PLANS for a new B&M store, garden centre and KFC drive through on the edge of Heckmondwike town centre look set to be refused.

Kirklees Council planners are recommending the scheme on brownfield land, near bungalows and a park, be rejected as the derelict land is set to be allocated for housing.

The application by Wharfdale Ltd is for land adjacent to 127 Westgate, with Algernon Firth Park to the east. The site was previously used for car parking associated with Flush Mills.

A report to Thursday's strategic planning committee outlines how the unkempt land is unallocated in the Council's Unitary Development Plan, but is provisionally earmarked for housing in the draft Local Plan.

Officers also believe that the layout of the development would have a detrimental impact on those living on adjacent Boundary Street.

In addition they state that the applicant has failed to show how the proposal will not have a detrimental impact on: the viability of Heckmondwike town centre, local biodiversity. highway safety and flooding in the local area.

The proposals, which include a 2,100 sq m B&M store, a 700 sq m garden centre and a KFC drive through restaurant, would create 90 full and part time jobs as well as 200 off street car parking spaces.

A total of nine objections have been lodged with the Council, raising issues such as the impact on highway safety, noise nuisance for those living nearby, the adverse effect on the traditional shopping area in the town, and a shortage of housing in the area.

Spen Valley Civic Society has objected to the scheme also. Its submission states: "The proposed retail development is outside of the designated Heckmondwike town centre and so should not be supported.

"A retail development is not appropriate for this site. The neighbouring residential area will be adversely affected, particularly in respect of noise.

"We note the extended opening hours, up to midnight, which is inappropriate for a residential and urban green space area."

The society adds that the drive through food outlet and the "substantial allocation" of car parking spaces, suggest a "heavy dependency on cars".

"This will not only add to the aforementioned noise problem but will also result in additional congestion on the A638 along Westgate, which is already identified by Highways England as one of the most heavily congested roads in West Yorkshire."

A planning statement to support the application states that the proposed units would be located on the northern and eastern areas of the site with car parking on the southern and western sides.

A single access would be provided off Westgate.

The proposed opening hours for the drive through are 6am to midnight, seven days a week, and the B&M store would open from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 5pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

The scheme would create up to 40 full and part time jobs at the drive through, and up to 50 full and part time jobs at B&M.

The meeting begins at 1pm.