A HOUSING group has unveiled plans to build new homes on the site of a soon-to-close fire station in Saltaire.

Idle and Shipley fire stations are both due to close next year, and will be replaced by a new joint station in Valley Road.

Now housing group Incommunities has started a public consultation into its plans to demolish Shipley fire station, in Saltaire Road, and build 11 affordable homes in its place.

A spokesman said the two and three bedroom homes had been designed to complement the historic Saltaire village.

The homes would be built around a cul-de-sac using the existing access point for the fire station. They would have off-street parking and individual gardens.

Existing trees on the site would be kept, and extra shrubs would be planted.

A planning application has not yet been submitted to Bradford Council planners, but people can take a look at the proposals in more detail at an event later this month.

Incommunities' development arm Lumia Homes is holding the event to give residents a chance to have their say on the scheme.

This will take place on Tuesday, July 28, from 4pm to 7pm at Saltaire Methodist Church, Saltaire Road.

Invitations to the consultation event have been sent to more than 1,600 households in the area.

Rupert Pometsey, director of Lumia Homes, said: "We are extremely keen to gather people’s views on our plans to provide much-needed homes in the area.

"Our proposed scheme has been designed to complement the quality of the existing homes in the area and the unique environment of Saltaire village itself."

Alternatively, people can give their views or raise any points by emailing matthew.rhodes@dppukltd.com by Tuesday, August 11, or phone Incommunities’ Development Team on (01274) 254241.

As part of the planning process, residents will also be able to give their views once a planning application has been submitted to the Council.

Incommunities is taking on both fire station sites as part of a land-swap deal with the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The fire service had asked to use an Incommunities site for the new merged station, and the housing group is being given both old fire station sites in return.

Last month, Incommunities unveiled similar plans to build up to 11 affordable homes on the site of Idle fire station, in Highfield Road.

The closure of Shipley and Idle fire stations was announced back in 2012, as part of a wider shake-up of fire service cover across the district.