CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to fight on after a major development was given the go-ahead by the narrowest of margins.

Councillors yesterday approved building on a 30-acre site on Mirfield Moor, next to the busy A62 between Huddersfield and Leeds.

But angry Mirfield residents promised to fight on against the plan, which they believe will make the roads of their town more congested and dangerous.

Developer Park Crescent wants to build offices, manufacturing units and a retirement village for 344 people on the land off Slipper Lane. The plan, known as Mirfield 25, will create 900 jobs.

Kirklees Council’s Heavy Woollen Planning Sub-committee approved the proposal yesterday after a three-hour debate.

Seven councillors voted for the plan and seven against. Sub-committee chairman Clr Paul Kane used his casting vote to give the plan the green light.

The sub-committee heard 21 residents and five councillors speak against the development.

Grandmother Eileen Musgrave said the Mirfield 25 plan would mean losing valuable open space.

She said: “My grandchildren and future generations will undoubtedly suffer if this development goes ahead. Surely you should be using brownfield sites first before tearing up green fields used by my grandchildren.

“All they want to know from me is ‘why, grandma?’”

Mirfield resident Keith Crosby told the sub-committee that the proposed offices and manufacturing units may not be filled.

He said: “This could be an expensive white elephant for council taxpayers. In the present economic climate, would any of these units be taken up when the likes of MFI have closed down?

“This could end up being an eyesore of a demolition site on a main road.”

Rick Webzell, chairman of protest organisation Action Group Mirfield 25, told councillors the development would increase traffic in the area.

He said: “You can’t order people to walk or cycle to work. They will drive, and they will gridlock the A62.

“It’s already the busiest road in the county. It would be foolish even to consider building on that road. If this leads to an increase in accidents, people won’t be blaming me.”

Four people spoke in favour of the plan, including chartered surveyor Michael Dove. He told the sub-committee that Mirfield 25 would bring much-needed jobs to north Kirklees.

Mr Dove said: “The mill chimneys have gone, the area is facing job losses. This scheme creates sustainable employment right here, right now.

“Businesses need quality space near a willing and reliable workforce. If this development is refused, Kirklees will lose job opportunities.”

The sub-committee’s seven Conservative councillors voted against the plan, while the seven Lib Dem and Labour councillors – including chairman Clr Kane – supported the proposal.

Mirfield 25 will now go to the council’s Planning and Highways Committee to work out road re-alignment around the site.

But leading objector Clr Martyn Bolt has vowed to fight on.

Speaking just after yesterday’s result, the Mirfield Conservative said: “We’re considering trying for a judicial review. This is not the end.”