PLANS to demolish an empty pub and build eight homes near to a busy junction in Wyke have been passed by councillors yesterday.

The scheme by Westmoreland Homes is for the former Westfield Hotel at the junction of Whitehall Road and Westfield Lane.

The pub has been empty for three years. Prior to closing it was called Harry’s Carvery.

Kirklees Council’s Heavy Woollen planning sub-committee approved the plans but raised concerns over access to the site.

Councillor Andrew Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) said: "We tried to ensure mitigating measures will make the site as amenable as possible for residents."

He said questions were raised about the way the junction operates and that would be raised with the highways department.