PLANNING permission has been submitted for 120 houses on the site of a former brickworks.

An outline planning application for the 14.8 acre Wilkinsons Brickworks at Blackley, Elland, has now been handed to Calderdale Council.

It says: “The majority of the site is overgrown and is in a poor state of repair.”

The dilapidated area in greenbelt could be regenerated into 120 houses as part of the Metnor Group’s plan for the historic site.

But residents have vowed to fight such a big development from taking place near a hamlet of just 28 houses.

Blackley residents have already come out in opposition to the plans, saying that while they’re not against something being done to improve the brickworks site, they feel is disproportionate against the hamlet of Blackley.

Calderdale Council recommended up to 162 homes on the site, but the developer has only applied for outline permission for 120 properties.

They would be a mix of bungalows, family homes and properties for first-time buyers.

Earlier this year there were two public consultations with around 160 people submitting comments.

The developer says in the application literature that “final illustrative design proposals have been modified to reflect comments received at those events”.

It adds that 10% of the accommodation would be for affordable housing. There would be public open space such as a play area, and a financial contribution of £200,000, with discussions with the council to decide how the money was spent across the council’s policy priorities.

But residents’ concerns remain about the scale of the proposed development, the impact on green belt land and the effect on the wildlife.

The brickworks, built in 1894 and closed in 1985, was the home for many years to Wilkinsons of Elland. Its founder was Samuel Wilkinson and his sons Fred and Arthur were managers.

They manufactured bricks by the thousand and exported them all over the world.

In recent years the premises have been the target of vandals and have long been described as an eyesore with magnificent views.

Last April Calderdale Council conducted a survey of Elland, Greetland, Holywell Green and Stainland residents as part of its wider LDF work.

A report says residents told them “the 60s flats are considered an eyesore as is Blackley Brickworks”.

But residents listed Blackley Brickworks’ chimney as a landmark they wanted to keep as part of any redevelopment of the site.