A supermarket's plan to build four new shops has been branded "greedy" by ward councillors.

Heckmondwike councillors David Sheard and Tim Crowther have both pledged to oppose plans by Morrisons to rent out four small shop units which would be built on its car park.

And the town's traders were due to meet tonight to discuss the effect on Heckmondwike if the plans went ahead.

Coun Sheard said: "This is just greedy. They were told when they opened the store we didn't want them to change the location of the town's main shopping area.

"Heckmondwike has the highest proportion of empty shops in Kirklees. We are trying to revitalise the place and this plan would do us no good."

Plans lodged by Morrisons will come before Kirklees Council's planning committee next month.

They include four, 44 square-metre units which would have separate entrances to the supermarket, and a proposal to double the size of the store's caf to provide seating for 209 people.

Planning officer Theresa Harlow said the department had not yet decided whether it would recommend the plan to committee members.

Coun Crowther said while the supermarket brought people into the town, the provision of more shops at the Beck Lane site would lead to further closures of stores in the Westgate and Market Street area.

He said: "I'm against the gradual shift towards Morrisons. We haven't enough traders to fill the shops we already have."

Richard Walker, president of Heckmondwike Chamber of Trade, said: "We have an ongoing campaign to improve the town centre and I wouldn't support anything that encouraged shoppers away from the traditional centre."

A spokesman for Morrisons said: "We are awaiting a decision on the application from the Council so we would not wish to comment or give any further details yet."

She added the store, which was opened in 1988, was currently being modernised.

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