THE DIRECTOR of builders merchant and DIY chain Arnold Laver has told residents he does not want to upset Guiseley people, in a site meeting over the planned move to Springhead Mills.

Director Andrew Laver faced strong opposition from residents and Aireborough MP Paul Truswell last Friday, at a meeting to discuss traffic fears over the company's planned move from White Cross to the mill on Springfield Road.

Mr Laver told residents that his company is pulling out of the DIY field, and said no more than five per cent of the total operation planned for Springhead Mills would be retail trade - which residents fear may lead to an increase in traffic.

He said: "What we're proposing here is a builders merchants essentially. Products will essentially be trade-based, so we will not be selling light bulbs or batteries.

"The tools we sell will be traders' power tools, and the paint we will stock will be of the type used by decorators.

"The operation is going to be fundamentally different from the one up at White Cross."

People living around Springfield Road fear the narrow street, which frequently has cars parked on both sides, will not be able to cope with large trucks or dozens of DIY customers in cars.

Mr Laver added: "Our reputation is very important in Guiseley. We don't want to upset the local residents."

He said kitchen and bathroom sales are planned for Springhead Mills. Mr Laver claimed the firm will generate less traffic than the mill's previous occupant, Carlton Cards.

But some believe Laver will attract greater numbers of heavy goods vehicles, and say its current advertising could attract carloads of DIY shoppers.

Mr Truswell, who has already sent Leeds City Council an official objection to the plan, said traffic is likely to grow as the business grows.

"Surely the intention is to grow your business. To say that something is one-sixth of your existing trade is misleading. You'll be taking that trade and attempting, as businessmen do, to grow that business," said Mr Truswell. Residents told Mr Laver they had bought tools and other goods from stores which specialise in supplying tradesmen, and believe many people will come to the new store for 'window shopping'.

They said they were alarmed by the lack of initial communication from the firm about its plans, and

One man said: "This is a first step to a retail park by stealth." Another resident said she would be concerned for the safety of her children, if more traffic is travelling along Springfield Road.

The meeting was called by ward councillor Moira Dunn (Lab, Aireborough), to bring together residents and Leeds City Council planning and highways officers, to discuss traffic worries.

Council highways officers said no decision can be made on the planning application, until more detailed traffic statistics are submitted. The council has received around 90 letters of objection to the plan.

Residents have decided to conduct their own traffic survey on Arnold Laver's current site, on Otley Road.

Meanwhile, the company is seeking talks with Leeds City Council planning officers amid residents' concerns over plans to move to Springhead Mills, Guiseley.

Director Andrew Laver was present at a site meeting between Guiseley residents and council planning and highways officers last week. He heard residents' worries over increased traffic and the route used by delivery trucks and customers to reach the mills.

Aireborough MP Paul Truswell also spoke of fears that allowing some retail use at the mill could lead to later use as a DIY store or retail unit. Mr Laver now says he aims to discuss the plans further.

He said: "We have listened to residents' and councillors' concerns and we will undertake fuller discussions with planners to accommodate them where possible."

Mr Laver said the planned Call Collect unit at Springhead Mills would be different to Laver's existing operation.