Tesco certainly seems determined to get the small store it wants at the former Grey Horse pub site on Halifax Road in Birchencliffe.

Some would even go so far as to say it’s refusing to take ‘no’ for an answer after it was rejected twice.

The move seems to have been given urgency by the fact that planning officials believe the application is all right for that site even though Kirklees councillors rejected it last time.

And that shows the complexity of councils in one sense but also the importance of having elected councillors to represent their constituents’ views in another.

Tesco also says the Planning Inspectorate has overturned a similar decision made elsewhere, implying they may win on appeal here.

It’s right councillors should have the final decision on all potentially controversial applications, but must bear in mind they can only be rejected on sound planning reasons which can be backed up with credible evidence if required.

There are small stores run by Tesco and other supermarkets around Huddersfield. It would be interesting to know if they have had a long-term detrimental effect on their neighbours’ quality of life, parking problems and traffic flow on main roads.

Perhaps it’s time for a wider council survey on the impact of such applications.