WHILE it is a positive step to see the derelict Seabrooks factory in Allerton Road finally brought back into use, it is a shame that it is to become a supermarket rather than much-need housing.

When we launched this newspaper’s Save Our Green Spaces campaign, the intention was to identify the many derelict urban sites that should be used for homes before developers were allowed to build on our green fields.

Among the hundreds and hundreds of locations identified by readers – including mills, schools, pubs, shops and houses – this was one of the obvious locations.

So it is sad to see it set to be approved as a new Aldi store when we still have a huge demand for housing in the district, particularly social housing in more urban areas.

This property has been derelict for more than 10 years and was badly-damaged by a fire last year, so the need for it to be brought back into use is clearly pressing.

But there are concerns about the affect this development will have on nearby businesses, with a number of them having objected to the proposals, which go before councillors next week. With the plans recommended for approval, they are likely to get the go-ahead.

And while the renewed use of this site is to be welcomed, it would have been much better to see it converted into apartments or houses.

We seem to have a plethora of new supermarkets around the district, and the need for more social housing is very clear. Let us hope some of the other sites we have identified are picked up for development more in keeping with the needs of the area.