A FAMOUS Huddersfield firm may leave the town after 150 years.
Lockwood-based David Brown Gears is looking for a new site – with the controversial Mirfield 25 development one of the options.
The engineering company, which employs 420 people in Huddersfield, is searching for a new base after winning a major contract to construct gearboxes for wind turbines.
General manager Wayne Ball said: “We are looking for a more suitable site to accommodate the significant growth plans we have for the David Brown UK business.
“We are continuing to consider all our options and whether we move all or part of our facility.”
But Mr Ball added that the company wanted to stay within the Huddersfield area.
He said: “We have a long-established relationship with the region, employing a diverse workforce of highly skilled people. This is key to our intent to grow our capability within the Huddersfield area.
“We have a very good relationship with Kirklees Council and have been in detailed discussions about potential sites for new developments.
“We have not reached a final decision but we look forward to what will be an exciting phase in our development.”
It is believed that one of the sites the company is considering is the Mirfield 25 development on 30 acres of green field land off Slipper Lane.
Kirklees granted outline planning permission to develop the site two years ago, despite opposition from residents who fear extra traffic would clog up the A62.
A second planning application would have to be submitted if David Brown decided to move to the site.
Rick Webzell of Action Group Mirfield 25 opposes development on the land.
He said: “There are strong rumours that David Brown want to come to Mirfield 25. I wish the company all the best as they look to expand but I think a brownfield site would be a better proposition.”
Mr Webzell believes the company moving to Mirfield would bring costs without any benefits.
He said: “There would be 500 jobs, but they wouldn’t be new jobs.
“There would be another 500 cars on the A62 which would be a concern for us. It would affect access in and out of Mirfield and Roberttown.”
Clr Martyn Bolt is also concerned by the rumours that David Brown is considering moving to the town.
The Mirfield Conservative said: “I would want to see major highways improvements if that site was developed.
“Mirfield 25 was given outline planning permission on the basis of job creation, but this would be job relocation.”
David Brown was founded in 1860 and originally based at East Parade.
The company moved to its current 17-acre site at Park Road in Lockwood in 1902.
David Brown builds gearboxes for everything from tanks to submarines to wind turbines and has factories in eight countries.
The company was led for many years by Sir David Brown, who was born in 1904 and joined the family business as an apprentice. He became managing director in 1931 on the death of his uncle Percy.
Sir David went on to acquire performance car manufacturers Aston Martin and Lagonda as well as setting up David Brown Tractors at Meltham.
Sir David, who was knighted in 1968, died in September, 1993, in Monte Carlo.
