MONKS will have a new home after councillors unanimously backed their ambitious plan for a futuristic monastery.

Kirklees Council planners yesterday gave the green light for the new building at the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield.

The monks won permission to build a new base next to their Grade-II listed church off Stocks Bank Road.

The almond-shaped monastery will be 66 metres long, 27.5 metres wide and 11.3 metres high. Part of the roof will be glazed and will include seven lights.

The monastery will include 25 en-suite bedrooms, including three with intensive care equipment. The new building will also have a meeting room, a kitchen, a refectory and areas for worship and study.

The council’s Heavy Woollen Planning Sub-committee unanimously backed the plan after visiting the Community of Resurrection.

Mirfield Conservative Clr Kathleen Taylor said: “I welcome this application, I know it’s taken a long time to get to this stage.

“I think we’re very fortunate to have this community within Mirfield. They have shown faith to stay in Mirfield.”

Clr Khizar Iqbal was also pleased with the plans for the new monastery.

The Dewsbury South Conservative said: “I’m very impressed with the modern design. I think the whole facility is very impressive and I’m happy to support it.”

Heckmondwike Labour man Clr Steve Hall pointed out that the new building would not be visible from the road. To see the church coming up with this is marvellous,” he said.

Sub-committee chairman Clr Paul Kane was also impressed with the design.

The Dewsbury East Labour man said: “This will be a fantastic building. All praise to the architects who have done this.”

A new access will be built off Stocks Bank Road to serve the new building and 12 mature trees will be chopped down to make way for the development.

The Community of the Resurrection is a group of Anglican monks inspired by St Benedict. The association was founded in Oxford in 1892, moving to Mirfield six years later.

Unlike other monasteries, the community is not cut off from the outside world. Monks take part in charity work at home and abroad and the monastery welcomes 3,000 visitors a year.

The monastery is home to 20 brothers who have taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.