KIRKLEES Music School could have a new home.

After three years in temporary premises, the school has its sights on a new permanent home in Huddersfield.

Officials hope to move in to the Huddersfield Christian Fellowship's premises in Northumberland Street.

At present, the building is still used by the Fellowship.

But the church, which also has premises in St John's Road, hopes to eventually move to a purpose- built building in St Thomas's Road, Folly Hall.

The music school - which provides music for thousands of local youngsters - has submitted a planning application to Kirklees Council.

School officials have applied for a change of use at the Northumberland Street premises, opposite the Post Office.

The school has been looking for a new town centre base since it had to move out of its premises above the old Co-op store in New Street three years ago.

Students now receive their lessons at Salendine Nook High School after the music school's plans for a building in Old Leeds Road, behind Huddersfield Sports Centre, proved inappropriate.

Alex McNeil, property agent at Bramleys estate agents in St George's Square, is working on the project.

He said: "It's a fantastic property and just want the music school needs.

"It was looking for somewhere near the town centre with plenty of accommodation that was also near the train and bus stations."

Last November, the Christian Fellowship announced plans to build a new building on the site of the former Brook Crompton engineering firm in St Thomas's Road, due to its thriving and growing congregation.

Outline planning permission was granted in January.

The church, which also owns Harvest House on St John's Road, wants a purpose-built church, bookshop, coffee shop, offices and parking.

"We are fairly well advanced in the negotiations. It is now just subject to planning permission," said Mr McNeil.

"We hope the deal can be tied up and the building adapted slightly, so that lessons can start in September."

One problem could be that it could be the end of the year before the Fellowship's church is built.

"We have talked about sharing the building for a time because it suits both parties," said Mr McNeil. "The church occupies the building between 9am and 5.30pm and the school would need it from 4pm to 8.30pm."

Mr Gordon Tose, a Fellowship elder, said the plan was to share the Northumberland Street building in the short term.

Music school principal Thom Meredith was unavailable for comment.