LAND set aside for industrial use can now be used for massive development.

An appeal against refusal of planning permission by Calderdale MBC was successful, with planning inspector Wanda Fabian ruling that Servemore Ltd can build 28 apartments, 12 town houses, eight offices and shops, and nine industrial units on the site of the former Hope Street Mill, Halifax Road, Todmorden.

The hearing was told the development by Servemore would create up to 50 jobs.

Todmorden town council's development committee recommended approval but Calderdale refused the application because it had earmarked the site for employment use.

Servemore said it had included a residential part of the plan to make the scheme financially viable.

But council solicitors argued employment land was scarce in Todmorden, and officers were negotiating with Yorkshire Forward to obtain a grant to buy the site for a regeneration project.

The planning inspector said: "The proposal would significantly assist with regeneration of this site.

"It is currently run down in an area which plays a key approach to Todmorden town centre.

"It would provide a substantial amount of new employment space, and add to the range of new housing in a high sustainable location on previously developed land.

"It would provide a good proportion of affordable homes, and these would be retained as such.

"The appeal site, while still designated for full employment use, is unlikely to be economically viable for redevelopment."