NEARLY 55 homes to rent could be built in Bradford under new proposals - adding a "sense of space and place" to a currently crime-hit site.

J O Steel Consulting has submitted a planning application to Bradford Council for 52 properties to be constructed on land off Allerton Lane.

The proposed site, which is 1.6 hectares, is currently "unproductive grassland", according to a design and access statement accompanying the application.

The statement said the plans would help to breathe new life into the area, which has been hit by crime.

"Due to the site's currently open nature, it suffers from anti-social behaviour," it said.

"Young people riding quad bikes and motor bikes across the site are noted as a particular nuisance and potential source of crime.

"The proposed development has carefully considered the nature and scale of the surrounding area.

"The development proposal for 52 dwellings constitutes sustainable development and will add a sense of space and place."

According to the statement, the 52 homes would be a mixture of two and three-bed properties, helping to meet "demand" in the area.

A separate statement accompanying the application said the homes would be "specifically targeted at the single-family Build to Rent market".

It added: "We have made a conscious decision not to deliver standardised three/four/five-bedroom houses targeted at the for sale market, which are largely unaffordable for local residents.

"Instead we intend to deliver rental homes for Bradford's single-family housing market, where there is a distinct lack of supply and rapidly increasing demand for new homes."

Most of the properties would be accessed via Allerton Lane and the design and access statement statement said: "Allerton Lane is a single carriageway road in need of traffic calming measures, which will be provided as part of this scheme."

Private and visitors' parking would be provided, and a single electric vehicle charging point would also be offered at each home.

The statement outlined a number of other energy efficient measures as part of the proposals.

"Houses will be designed to a high standard of insulation and feature minimal air leakage in order to require minimal energy input to heat," it said.

"Houses will be provided with solar panels orientated to optimise their effectiveness - generally south facing - contributing to reduced CO2 emissions on site."

The planning application is currently pending consideration by the Council.

At this stage, it is not known when a decision will be made.