Developers behind a controversial housing plan have changed their plans for a third time.

The firm behind a 236 house estate at Black Rock Mills, Linthwaite, now wants to radically slash the number of homes it builds after problems with the steep site.

Kier Ventures says it can only build 113 homes at the plot off Waingate – fewer than half it has been given permission for.

Its latest application to Kirklees Council says difficulties with the land have forced a rethink.

It says the Environment Agency banned it from building homes over a water culvert, causing it to go back to the drawing board.

The agency would not allow the culvert to be moved as it is classed as a ‘main river’.

During protests about the scheme, residents warned they were worried about flooding from the nearby Blackmoorfoot Reservoir.

When the plan was passed by councillors in 2014, Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency raised no concerns.

The radical redesign means the Leeds based developer needs to re-negotiate its contribution to the council for local infrastructure – the so-called Section 106 monies.

Kier Ventures says its new layout uses similar housing designs and will use the water course as a feature.

Demolition work at Black Rock Mills in Linthwaite
Demolition work at Black Rock Mills in Linthwaite

But it says apartments are no longer suitable.

Two listed buildings on the former mill site will be retained.

Plans to build on the site have been beset by delays for almost a decade.

The £22m investment in the site was first mooted in 2006 and a 191 home scheme was approved in 2009.

But progress was held up by the collapse of the economy and the house building industry.

In 2013 the firm came back to the council saying it now wanted to build 248 houses.

Following lengthy negotiations over affordable housing and Section 106 contributions, it was given the green light for 236 homes the following year.

The latest application is likely to go back before the council’s planning sub-committee.

The period for public comments on the plan runs until January 31.