Supermarket giants Tesco have denied that the land on which they intend to build a new store in Cleckheaton is suitable for houses.

During the third day of a public inquiry into the proposed development of a retail store in St Peg Lane, Tesco spokesman David Heap said it would cost far more to clear the contaminated site for residential use than it was worth.

Max Rathmell, for the Spen Valley Civic Society, said that a report on the site stated the contamination was "sporadic, localised and isolated." He asked if it was possible that if the Tesco application were refused, the site could be developed for residential use.

Mr Heap said: "I don't think so. For residential use, the site has a massive negative value. It would cost a lot more to remediate than the site is worth. That is why it was never sold and developed. Part of this site was owned by a house builder who never built anything on it, so that suggests there's a problem.

"The reason that the site was never developed residentially was because it had too many problems on its own. It is not economic on its own, but with the rest of the site, it is."

The site will also include a cafe/coffee shop, petrol filling station, customer car park, new vehicular and pedestrian access, recreational space, landscaping and new residential car parking.

The inquiry continues.