HISTORIC England is calling for 125 homes planned as part of a major housing development at a quarry site in Bradford to be removed from the scheme in order to protect two nearby listed buildings.

Inspector Elisabeth Lewis had previously called for the outline plans for 700 homes at Bolton Woods quarry to be deferred or refused to allow amendments that would "better preserve those elements of the site which contribute to the setting of the two Grade II* listed buildings".

But a subsequent letter following unspecified amendments now urges that the area of 125 homes near to Bolton Old Hall and the adjoining Bolton Old Hall Cottage - known as zone two - be completely removed from the scheme.

This would leave the area of land surrounding the hall and cottage undeveloped in order to safeguard the setting of the two Grade II* listed buildings.

Inspector of historic buildings and areas at Historic England, Elisabeth Lewis, states: "The area of land which remains undeveloped to the south west of the listed buildings provides an historic setting which contributes to the significance of Bolton Old Hall and Cottage.

"We advise that plot two is removed from the scheme and the area of land surrounding the Hall and Cottage is left undeveloped in order to safeguard the contribution the rural nature of this part of the application site makes to the significance of the two Grade II* listed buildings.

"Historic England opposes the application in its current form and urges that amendments are secured to reduce the harm to the listed buildings."

She added that while the concept masterplan only shows an indicative layout, it does show" a substantial residential which will fundamentally change the landscape character of the land surrounding the Grade II* listed buildings".

The Marshall family, which owns the Bolton Woods quarry, submitted outline plans for the 70-acre site in November.

They are looking at alternative uses for the quarry, which supplies Yorkshire stone, as it is coming to the end of its life as a quarry and its long-term future is "economically unviable".

A second public exhibition was held last month to showcase the plans. At the time, a spokesman for the Marshall family said: “This large brownfield site can help to ease the housing shortage in the area and we want to ensure local views are taken on board, where possible, throughout the development process."

The plans are expected to be determined by Council planners later this month.