OBJECTIONS to the sale of a town centre car park have been lodged – leaving regeneration plans uncertain.

Younger Homes hopes to purchase three Calderdale Council car parks in Brighouse as part of plans to transform an area long considered an eyesore.

The developer wants the old swimming pool on Mill Royd Street, two adjoining car parks and Daisy Street car park.

But Daisy Street is not considered to be surplus to requirements, meaning the council could keep hold of it, thwarting the regeneration plans.

Younger Homes wants to develop the site with a retirement village and health centre.

The matter will be determined by Cabinet in a bid to “provide a transparent decision process”.

A report due to be presented to Cabinet members on Monday says: “There have been objections to the disposal of the Daisy Street Car Park and it is recommended that only the disposal of the former pool and adjoining car parks should proceed at this time.”

In the report Clr Joyce Cawthra said none of the constituents she had spoken to wanted Daisy Street to be sold.

At the present time there are 518 car parking spaces in official car parks (not counting on street parking).

Of this 129 spaces are in free car parks and 55 spaces are out of town in Church Lane.

Clr Cawthra said: “With the proposed closure of the three car parks this would mean that 183 spaces would go, which is almost a third.

“How can a town such as Brighouse expect to grow with such a reduction in the car parking arrangements?

“Brighouse is the nearest place in Calderdale to the M62, is completely flat in the town centre and is therefore an ideal shopping centre.

“With the loss of a third of its car parking there will be a massive impact on the footfall in the town and it will have been created by the council that is supposed to look after its best interests.”

Clr Colin Stout made a formal objection to the sale of Daisy Street car park, saying: “It is used heavily during the day and at night by various groups, and it does help the economy by allowing customers to park near the town centre.

“I feel that any sale of this car park would be detrimental to the economy of Brighouse town centre.”

Clr Howard Blagbrough added: “I am keen for regeneration to take place within the town centre as I believe this would encourage investment, local job creation and additional trade to the area.”

The site has long been at the heart of regeneration plans since the former swimming pool was closed in 2006.

Calderdale Council pays £9,830 per annum on the former pool building and only one of the two adjoining car parks makes a profit – Mill Royd East is expected to make £2,055.67 by March 31 but the council expects to lose £242.85 on Mill Royd West.