A VILLAGE business will expand – despite the opposition of local councillors.

Online camping supply company Outdoor Mania has been based at the former Cragrats site in Holmfirth since February.

And yesterday Kirklees Council’s Huddersfield Planning Sub-committee allowed the company to open a small retail space at the site.

Cragrats Theatre had occupied the mill building on Dunford Road from 1998 until its closure late last year.

Outdoor Mania moved in nine months ago.

The company does most of its business online, but asked Kirklees Council for permission to set up a 71sq m retail space at the site.

Phil Haynes from the company told councillors: “If this application is approved we anticipate going from 12 employees to 20.”

But Holme Valley South Conservative Clr Donald Firth spoke against the expansion.

He said: “We already have two shops in Holmfirth selling outdoor equipment. This application would have a negative effect.”

His Conservative ward colleague Clr Ken Sims agreed.

He said: “Cragrats caused us huge problems with parking. People will start parking on the narrow road if this goes ahead.”

But Crosland Moor and Netherton Labour woman Clr Molly Walton disagreed.

She said: “There’s absolutely no grounds for refusing this application.”

The sub-committee voted seven to two in favour of the plan.