A FORMER nursing home is to be demolished in order to build a block of 35 apartments, after planning consent was agreed.

Elm Royd Nursing Home in Brighouse closed down in 2017 and was bought for redevelopment.

Calder Property Development applied to Calderdale Council earlier this year to knock the old nursing home down and build the "luxury apartments" catering for people wanting to "live within a stylish development finished to the highest standards".

Calderdale planners have now agreed to the redevelopment of the site, following four letters of objections and 27 letters in support of the bid.

In a report, planners state that the objections centres on the three-storey height of the new building which would permit overlooking into a nearby property.

Others thought the number of flats was incompatible with the narrow and steep Brighouse Wood Lane, which is partly cobbled with no pavement on most of the cobbled section.

It adds that the nearby Brighouse Wood Row, a group of listed late 18th century cottages, is at a lower level than the development, so the setting would not be harmed.

Of the type of building proposed, it adds: "The surrounding buildings are very much traditional stone and blue slate constructions with some variation in scale and form, but predominantly two-storey pitched roofs.

However, bungalows on Rydings Drive are constructed from brick and white render.

"The existing building is stone with blue slate roof. With the addition of a large extension it is currently L-shaped.

"The proposed building has a linear layout with a range of projections. A pitched roof runs down the centre with some gable and flat roof projections perpendicular to it.

"The second floor is set back and a parapet wall creates an outside area for the residents of that floor."

The design and access statement submitted by the developer adds however: "Whilst the proposal seeks to add an extra storey in comparison to the existing care home, the second floor has been set back to reduce its visual impact on the area.

"The set back will ensure that the building does not become too overbearing on the surrounding properties."

Access is to be taken from Elmwood Drive and a total of 45 parking spaces are to be provided for those who will be living in the one, two and three bed apartments.

The developer has agreed to contribute £17,517.50 towards bus-only MCards for residents, and four units will be sold as affordable housing.

In 2017 the Telegraph & Argus reported how the nursing home, which shut down after a third inadequate rating, was being advertised as bedsits.

The home was also on the market with a guide price of £700,000.

Then owner B&H Vincent LLP applied to the Council to change its use to a house of multiple occupation, turning the 42 bedrooms into bedsits.

Rooms were also advertised on SpareRoom for £280 a month.

At the time more than 150 local residents objected to the move.

Meanwhile, the Council still lists the application as "pending consideration".