A DEVELOPER recently refused permission to demolish a historic mill to build 121 homes has offered the council £100,000 in the latest attempt to get the plans approved.

Countryside Properties has submitted identical plans to develop the Beehive Mills in Crescent Road after they were thrown out in December.

It claimed the development would not be viable if it was required to make financial contributions set out in a Section 106 agreement.

This followed an agreement earlier in the year with the landowner which stated that the developer to contribute more than half a million pounds toward education and health provision in the borough.

Now, the company is offering £100,000 towards education according to the council.

A spokesperson for Countryside said: “We have carried out a review of our previous application and subsequently sought advice from planning officers and our planning consultants to progress the redevelopment of what is now a vacant and derelict site.

"While our plans for the development remain the same, we are currently in ongoing discussions with the council to agree our section 106 commitments to enhance our investment in the local area."

Planning officers recommended councillors approve the last application which featured a "clawback clause" meaning contributions could be required at a later stage.

However, the planning committee voted unanimously to refuse the application.