CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 230 houses and an industrial estate in Mirfield have been thrown out.
Kirklees councillors rejected proposals to develop a 35-acre site off Woodend Road, Lower Hopton.
They ruled against the application after council highways officials argued local roads would be unable to cope with the extra traffic generated by the development.
The decision is a victory for residents and traders who campaigned against the plan submitted by local developer Clough House.
Highways officials said the development would gridlock the nearby junction of Newgate and Huddersfield Road.
A highways report to members of the council's planning sub-committee also warned that Chadwick Fold Lane, running under a viaduct and providing the main road on to the site, was at risk of flooding.
Highways officers said that in such an event, it would be unacceptable on safety grounds for residential traffic to use the only other route, a single track road off Woodend Lane.
Proposals for industrial units had been welcomed by Kirklees Council's economic development service.
Mirfield Town Council opposed the plan.
It claimed the mix of housing and industry was "inappropriate" and echoing fears of traffic congestion.
Mirfield Tory councillor Martyn Bolt welcomed the decision.
He said:
"A lot of people have said they don't oppose more housing on principle, it's just that the access would overload the local road system.
"It would be like a mini village."
