PLANS to convert a warehouse into homes are expected to be turned down tomorrow.
Manufacturing firm Holme Valley Textiles wants to demolish its modern warehouse in Luke Lane, Thongsbridge, and build 12 to 14 homes.
The firm operates from the warehouse because it sold off its original premises - the four storey Royd Mills next door - which has now been converted into housing.
The firm, which employs 30 people, bought another business called Derby Tapes with the money from the mill sale and now needs bigger premises.
It is leasing additional space at Bridge Mills, Holmfirth, with a chance of buying the site.
But the firm said it needs to sell the Luke Lane warehouse quickly to keep the Bridge Mills site.
It feels the warehouse site will sell quicker for residential use than industrial use, as it is not on a major route.
Planning officers at Kirklees Council are urging councillors to reject the application even though no objections have been received against it.
The officers say the site is in a green belt area and no development must take place there without very special circumstances.
Their report said: "While officers would want to support the successful development of a local company, there are clear council and Government policies to control inappropriate development in the green belt.
"Officers do not consider that the applicant has demonstrated very special circumstances to overcome very strong policy objections to this redevelopment proposal."
The council's economic development service said relocation was the firm's best chance of success.
Highways officers do not object but want the number of homes lowered to 10.
The Environment Agency wants the application to be deferred for further assessments because the site lies in a flood plain.
Holme Valley Parish Council supports the application, but also has concerns about the flood plain.
A decision is due to be made at the council's Huddersfield area planning sub-committee.
Officers said that if councillors want to approve the application, it should be referred to the Secretary of State because it departs from the local authority's development plan.
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