COUNCILLORS have approved major housing developments in two towns.

Flats and houses will be built at Blakeridge Mills in Batley, while Pioneer House in Dewsbury will see new apartments and shops.

Kirklees Council’s Heavy Woollen Planning Sub-Committee gave the go-ahead to the schemes.

Developer Binks Vertical will convert Blakeridge Mills near Batley town centre into 380 apartments. There will be 355 one-bedroom flats and 25 with two bedrooms.

Outline planning approval was also granted for 120 homes on the site. The overall scheme will cost £34m.

The sub-committee also approved renovation of Pioneer House in North-gate in Dewsbury at last week’s meeting.

Pioneer House Apartments Ltd will turn the Grade II listed building into 54 flats and eight shops.

The developer will also erect a six-storey tower block on the site which will feature shops and 41 apartments.