PLANS to install a commemorative stone celebrating the life of Charlotte Bronte at her Thornton birthplace have been submitted to Bradford Council.

The stone will mark the bicentenary of the birth of the older of the literary Bronte sisters, and is part of a wider project to create memorials to younger sisters Emily and Anne, as well as their brother Branwell.

The Bronte Stones project has been developed by the Bradford Literature Festival, and this application has been submitted by writer Michael Stewart.

The first stone will be installed on the outside of the Bronte birthplace, 72 - 74 Market Street in Thornton.

The project is being supported by both Bradford Council and the Arts Council, and will involve high profile writers composing words for the four stones - which will eventually create a trail from Thornton to Haworth.

The planning application, submitted this week, says: “The stones will be inscribed with specially commissioned writing from some of the most prominent writers in the world.

“This will generate a lot of positive publicity for Bradford and visitors.”

Syima Aslam, of the Bradford Literature Festival, said: "The Bronte Stones Project, conceived and project managed by Michael Stewart, is part of the Ambition for Excellence funding that was received by the Bradford Literature Festival from Arts Council England.

"The planning application is the first step to create a lasting legacy to the Brontes that will link their birth place in Thornton to the parsonage in Haworth."

The Bronte birthplace was built in 1802 and was the home of Maria and Patrick Bronte from 1815 to 1820. This was the period that Patrick was curate at St James Church in Thornton, before the family moved to Haworth to live in what came to be known as the Bronte Parsonage.

The Thornton house was the birthplace of Charlotte, who went on to write literary classic Jane Eyre, in 1816, Branwell, in 1817, Emily in 1818 and Anne in 1820.

The unassuming building was listed in 1952, and over the years has seen different uses, from residential to a butcher shop, restaurant, and museum.

It lay neglected for several years and was eventually put up for auction, when it was bought by Mark and Michelle De Luca, who own De Luca’s hair salon in Thornton.

They converted it to a cafe and bistro, known as Emily’s, which opened in 2014. It saw many of the houses original features, including the fireplace the sisters were said to be born in front of, restored.

For many years, the only outward sign of the building’s historic significance is a small plaque next to the building’s door.

The past year has seen several events held in the village to mark the anniversary of Charlotte’s birth.

A decision on the application is expected in October.