A “derelict” Todmorden site that has stood empty for years is set to be transformed as building work has started on more than 50 flats and houses.
Planning permission was granted in 2003 for industrial units, town houses and a block of flats to be built on the corner of Key Sike Lane and Derdale Street.
Now revised plans have been submitted for additional housing doubling the number of homes.
The developers, M & G Developments Ltd, started work in mid-September and have said that it is expected to be finished in the next two and a half years.
Councillor Janet Battye (Lib Dem, Calder) said: “This is really good news.
“We’ve been concerned about derelict sites and now building work is starting on one of them. I’ve lived in the area for some time now and I just thought that nothing was ever going to happen here.
“When I saw signs of area for some time now and I just thought that nothing was ever going to happen here. When I saw signs activity, I went and asked the workmen, who sound very positive about it.
“They told me that they’re starting with the townhouses and they’ll be coming up for sale shortly.
“I’d like to see planning permission sorted out for Cinderhill Mill, and the owner of the Halifax Road site taking positive action by putting his plans in.
“This must have a knock-on effect of lifting the local market.”
Kristian Hurn, company director of developers M & G Developments, Rochdale, said: “I have seen the site at its worse. We started work on it in 2007 but due to the recession no work could get done on it and there were trees everything, it was a mess. Now we have got everything removed, it looks a lot better.
“People in the community come to the site and are happy to see work moving along and think its great.”
The houses on the canal will go on sale in the forthcoming weeks.
Planning permission has recently been submitted to change the original proposal from 12 flats to 12 semi-detached houses.
The town houses will be 22 pairs of semi-detached houses, equalling 44 homes altogether.
Calderdale Council’s Head of Planning and Highways, Geoff Willerton said: “We’ve had reports about development commencing and we’re looking into what’s happening. Any significant changes to a planning permission require further consent.”