A DEVELOPER looks set to get the go ahead today to build 30 homes on land being sold off as surplus at the fire service headquarters site in Birkenshaw.

Rouse Homes confirmed earlier this year that it was under contract to buy the 3.68 acres of land and had submitted a full application to build three and four-bedroom family homes on the site.

The scheme, which includes semi-detached, detached and terraced homes, is now being recommended for approval and a decision is expected to be made at today's Heavy Woollen planning sub-committee.

Rouse will need to demolish a two-storey building which housed the brigade’s control centre, handling emergency calls for 40 years until its move to Leeds in 2014.

In addition a number of former houses that were converted into offices in the 1980s but have stood empty since 2013 will need to go to make way for the development.

The firm has also applied for approval for the demolition.

In a report by Kirklees Council planners to the committee it states that there has been one objection from a neighbouring resident on Bradford Road, about the proximity of one of the homes.

In addition local councillor Liz Smaje has raised concerns about the density of the site as it looked "very full".

Planners go on to state that while the 30 homes would be "relatively closely spaced" discussions have taken place with Rouse regarding the scale of the dwelling sand the distances between to "ensure the proposal would not appear cramped".

"On balance the proposed density of the development would be acceptable and some minor revisions have been made to the layout to address the impact on protected trees, highway safety issues and floodrisk issues."

As for the objection about the distance to a home on Bradford Road, planners add that there would be 31 metres between them and no openings on the second floor on that side, so they believe there would be "no undue overbearing impact".

A new access road would be created off Bradford Road, and the homes would be built in artificial stone with concrete slate grey tiles.

When Rouse submitted the application, a spokesman for the firm said: “Currently, we are contracted to buy the site and will own it shortly.

“Once planning consent has been given, demolition will commence in readiness to commence build on 30, three and four-bed family homes.

“We have already received many enquiries and look forward to launching the development later this year.”

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was granted outline planning permission on the land and last year announced the plot was up for sale with offers invited in the region of £2 million.

The service will retain its headquarters at neighbouring Oakroyd Hall, a listed building on the wider site, in addition to various offices and training facilities.

The planning meeting takes place at 1pm at Dewsbury Town Hall.