PLANS have been lodged to turn a funeral directors in Gomersal into five flats.

The building, at 404 Oxford Road, was previously home to the Shoulder of Mutton pub, but has more recently used as funeral directors.

Now, Beercroft Ltd has applied to Kirklees Council for prior approval permission to change the use of the ground floor and garage store to five one-bedroom flats.

The move would see the embalming room become the main living area and kitchen in one flat, as well as the chapel of rest becoming a living area in another flat.

The main funeral chapel area would be split into one flat and the bedroom in another flat.

In a design and access statement, prepared by Code L6 Architecture in Brighouse, it states that approval was granted in 2017 for the former pub to be converted to a funeral directors, and also for two detached garages to be built. It describes the site as having a two storey building in red brick and rendered walls with a slate roof and timber details.

The building is in a L-shape facing Oxford Road and Silver Street, with a double garage facing Oxford Road and is in a conservation area.

An extension to the rear includes an external spiral staircase leading up to a roof terrace and the entrance to a three bedroom flat above.

It states: "The proposed scheme makes minimal changes to the exterior of the building and garage, with the formation of windows and door in existing openings.

"The roofs will have no changes and all new door/windows will match existing.

"In conclusion, the application proposes 5 one bedroom flats, close to all amenities in a prime residential location in Gomersal with good transport links to other town and cities in the area with minimum impact to the original buildings."

The application adds that the site is opposite Gomersal Hall, which has recently been given planning permission for the demolition of the existing house and the creation of 7 new houses.

In April 2017, Serenity Funeral Directors lodged a certificate of lawfulness to turn the then Shoulder of Mutton pub into a funeral directors.

The application stated that the pub had ceased trading the year before when Serenity acquired the building.

They said they were in the process of renovating the building and had been advised that planning permission was not required, but a lawful development certificate was needed instead.