HUNDREDS of new council homes could be built in Kirklees if a bid for £100m succeeds.

Kirklees Council is set to apply to the Government for permission to enter a 30-year Private Finance Initiative deal.

Some 550 homes are planned on sites yet to be determined across the district.

Clr Andrew Cooper, the council's Cabinet member for housing, said: "How the final proposals shape up will very much depend on the outcome of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's consideration of our proposals.

"A key element to the proposals is to provide 360 lifetime homes to meet the needs of smaller households, including single people under 25.

"The lifetime homes standard will provide spacious, high- quality, flexible homes that can meet a range of needs.

"This will enable families with disabled members, or tenants with additional care and support needs, to live in a more suitable environment that requires less adaptation, so they can continue to live independently in their home."

In addition, the council wants to build 40 homes that meet full wheelchair standards.

Added to that are plans for 150 homes specifically for elderly people needing care and support.

Twenty of these will be devoted to meeting the needs of people with dementia.

Clr Cooper said the proposed programme demonstrated innovative approaches, both in the building and managing the new homes.

The council aimed to ensure high levels of energy efficiency and use renewable energy.

Clr Cooper added: "Our comprehensive review of housing needs confirmed there is a demand from small households for new homes, such as one and two-bedroom flats.

"If we were able to build these homes through that programme it would meet the needs of this group," he said.

"It would also have the added benefit of people moving out of larger families homes, so making more homes available for families."

A decision from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, is expected in the summer.

Following this, sites will be identified, planning issues dealt with and bids invited for carrying out the work.

Building will be carried out between 2007 and 2011.