A SITE containing a former print and dye works could be revamped and converted into eight homes.

Hillcrest Homes want to build the houses on land in the Island area of Summerseat in Railway Street, which is currently derelict, and has also become an area which attracts flytipping and anti-social behaviour.

It plans to build four new homes, as well as convert a former print and dye works, to create a total of eight residential dwellings.

In addition, two homes on the site, which are currently occupied, will be given a facelift, including the replacement of plastic framed windows and plastic doors.

Dating back to the early 1800s, the area was an old mill reservoir, which supplied water to cotton mills in Summerseat, and a print and dye works was later constructed on the site, with a sewage works on the remainder of the area.

A plan for a residential use of the site was approved in 2006, when JD Homes Ltd were granted permission to convert the print and dye works buildings to four homes, as well as two additional new build homes.

Work on the site began and the two new build houses were built, but not originally in accordance with planning permission, and were later re-orientated.

In addition, the work to convert the main dye works building was only partially completed, and the buildings have began to fall into a state of disrepair over the years.

In addition to the flytipping and the anti-social behaviour, the developer says there are other problems to contend with on the site - such as the bridge leading to the site being in a state of disrepair, as well as a number of structural and other issues on the site which will require "significant investment" to rectify.

Hillcrest Homes has also pledged to work with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, because there is a nature reserve adjacent to the land.

The planning document stated: "The application site has a long history of development, including extensions of the remaining mill building which were demolished in recent years.

"It is clear that the site has a number of problems associated with the failure to bring the houses created in the mill to the stage of occupation.

"The proposal to regenerate the site is brought forward by a high quality housebuilder.

"This regeneration will only take place given the costs associated with works to existing buildings on-site (and potentially works to the bridge accessing it), with the consenting of the four new houses which form an integral part of the development proposal."

Currently, two people have formally supported the plans, and Bury Council expects to make a decision by April 22.