PLANS to redevelop a 19th century Burnley mill that has been empty for nearly three years have been unveiled.

Wood Top Mill, in Villers Street, could be converted into a mixture of employment units and homes after plans were submitted to the council.

But a report from chartered surveyors Trevor Dawson and Company casts doubt on the sites viability for attracting employment.

Michael Cavannagh, a partner at the firm, said: “The report demonstrates that there is a significant supply of alternative and preferential employment locations and existing space to Wood Top Mill.

“Owing to this the value of the site for new employment use is low and its attractions to developers/occupiers remains low.

“The viability appraisals demonstrate that the redevelopment for employment use is not viable with any scheme making a significant loss.

“It is evident from the marketing history and the current take up in the locality that there is no interest from investors looking to develop the site for employment purposes.”

The plans, submitted by Connaught Land Limited, are for around 70 homes, and around 25,000 sq feet of employment.

The mill was the birthplace of Smiths Aerospace in 1942, and they occupied it until 2007, before moving to Network 65, and they sold it on to Connaught for £850,000.

Textiles company Bagley and Wright also occupied the mill at the turn of the century.

Before its sale to Connaught the site had been marketed for an industrial sale, but received little interest.

Mr Cavannagh said: “Despite undertaking a thorough marketing campaign little or no interest was received from industrial occupiers or industrial developers to buy the site for employment use.

“The lack of interest from such parties is a clear statement that even at the height of the market (Autumn 2007) industrial developers deemed the site unviable.”

The surveyors also deemed the site unsuitable for retail development, leisure facilities, a hotel or healthcare facilities.