RIVAL multi-million pound plans for Huddersfield town centre should not be judged “like a beauty contest”.

That was the message from planning inspector Trevor Cookson as a major inquiry got under way yesterday.

In March, Kirklees Council refused permission for a £50m extension to Kingsgate.

The shopping centre’s owners, WD Huddersfield, want to carry out a 120,000 sq ft extension – dubbed Kingsgate 2.

The plan includes a department store, four shops, a restaurant and cafe.

There would be a new single-level trading mall with a two-level department store linked to the existing centre and the centre’s car park. There would also be 190 extra parking spaces.

WD Huddersfield say the extension could open in September 2011.

But Kirklees Council rejected the proposal in March, saying it would rival the council’s own plans for Queensgate Revival.

Their £200m plan includes a new library, art gallery and information centre, a three-storey department store, a 100-bed hotel, 100 residential units, improved new market hall, bars, restaurants, and up to 900 parking spaces.

The site takes in the Queensgate Market Hall, the multi-storey car park, the former Co-operative store and adjoining buildings at New Street.

WD Huddersfield appealed to the Government to overturn the council’s decision.

The planning inquiry began at the Galpharm Stadium’s Fantastic Media Suite yesterday.

Mr Cookson, who will rule on the issue, told the inquiry: “This is not a beauty contest between the two schemes.”

Timothy Corner QC, representing Kingsgate, told the inquiry that an expanded shopping centre would benefit Huddersfield.

He said: “An extension will bring much-needed shoppers into the town centre. There’s an urgent need for development in Huddersfield because other competing towns are improving.”

Mr Corner pointed out weaknesses in the council’s town centre plans.

He said: “Queensgate does not have the necessary planning consent and is not viable. There are many objections to the plan and it may never be given planning permission.

“Queensgate will not be viable in the foreseeable future so it would be wholly wrong to refuse the Kingsgate extension.”

Vincent Fraser QC, for Kirklees, defended the decision to refuse permission for Kingsgate 2.

He said: “Changes in Bradford, Barnsley, Wakefield and Leeds will increase the outflow of shoppers from Huddersfield. By 2013 there will be insufficient capacity for Queensgate and Kingsgate.”

Mr Fraser added that Queensgate Revival would bring greater benefits to the town centre than Kingsgate 2.

He said: “Queensgate is more than simply a retail development. It would provide a new library and tourist office and better links to the university.”

The inquiry will take evidence from expert witnesses over the next week.