A plan for 50 homes at a former Pendle cotton mill site, which has an old engine house and chimney, have been approved by the council following a series of talks and deferrals.

In June, Pendle Council’s West Craven Area Committee considered an updated plan for the former Brook Shed engine house and surrounding land at New Road, Earby.

However they decided to defer a decision after questions were raised about potential flood risks to waterways in Earby, roads, the engine house, and birds which maybe nesting at the site.

Gleeson Homes was seeking permission to build the new houses and to change the old engine hall’s use classification, but now they want to demolish the engine house completely.

Plans also suggested the demolition of an old chimney, a northern wall of a former weaving shed, a boiler house and water tank.

Gleeson’s original application was first submitted in 2022 but has been changed several times since.

Further amended plans were submitted last month following objections from the Environment Agency with an updated planning statement reading: “Following submission of the initial application in October 2022 and the subsequent amendment in March 2023, the scheme has been revised to include the demolition of the existing engine house.

“Overall, there has been an increase in the number of dwellings proposed on the site to 50 dwellings.”

The original application sought to build 47 homes, but now, Gleeson wants to build 50, which would be a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes.

The planning statement went on: “The revised scheme proposes the demolition of the existing engine house, which will be replaced with new properties.

“The layout fronting New Road has therefore been redesigned and has resulted in an increase of three dwellings.

“The increase assists with viability and the deliverability of the site.

"The scheme still provides a strong frontage to New Road, incorporating a mix a detached, semi-detached and mews dwellings with parking to the rear.

“An area of open space is proposed to the south, adjacent to plot 27, and will feature a wildflower meadow which will contribute to on-site biodiversity.

"The landscape buffer adjacent to Earby Beck is retained as part of the revised proposals."

The site was once home to a larger mill, but some parts were demolished over time.

The plans were granted full approval earlier this week.