DEVELOPERS plan one of Huddersfield's biggest-ever housing projects on the site of a factory.

They want to build about 300 homes on the sprawling site when the famous Hopkinsons' plant at Birkby finally shuts.

Factory owners Weir announced in March that they were shutting Britannia Works on Wheathouse Road.

Half the jobs are going, but about 170 are transferring in November to a new factory off The Ainleys, Elland.

Discussions are taking place over the future use of the Birkby site.

Cala Homes have intimated they would like to see it being used for housing.

Preliminary details of the scheme have been sent to Kirklees Council.

Greenhead ward councillors Mehboob Khan, Annie Smith and Mohan Sokhal are to seek local people's views on the redevelopment of the site.

They have organised public meetings at Birkby Infants School in Blacker Road on Friday (3pm to 7pm) and Saturday (10am to 2pm).

Provisional plans for the development show a mix of detached, semi-detached and terrace houses spread among tree-lined avenues.

The familiar frontage of the Hopkinsons building could be retained and used for flats.

There would be new access roads from Macaulay Road and Wheathouse Road.

Clr Sokhal said: "We expect a large turnout and urge local people to get involved.

"We would like to listen to residents and feed views back to council staff and the developer.

"This is an ideal opportunity for residents to view draft plans. Council officers from a range of departments, such as planning, highways and housing, and landscape architects will be on hand to answer questions.

"We are also pleased that Leeds- based Cala Homes have agreed to take part to listen to comments from local residents before submitting a formal planning application."

Clr Smith said it could be up to two years before building work could start.

The factory, which stretches from Birkby Lodge Road across to Macaulay Road, has to be demolished and the site cleared of any contamination after more than 100 years of heavy industrial use.

Detailed planning applications would also have to be submitted to the council.

Clr Smith added: "I think housing is a good use for this site in the heart of Birkby.

"We would hope to see a mix of house types, with affordable homes catering for local people and, perhaps, the involvement of a housing association"

Clr Sokhal added: "We are sorry that the historical association of manufacturing from this site will end.

"This is entirely due to difficult circumstances for UK manufacturers.

"On a positive note, this site will be given a new lease of life and add to the already vibrant local community."