ONE of Pool-in-Wharfedale's largest employers is aiming to sell off part of its site for housing.

Weidmann Whiteley Limited wants to use the proceeds from the sale to modernise its facilities at Pool Paper Mills.

The company, which produces a range of specialized paper and board products, currently employs 120 people and says it needs to modernise to continue growing.

A pre-application enquiry, outlining proposals to build nine homes on part of its playing field land, is being lodged on the firm's behalf with Leeds City Council.

The site was originally a cricket pitch* and bowling green for employees, but in recent years has been used by Pool AFC's junior football teams.

Managing Director of Weidmann Whiteley, John Briggs, stressed that the plan was only at a 'testing the water' stage - and included proposals to give the football club another pitch.

He said: "What we'd like to do is some residential development on part of our site that's not currently used by the business.

"If we were able to do that it would release some funds that we could invest in the paper making side of the business here, and modernise the facilities.

"Over the last eighteen months we have managed to increase the workforce by 15 people and are hoping to kick on beyond that, but in order to do that we do need to upgrade.

"Part of the land is currently used by one of the junior football teams in Pool so wed look to relocate that on another part of the field.

"We're waiting to hear if there's any likelihood that this would get the go-ahead and, if it does, then we'll be talking to the football club to see if there's ways of improving what they've currently got on their new pitch."

Several planning hurdles will have to be overcome, however, even if the city council does give the business encouragement to proceed.

The plot of land, off Pool Road, is within the Green Belt - and the sports field is a protected playing pitch.

The local authority will also be considering access and road safety issues, the impact on the character of the area, and technical details like drainage in its deliberations.

Councillor Barry Anderson (Con, Adel & Wharfedale) was notified about the pre-application last week and said he would be sharing further information on it with residents as it arose.

*Pool Mills Cricket Club was formed in 1947 after the Whiteley family, who had established Pool Paper Mills, bought the Cartref estate and set up sporting facilities for the mill employees.