Monks have scaled back plans for a new £5m monastery in Mirfield.

The Community of the Resurrection in Stocks Bank Road secured planning permission in 2011 for a “futuristic” design next to the historic grade II listed church building.

The almond-shaped monastery was to have a white rendered exterior and was criticised by the Victorian Society as looking like “an ocean liner on a collision course.”

While Mirfield Town Council also had “mixed views” over the design the plans were passed.

The new monastery was never built and, with planning permission coming up for renewal, amended plans have now been submitted.

Community superior Fr George Guiver said the plans had been looked at again by a new firm of architects and changes had been made.

“We are keeping a close eye on the costs and the renewal gave us the chance to look at the plans afresh,” said Fr Guiver.

“We realised we could shrink the building and make it about a metre smaller all round which was better visually and saved some money.

“The new architects said that render could cause problems and required maintenance while a nice brick would look better and keep the heat in during winter and out in the summer.”

The budget for the new monastery, providing accommodation for the 16 brothers, had always been around £4.3 million but could have been as high as £5 million.

So far around £1 million has been raised in grants and other funding and Fr Guiver said he was hoping to have all the money in place by the autumn.

He said the need for the new monastery had become “very urgent” as the community and theological college was busy with students and visitors.

The old monastery building will house meeting spaces, teaching rooms, a refectory and a library.

The Community of the Resurrection is an Anglican monastic order founded in the late 19th century. The College of the Resurrection trains candidates for the priesthood.

Last year the community secured planning permission to restore the open air Quarry Theatre in the grounds.

The abandoned theatre, dating back to the 19th century, hosted plays and political rallies. Labour Party founder Keir Hardy and suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst gave speeches there.

The £600,000 theatre, with a retractable rain cover over the stage, was due to open this summer.

However plans have been put on hold due to the monastery scheme.