THE latest proposed phase of the regeneration of a former mill site has been unveiled.

Developer Pendle Projects Ltd has eyed up the Reedyford Mill site in Nelson to build a children’s nursery and 12 industrial units.

The nursery would be ‘purpose-built’ and the units would bring ‘employment opportunities and business’ to the vacant site, according to the developer.

The submission of a planning application to Pendle Council marks phase two of the development, with three industrial units already up in the site as part of phase one of the project.

In a separate scheme, a petrol-filling station also opened on the site last year, alongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which is also close to junction 13 of the M65 and sits within a six-acre site on Pendle Street.

In planning documents on behalf of Pendle Projects Ltd, agent Lark Architects said the proposed development will have a ‘positive economic and social impact on the area.

They said: “The proposal for the site will greatly improve the current vacant land, creating a development which will provide a successful contribution to the local area.

“It will positively add to the local economy, providing employment opportunities, social and environmental through the redevelopment of an existing brownfield site.

“It re-uses a brownfield site and is located adjacent to local motorway and transport links which provide substantial business and employment opportunities.

“It will be a positive and successful contribution to the local area.

“The proposal to introduce a new purpose-built children’s nursery and a range of industrial units brings employment opportunities and businesses to the current derelict site and also increase the demand for local services.

“The proposed development will have a positive economic and social impact on the local area.

“The application site is considered appropriate in terms of sustainability and proximity to the local amenities, transport services and setting in the local area of Nelson."

The former mill buildings on the proposed site were constructed in the late 1800s and early 1900s and were used as cotton weaving facilities for the textile industry.

In 2013, the site was cleared and part of it is now a vacant plot still retaining some of the original site/building boundary walls.