AMENDED plans for 114 new homes on a former industrial site in Cleckheaton are being recommended for approval.

The scheme by Swift Properties, originally received planning permission in 2015, however the developer now wants to change the house types on 110 of the plots.

A report to Kirklees Council's strategic planning committee outlines how the 2.46 hectare brownfield Cleckheaton Mills site that fronts on to Bradford Road was previously occupied by Bridon Works and a large industrial shed.

There is existing housing on three sides of the site.

It states: "This planning application seeks full planning permission for the substitution of 110 of the house types on the existing scheme.

"The total scheme would still be for 114 dwellings and the access, and layout the same, with the dwellings being a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced properties, served by a single access of Bradford Road.

"The applications still provides for the same number of dwellings between 2 and 2.5 storeys in height, and ranging between 2, 3 and 4 no bedrooms.

"For the most part the dwellings are larger than previously and the style of house and materials used has improved somewhat, ie the proposal is now to use natural stone throughout the scheme and natural slate, also the detailing on the houses will include smooth stone window surrounds, corbelling and quoin details on the dwellings."

The report adds that there is no request to alter the contributions to affordable housing and public open space from the existing Section 106 legal agreement - so the amounts are to remain the same at four affordable homes and a payment of £105,101 for off-site public open space.

Spen Valley Civic Society has objected to the scheme as it is at odds with the site's designation in the now adopted Local Plan as part of a larger Priority Employment Area.

It believes "planning committees should adhere to and support the Local Plan or there will be chaos and a free for all in the future".

They also mention that housing should not be granted at the expense of the employment land and that where employment buildings have been constructed on nearby sites, they have been let quite quickly.

The group adds that there are a number of housing allocations in the Spen Valley and that housing should not be granted at the expense of employment land.

However the planning report states that 2015 planning permission is "still extant" and that work has commenced on site, so "the residential permission is safeguarded for the future, and can be completed".

It adds: "The amendments to the house types have no effect on the already agreed layout access and road network."

"The scheme will see the delivery of 114 dwellings on a brownfield site that will make an important contribution towards the Council's five year housing supply."

Planners are recommending that the amended scheme be approved when it goes before the strategic planning committee on April 11.

The application must go before the committee as it relates to more than 60 homes. The strategic committee also determined the last application.