TWO historic South Craven mills are to be converted into housing.

Bradley Mill and its ancillary buildings are to be turned into 16 flats and 12 houses and 16 homes are to be created at Glusburn Corn Mill.

On Monday, Craven District Council's planning and development committee gave delegated approval to both schemes.

The former textile mill at Bradley is currently occupied by Fray Design, which is planning to move to premises in Skipton. The councillors heard that it had been marketed for continued industrial use, but with no success.

The housing development will include converting the two storey part of the mill into flats with car parking in the basement. The attached ancillary buildings would be converted into six houses.

Six further dwellings, including four three storey properties, would be built where the light sheds currently stand.

Recommending approval, the officers' report stated: "The mill buildings are an important landmark and contribute very significantly to the setting of Bradley. The proposed dwellings would be in scale with the mill complex and would be cons-tructed in materials to match it.

"The proposed development would not therefore result in any significant change to the present impact and importance of the mill on the character and appearance of the conservation area."

Neighbour Bill Kirkpatrick told the committee that he had concerns over the sewage system, the effect on his property and the entrance. Officers said that these issues had been addressed.

Another concern raised at the meeting was the provision of affordable housing.

Members heard that the developer would like to convert an adjacent garage site into affordable housing. The land is owned by the council and the two parties were in negotiation.

Other options were to include affordable housing within the site, or for the developer to make a payment to the council in lieu of the provision of such housing.

But Coun Paul English said that he was very concerned that this money would end up in other areas of Craven, and that the money should stay in Bradley.

"In 10 or 20 years, the children living in those dwellings will want to stay in the village and that's why I'm emphasising any monies from this should stay in Bradley," he added.

Sian Watson, the planning development manager, said a lot would depend on an assessment of the housing needs of the village which was currently taking place.

The developer has also agreed to pay £35,294 to the school for extra facilities to solve any problems encountered with the creation of the extra homes.

Members approved the application and asked officers to explore the three options, giving priority to the development of the garage site.

The proposed scheme at Glusburn Corn Mill includes converting the three storey mill building into four residential units and a small ancillary building into a single unit; and constructing 11 new homes on the site.

Coun Philip Barrett said he welcomed the plans. "These are clearly changing times and fortunes in respect of agriculture. I can recall when that corn mill was a hive of activity."

He added that due to the proximity of other residents, industrial use of the site would cause additional problems.

Resident Madeleine Beaufoy urged the council to undertake an archaeological and historical survey of the site, and officer Richard Preston said that this would be one of the conditions of any planning permission.

There was some concern over trees on the site. Coun Mark Wheeler wanted two semi-detached properties removed from the scheme to save existing trees, but was outvoted.

Coun Marcia Turner successfully proposed that tree preservation orders be put on all the remaining trees on the site.

Coun John Alderson added that he was concerned about the drop to the river bank and the safety of the residents in times of flooding.

"It is a fairly sharp, steep drop. In flooding conditions the water level is quite high up. With that number of dwellings there will presumably be children about, and it would be a dangerous situation."

Mr Preston said this was beyond the remit of the planning authority.