PLANS to build new homes on a canalside site that has been empty for almost a decade have been approved.

Marley Court in Crossflatts, owned by Incommunities, is the former home of three blocks of flats - but these were demolished in 2011.

Earlier this year the social housing provider submitted an application to build 19 houses on the site, which is next to the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

It is also a short distance from the Grade II listed canal aqueduct over Morton Beck and is just 70 metres from Lingcroft Wharfe - described as a "key unlisted building."

Those plans were approved this week by planning officers.

In the application Incommunities said the development would include three affordable homes for sale, three affordable homes for rent and thirteen houses that will be put on the open market.

Plan for new home on site of listed hall in Crossflatts is approved

There had been one objector, who suggested the site would be better suited to being a park.

Approving the scheme, officers said: "It is considered that the proposed dwellings have been well designed and will create a visually interesting development which relates well to the canal and presents an attractive and well detailed elevation to both the canal and to Marley Court.

"The proposed development is an improvement on the flats that previously stood on the site and the appearance of the site as currently presented."