AN historic piece of architecture steeped in mystery and local legend could be turned into a home.

The temple in Whitley Park, Liley Lane, Lepton - known locally as Black Dick's Tower - could form part of a unique property on several levels.

The listed building, which is in Green Belt, is reputedly haunted and has stood since the 1750s.

Now, the building is the subject of a planning application to Kirklees Council.

Almondbury architect Alasdair Ingram has applied on behalf of Elliotts Estates to convert and extend the tower to form a home.

The plans include underground accommodation, as well as converting and extending the building to form a two-bedroomed property.

The temple is on the council's buildings at risk register because of its state of disrepair.

Mr Ingram said: " I have been asked by my clients to create a design which will bring it back into use.

"If nothing happens to it, it will go into decay. This is what we are trying to prevent."

Mr Ingram said the temple was a former "ice house" attached to the Whitely Beaumont estate. It included a semi-basement, which was why the plans included some underground facilities.

It would have been used by the original owners to store food in huge piles of ice.

Kirklees planners do not expect to make a decision on the application before the end of next month.

* THE future Sir Richard (Black Dick) Beaumont, the first baronet of Whitley Beaumont, was born at Longley Old Hall in 1574.

His mother, Elizabeth, was the daughter of John Ramsden.

* Black Dick's ghost is reputed to walk in the grounds of Whitley Hall with his head under his arm.

* Black Dick's Tower was built between 1752 and 1754 by the renowned architect James Paine.

He was a well-known architect of the period and was also involved in the second stage of work at Nostell Priory, Wakefield, in the eighteenth century.

* The temple was built in the grounds of the old Whitley Hall, which was demolished after the Second World War.

* Several stately homes of the period had similar temples, which were used for leisure and picnics and were talking points for visitors.

* A planning inquiry was launched in 1995 after plans were submitted to dig clay from land surrounding Black Dick's Tower.

* Protesters said it would be an environmental disaster.

* The site is part of the estate of brickmakers Elliotts.