A £65 million plan to create hundreds of homes and jobs and breathe new life into the Worth Valley can be revealed today.

The scheme at Grove Mills, Ingrow -- unveiled by Skipton Properties -- will involve around 300 plus apartments and more than 50 homes in six rows of terrace houses to blend with homes near the site.

In a unique move, a mass public consultation will take place with residents, businesses and local and district councillors before planning permission is even applied for.

Skipton Properties managing director Brian Verity said: "This is by far the biggest undertaking to be tackled by the company, and it is such a major scheme I wanted to give the local community the first opportunity to see what is being suggested, and make comments before a formal application is lodged with Bradford Council."

About 1,000 letters have already been sent out to residents and businesses, and today an exhibition showing views of the proposals opened at the mill.

The idea is to convert two multi-storey landmark mill buildings into quality apartments, as well as more modern new buildings which will include homes, workspace, business space, leisure facilities and a crche.

The Keighley and Worth Valley line will run through the development. The riverside will be "rejuvenated" with pedestrian and cycle links through the site to the Damems Country Park and beyond to the Worth Valley Way.

The site at Grove Mills was highlighted in the Airedale Masterplan as being of such a size and scale that development would act as a catalyst throughout the Worth Valley.

Mike Osborne, of Arup, the masterplan project director, said: "I am looking forward to seeing this exhibition. It is a very positive development for Airedale. I have seen other developments by this company and they have all been high quality. This development could lead to all kinds of other regeneration in the area."

Councillor Andrew Mallinson, chairman of the Keighley Area Committee said: "This is what Keighley has been crying out for. It is a quality development on a brownfield site and I hope it will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the area. It will transform that gateway into Keighley and, hopefully, it will also lead to development further down towards South Street. It is a win all round for the town, jobs and homes. I would urge people to go to the exhibition."

Access to the mills will be through a new entrance off Halifax Road, controlled by traffic lights, with a pedestrian crossing. Getting the land for the entrance followed "excellent co-operation" from the board of the K&WVR.