BUSINESSMAN Howard Cook was left counting the cost after Communities Secretary Eric Pickles threw out plans for a £35m ‘eco’ retirement village in Kirklees.

Mr Cook, the man behind the Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre in Heckmondwike, warned he could face ruin if the scheme was refused.

Mr Cook had sought permission to build a care home complex and 145 new homes on the Ponderosa site, part of which was green belt land.

After a six-day public inquiry last July, planning inspector Brendon Lyons recommended approval but Mr Pickles overruled him.

At the inquiry Mr Cook said the planning process had cost him £1.35m.

He said the project was heavily in debt to the bank and told the inquiry that if the application failed the bank would likely call in the loan.

The eco-friendly development, said to have been the UK’s first ‘carbon neutral’ retirement village, would have created 200 jobs and sparked regeneration in the area.

The development, off Smithies Lane, would have been next to the rare breeds farm and visitor centre which employs people with learning difficulties.

Mr Cook was awarded the MBE for his community work in 2005.

The scheme would also have been the catalyst for the Dewsbury Domes project, polytunnels housing fish farms, horticulture and other businesses.

In a statement Mr Cook said he was “extremely disappointed” at the decision.

He said he had provided “sound reasoning” to justify building on the green belt.

He added: “Our very special circumstances were compelling and unique bringing significant benefits to the area.

“It is difficult to understand why the Secretary of State should take a contrary view and not promote jobs and regeneration in an area that desperately needs it, but that is what he has done.

“We now have to take stock of the decision and its implications for Ponderosa and the council’s initiatives on neighbouring land.

“Ponderosa will remain open. We will make further statements in due course if necessary, but for now have no further comments to make.”

Kirklees planners refused the application and local people campaigned against the loss of green belt land.

Kirklees Council’s director of place Jacqui Gedman said the decision “would allow all parties to move forward from what has been a very long process for everyone involved.”

She added: “There are, however, consequences of the refusal for both the applicant and other projects in the area.

“All parties will have to take stock on how they move forward from now.”