A bid for a Tesco convenience store in Golcar remains on target despite the retail giant mothballing plans for a new supermarket in Huddersfield.

Tesco is seeking to convert the Rising Sun pub in Leymoor Road into a Tesco Express.

A planning application for an extension and refurbishment of grade II listed former pub has been submitted. If approved it could create 20 jobs.

Golcar Labour councillor Hilary Richards said she had spoken to Tesco representative Mark Thomas who told her the application was “still live.”

Tesco’s profits are down and last week it scrapped plans for new storesincluding one in Southgate, Huddersfield. It also said it would close 43 Express stores, though none have been identified.

Clr Richards said: “I have spoken to Tesco’s Mark Thomas who attended our December meeting about the supermarket plan.

“In light of the news that Tesco is mothballing existing stores and reducing its building programme, I asked Mark about the Rising Sun planning application. His reply was ‘the application is still live and will continue.’”

Clr Richards acknowledges there remains some opposition to the plan, and says councillors will assist residents who wish to speak when the application is considered by the planning committee, at a date yet to be set.

She added there remained concerns about proposed materials for the planned extension not being compatible with the existing listed building or the Golcar Conservation Area; highway and parking concerns; and noise from cooling fans.

On highways issues, Clr Richards added: “The turning circle dictates that only a small lorry must be used and the lorry will inevitably take the allocated disabled car parking space to get in and out.

“Parking the delivery lorry on the road is not an acceptable alternative as Leymoor Road is not wide at this point and buses and cars need to get past in both directions.

“A planning restriction on the size of the delivery lorries is essential, as is a restriction on lorry on-street parking.”