THAT not one voice of opposition was raised as Rossendale Council voted to seek the demolition of the historical Ilex Mill eyesore in Rawtenstall suggests that members have now realised what anyone taking just one glance at the soot-stained pile would instantly conclude -- that it is best given up as a bad job.

True, the loss of any piece of our industrial heritage is not to be welcomed. But though the vast Victorian mill, built in 1856, is a listed building, gloomy, derelict and empty for years it has proved both an ugly sight for valley folk and, sited on one of the main approaches to Rawtenstall, an awful advertisement to visitors of Rossendale's charms.

But, more than this, it has been a huge drain on public money. Some £300,000 has already been spent by the council on its purchase and on making the building weather-proof.

It is a considerable amount to have been ploughed into what amounts to an over-ambitious pipe-dream that, down the years. has entailed diverse visions of the old works being done up to accommodate all the council's offices, a fitness centre, restaurants and even a police station.

Yet, though this concept was built around conservation, it was of a building that could, even with the most extensive facelift, hardly ever become truly attractive -- it was, after all, a purely functional factory -- and evidently others doubted its viability.

For the considerable external financial support that this project required was not forthcoming and Ilex Mill now faces doom following the collapse of a £4.5-million bid for lottery money and the council's failure to show that they could make the regeneration project pay even with £6.8million of public money. Indeed, as council leader John Holt admits, it would probably cost private developers £10million to take on the task, but, just as the council was unable to do, they would still be unable to find ways of putting the building back into use.

The pipe-dream is, then, extinguished by harsh reality and overdue common sense -- but after costing taxpayers a lot of time and money.