Supermarket could be built at mill site

Danish discount supermarket Netto and Indigo Planning Limited lodged proposals on January 15 for the new store, which would be built on land at Cemetery Road, off Mayman Lane in Batley.

The store and pub would include parking with spaces for more than 100 cars, and it would form part of the Blakeridge Mill development which is currently being converted into hundreds of apartments.

Andrew Marsden, chairman of Batley Business Association, said: “From our point of view we support any development that benefits the town.

“A new supermarket will bring people to the town centre to spend their money, which means more customers for businesses.

“We are seeing an increase in people going to these sorts of supermarkets, they are very popular and people will travel to them.

“We have some great restaurants, pubs and shops already here and all this will complement that.”

A public consultation about the plans began on January 21 and ends on February 15.

In 2014, permission was granted by the council to redevelop the Blakeridge Mill site.

The project included the conversion of former mill buildings into 181 apartments, a food retail store and a petrol station with car parking.

The Netto superstore would be located at a similar part of the site as where the retail shop that was initially approved.

Planning officers raised concerns during the application stage in 2014 about proposed impacts a superstore could have on the town centre.