RESIDENTS have vowed to fight big development plans for Mirfield Moor.

The protest group Action Group Mirfield 25 says it still plans to fight for the development to be abandoned, despite revisions by developers Park Crescent.

The group met to discuss the planning application last Wednesday and confirmed that members were all opposed to the idea.

A vote had been taken by the group on February 2 to no longer oppose it.

But at last Wednesday’s meeting, the vote was found to have been taken against the group’s constitutional rules and was abandoned.

Members claimed it had not been made clear to them exactly what they were voting on.

A vote of no confidence was taken against the group’s chairman Malc Brown and a temporary chairman, Rick Webzell, was elected.

Mr Webzell said the re-shuffle meant all group members were now united in their aim to oppose development.

“The group can now concentrate on what we are here to do and that is to inform the public about the planning application so that they can voice their concerns.

“This development is not needed or wanted and I will ensure that the group works on behalf of the majority of residents and oppose this planning application.”

Public consultation has begun on plans for the controversial development.

People have until April 7 to give their views on plans submitted to Kirklees Council by Park Crescent for offices, manufacturing units and a retirement village at Mirfield Moor.

Original proposals for the 30-acre site off Slipper Lane included a hotel and car showroom.

But after huge public opposition, the developer amended the plans to create a retirement community on 16% of the land.

The retirement community would house up to 344 people aged over 60 in two and three-storey buildings. Facilities would cater for independent living, sheltered housing and nursing care. There would be social centres such as a bar, restaurant, bowling green, library and shop.

The developers believe the community would generate 160 full and part-time jobs and the whole Mirfield 25 development would bring 850 jobs to the area.

But objectors to the scheme say the number of jobs depends on exactly which companies move on to the industrial part of the site.

Clr Martyn Bolt, Mirfield ward councillor, said if local companies consolidate several sites into new premises at Mirfield 25, it could even lead to job losses.

In an ‘origin of demand study’ written by agent Knight Frank in October 2007, businesses with an interest in the new site include textile firm John Cotton which has a Mirfield head office and several sites in West Yorkshire, sheet metal firm Laser Products, Lockwood firm K D Decoratives, industrial valve refurbishers Severn Univalve, Holmfirth wine company To Your Home, Heckmondwike camping supplies manufacturers Blue Diamond and a Heckmondwike-based manufacturer, which is interested in a 100,000 sq ft premises.

Citing John Cotton’s as a example, Clr Bolt said: “Is this to be a brand new manufacturing plant or are they consolidating their other plants?

“Some people may lose their jobs in moves like this. If it is a storage plant, then the number of HGV trips from their base to the new plant will be significant.

“Without knowing who’s going on the site or where their staff are coming from, you can’t robustly predict what’s going to happen.”