HOLMFIRTH is to set to acquire another wine-based tourist attraction – and it’s got nothing to do with Compo, Clegg and Foggy.

Holmfirth Vineyard was yesterday granted planning permission by Kirklees Council to build a visitors’ centre and guest house next to the vinery at Woodhouse Farm in Holmbridge.

The vineyard, which is expected to produce 10,000 bottles this year, was opened by Becky and Ian Sheveling in 2008.

Now the couple who traded their high-flying careers for the wine business will build a visitors’ centre with a wine-tasting area and wine shop.

An ‘eco-lodge’, which will be built into a former quarry to minimise its visual impact on the countryside, will house up to seven groups of visitors.

A wind turbine will power the lodge which is to be CO2 neutral.

A daily tour bus will bring a party of 12 visitors each day to visit the vinery.

Regeneration group Yorkshire Forward is expected to provide half the project’s funding.

The vinery has featured in the national media including the Channel 5 programme Build A New Life In The Country.

Camera crews returned to the farm last month to film its progress. The programme is expected to be screened during May.

Neighbours had feared the extensions would bring excess traffic to the narrow surrounding roads.

But approving the application, Kirklees Planning Committee member Clr Robert Iredale said: “To get tourists you need a variety of experiences for them. We have to increase the number of experiences and this is an excellent way of doing it.

“It’s self-sustainable and will, hopefully, put things back into the economy.”

Becky, 38, said: “We’re absolutely over the moon. It’s been 12 months of worry and hard work. We’re a bit punch drunk at the moment!

“We can take it to the next level and make it a real professional tourist attraction.”

For more information visit www.holmfirthvineyard.com