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.

Ms Dale said: "The size of delivery vehicles isn’t going to change and there are all the worries of the traffic, the environment and children’s safety. I don’t see how anything will change but obviously we need to see the proposals and see what people have to say about them.

"My immediate thought is what has changed since last time? How is the new proposal going to be any better? I can’t see how it can be."

Colne Valley’s Conservative MP Jason McCartney, pictured, who met Tesco officials earlier in the week, has urged Tesco to be transparent in its plans.

Mr McCartney advised the company to consult all interested parties including KHS.

He said: "Last time it was just too big and there was huge concern over traffic.

"As an MP I want a fair debate about this.

"It needs to be transparent and they need to speak to KHS and they must speak to HVBA.

"There will be a lot of hurdles for Tesco to cross.

"There might be a quiet majority that haven’t expressed an opinion on this yet."

Tesco is well-used to controversy whenever it submits plans for new stores.

Over the weekend, many hundreds of people turned out to protest over Tesco’s plans to convert the former Black Bull pub in the centre of Mirfield into a store.

And in Huddersfield, Tesco’s plans to build a giant superstore off Southgate have attracted mass protests.

The plans were approved by Kirklees Council in February despite concerns from councillors and opposition from Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman. Now it seems likely the plan will have to be determined by the Secretary of State for the Environment.

l The original plan for a Tesco store in New Mill Road emerged in 2008

l The retail giant announced plans for a 3,000-square metre superstore on the site of the former Midlothian Garage

l They promised it would be the greenest store in the country, with a host of environmental features

l The plans also included the promise of 350 new jobs

l Opponents of the scheme claimed it would shut shops in Holmfirth and in village centres

l There were also traffic concerns, with fears of up to 6,000 vehicle movements a day in and out of the site

l Tesco dropped the plans in October, 2009.

l The new plan is expected to be similar to the Penistone store, opened in August last year

l That project created 170 jobs

l The store, which is open 24 hours on four days a week, includes a butcher and a fishmonger