TWO Kirklees Council departments are at war over plans to run a Sunday market in Holmfirth.

Kirklees' own markets section had applied to hold a weekly market in the Towngate car park in the centre of Holmfirth.

But highways bosses have said the loss of the car park means they can't support the application.

The Towngate car park is just between the Post Office and bus station.

Markets chiefs said the 31-space car park was not busy on Sundays and there was car parking capacity in other places in the town.

In a report to go before a planning sub-committee tomorrow, a report from the Highways Department reads: "Having considered the proposals in more detail and consulted with this service's car parking section, concerns still remain over the loss of this parking facility on a Sunday.

"It is accepted there are alternative car parks available and the Sunday market has been in operation over the summer months without any traffic related complaints.

"However, this is not considered to be enough of a justification in order to support the application."

Planning bosses received six letters of support for the project compared to more than 90 letters of objection and a 500-name petition against the market.

Holme Valley Parish Council also recommended the market be refused and said it would have an adverse effect on shopkeepers and those attending church services in the town, many of whom were elderly.

The Parish Council suggested the market could be held in the current market hall, the car park between the Fire Station and The Postcard pub or even along Hollowgate as a street market.

The planning report concludes that, despite the Sunday market proposal being in accordance with council policies, it cannot go ahead.

The report reads: "Highway services have considered this issue in conjunction with their car parking section.

"They have concluded, however, that they cannot support the loss of this town centre park on what is a potentially busy day of the week.

"Accordingly, in the absence of Highway support it is recommended that the applicant service be requested to withdraw the current application."