HOPES of constructing a new community centre on the Royd Mill site in Cowling suffered a major blow on Monday when plans were passed to build houses on the land.

The proposal to demolish the mill and construct 16 dwellings on the site were conditionally approved by Craven District Council's planning committee.

In September 2000, the committee agreed that the building could be demolished to make way for a community centre on the Keighley Road site.

But that project has been beset by problems in getting the money together to purchase the land and now it seems time has run out.

Les Ingham has bought the right to control the mill for the next 18 months and has submitted the application for the houses.

He told the committee: "After waiting a considerable time for the village project, the building is rapidly becoming an eye sore due to vandalism. It is becoming an expensive thing to insure for the owner."

But Canon Richard Price, the treasurer of Cowling Community Centre Project, pleaded with councillors to give the group some more time.

"You may be aware of the history of the need for a village hall in Cowling to replace the existing one," he said.

"The existing one does fall short in a number of ways for example disabled access. We conducted a survey, the result of which was quite strongly in favour of a new village hall on that site.

"If the planning committee agrees to allow houses to be built on that site then it goes against the wishes of the people of Cowling, and throws all our work towards it into jeopardy."

An objection was also received from the chairman of the Cowling Community Centre Project, Jennifer Yates.

She said: "I object most strongly to the building of 16 tiny houses on the only central site in the village capable of providing social amenities to this growing, but severely deprived community.

"In the last three years we have lost our two major employers, two shops and our dentist. We are in imminent danger of losing our village church and the chapel resources are grossly over-subscribed.

"Not only is the Royd Mill site eminently suitable, but it has been conclusively proved that, because of the geography of the place, there are no other viable sites.

"Should more houses be built, we will need this central space more than ever if Cowling is not to become as dangerously dysfunctional as similar new dormitory towns in the South of England."

More protests came from residents who felt that the building should be demolished and the land opened up to the recreation ground to enhance the appearance of the village.

While councillors expressed sympathy with the aims of the community centre group they emphasised that passing the new plans did not override the previous ones.

"I have a lot of sympathy with the objector but whatever decision we make today does not overrule the planning decisions which have been taken before, they still stand," said Coun Ken Hart.

He added that although he thought the design of the buildings was acceptable, he was concerned about two proposed 90 degree turns in a culvert running underneath the land.

He said he would prefer the culvert to be left alone, as any changes to it could increase the risk of flooding. Instead he suggested that a deeper underground drain be constructed.

Officers agreed that this could be one of the conditions of the plans.