A CONTROVERSIAL supermarket dispute could net Kirklees Council a multi-million pound windfall, it is claimed.

Planners last month rejected Tesco’s proposal for a new store at the former Midlothian Garage site in Holmfirth.

Councillors refused permission after Kirklees officers said a site in Honley would be a better location for a supermarket in the Holme Valley.

Officials suggested land off Woodhead Road in Honley which is currently occupied by Keith Drake Agricultural Merchants and Kirklees Highways department.

But pro-Tesco campaigners have claimed the council could make up to £5m by selling the Honley site to a supermarket developer.

Tim Radcliffe, of Holme Valley Voices, said yesterday: “The figure came from a conversation I had with someone within the council.

“I suspect that it’s probably going to be close to that amount.”

Mr Radcliffe believes the possible windfall from selling the Honley site could have swayed councillors against the Tesco plan.

He said: “I believe that the decision to reject the Midlothian site was influenced by the fact that the council stand to gain from the sale of the Highways depot in Honley.

“That’s why the emphasis was pushed on to the Drake’s site.”

Mr Radcliffe thinks the Midlothian site, off New Mill Road, is the best location for a new supermarket in the Holme Valley.

“I think it would bring people from Birdsedge and the HD8 area into the Holme Valley and the road upgrade proposed by Tesco would improve the area no end,” he said.

“Developing the Drake’s site would drain Holmfirth completely and would have a negative impact on Honley.”

A Kirklees spokesman revealed yesterday that the council may sell only part of its gritting depot in Honley – but declined to estimate how much the land may fetch.

“If the proposed development was the equivalent of the Tesco Holmfirth application, part of the depot site would be needed,” he said.

“The value of any site is dependent on market forces. Values can vary significantly from year to year.

“The value also depends on how much of a site is being sold.”

The spokesman added that the decision to refuse planning permission for Tesco had been legitimate.

He said: “The planning application was assessed on the basis of national planning policy guidance.

“This means that other sites which are located closer to existing town or local centres within the intended catchment area for the supermarket have to be identified and assessed, regardless of land ownership.

“The site in Honley is the closest site to either Holmfirth or Honley centres which is considered to be suitable for a development of this type.

“Therefore it was deemed to be more suitable than the Midlothian Garage site for reinforcing the vitality of town centres and being more accessible to the general population, particularly for those without a car.

“These are the principal sustainable development aims of guidance for proposals of this type.”

The council’s Huddersfield Planning Sub-committee voted to reject the Tesco proposal at a meeting on July 18.

Fifteen people spoke in favour and 15 against the development, which has divided opinion in Holmfirth.

There is currently no planning application for a supermarket at the Drake’s site.