PLANS have been lodged to build 17 homes on land off Leeds Road in Birstall.

The scheme, from Leeds-based developer Rouse Homes, involves a 0.38 hectare plot of land, which is the site of a former residential bungalow and gardens.

There is open land to the north of the site and a community centre to the west.

In the design and access statement accompanying the planning application to Kirklees Council it describes the site as “scrub land that has been left derelict”.

The document adds: “A key principle for the proposed development is to ensure that the new development will respect and blend with the local character of Birstall.

"The local design character is very varied, but for the purposes of the new development this analysis focuses on the underlying urban texture of the adjoining settlements.

“The materials palette within Birstall consists predominantly brick with some stone buildings at certain locations. The use of gable fronts is a common feature, with the use of bay windows mainly seen on semi-detached and terraced houses. Strong building lines are created and enhanced by consistent building set backs and clear separation between the public and private realm.

"More recent in fill developments and post-war buildings are characteristically two storey, semi-detached and detached dwellings. These tend to be set back from the road by a small private garden.

"For the majority of these dwellings some of this front space as on plot parking provision, with soft landscaping breaking up the street scene. Roof forms tend to vary, with gable fronts."

The materials that Rouse plans to use are reconstituted stone with stone heads and cills, along with grey plain concrete interlocking roof tiles.

The development is described as a "high quality and sustainable scheme" and would provide a mix of two to four bedroom homes in terraced blocks, semi-detached and detached styles.

The statement also outlines a number of opportunities associated with the site, such as existing vegetation north of the site to provide a tree buffer and a relatively flat typography.

Constraints identified include the community centre immediately to the west and residential development in close proximity to the site, with a number of properties backing on to the land.

Further information submitted to the Council indicates that the proposals will provide "a range of dwelling sizes and types that offers an accessible and acceptable choice of lifestyles".

People have until February 2 to have their say on the scheme by logging on to kirklees.gov.uk/planning.

The developer is also behind a housing development of 30 four and five bedroom homes in nearby Birkenshaw that used to be part of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service headquarters.

The development, called Oakroyd, currently has just three properties remaining for sale.

The land was sold by the fire service in 2018 as surplus after the brigade’s control centre was moved to Leeds a few years earlier.