THE first mill to be built in Sabden could be partially demolished to make way for a new housing estate if plans are approved later this year.

Applicants Bowsall (Sabden) Ltd based in Salford have submitted plans to Ribble Valley Borough Council to construct 37 houses at the Victoria Mill site.

The proposal includes the partial demolition the mill and the chimney as well as and converting a retained mill building into three dwellings.

The mill was erected by Messrs Joseph Hoyle and Bateson as an integrated spinning and weaving mill in the late 1840s.

It was sold to James Stuttard of Colne in 1871 and was partially destroyed as a result of three serious fires in 1892, 1912 and 1933.

Textile manufacturing ceased at the mill in 1964 but it has remained inhabited by various companies until the present day.

In a statement to the borough council, a spokesman from Jubb and Jubb Chartered Surveyors said: “Market conditions are shown to prefer newly built housing to conversion of the spinning block, and although conversion of the offices to housing can be achieved, the conservation of the chimney is uneconomic.”

The plans are set to be debated by the borough council’s planning and development committee later this year.