WORK is to start on demolishing a derelict former engineering works on a key site in Cleckheaton once earmarked for a supermarket.

The 6.5 acre site at St Peg Lane has been owned by Tesco for a number of years, but its plans to build a store were thwarted by Kirklees Council which needed part of the site on which to build a replacement school.

After Tesco dropped its objections to releasing the land to the Council, a replacement for nearby Whitcliffe Road First and Nursery School – Howard Park Community School – was built there and opened in 2009.

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More recently Tesco has been marketing the site to developers as having a potential for residential use, with a guide price of £1,750,000.

Now the supermarket has notified the Council of its plans to demolish the derelict buildings on the land, which once housed Whiteley Engineering Works, in order to make the site more attractive to potential buyers.

A spokesman for Tesco confirmed that the site was still for sale.

Their priority was to make way for a sale in order that the site could be brought back into use for the benefit of Cleckheaton, he said.

“We’ll be starting demolition works on site in early July for two months and continue to talk to interested parties about a sale.”

Demolition of the derelict buildings was welcomed by local councillor Kath Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton).

She said: “It’s a positive move because the buildings have been unused for about ten years and the route is a key gateway to the town from Gomersal.

“It will help lift that end of the town.”