A PROPOSED renovation of one of Ribble Valley’s oldest mills could potentially create more than 100 full time and part time jobs.

Applicant James Warburton of Emporia Leisure Ltd wants to transform the Holmes Mill in Clitheroe into a 31 bedroom hotel with a restaurant, bar, bakery, function room, two retail outlets and a gym and spa leisure complex.

The proposed plans would see 62 full time employees with a further 50 part time members of staff created with the conversion.

The Grade II listed site on Greenacre Street is made up of two spinning mills founded in 1823 and 1830 with one of the buildings being temporarily held by the Bowland Beer Company.

The complex was originally extended in the mid-nineteenth century with the addition of a Weaving shed, a two-story house and a steam-powered plant in 1910.

It was made a Grade II listed building in March 2013.

The mill, built in 1823, is currently in a poor condition following almost 200 years of alteration and changes to accommodate a variety of uses.

Councillor Mary Robinson said that the hotel would be a first class act for the town.

She said: “I am delighted that Mr Warburton is wanting to make use of the mill.

“It closed down some years ago and its great that it could be used in a brilliant way.

“All the other hotels that James has worked with in Clitheroe have been wonderful and I as ward councillor welcome the application.”

A spokesman for the applicant said in a letter to the council: “At the moment there is an urgent need to find suitable, long-term alternative uses that will offer the building a sustainable future.

“Our positive pro-active approach goes beyond conservation and repair, we use our understanding of historic buildings to guide and support new interventions that enhance and sustain successful places and we pay particular attention to selecting locally-sourced materials.”

The proposed plans include the removing of a number of the heritage features including a goods lift, a conveyor between levels as well as many of the original materials due to their poor condition.