THE Government has given the go-ahead to a housing plan which aims to help solve the problem of exorbitant house prices in Addingham.

The plan, to build 17 affordable homes in a 64-unit development at Low Mill, has been allowed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

In a letter received this week planning chiefs were told that the plan, which involves a change of use of the former wool scouring plant from industrial to housing will not be called in for further examination.

This means that it has passed the final hurdle of extra scrutiny required for all green belt sites. As well as getting permission from the Keighley Area Planning Panel, the area's green belt status meant it also had to be approved by Bradford Council's Regulatory and Appeals Committee.

Wharfedale district councillor Chris Greaves (Con) is chairman of the Planning Panel. He has supported the plan throughout and said he was delighted that the Government was happy with the proposal.

Coun Greaves said: "They have taken on board the affordable housing aspect. The council is now able to issue planning permission."

He said that there were some legal technicalities which needed sorting out between developer Bellway Homes and council officials but he hoped that building could start as soon as August or September.

Coun Greaves said: "I will be urging the planning officers and the legal officers to get this sorted out as soon as we can. I have asked our people to move as fast as possible.

"I am delighted it is through. It is going to be a brilliant development when it is finished and we need affordable housing."

At public meeting in the village, locals had expressed support for the principle of turning the site into housing after suffering years of bad smells and noise from a wool scouring plant.

A housing development, particularly one with affordable housing for local people, was seen as an option which would finally end years of speculation over the historic site's future.

Low Mill was the first mill in Yorkshire and only the second in the country to adapt the cotton spinning water frame invented by Richard Arkwright in the 17th century for producing worsted fibres.

The original mill was demolished but additions continued in operation until the final closure in the early 1990s. Mill cottages which have grown up around the site have been transformed into highly desirable properties on the bank of the River Wharfe.

The main worry for residents was whether the housing plan was in keeping with the character of the area and whether the traffic generated would cause increased dangers for residents.

Addingham Parish Council chairman Gordon Campbell said: "I am surprised it has come back so quickly after the General Election. Let us hope they can get on with it now, get the site tidied up and we can have some progress."