A PROPERTY developer has completed a deal to buy a Rossendale mill to turn it into apartments.

Lancashire-based the Hurstwood Group has bought Kearns Mill in Cowpe and is hoping to develop it for a housing and community project.

The historic mill could be transformed if the company receives planning permission from Rossendale Borough Council planning committee.

Stephen Ashworth, chairman and group managing director, said: "We have just completed the purchase of the building and are in the process of drawing up detailed plans for the project.

"Our hope is that we can save substantial parts of the existing mill building, which is part of the heritage and history of Cowpe. We plan to build new homes on the derelict parts of the site which cannot be saved.

"We will be working closely with the local community to come up with a plan that is sympathetic to the existing area and one which will bring real and lasting benefits to the community.

"We have only recently completed the purchase and this project is still at a very early stage. Consequently, it is too early to say how many homes will be contained in the final plans, but rumours of 120 homes are absolute nonsense. As soon as we have more detailed proposals we will make them public."

Hurstwood says it has other options for the site if the eventual planning application for residential use is unsuccessful.

Mr Ashworth added: "Obviously the mill has a lawful use for heavy industrial purposes and, if our plans were to be rejected, we would have to look at that again. "