TWO hundred new houses could be built on the site of a former textile mill and sports ground if plans are given the green light by councillors.

Developers Liberata plan to build on the former James Nelson Mill site on the outskirts of Nelson on an area the size of 10 football pitches.

MORE TOP STORIES:

They hope to build a range of houses from starter homes to four- and five-bedroom properties on the cleared land at Further Clough Head, Bamford Street. Community leaders have welcomed the ‘ambitious plans’.

The area involved consists of one parcel of land split into two legs by existing allotments on the site and would see a new access road built from Marsden Hall Road South.

The site, on the eastern fringes of Nelson is close to recently completed residential areas of Hartley Drive and Pinewood Drive.

The Valley Mills site closed around 30 years ago and was later cleared.

The site also contained a popular social club and sports grounds built to commemorate James Nelson and the fallen of the First World War. A public consultation into the scheme has been carried out.

In a design and access statement, Liberata said: “Comments were received from 44 residents, along with an email from 30 people who objected.

“Traffic concerns include safety, congestion, parking issues and that Marsden Hall Road South cannot cope with additional traffic.

“Other concerns include the loss of views and greenery and that it is an area of natural beauty used for dog walking and leisure.”

In their summary Liberata, said: “The proposed development will provide high quality residential accommodation in a sustainable location helping meet the council’s housing requirements in the short and medium term.”

Pendle Council leader, CllrMohammed Iqbal, said;“We’ve been set very ambitious targets by Government to provide new housing. This is a brownfield site which was used for industry for decades so I welcome the investment by Liberata.”