Councillors yesterday discussed plans to demolish parts of the old Whalley's Mill, in Coney Lane, Keighley.

The application had been submitted to demolish the annex part of the grade two listed mill that surveyors had deemed to be beyond redemption. A letter from the applicants had stated that "repair and restoration would not be financially viable".

The redevelopment plans for the mill, which has been empty for around 20 years, include new windows, doors, an internal staircase and roof.

Cllr Sandy Macpherson said: "I think the attention paid by the applicants has to be welcomed and congratulated in many ways and we cannot take away anything from them in their wish to bring it back into use."

Despite this he added: "I really cannot condone the demolition part of the proposals. I think it should be possible to grant the permission for general improvements and repairs without the need for demolition."

Describing the former mill, which has been used as a timber storage building in recent years, as "a very attractive building", Cllr Macpherson highlighted the success of Saltaire as a place of conservation which is now bidding for status as a world heritage site.

Outside the council chamber, Cllr Malcolm Slater added: "I think it's a tragedy that the vast majority of owners of listed buildings allow their buildings to go to rack and ruin and there is nothing we can do."

At the time of going to press councillors were visiting the Coney Lane mill to see the site in detail.

l Plans to build 18 homes on Highfell Rise, Keighley, were passed.

Planners had recommended that councillors pass the application, which was brought before the committee again after it appeared last year but was rejected when councillors decided they could not adjudicate until Babtie's drainage report was published.

In the recently published report on Keighley's sewers, Chris Wotherspoon, the Babtie consultant, focused on this development and concluded: "We are of the view that this development would be acceptable from the standpoint of sewerage and waste water treatment issues."

Keighley planning manager Colin Waggett told councillors he had requested the developers conduct a stability study on the site before commencing any work and that if anything untoward was discovered it would be discussed again.

He said: "I think it's a matter of hindsight and learning from the Birch Tree Gardens situation and I think it's right that we ask the developers to do this."

l Plans to convert Oldfield First School into a primary school were also passed unanimously at the meeting.

Council planning officers had recommended that councillors pass their endorsement of the scheme on to Bradford council's executive committee and then on to the regional office for the environment, trade and the regions as the school is on green belt land.

Chairman of the planning panel, Cllr John Cope, said: "I think it is an excellent scheme."

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