PLANS to demolish a Keighley mill to make way for housing have been withdrawn by a developer.

In 2017 BE Boys Developments submitted an application to Bradford Council to knock down Walk Mills - which lies between the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and the River Worth.

The site would have been totally redeveloped, with up to 85 homes built, along with new access roads and an area of public open space next to the river.

There would also be flood alleviation works.

But this month the application was withdrawn by BE Boys.

Walk Mills is a mid to late 19th century textile mill a short distance from Keighley town centre.

Parts of the mill were demolished in the 1960s and 70s, and it ceased textile production in the late 20th Century. At the time of the application the site was used by small companies, but much of the mill remained vacant.

Investigation after important feature of historic Keighley mill is destroyed

There had been two objections to the plans, claiming the replacement of a Victorian mill with modern housing would damage the setting of the heritage railway.

Referring to the demolition, the application had said: "Walk Mill is considered to be of limited interest; whilst some elements of the integrated mill complex remain, widespread demolition and alteration of structures has eroded the architectural clarity and overall legibility of the form and function of the complex.

"The mill represents a typical example of a relatively common mid-late 19th century complex, but has been heavily altered and architectural embellishment is limited."

The Telegraph & Argus contacted BE Boys and the agent for the application to ask why the plans were withdrawn, or whether a different scheme for the site was planned, but has yet to receive a response.