The millionaire owner of Cannon Mills shopping complex has won government approval for a massive redevelopment plan.

Officials at The Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions have decided against calling in the scheme for a public inquiry, leaving the final say with Bradford Council which has already decided to give it the go-ahead.

The redevelopment is expected to bring about 250 jobs to the district and breathe new life into the sprawling, listed former mill.

The rundown buildings in the complex will be transformed in a £15 million scheme, providing facilities including a one-stop wedding centre, health suites and shopping.

It will also be the first multi-use development in the district to include new, affordable houses, which will be provided by the Wetherby-based Home Housing Association.

The 18 family-sized houses will be built at the bottom of Union Road when negotiations are concluded with the Council to acquire the part of the site which the authority owns. A spokesman for Keighley businessman Sharif Tariq, owner of the mills, said he could not give a timescale for the scheme because of the big reorganisation needed to enable existing retailers to trade while building work went ahead.

He said: "We are delighted with the news and look forward to finalising the planning agreement with the Council as soon as possible. We hope to start work as soon as possible in the New Year."

Executive member for economy Councillor Simon Cooke said: "This is very good news for the city and I am very pleased."

The scheme is the brainchild of Mr Tariq who bought the mills for an estimated £2 million in 1998 with the intention of redeveloping it.

His company MST Holdings wants the new centre open 14-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

Its architects Allen Tod are also responsible for the design of the new Marie Curie Centre in Bradford.

Other high-profile schemes they have been involved in include the Skopos scheme at Batley, the Yorkshire Craft centre in Bradford and The Workstation, Sheffield.