Tesco will test councillors’ resolve when the company faces Huddersfield’s planning committee next week.

Eight months after Kirklees councillors rejected a Tesco store for the former Grey Horse at Birchencliffe, the supermarket giant is returning for a second try.

And it’s a “broadly similar proposal” to the one councillors rejected last November.

Kirklees planning officers have again recommended Khela UK Ltd and Tesco Stores Limited be granted permission to demolish the Grey Horse public house at Halifax Road, near Ainley Top, to build two retail units with a car park.

One of the units is for a small Tesco store.

The previous application was rejected on November 15 and council officers presented reasons for refusal on January 4.

They highlighted “severe cumulative impacts” on traffic and a “detrimental impact” on neighbours if the store opened 7am until 11pm, seven days a week.

In April the applicants re-submitted an almost identical scheme, but containing analysis statements to refute the grounds for refusal.

They also included a report from the Planning Inspectorate, which had overturned a decision made elsewhere.

Visual changes to the latest application include reducing the maximum height by 1.15m, design changes to the external appearance and a hipped roof at the gable end. There would also be a feature triangular window at the 381-square metre store.

Council papers show 11 representations were made for the latest plans – nine against and two in support.

Objections include “no need” for a further convenience store in this area, the opening hours are too long, it would lead to an “unacceptable increase in traffic” and an increase in noise.

Others were concerned it would cause more on-street parking in the area.

Comments in support highlight a need for a new store.

Tesco will argue that results of an independent transport survey will show the junction will operate at 16% capacity during the busiest peak hour, with two-way flows of 1,688 and 1,814 vehicles for morning and evening peak hours, between 7am and 8am and 5pm and 6pm, respectively.

The applicants conclude that their plan would have a “negligible impact upon traffic with the site access junction operating well within capacity”.

If it’s approved the units could create 22 jobs.

Huddersfield’s Planning Sub-Committee will decide the application at Huddersfield Town Hall next Thursday, June 13, at 1pm.