Public given chance to see plans for mill site

Pennine Housing 2000 and its development partner John Radcliffe and Sons want to put up 65 affordable houses and four advanced factory units as part of a 20m scheme.

It should create space for as many as 200 jobs and the first phase could be completed towards the end of 2011.

Pennine bought the giant Kagan textile mill before Christmas and demolition is now well under way.

Head of development Hilary Brady said public meetings at the Elland Cartwheel Club from 10am to 2pm would give people the chance to study the proposals before a planning application is made to Calderdale Council.

The two, three and four-bedroomed homes will be built with aid of a 4.5m Government grant and made available for rent and shared ownership.

KT Hydraulics, of Halifax, a specialist in the design, manufacture, testing, installation and commissioning of complex hydraulic systems for the oil, gas, marine, water and process plant industries is already lined up for one of the industrial units.

The company is based at Hope Hall Mill, Union Street South, where it has about 15 employees.

Moving to a new 40,000 sq ft factory at the Gannex Park will allow it to more than double its workforce and output.

Three smaller units will also be built at what is to be called Gannex Park.

The developers are also talking to several other Calderdale and Kirklees firms about their accommodation needs.

If Calderdale Council gives planning approval, the aim is to begin building work next spring.

The Gannex Mill, owned by the famous entrepreneur Joseph Kagan and his wife Margaret, was in its heyday a major employer in the area responsible for hundreds of jobs.

Lady Kagan, 86, paid a recent visit to the mill and said she was glad to see fresh life being breathed into the site.