THE derelict site of a demolished mill could soon be transformed into an industrial estate.

The former Ackroyds mill, also known as Ben Hillas, off Tong Street in Dudley Hill was ravaged by fire in late 2011, and was demolished the following year.

The blaze, which was dealt with by around 70 firefighters, was believed to have been started deliberately.

Since the mill, on Factory Street, was demolished the site has remained empty and, according to the application, been a hot spot for fly tipping and anti social behaviour.

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But this week a new planning application which could see the site completely transformed was submitted to Bradford Council.

Submitted by S&W Properties, the plans are for 15 light industrial units to be built on the site.

Each unit would be 150 square metres or smaller, and the development would include parking for 34 cars.

If approved the development could create 30 jobs.

The application, by Spoke Architecture, says: “The family has owned the site for many years, and the site once was home to a five storey red-brick mill.

“Unfortunately the Mill was subject to an arson attack almost a decade ago, and the owners ‘lost’ a perfectly decent building which was prime for conversion.

“The site has lay dormant ever since, and once made safe, through demolition, has been targeted by fly-tippers and has encouraged anti-social behaviour.

“Our clients want to develop the site to re-establish an ‘industrial use’ and produce an estate of quality buildings and surroundings, to enhance the streetscene and neighbourhood alike.

“To replace the now derelict land with a modern estate of light industrial units will improve the area dramatically and remove the temptation for fly-tippers to abuse the site as they have for some years now.

We hope that Bradford Council agree that the removal of the dilapidated building, and its replacement with purpose built light industrial units can only be a positive influence to the neighbourhood and people in it, and that the scheme as a whole is sympathetic to its surroundings and will enhance the streetscene and neighbourhood alike.”

The 2011 blaze was not the first mill fire on the site.

The first mill on the site was built by James Hillhouse, Matthew Rhodes, an engineer from Low Moor, and John Davidson, land-lord of the Engineers Hotel, Dudley Hill, in 1839.

In the 19th century a gale-force wind damaged its roof and caused structural damage to the building and in 1890 it was engulfed by fire. It was rebuilt in 1894 and run by the Benjamin Hillas family.