VILLAGERS are trying to stop their local reopening.

Mood Developments has asked Kirklees Council for permission to revive the Shepherds Rest in Hinchliffe Mill.

Councillors will decide this week if the bar at Woodhead Road can reopen.

But residents have written to Kirklees demanding that the Shepherds Rest stay closed.

Martin Miller, of Woodhead Road, wrote: “When the Shepherds Rest was last in operation as a public house I not only heard many late-night drunken arguments but also found discarded bottles and litter left in my bin or my garden.

“It was also the case that on several occasions my car was urinated on and vandalised after the pub closed.”

Diane Bousted, of Fairfields Road, has also written to Kirklees demanding that the pub remain closed.

She wrote: “I live directly opposite with my young family and, when the pub was in operation last, noise and anti-social behaviour was a problem, particularly at weekends.

“Since the pub has been closed there has been virtually no anti-social behaviour, crime or noise pollution on Fairfields Road. We would request that it remains that way.”

Sarron Shaw, of Fairfields Road, wrote to councillors complaining about “fighting, noise and vandalism” when the pub was open.

The Shepherds Rest’s licence was cancelled in November 2010.

But Mood Developments wants to re-open the pub.

The Leeds-based company has asked Kirklees for permission to serve alcohol until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and up to 1am on Friday and Saturday.

Peter Mason of Mood Developments has written to the council asking for the green light to re-open the pub.

He wrote: “Our aim is to refurbish the premises extensively and to restore the Shepherds Rest as a food-driven community pub.

“Our policies are to limit noise and nuisance and eliminate anti-social behaviour while providing a comfortable space where the village can meet and socialise.”

Mr Mason added that his company had a record of improving pubs.

He wrote: “We are committed to serving the local community as can be seen by the improvements made at the previous pub we purchased, The Oddfellows in Shelley, now trading as the Flying Ferret.”

The council’s Licensing Panel will rule on the matter at Huddersfield Town Hall on Friday.