A councillor says plans to compulsory purchase land to alter a junction will “tear the heart” out of a village.

Calderdale Cabinet will consider using compulsory purchase order powers to acquire church, pub and land at the rear of a supermarket for Hipperholme’s £3m-plus junction works.

Plans include removing some of the parking bays, moving loading bays, and improved pedestrian crossings. There will also be a yellow box junction on Leeds Road.

Clr David Kirton says any changes should be put back out to public debate.

Clr Kirton said: “All three ward councillors are disappointed, Cabinet is bringing back this proposal with a few tweaks on the one that was rejected by more than 2,000 people at a consultation.

“I’m disappointed they look to be going against the wishes of local people for a scheme that will tear the heart out of the village.

“Christ Church don’t want to give the land up and now feel bullied by tactics to go through with it.

“I’d say to Cabinet - put forward a number of alternative schemes and listen to the views of the local residents.

“They shouldn’t be making any decisions without going through the proper consultation process, it’s the wrong way round of doing things.”

Clr Barry Collins, Cabinet Member for Economy and Environment, said: “On Monday 14 July Cabinet will be asked to approve a Compulsory Purchase Order which would allow the council to buy three areas of land at Hipperholme crossroads.

“If approved, the revised scheme will then go out to Public Consultation.”

The Cabinet report recognises the decision is “politically sensitive” but the council adds: “Without the necessary decision in place, the scheme cannot be implemented as the design requires this third party land.”

Residents told the council it was of “no benefit to local residents” and resulted in the loss of car parking spaces serving local shops.

The council says they would like to negotiate the land without using the CPO powers, but Cabinet will rule on Monday.

Click here to take you back to more Huddersfield news.

Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App here, the FREE Examiner Android App here or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking here

To follow us on Twitter click here