PLANS have been lodged to knock down a 18th Century house without "historical features" in Birstall and build 30 homes on the site.

The scheme for Clough House off Leeds Road, Howden Clough, is at outline stage. Documents describe the building as "a simple Georgian building with little embellishment" which is currently vacant and has been subject to vandalism and theft.

A heritage assessment accompanying the application adds that the house is not currently a listed building and it is not in a conservation area. But it states that a request has been submitted to Heritage England to list the building.

It also details how the owners of the site used to run a haulage business from the offices there, but that the staircase, fireplaces, panelling or plasterwork are no longer original. A strip out has also taken place of the now vacant building, and the roof has been replaced in previous years, including the majority of the roof timbers.

It concludes that: "What can be said for certain is that whilst Clough House is an old building it is not, in terms of its architecture and historical connections, of great interest."

The site itself is around 0.9 hectares in size and currently has a detached house and various outbuildings and a converted barn, surrounded by a garden.

At this stage the proposed layout involves 30 homes across three distinct areas: The Approach, an estate road that connects from Moat Hill Farm Drive; The Courtyard, in the centre of the development; and the Gables, a private road accessed from Leeds Road.

In a design and access statement prepared by Martin Walsh Architectural it states that: "The proposal will develop an unused site to extend the community of Birstall which will add value and enhance the setting.

"The proposed development has been carefully structured around the existing site features and topography, responding positively to the existing context.

"The site occupies a sustainable location in Howden Clough that has good transport links and is situated near the centre of Birstall.

"It is apparent that an opportunity exists to provide much-needed housing of high quality, and to greatly improve upon the existing housing stock. The development will improve the site usage, complement its surroundings, upgrade the existing recreational facilities and improve the quality of the built environment."

The document adds that the houses are "well designed homes that are functional, accessible and sustainable".

Kirklees Council planners are expected to make a decision on the plans in March.