COUNCILLORS have rejected plans to build a new Costa coffee shop in Heckmondwike despite planners recommending the revised scheme be passed.

The bid for land on the edge of Northgate Retail Park in the town went before the Heavy Woollen planning sub-committee for a third time last week.

It had earlier been deferred over concerns about highway safety issues, distances to neighbouring properties and for the applicant to demonstrate how they would mitigate against any invasion of privacy.

Despite amending the plans to reduce the overall height of the building by 50cm, adding landscaping and a privacy screen to the proposed outdoor seating area, members of the committee rejected the scheme.

Planning documents had showed that Costa was hoping to build on a rectangular grassed area of land near the entrance to the retail park’s car park, off Albion Street, that was originally intended to be developed when the retail park was built.

The proposals included parking for 25 cars, but parking was also be available within the remainder of the retail park’s car park for customers.

Members heard how the revisions were intended to mitigate against the impact of overshadowing, overbearing and overlooking should the development go ahead.

One local resident told the meeting that his home was approximately 17 metres away from the proposed development, which fell short of the guidelines.

“It’s a major commercial development in such close proximity to our homes.

“It’s a gross invasion of our privacy.”

He added that the extra shrubbery suggested to provide a screen would actually make sightlines worse for traffic at the tight corner into the retail park.

If a coffee shop were to be built there, he told the committee, it would make “an already at times unbearable situation even worse”.

Councillor Michelle Grainger-Mead (Con, Liversedge and Gomersal) said: “I respect the fact that the developer has lowered the roof, although it is not by a great deal.

“The plans are not sufficient to convince me that the visual amenity is that much better than it was previously. I don’t think the traffic system will be improved. Quite frankly, it’s pretty much the same as it was last time round.”

Councillor Andrew Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) added: “I get the feeling this is just a way of getting more money out of the retail park.

“It seems in a sense to be over development without thinking properly about how its going to work.

“It’s being tacked on to a small piece of grass on the corner of the site without really any reordering of the site as a whole in order to deal with the traffic issues.”

Members of the committee voted against the plans.