An industrial unit being built on the site of a former water treatment works off the M606 near Oakenshaw is to be bigger than originally planned following agreement by councillors.

The scheme to transform the former Yorkshire Water North Bierley Waste Water Treatment Works, which occupies 57 acres between the M62 and the M606, was approved in 2020.

This week applicant Interchange LLP 26 sought to change the classification of part of the site from general industrial use to storage or distribution, prompting fears over future use.

Planning officers with Kirklees Council said the 16 per cent increase in floor space from 35,284m² to 41,191m² would have “no materially greater impact upon the highway network.”

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One critic, Charlie Brown, said floor space had been limited to protect green space and suggested Kirklees’ planning had been “enlisted to support a spurious interpretation” of the condition that he said “sets the parameters for the type of use.”

Planning consultant Jeremy Williams said the new use would generate few vehicle movements.

Clr Andrew Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) warned the new classification was the same as for warehousing and expressed concern that it could lead to more vehicles going through Oakenshaw village.

He sought assurances that the end use would not be parcel distribution.

The Strategic Planning Committee voted 5-2 to approve the change.