DEVELOPERS spearheading a £175m scheme to revitalise a key part of Huddersfield have promised striking new buildings of the “style and quality usually found in cities such as Leeds and Manchester’’.

The pledge came as backers of the ambitious Waterfront Quarter scheme submitted a revised planning application – and unveiled more details – for their development site at Chapel Hill.

The new proposals from Wetherby-based Strategic Sites includes a new 300,000sq ft campus for Huddersfield Technical College, which is due to open in September, 2011.

Also proposed are 190,000sq ft of Grade A office buildings, which the developers say “will bring to Huddersfield the style and quality of offices only usually found in cities such as Leeds or Manchester”.

The development will also include some 300 new homes, a range of leisure and catering facilities, extensive work to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal – which runs through the site – as well as providing a new public square.

For the first time in living memory the public will be able to reach the River Colne and canalside footpaths in this part of Huddersfield.

The developers also released images of one of the proposed offices, which will face Chapel Hill near the entrance of the site and stand alongside the canal.

Paul Barber, chief executive of Strategic Sites, said: “This is a really exciting mixed-use scheme that will enhance Huddersfield’s attractiveness as a place in which to live, learn, work and play. We think its quality will also be an example for others to follow.”

The developers have worked with Kirklees Council and development agency Yorkshire Forward on the scheme, which aims to transform a triangle of land bounded by Chapel Hill, Manchester Road and the River Colne.

Subject to receiving planning permission work on the scheme is due to start this autumn.

Strategic Sites’ main architects are DLG Architects and its property advisers are Dove Haigh Phillips.

Clr Ken Sims, Kirklees Cabinet’s member for regeneration, said: “The Waterfront quarter is a significant part of the wider regeneration strategies for Huddersfield.

“Clearly, the proposals will be subject of all the planning processes. The council and its partners have been assisting and advising the developer and their representatives on this very exciting and innovative scheme.

“It is one of many initiatives that continue to demonstrate the continued confidence of developers in investing in Huddersfield.”

Clr Sims added: “This is a significant regeneration opportunity for that part of the town.

“It will transform the area and provide a unique mix of housing units, commercial and office space, together with restaurants and other facilities.

“It will open up more potential for visitors and businesses to develop on the canal corridor, and complement the multi-millions pounds spent on the wider restoration of the canal.”

The eight-acre Waterfront site is occupied by long-established manufacturing firm Sellers Engineering and Kirklees Council.

Strategic Sites is working with Sellers’ development section, Ramsden and Colne Developments, on the mixed-use project.

Sellers plans to move to a new site to make way for the development.