A historic mill between Cross Roads and Oakworth could be restored with the proceeds of selling nearby green-belt land.

But the proposal to build up to 25 houses on a one-hectare site next to Vale Mills is expected to be rejected by Bradford councillors when they meet next week.

They feel there are no special circumstances that justify changing the green-belt status given to the land in the council's Unitary Development Plan, its land-use blueprint. They feel the plans to develop around 80 per cent of the site would have a 'significantly adverse' effect on the open character of the green belt.

They also say that surrounding roads are too narrow and steep to withstand extra traffic created by the development. They claim there would also be visibility problems for drivers and the presently-inadequate footways could not be widen-ed.

Nearby residents agree that access is inadequate and fear development would lead to the loss of wildlife and mature trees.

The land lies in the valley bottom on the opposite side of Vale Mill Lane from the mill complex and is bordered by Vale Farm, the River Worth and the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

Formerly the site of the mill dam, the land is currently partly used as a car and lorry park with the rest overgrown with shrubs.

The owner of Vale Mills wants to sell the land for housing and spend the proceeds on repairing the grade-two listed building.

The council officers agree the 19th century mill is visually important to the special character of the adjacent Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. They say that repairs are essential, particularly to the roof, windows, gutters, structural timbers and walls.

The part of the building which fronts on to the River Worth needs to be made safe by removing the roof and reducing the height of the main wall.

The council's planning sub-committee has already discussed the application but recommended refusal. It referred the issue to the transportation, planning and design committee, which meets on Monday in Bradford.

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