The Colne Valley has just received a £30m business boost.

Councillors unanimously backed major regeneration plans for Globe Mills in Slaithwaite.

Owner Alan Lewis told the Examiner: “We have £30m of private investment and will not be wasting time in getting this up and running.”

The iconic mills in the centre of Slaithwaite have been empty since 2006 but Mr Lewis, Huddersfield University and the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre have secured investment for the project.

It will be home to the second Innovation Centre – the first at Huddersfield University is currently 90% full.

Those behind it say the mills will help new entrepreneurs set up and attract and develop global business.

And the mills are to have a community feel too with a doctors surgery, nursery and supermarket.

Mr Lewis said of the unanimous support from councillors: “I think it is very important that Kirklees Council appreciates that we are working for the benefit of the area.

The Globe Innovation Centre potential is enormous.

“It is bringing private capital to the area and with the university’s input it could become the focal point of innovation in Europe.”

Asked when residents could see work begin, Mr Lewis added: “Now, we’re in talks already to bring businesses to Slaithwaite.”

Globe One will be home to the Innovation Centre, a doctors’ surgery, pharmacy and retail units, office and community space. Globe two features assembly or leisure space and a nursery at ground floor level, with conference and exhibition space and business use on the upper floors.

There will be a pedestrian footbridge linking Globe One and Globe Two, a new pedestrian footbridge over Huddersfield Narrow Canal and 177 parking spaces as part of the plans.

Thirteen members of Huddersfield Planning Sub-Committee heard from planning officers and residents who spoke about the application.

Richard Shepherd, retail impact expert, said it would not negatively impact existing town centre businesses.

Council planning officer Bill Topping said the harm caused by loss of the much-loved mill chimney was outweighed by the benefits of the mills’ regeneration.

Mr Lewis said the chimney, which speakers hoped to retain, was a utility chimney and had no historic impact.

Sylvia Gibbs, trustee of the Watershed – home to a support facility for disabled people urged councillors to guarantee parking space for users. It wasn’t guaranteed.

Clr Nicola Turner said a survey of 500 people saw 92% support for the plans.

During councillors debate, Clr Steve Hall (Labour, Heckmondwike, said he would move the mill to his ward if he could.

Clr Molly Walton (Labour, Crosland Moor and Netherton) said: “I think this is a wonderful project and we should be proud to have it here.”

Clr Donna Bellamy (Colne Valley Conservative), welcomed the investment but was dismayed at the loss of the chimney for Slaithwaite’s skyline.

Clr Andrew Marchington (Golcar Lib Dem) said: “We’re getting £30m investment in Slaithwaite. We as a council should now be looking at what we can do to improve infrastructure and take opportunities from this.”

Bob Cryan, Huddersfield University vice-chancellor, said afterwards: “I’m a local lad and doing everything I can to bring investment and opportunity to this town.

“People said we were bonkers to open the Innovation Centre here during the recession, but it’s growing so much it needs to expand.”