The University of Huddersfield is planning further expansion.

The university is looking to develop land owned by one of the town’s top engineering firms.

Part of the Thomas Broadbent and Sons site could soon form part of the university’s campus.

The university is seeking planning consent to demolish some buildings and develop a 2.26 hectare site at Queen Street South.

It is on the campus side of the street and is currently used as storage and other activity for Broadbent and Sons.

The engineering firm plans to consolidate on the other side of the road.

The firm had hoped some years ago to sell part of their complex to Asda for a new supermarket, but that deal never got off the ground.

Simon Broadbent, joint managing director, said: “The building has become surplus.

“It is largely unused, mainly as storage and while there is some activity our plans are to bring our operations back across the other side of Queen Street South.

“The collapse of the Asda potential meant that our plans to relocate to the campus side of Queen Street South changed.

We are now focusing on renovating the main site. There is some re-roofing work taking place currently and we will be transferring our key activity across.”

The earmarked development site includes some smaller buildings currently owned by the university, including the former Examiner office.

The new proposal is expected to create a more unified part of the campus, with landscaping linking the different parts of the site.

If approved by councillors on the Huddersfield Planning Sub-Committee on Thursday, the university would build an educational development to enhance the Queensgate campus.

Kirklees planning officers have recommended it for approval.

The council report says: “It is anticipated the proposal would improve the public realm both along Queen Street South and the canal without detrimental impact on residential amenity or the setting of listed buildings.”

Nine people have objected to the plans, with concerns it will impact on residents of The Melting Point apartments who would be facing a high-rise building.

Thomas Broadbent and Sons Ltd had hoped to vacate its site between Queen Street South, the ring road and Milford Street so that Asda could build a 49,000 sq ft store, but the deal fell through.

The university has undergone major expansion recently, including a new £22m sports centre which opens this month.