OVER 90 homes could be built on a large site in Wyke if major new housing plans are approved.

The 3.25 hectare site off Wilson Road was once used for shale quarrying and as a brickworks, but has been empty for decades.

Yesterday a major planning application to build 91 homes on the site was submitted to Bradford Council by H Birkby and Son.

The plans say there will be eight two-bed homes, 63 three-bed homes and 20 four bed homes.

There will also be parking for 182 cars, and every home would have an electric car charging point.

It is not the first time housing has been proposed for the large brownfield site.

In 2011 an application to build 40 homes on the site was submitted to the Council by the same applicants. The application was refused due to concerns there was not enough detail on possible contamination of the site - which has also been used as a landfill.

This decision was appealed, but the appeal dismissed by a Government inspector who shared similar concerns with the Council.

In 2017 an application to build 45 homes on the same site was submitted. However, Council officers argued that this scheme did not make the best use of a large Brownfield site.

'Last minute' window issue leads to Wyke housing plans being refused

With there being a push to focus development on Brownfield rather than green field and Green Belt land, officers felt that more that 45 homes could be built on this site - which would reduce the need for building on non-brownfield sites.

Current guidance says that fewer than 30 homes per hectare on brownfield sites such as this would be “inefficient” use of the site.

Referring to this, the new application says: “As a result of this the (2017) application was withdrawn and a revised submission is now prepared indicating a layout for 91 dwellings in a mix of detached and semi-detached houses with two short terraces.

“This represents a doubling in density from the previous scheme and will meet the requirements of the Council.”

The application also includes a much more detailed report on the previous use of the site, and how the developer will tackle any contamination issues.

It adds: “The scheme has been designed so that with the use of materials compatible with the surrounding area. The proposals will harmonize with the existing buildings giving a consistency to the area.

“The new construction of the buildings will incorporate insulation and ventilation standards which along with energy saving and water consumption limitations which comply with the current Building regulations and hence reduce its impact on the environment and climate.”

If the plans are approved, the developer will fund a series of speed bumps on Wilson Road, leading to the site. Around 20 per cent of the houses on the site would also be classed as “affordable housing.”

The site is on the opposite side of Wilson Road to the former Wyke Manor School site, which is currently being redeveloped as the Wyke Sports Village.

A decision on the housing application is expected in December.