Traders in Cleckheaton were celebrating today following an announcement that Asda plans to sell land earmarked for a new superstore.

The Leeds-based supermarket chain wants to put land next to the Chain Bar roundabout on the market, complete with permission for offices or light industry.

The plot in Bradford Road was bought by the company in 1989 but a supermarket was never built following opposition from local traders and Kirklees Council.

Vice-president of Spenborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce Andrew Coomber said the move was great news for the town.

He said: "The last thing traders wanted was a supermarket just outside Cleckheaton. It would have finished us off.

"This has been hanging over us for ten years and I'm sure it hasn't inspired confidence in people looking to open shops in the town centre.

"We are looking for inward investment in the town centre so this is great news."

Mr Coomber, who owns Lord's Photography in Bradford Road, said offices or light industry would be a good use for the land, which lies next to Cleckheaton Sports Club.

Part of the site already has planning permission for offices and light industry and Asda has submitted an outline planning application to Kirklees Council for the rest of it.

The land was bought in 1989 and Asda won permission to build a supermarket there in 1991, despite opposition from Kirklees planners.

But an Asda spokesman said the store was never built amid fears it would be poorly used.

Kirklees planning officer Andy Keeling said he understood Asda was actively marketing the land and had several interested parties.

Cleckheaton ward councillor Ann Raistrick said: "Kirklees doesn't have enough space for offices or light industrial use so I doubt Asda will have any problem selling the land.

"A sale will bring a full stop to a supermarket which will be good news."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.