PLANS to build 27 new homes on the site of a 19th-century mill in Brierfield have been approved.

Rowan Ramsay Investments applied for outline permission to build two-storey three and four bedroomed homes on the site of the former Lob Lane Mill.

The plans were refused by the Brierfield and Reedley Committee in June over concerns the developer intended to demolish the existing canal-side buildings which members felt were valuable and could be converted into apartments.

According to a report by planning officers this had been considered by the developer, but rejected on the grounds that it would be too expensive.

However, after the application was blocked the developer submitted revised proposals retaining the canal-side buildings for conversion into flats.

These plans were considered by the Development Control Committee earlier this week and members gave them the green light.

A report to the committee by officers said: "The proposal represents a 'brownfield' site, the redevelopment of which would introduce new housing into the area and contribute to the revitalisation of the housing market in the town.

"In view of the government's initiative to revitalise the housing market in the central areas of Nelson and Brierfield and reduce the dominance of terrace housing in the area as a whole, a scheme following the lower threshold of 30 units is appropriate in this edge of town location, which can make good use of the canal-side position."

The canal-side steam powered the weaving mill, in Clitheroe Road, which was built before 1879 and added to in 1891 and 1910.

The application is now for 70 flats in the converted mill building and 27 mews houses on the rest of the site.