A SCHEME that could see 60 council homes demolished at Moldgreen is being considered by planning officers.
Housing association Yorkshire Housing has submitted a planning application to demolish the homes on Poplar Terrace and Gelder Terrace and replace them with a development of 74 two-bedroomed apartments.
The apartments, funded by the Housing Corporation, would be affordable social housing for sale and rent.
The development is being handled by Skipton-based Bowman Riley Architects.
Plans include an enclosed courtyard and secure access to the development, which is part of the area’s regeneration programme.
Industrial and commercial sites on Smithy Lane and Somerset Road – including a garage business – would also be bought by the council to make way for the development.
There are also proposals to widen the busy Wakefield Road to allow for an extension to the bus lane.
The cost to the council of demolishing the homes and re-housing occupants could be as much as £200,000.
The homes were earmarked for demolition because of their poor state of repair.
Residents were surveyed and said they were unhappy with the conditions. Complaints included cramped living conditions, smelly rooms and insect infestation.The homes are also unpopular with people on the housing list and current residents feel unsafe due to drug dealers and thefts.
Kirklees Council’s Huddersfield area planning sub-committee is set to make a decision on the plans after March 19.
