PLANS to convert a mill in Baildon, currently home to numerous small businesses, into apartments have been re-submitted to Bradford Council.

The proposals for Baildon Mills in Northgate were first revealed earlier this year, leading to objections from many of the 80 businesses that are tenants there.

The plans, submitted by the KMRE Group and mill owners John Peel and Son, were refused in May over concerns about contaminants on the site, including residual chemicals in the ground and mill pond which could prove harmful.

But now the plans, which will see the Grade II listed mill buildings dating back to the 19th century transformed into 42 residential units, have re-surfaced.

A newer warehouse building on the mill site will be demolished and replaced with new apartment buildings.

The plans say the residential development will be made up of nine one-bed flats, 27 two-bed flats and six three-bed flats.

The new application also comes with a full environmental report into the site.

A mill pond on the site will be retained as a “public amenity”, according to the planning documents.

The application adds: “This is a site that is in a sustainable urban area with good access to local services, employment opportunities, schools, leisure facilities and public transport.

“The position with the council’s housing supply is also a relevant consideration as the supply level is currently significantly below the required five years.

“A site investigation has been undertaken on the inclusive and surrounding land to ensure that the site has not been exposed to vulnerable levels of contamination which would have an adverse impact on the development.”

When the first application was submitted it attracted a large number of objections from tenants in the mill and other Baildon residents.

And Councillor Debbie Davies (Con, Baildon), predicts there will be just as much opposition for this new application.

She said: “I had never seen so many objections to an application as I did with the last application, there were hundreds.

“The mill is right in the heart of the village, and is home to lots of local businesses who all support each other.

“You have people from these businesses eating in local cafes and spending money in other local businesses.

“If this became a residential development some businesses in the area might not survive.

“It is an ideal location for these small businesses and quite a few people are employed on this site.

“It is a big concern for the future of the village if these businesses go. We don’t want to become a dormitory town.

“There will be a lot of opposition, but it is a case of whether we can find a good planning reason why this application should be refused.”

A decision on the application will be made by the council in November.