A FINAL decision is expected to be made next week on whether 50 homes can be built on a field next to a tumble dryer factory in Hipperholme.

Crosslee, which makes the White Knight brand of dryers, is seeking outline planning permission for the surplus land to the north of its factory, off Brighouse Road.

The land is no longer needed for an expansion of the business and the firm intends to sell off the land to a developer should planning permission be granted.

A decision was due to have been made last month, but members of Calderdale Council’s planning committee were concerned about the potential impact on local roads, given the site’s proximity to the busy Hipperholme junction.

In addition they were concerned about the potential impact on air quality, and about a planned legal agreement contributing towards education.

But the Council’s planning officers are still recommending the plans be approved.

The fresh report states that when considering appeals where transport grounds have been a consideration, inspectors consider that “the impact itself has to be severe, rather than the existing situation being poor”.

“In this case, the head of highways and transportation advises that with an additional 35 vehicles the percentage impact will be small, given that there are several hundred vehicles an hours passing on Brighouse road in peal periods,” the report states.

Officers consider that the impact of an extra vehicle every two minutes would be negligible.

Councillor Colin Raistrick (Ind) is against the plans, saying: “The effect on traffic in the area will add considerably to what is already a dire situation.”

A decision will be made on Tuesday, June 13.