Plans for an Aldi in Slaithwaite are on hold.
The application was deferred by councillors this afternoon as they wanted more details about the highways, parking and wider impact of the application.
Huddersfield's planning committee today got off to a chaotic start as 19 residents spoke against plans for the German supermarket at the site of Colne Mills in Slaithwaite and eight spoke for a store in the town.
The application was due to be heard first but was delayed when the committee chair, Clr Cliff Preest, suggested limiting speakers to three for and against, which was met with gasps and a polite but critical speech by Colne Valley Conservative MP Jason McCartney who said it was an affront to democracy not to let residents present their case.
After committee members agreed to hear all speakers, they were told the store's design was had an "inappropriate retail park aesthetic" for a conservation area.
The highways impact was too great and the vitality of the village would be damaged, they said.
Robert Bamforth, a life-long Slaithwaite resident, said: "If permission is granted it's one less brownfield site which could be used for industry or housing, that will be compensated by the loss of rural greenfield in Slaithwaite in the near future.
Hannah Longbottom said: "I understand sustainable economic development and the few jobs Aldi will create will pale into insignificance when you consider the jobs that will be lost when the local shops; the butchers, the hardware shop and the greengrocers will be forced to close. I am not being dramatic, you only have to look at Milnsbridge."
Susan Thomas said the design of the Slaithwaite Aldi would be the "first blot on the town's landscape" with more to follow if permitted.
Clr Nicola Turner, Colne Valley Lib Dem, said highways surveys showed there would be vehicle movements every 15 seconds on a Saturday morning, which she said would cause more congestion leading to gridlock.
Robert Barnes, agent for Aldi, said it was "gratifying" to have 900 letters and a petition of support for Slaithwaite store plan.
Resident Chris West spoke in support of the application , saying it was a welcome plan for a "site that is in disrepair and semi-derelict".
He added: "There are low income families in Slaithwaite with limited transport and this will provide them with quality food at an affordable price."
Janet Roscoe, shopkeeper and owner of the Lily of the Valley florist, said it would boost footfall bring shoppers into the town centre."This will stop people driving past our shops on their way to another village and supermarket."
Mike Clark, property director for Aldi, said they would provide an open and unrestricted car park for shoppers to make linked trips into the town centre.
He said objectors focusing on the Globe Mill application "assume" it will be approved yet it's not listed to be heard.
The owner of Colne Mills, Richard Brown, said it was a target for vandals and thieves and they needed a plan to bring the site back into use.
He said only one person was interested in buying the site, Aldi.
If it failed he would not get money from the site's sale to invest in and develop his business, which employs 165 people in Slaithwaite.
Clr Andrew Cooper, Newsome Green, said: "The highways are already poor and putting a significant supermarket in the village is one thing I don't think can be justified."
He moved refusal which was seconded by Clr Terry Lyons.
Clr Jean Calvert, Ashbrow Labour, said she was born and bred in Slaithwaite and that she believed it could sustain Aldi plus other future regeneration plans.
Clr Donna Bellamy, Colne Valley Conservative, revealed the bus the councillors used for the site visit was unable to get round Slaithwaite's roundabout in one go and she spoke of highway concerns.
Clr Steve Hall, Heckmondwike Labour, said he saw no evidence the retailers had "kicked off" and if they were against it they would have done.
After almost three hours debate a vote to refuse the application was lost two votes to 11 with three abstentions.
The vote to defer it was won nine votes to six.
