Planning chief calls for Maccess calm

The Spenborough Guardian reported last week that the site’s owners Castlerock Capital said it would not demolish it until it had permission to build houses on the site.

But Coun Steve Hall (Lab, Heckmondwike), who is head of the Heavy Woollen planning sub-committee, said the state of the site would be “immaterial” as to whether or not the committee would grant planning permission for a future application.

“We can’t force someone to demolish a building,” he said. “But this should have no effect one way or the other on what the committee decides. It is immaterial.

“If an application goes in for the site, I would encourage people to get involved with it.

“It is a bit of an awkward situation, but this can all be solved amicably.”

But Liversedge and Gomersal councillor Lisa Holmes (Con) wants Kirklees to crack down on the site owners, who were issued with a demolition order on the site months ago.

She said: “I am still absolutely against allowing this company any further time. I will continue to push hard to have this building removed.”

She said she would request that Kirklees now issues legal proceedings.

Castlerock did not comment further.