A LANDMARK mill, dubbed an “eyesore”, is facing the bulldozers as developers bid to bring 117 canalside homes to a Burnley suburb.

Planning chiefs have lauded the blueprints for Waterside Mill, off Havelock Street and Langham Street, which include a sports pavilion, eco-park and water features, to provide a sustainable drainage system.

Former tenants Glen Dimplex have moved to alternative premises at the Network 65 business park and parts of the mill are only used now for storage.

Planning officer Alan Rogan said: “This is a traditional industrial site which I believe has served its useful purpose and is now largely vacant.”

He told Burnley Council’s development control committee that the site benefitted from good transport links, as it was on a mainline bus route and close to Rosegrove Railway Station, and was close to neighbourhood shops.

Coun Tony Lambert said: “This is a complete eyesore and I believe that this is a superb planning application.”

The committee approved the outline scheme in principle, subject to further discussions taking place between council officers and developers.

Coun Sharon Wilkinson added: “It does look ideal but my concern is that we have got 117 homes, then this is at least 117 more vehicles in that area.

“Are we going to put anything spec-ifically in the plans regarding the roads and improvements there?”

The entrance to the mill site is close to both St Augustine of Canterbury Primary School and Rosegrove Nur-sery School.

Mr Rogan said that discussions had taken place with the developer for off-site works which could include traffic-calming measures and cycle-ways.

Coun Bill Bennett said that the canal was a popular nesting place for swans, and the committee heard that a full wildlife habitat survey would be undertaken before detailed plans were considered.