PLANS to build nearly 60 homes on the site of a fire-hit former mill have been unveiled.

Primrose Mill, Harrison Street, Briercliffe, has been empty since a massive fire in July 2005.

Owners Sweet Dreams Ltd battled back from the setback and now operates from two sites in Burnley - Martin Street and New Hall Street -employing 270 workers.

The mattress manu-facturer's planning consult-ants say a lack of opportunity to expand is hampering the company and plans are being formulated to move the workforce to a new home in the borough.

But in order to fund the move, the company wants to build 60 three or four bedroom family homes and one or two bedroom apart-ments on Primrose Mill site.

Development consultant Andrew Walker said in a letter to council planning officers: "Although the loss of the Harrison Street premises caused major difficulties for the company, requiring a reduction in its operations and setting back its business development programme, recovery has been strong, to the point where new development opportunities are being pursued."

Located beside Queen Street Mill museum and opposite St James's Church, the old Primrose Mill is part of a conservation area. Mr Walker added: "An essential element of this development programme is the need to unlock the asset value of the land holdings, including Harrison Street.

"Development of this site is necessary to facilitate the future development of Sweet Dream Ltd and to preserve the jobs involved."

The homes will be designed with an environmentally-friendly aspect - rainwater will be collected in water butts for reuse within the housing complex.

Problems could exist with the only access being along Granville Street from Burn-ley Road. But developers say removal of heavy goods traffic after the fire has lessened pressures on the network. Bosses have been involved in discussions with Burnley Council for a new headquarters.