A public inquiry will be held to decide whether planning permission should be granted for Bradford's biggest DIY store.

Plans for a massive B&Q store, a garden centre and car park have been submitted to Bradford Council on a site off Canal Road, part of which is owned by builders' merchant Uriah Woodhead and part of which is a former British Gas depot.

But today Uriah Woodhead, which owns about a third of the proposed site and has traded from there for 130 years, vowed it will not sell-up.

Its managing director John Walker, who has worked there for 45 years, said the company was continuing its own refurbishment plans and extending its new warehouse to 140,000 square feet.

"We are carrying on in our own sweet way, so if they want to carry on with their planning, that's their problem. I am no longer surprised at what some firms do. There is no need for us to attend the inquiry."

Bradford Council planning officer, Mohammed Yousef, said: "Planning permission can still go through the system without owning the site, as long as a legal notice is served on the owner. If they get permission, the agent will need the owner's consent or will need to buy the land."

Tim Waring, of Leeds-based RPS, agents for the applicants McAlpine Special Projects and Lattice Property Holdings, was unavailable for comment today.

Ward councillors had mixed reactions to the plan.

Councillor Robert Sowman (Labour, Undercliffe) said: "If this brings in potential for bringing down costs and creating jobs, we ought to support it, but sometimes jobs are lost from elsewhere. I would be sorry to see Uriah Woodhead go, particularly if it were in an aggressive and hostile manner."

Councillor Tony Miller (Labour, Shipley East) said he felt it was a positive step for retail trade in the area.

The Government has ordered that another public inquiry is to be held into a planning application by Parkside Securities and Bellway Homes for another large development at West Bowling Golf Club, Rooley Lane, Bradford, which includes a DIY warehouse, housing and hotel.

Anyone with views on the Canal Road plans should write in triplicate quoting reference APP/W4705/V/03/1116269 to the Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/17 Eagle Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN before June 30.

Representations about the Rooley Lane plans should be sent in triplicate to the same address quoting reference APP/W4705/V/03/1116267/8 before June 30.