PLANS to replace a fire station with a Co-Op store, which have divided the village of Haworth, are likely to be approved next week.

The fire station at the junction of Bridgehouse Lane and Station Road was closed in 2014 as part of cost cutting measures by West Yorkshire Fire Service, and the building has been vacant ever since.

Last year plans to demolish it and build a Co-Op in its place were submitted, and a final decision on these proposals will be made by Bradford Council’s Keighley and Shipley Area Planning Panel on Wednesday.

A report by planning officers suggests that members should approve the plans.

It also reveals that while 13 people have objected to the plans, 38 have written to the Council in support of them.

If approved the store will open from 6am to 11pm.

Objectors claim the shop could create highway safety issues, lead to anti-social behaviour, and harm other businesses in the home town of the Bronte sisters.

Another objector says the Co-Op should instead open a shop on Haworth Main Street.

Supporters say many residents have to travel out of town to do food shopping and the shop would make a good use of the site.

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Planning officers say the site is suitable for such a business, and point out that Main Street is now more tourism focused.

Their report to the panel says: “Whilst a Co-Op store was historically located there, the historic Main Street is now largely aimed at the tourist market and offers little or no convenience stores.

“Mill Hey offers a small number of general stores but convenience shopping in Haworth is limited to an existing small supermarket on Mill Hey.

“Both areas are very constrained and the report concludes that there are no vacant sites that would be suitable for a proposal of this scale and type.

“It is considered that a use of this type would add to the retail offering in the area and be a convenient facility for local residents who currently travel to towns such as Keighley to carry out their general shopping.”

On the building’s appearance, the report says: “Whilst the building is modern it is now considered that a balance has been struck between maintaining the company’s identity whilst respecting the surroundings.”

The committee meets in Keighley Town Hall at 10am on Wednesday.