Members of public invited to speak about controversial Holmfirth Tesco plan

Aug 21 2009 By Nick Lavigueur

FANS and sceptics of Tesco are set to debate controversial plans for a new store in Holmfirth.

The supermarket giant is hoping to build a large supermarket at the former Midlothian Garage site on New Mill Road.

The plans have been hotly debated on the Examiner’s letters pages and protest groups have been launched.

Now members of the public will get a rare chance to air their views face to face with councillors at a special meeting of Holme Valley Parish Council’s planning committee.

The meeting next Wednesday has been called following exceptional public interest in the proposals.

Speakers will get three minutes to address the committee and then members of the public will be allowed to stay and listen to the councillors’ deliberations.

The committee’s opinion will then be passed to Kirklees Council’s planning committee.

Last week the Holme Valley’s MP, Kali Mountford, launched a damning attack at Tesco and accused them of employing “tawdry tactics” to get the planning green light.