A HAULAGE yard is set to be bulldozed to make way for new homes.

The Honley-based Central Garage, on Concord Street – known locally as Moorhouse’s – is set to be flattened and 14 terrace houses will be built.

But the unanimous decision by councillors on the Huddersfield planning sub-committee to give the housing plan the thumbs up has not pleased everyone.

Honley Civic Society said they were disappointed the site – off the village centre – wasn’t being used as a much needed parking area.

Holme Valley Parish Council also recommended the plan’s refusal.

The council’s planning committee thought the number of homes should be halved and a public car park created.

And chairman of the Holme Valley North Area Committee, Clr Royston Rogers, also thought the land could be put to better use.

Clr Rogers said the decision had taken away the prospects for future employment in the area.

He said: "I’m against the loss of more industrial land for housing.

"There’s already lots of vacant housing in and around Honley. I feel this would be better developed as small units.

"Once this is converted into housing other industrial sites will be.

"We’ve nowhere to park anyway around Honley which is a major problem.

"We need industrial land if we’re not going to get that then let’s get the second best where we at least have sufficient parking."

Local councillor David Woodhead said he had been concerned about this site for a very long time. He added: "I’ve some sympathy with objectors with the slight over development of the site and the fact that we can’t use this site for parking.

"Quite a lot of Concord Street is parked up by people going to the shops, but I think getting places where people can live is a good thing."

Clr Beryl Smith said: "I’ve every sympathy with losing industrial use and I would be happier if we could reduce the number of homes on the site."

But planning officials at Kirklees Council said the redevelopment of the site would remove the high percentage of commercial vehicles associated with the site from the local roads.

They also said the plan contained adequate parking for the new residents.

The town-house style development includes nine three-bed homes, two two-bed homes and a block of three two-bed apartments.