A COMPLEX of 80 "extra care" apartments for the elderly could be built in Cleckheaton if fresh plans for Council-owned green fields are approved.

Housing 21, a not-for-profit provider of retirement housing, has applied to Kirklees Council to build on land off Kenmore Drive in the town.

Outline plans to build 55 homes on the 1.68 hectare site were approved in 2017 despite more than 100 letters of objection from local residents.

The site itself is surrounded by housing on three sides and a care home to the south.

The Housing 21 development would provide 80 one and two bedroom apartments with central communal facilities, including a lounge, dining room, activity rooms and hair salon.

A large portion of the site would remain as a "natural green space".

A design and access statement accompanying the application states that the site is currently allocated for housing in the Local Plan.

"We believe the site's location is suitable and sustainable for an extra care development of this nature for residents to use and access local services.

"The topography of the site although challenging will allow a bespoke building that responds to the level changes of the site with upper and lower ground accommodation and level access to garden spaces for all residents. It is intended to keep the northern part of the site accessible for the immediate community."

"The building is intended to be sympathetic to the scale of the neighbouring existing buildings and extensive design development has taken pace to ensure this."

The documents also highlight that access to the site while construction is taking place would be difficult and that some trees would need to be removed in order to develop the site.

"The topography of the site means that the building will have a ground and lower ground floor to deal with the change in level onsite.

"The site slopes down to the north with adjacent roads and housing on both sides of the site doing the same. The proposals seeks to create an attractive building that is appropriate to the setting, providing high quality affordable homes for the over 55s which create a strong sense of place. The building mass has been developed in response to its relationship with the neighbouring buildings.

"The building will provide communal spaces to the ground floor level to which level access is provided from Kenmore Drive and will include communal lounge, dining room with catering kitchen, activity rooms and a hair salon and landscaped gardens.

"A private garden for residents is located at the lower ground floor area north facing with long range views across the site. Landscaping around the building sits it within the land with areas of terracing that step with the building form and existing topography with views across, into and out of the site.

"The atrium roof light drops daylight into central core of the building with small communal seating areas offering places for residents to stop and chat. The atrium also assists residents with orientation whilst providing a visual link between floors offering connectivity and interest."

A decision is expected to be made by Council planners by the first week in August.