A proposal to convert an empty workshop and barn next to one of Almondbury’s oldest properties has triggered controversy.

The King James Trust, an independent body which oversees property owned by the former grammar school in the village, is behind the application to turn the buildings at 3, 5, and 7 Westgate into two pairs of semi-detached houses.

In total there would be seven homes once the car park area next to Wormald Hall – Almondbury Conservative Club – was also built on should planning permission be granted.

Plans have now been lodged with Kirklees Council, but there are concerns at the impact the building would have on the centre of the village.

One resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: “You would think it would act in the best interests of the village but the houses that are proposed to stand next to Wormald Hall, which is Almondbury Conservative Club, are modern pastiches and would, in the view of a number of villagers, be detrimental to that ancient building in a conservation area.

“The Trust has bags of money but is wishing to make more by selling on the planning applications to a developer.”

In their heritage statement submitted to Kirklees Council, Farrar Bamforth Associates Ltd, Chartered Architectural Technologists, say: “The buildings are in need of repair and renovation but will readily convert into dwellings.

“The condition of the car park renders it incongruous in its position within the Almondbury Conservation Area and as houses previously occupied the site it has been decided to revert it back to its former use.”

The site is surrounded by no fewer than seven listed buildings to the east of the site and on the northern side of Westgate is All Hallows’ Church built in the 15th century and restored in 1872.

The period for statutory consultation ended on Friday, (April 3), and the application has yet to be decided.