A controversial plan to build 236 homes in the Colne Valley has been approved.

And developer Kier Ventures Limited has pledged the scheme at Black Rock Mills, Linthwaite will create 200 local construction jobs and 30 apprenticeships.

The £22m investment in the site has taken eight years to get to this stage, despite 191 homes being approved in 2009.

Since then Kier Ventures Limited has applied for outline planning to construct 236 dwellings on the Waingate site, comprising a mix of flats and houses.

Members of Kirklees Council Planning Sub-Committee yesterday approved the outline plans after lengthy discussion at Huddersfield Town Hall.

Many councillors welcomed the increased community contribution which will include £476,917 for education provision and MetroCard allocation for residents.

The new revised allocation will include 41 affordable homes to help families get on the property ladder.

But residents at the meeting expressed concern that the development would be prone to flooding from the nearby Blackmoorfoot reservoir.

Resident John Garside, a former Yorkshire Water employee, said: “I think that site will flood. In the case of a high storm all the water that comes from Blackmoorfoot will be four cubic metres a second”.

Council planning officers informed the meeting that Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency had been consulted and raised no objections over flooding.

Objectors also said the development would put excessive strain on the area’s infrastructure, including roads and schools.

Clr Nicola Turner said: “I do think there are highways concerns due to additional traffic generated by this development.”

But she welcomed the development, particularly the employer contribution for education and affordable housing.

Director of Kier Ventures, Kevin Dixon told the Examiner after the meeting: “We’ve been working with Kirklees Council for eight years now.

“If it wasn’t for the economic recession we would have committed to build the 196 houses.

“In this financial climate this would have resulted in significant increased costs so we requested 236 homes to the council.

“We are really pleased by the committee’s decision.”

Mr Dixon said he anticipates building could start on the site in October 2014, if reserved matters are approved by Kirklees Council within six months.