THE ongoing saga over the redevelopment of the Bitham Mill site in Westbury went a stage further on Thursday, December 7, as plans for 54 houses were given the go-ahead.

Two developers are now involved in the redevelopment of the site, but plans detailing the renovation of the listed buildings may not be submitted for several months.

Councillors approved the 54 house scheme including car-parking and a play area at a meeting of the southern area committee, but expressed concerns over the state of the 19th century mill buildings which are still in a state of disrepair.

Since the buildings were vacated by the last owners, several years ago, they have been targeted by vandals leaving them in a dangerous and hazardous condition.

At a meeting of the SAC in March, councillors agreed to grant planning permission for the partial demolition, alteration and conversion of the listed buildings into 22 dwellings, but since then the ownership of the site has changed.

Cllr John Annetts said the renovation of the site should act as a trigger for improvements to the mill buildings.

He said: "The only thing that worries me is the longer this goes on the worse state of repair the buildings will get in."

Cllr Len Osborn said: "I hope that we will see no occupation taking place in the new houses without basic preservation of the listed buildings."