A BATTLE over care home extension proposals is going before a two-day public inquiry.

Owners want to build an extra 40 bedrooms at Croftlands Nursing Home, Turnshaw Road, Kirkburton.

Kirklees Council initially gave the green light, saying there was a lack of care facilities for people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

But the application was then called in for determination by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Objectors including Kirkburton and District Civic Society raised concerns over the size of the extension and the fact that the site is green belt and an area of high landscape value.

There were also fears over highway safety and the loss of trees and wildlife.

The public inquiry starts at Huddersfield Methodist Mission on February 28 and is expected to go over into the following day.

Croftlands has 20 beds at present.

The proposed extension is larger than the original home, which is a former mill owner's house in extensive grounds.

It would form four units of 10-bedroomed accommodation.