SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has confirmed: We want to be in Holmfirth.

The retailer has announced it will be submitting another plan for a superstore in Holmfirth.

That move is almost certain to spark a repeat of the mass protests a previous bid attracted.

The firm, which owns 30% of the UK supermarket share, withdrew its application to build a giant store off New Mill Road a year ago.

That move followed a fierce campaign against the proposal, led by Keep Holmfirth Special (KHS) and Holme Valley Business Association (HVBA).

But the company yesterday confirmed it was once again planning to build a smaller – but still sizeable – supermarket on the former Midlothian Garage site.

While official plans are yet to be finalised, it is expected the store will be approximately the same size as Tesco’s Penistone store which covers about 25,000 sq ft.

It is hoped the development will create approximately 175 jobs.

Deborah Hayeems, Tesco’s head of corporate affairs, said: "Since we withdrew our application to reflect on the feedback from the community we have been contacted by local residents keen to see a new Tesco.

"They are all asking when we will be coming back. We believe that people who currently travel to supermarkets outside Holmfirth would like to see a better provision in the area.

"We are working on improved proposals which we will be keen to discuss with the local community shortly."

But Margaret Dale, of KHS, expressed doubt over the new proposals.