Residents and civic campaigners are furious over the design of the proposed shops complex on the former Savoy Cinema site in Cleckheaton.

They say the plain single-storey building, with its artificial slate roof, sandstone walls and artificial stone copings, will be out of keeping with Victorian properties nearby.

Surrey-based developers Bastion House have applied for planning approval from Kirklees Council to put a 3,000sq ft convenience store, three shops and a 13-space car park on the derelict land in Bradford Road.

But Spen Valley Civic Society has written to the Council urging the heavy woollen area planning sub-committee to throw out the application when it meets to discuss it, possibly as soon as February 12.

In the letter society member John Holroyd says the design fails to complement or even acknowledge the "fine adjoining Victorian buildings'' - the listed town hall opposite and premises housing four banks.

He adds: "The only exception is the disastrous blue-panelled Market Arcade which requires extensive external maintenance.

"The building, as proposed, is of the cheapest possible design in both its form and materials.

"Artificial slate will stick out like a sore thumb as it will not weather. Why is art stone to be used for string courses and copings?

"This is a development more appropriate to a retail park than a key town centre site.

"It lacks any architectural merit and in no way adds to or compliments its surroundings either in scale or quality.''

Councillor Kath Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton), said: "I've had 15 letters from residents who don't want the building because they say it is out of character in the area and want a market place there instead.''

The civic society is also worried the car park will cause traffic hazards in Bradford Road and says the design is more suitable for a suburban shopping parade than a prominent town centre location.

David Brackenridge, the agent for Bastion House, said: "The design of the building has to be market driven, based on what the occupiers want.

"Our architects have been in discussions with the Council's planning department to make minor amendments to the application.''

The land has been derelict since the cinema was pulled down eight years ago and dubbed the "bomb site'' by residents because of its shabby appearance.

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