Kirklees councillors are being urged to back the proposed retail development for the former Savoy Cinema site in Cleckheaton despite objections.

Tomorrow Kirklees Council's heavy woollen area planning committee is being recommended to give planning approval for a convenience store, three shops and a 13-space car park.

Spen Valley Civic Society has objected because it says the proposed plain single storey building will "stick out like a sore thumb'' among the surrounding fine Victorian buildings, including the Grade Two listed town hall opposite.

Members are also worried that putting the car park on the Bradford Road side will cause traffic hazards for pedestrians, particularly when lorries are making deliveries.

Some residents have also described the development as "tawdry'', lacking in landscaping and seats and would prefer a garden or market place there instead.

They also question whether the land owners, Surrey-based Bastion House, can guarantee the shops will be occupied at a time when so many commercial premises in the town centre are home to charity shops.

Bastion House say a High Street retailer is interested in moving into the 2,300sq ft convenience store and will act as a "anchor'' to attract businesses for the other units.

Planning officer Edward Wills says the need to provide a bus layby in Bradford Road may mean the car park cannot be put in the proposed location.

Bastion House has also been asked to improve the design of the building so that it fits in with the character of the area and provide carpark landscaping.

Mr Wills said using iron railings, lights and careful use of bitumen will improve the look of the shops.

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