The redevelopment of the derelict mill was approved by councillors on the Heavy Woollen planning subcommittee back in February.

Since then developer Richard Binks has had to reach a legal agreement with Kirklees planning officers over aspects of the plan.

But this week he was delighted to hear that after a two-year-long battle the application had been passed and his company, Binks Vertical, could finally get to work on the redevelopment.

Mr Binks said: "The residential market is hardening at the moment, however we are very confident about Blakeridge Village, even in this tightening market.

"We will work very hard to make the homes very affordable and very special. Each apartment will have a massive picture window looking onto the cobbled traffic-free piazza."

A section 106 agreement was included in the planning permission which ensures contributions in the public interest are made on the site.

For Mr Binks, this means providing an amount of affordable housing, improvements to pavements and junctions, provision of open space and cycle ways, tree planting and removal of Japanese knotweed.

Part of the site, bounded by Mayman Lane and Cemetery Road, also has outline planning permission for 120 homes. Mr Binks plans to sell this three acres of land off to another developer to build family homes.

When finished Blakeridge will include a residents' pool and gym, parking, a bike store for 250 bicycles and 2.5 acres of parkland.

Mr Binks said: "The scheme will make a fantastic impact on Batley. When completed we hope to attract both local people and professionals who work in the region's major cities."

The first apartments are due to be finished by April next year. Prices have yet to be confirmed.