.”
The application has been submitted by Gorrie Ltd, who own the mill, which is the former home of Bamber Bridge Spinning and Weaving Company.
Earlier this year South Ribble Council completed a deal to buy the former Mackenzie Arms site, off Station Road, to open up the way for development after problems with the site attracting anti-social behaviour.
Glovers Bakery, which has its head offices on Club Street, has opposed the plans, saying its site needs 24-hour operation.
The bakery was also concerned about the possible impact this could have on people living in the new housing development.
Manchester-based Mosaic Town Planning, on behalf of the applicants, said the development would provide ‘significant regeneration benefits’ to the local area.
Coun Hanson said: “I hope pieces of the old building could be saved and become part of the new development, to remind people that it was once there.”
The outline application will be decided by South Ribble Council in the coming months.
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