A decision on town centre road closures in Cleckheaton which are needed for a supermarket to be built could hinge on preserving a right of way for pedestrians.

Bradford-based developer Magellan applied for six road closures after gaining planning permission for a 5,500 square metre store off Horncastle Street.

The matter was debated at a two-day public inquiry at Cleckheaton Town Hall this week after a number of objections from residents were received.

Some fear they will be boxed in, but it emerged yesterday that many have concerns that supermarket chain Asda, which wants to take over the site, could not guarantee a pedestrian route across it.

Margaret Couch, speaking on behalf of the objecting residents, said there was "a risk of dividing the town in half" if the closures were approved.

They include shutting off part of Northgate, Sickle Street and King Street, the whole of Garden Street and Foundry Street and an area between Sickle Street and King Street.

And the section of Northgate in question cuts right through the development site.

Peter Skellern, of rival supermarket Tesco, said his aim was to safeguard the route for shoppers to the existing Tesco store very close by.

He said two planned routes which meant pedestrians would have to navigate a busy supermarket car park were "ill-conceived" and "poorly designed".

The inquiry was adjourned until June 10 for a legal agreement to be drawn up by the landowners guaranteeing pedestrian access through the car park.

Richard Sagar, for Magellan, said that without the road closures the supermarket development would not go ahead - and if the closures were allowed the roads would not be blocked off until work had started on building the store.

There was a previous public inquiry into plans by Tesco for a new supermarket on the edge of town, near St Peg Lane. But permission was refused in 2001.

Magellan was then granted outline permission for new site in March 2003.