ROSSENDALE Council is heading 'post haste' towards the demolition of eyesore Ilex Mill.

The mill at the outskirts of the town centre has been empty and increasingly derelict for two years. There was no opposition when councillors voted to go ahead with measures to get the building de-listed and then demolished.

Chief executive Steve Hartley, reported that following the failure of the lottery bid for £4.5 million it would be realistic to build a case for demolition consent. His view was that the only realistic option was to pursue the demolition policy thoroughly and with vigour.

After the meeting of the corporate policy committee, Coun leader John Holt, said they would take the necessary procedures towards first getting the building de-listed and then go for demolition.

He said it first had to be offered for sale for a period of up to three months, after which, any proposals for re-development had to be considered.,

Coun Holt said that as a council they had failed to show they could make it pay, even with £6.8 million of public money. Any developer would have to make up the short-fall as well on top of the £6.8 million.

He said: "A private developer would be talking in terms of £10 million." The council had not been able to find ways of putting the building back into use and he didn't anticipate that any developer could either.

The council was not against bringing old mills back into use, New Hall Hey was an example. Ilex Mill had already cost £300,000 of public money. in acquisition and making it wind and water tight.

It has also cost a great deal in officers' time.

He added: "It is an eyesore on one of the main approaches to Rawtenstall town centre. Just imagine sitting out at Rawtenstall Cricket Club on a nice summer's day and looking out on to that.

"It is even worse when you are driving along the back of the building along Bocholt Way."

Mr Hartley said they were looking at a period in excess of 12 months and a public inquiry before a final decision on the future of the building was decided.