AN application to turn a former mill site in Oxenhope into 17 homes has run into opposition from the village's parish council.

Oxenhope parish councillors discussed the proposals for Brooks Meeting Mill, West Shaw Lane, at their latest monthly meeting yesterday evening. (March 14)

The plan, if approved, would expand an earlier permission that was granted for this site back in 2015.

The latest proposals are for the mill to be converted into six three-bed homes and one four-bed home, with 10 three-bed houses to be built on the land next to the property.

It would increase the number of homes on the land from the previously permitted 10 to 17.

But Oxenhope councillor Peter McManus spoke against the proposals.

He said the developer's statement that the land intended for five of the new properties is "brown field" is based on the fact that a mill once occupied this site until it burned down in 1919.

Cllr McManus said the remnants of this much earlier building were not a valid reason for classifying the land as brown field instead of green belt.

He added: "The additional properties proposed would infill the gap between the existing buildings and neighbouring Millbrook House.

"This would not be in keeping with the Oxenhope Upper Town Conservation Area.

"And the plan to raise the eve height of the existing mill by 600 mm means this property would become a very dominant feature in a green belt area. It would destroy the purpose of the conservation area.

"West Shaw Lane is narrow with limited visibility and passing places.

"Increasing the development to 17 properties with 52 bedrooms from the original scheme of 10 properties with 35 bedrooms would make a big impact on this road.

"There would be a large increase in the number of vehicles entering and exiting the site."

Cllr David Ashcroft said: "The design and presentation of the new buildings is inappropriate.

"It looks like a suburban development and it would change the character of the area. It isn't just using a mill building for new housing, it's creating a totally new development."

The developer has argued the conversion of Brooks Meeting Mill would only involve a minor extension to its height, which would not affect the character and setting of the building.

A design statement accompanying the application notes: "The five extra dwellings proposed reflect the scale, massing, height and design of the adjacent five new dwellings, are on brownfield land, and also, they importantly reflect the scale, massing and height of the former mill building on this part of the site.

"Therefore, the impact on the openness of the Green Belt is no greater than that of the previous mill building on this land.

"The overall parking scheme provides for two parking spaces per residential unit, with three visitor spaces.

"This provision is considered acceptable for the number of units in this proposed scheme, so as to meet parking policy requirements for Bradford Council."

However, Oxenhope Parish Council voted to recommend that the application be rejected. The decision will be made by Bradford Council.

Cllr Joyce Harrop declared an interest in the item, so left the room for the duration of the discussion.