Spen Valley traders have expressed anger at plans to give an out-of-town shopping mall town centre status.

Trading group leaders fear any future expansion at Morley's White Rose Centre would further devastate shops in surrounding towns.

A planning inspector has recommended the centre be given town centre status in the area's unitary development plan - which would mean it would by-pass strict Government controls curbing the development of out-of-town shopping.

Dorothy Zottola, committee member of Birstall Chamber of Trade, said: "It would close us down. We are only ten minutes from the White Rose by car.

"Out-of-town shopping centres drain trade away from small towns and they cause banks and building societies to move away.

"Birstall doesn't have a bank or cash machine and this would be another reason for us not to get one."

President of Heckmondwike Chamber of Trade Richard Walker said if the White Rose Centre offered a wide range of services, currently available only in town centres, it would further discourage people from traditional shopping areas.

He said: "People would have no reason to come to somewhere like Heckmondwike and it would be a further blow to regeneration plans.

"The recommendation is disappointing when the Government has finally realised the negative effect out-of-town shopping centres can have."

Drighlington post master Mike Barton said he believed such a move was simply a way of avoiding planning regulations.

But Keith Joplin, president of Spenborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said he felt the plan would not harm Cleckheaton.

He said: "We don't have comparison goods where people come and compare similar products in different shops.

"We can't compete with the White Rose so the Chamber is trying to promote the town as a convenience shopping centre and a base for tourists and conferences."

A spokesman for Leeds City Council said if the White Rose Centre became a 'town centre' the authority would be obliged to allow expansion.

He said: "The Council has not yet made a decision on the planning inspector's recommendation.

"The inspector's decision could set a precedent for the expansion of other shopping centres throughout the country and it would have an impact on local town centres."

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