FIVE surplus sites across the Spen Valley are set to be sold off by Kirklees Council in a project designed to boost house building in the district and raise £750,000.

The authority's cabinet is expected to approve the sale of 21 small plots of land which are not being considered as part of the Local Plan development blueprint for the area.

These sites include land at Church Lane, Birstall; Brighton Street, Heckmondwike and Halifax Road, Liversedge; and two plots at Upper George Street, Heckmondwike.

A report before councillors states: "These sites are seen as key to supporting the economic resilience of the district through the delivery of new additional housing stock.

"It is also the intent to use this project to stimulate and grow the local house building industry to further support the growth of the local economy."

If approved the plots of land, which could support up to ten homes each, are expected to be sold through a public bidding process at two events, where small local housebuilding firms and developers can be targeted. The Council estimates the sale could generate a minimum of £735,000.

Many of the sites are vacant and may have had informal uses such as car parking or public space.

The cabinet meets at Huddersfield Town Hall at 4pm on Tuesday, August 25.