A LANDMARK mill, once earmarked for a 5,000-place Islamic girls boarding school, could be bought by town hall bosses and turned into housing.

Birmingham-based Islamic Help has until Junuary to raise the cash, believed to be £1million, to buy Brierfield Mills, the former Smith and Nephew site.

But Pendle Council leaders, who were originally told the mill had a £5million price tag, have said they could step in with a rival bid if the offer was not taken up.

Controversy was sparked when Islamic Help promoted plans to create the UK’s largest-ever Islamic girls school at the mill.

These plans are said to have been put on hold in favour of a leisure and business venture following talks between council leaders and the charity.

The borough council has already been named as the preferred bidder for nearby Lob Lane Mill, once home to Veevers.

And if Elevate provides funding then a joint housing scheme would be worked up with the authority’s development company, PEARL2.

Coun Tony Greaves said: “The present position is that Islamic Help expect to complete the purchase in mid-January. If they do not do so this council will make a bid for Brierfield Mills.”

An appraisal study will be made of the mills, which have been empty for a number of years and dominate Brierfield’s skyline.

However it is felt that because the mills were once an employment powerhouse, they should remain as a potential hub for jobs creation.

Town leaders have voiced hopes that the mills could one day echo the transformation of Dean Clough Mills in Halifax.

Once a huge carpet factory, the mill now houses a theatre, art gallery, hotel and cafes and restaurants, as well as apartments.

Coun Tonia Barton, chairman of the Brierfield and Reedley committee, said: “Personally I think that whoever is in control of the three mills, that they should think outside the box.

“We should look at Halifax, where Dean Clough Mills has been transformed. It is absolutely inspirational.

“If we are looking to get on with this site, as we all hope in Brierfield, then this is the sort of thing that we should be aiming for.”

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