Planls to convert a mill into ten apartments and 13 new-build homes in Todmorden have been recommended for approval by town councillors.
The proposals, to create the new homes using the Portsmouth Mill, Burnley Road, Todmorden, site including the existing mill building, have been submitted by applicant Mr A. Brown through agent Mr Ivor Dibble.
A design and access statement submitted with the application to Calderdale Council by architecture and planning company Woodcote Design for the applicant says the site has been the subject of several previous applications for changing its use to residential. The current proposal is in line with this latest application, for which consent was granted in 2006 but has now lapsed.
The existing mill building is a two-storey, stone-built cotton mill dating from the 19th century but much of the original building and some later extensions have been demolished over the years with only the rectangular building fronting on to Burnley Road and the corner stair tower remaining.
It is proposed to convert the remaining mill building to form apartments and develop the surrounding site with two-bed and three-bed stone-faced detached family houses, says the design and access statement.
The site is opposite the Roebuck Inn and a recent development of three-storey homes which now form the northern extremity of Portsmouth village.
Woodcote Design says the site would be set out with the two and three-storey homes “stepping up” with the levels of the adjoining hillside, faced in natural stone with matching stone lintels and sills with pitched roofs tiled in grey interlocking tiles to blend in with nearby houses.
Parking will be incorporated into the design and the main mill building has parking for 15 cars set out to the perimeter.
The scale of the mill building will remain unchanged and ensure it provides character for the site as well as a reference to the past, says the application, and its appearance will be enhanced through refurbishment, including opening up existing blocked windows and repairing or replacing missing or damaged stonework.
The application also references the reinstatement of the Todmorden Curve section of track to provide additional services to Lancashire, highlighting local support for the re-opening of the former Portsmouth Station, which served the Burnley line.
Any representations on the application should be submitted to Calderdale Council’s planning department by January 27.