Homes for old Safeway site would be welcome

Kirklees Cabinet made the decision to sell off the old Safeway site in Bradford Road at a meeting this week.

Coun Kathy Scott (Lab, Dewsbury East), cabinet member for housing and relief of poverty, said: “This is welcome news for Dewsbury. It’s at the entrance to the town and it’s become a mess.”

The meeting heard the site could be sold to make way for a care home or businesses that would complement and increase footfall for the town centre.

Dewsbury chamber of trade president Trish Makepeace said she welcomed the move if the site was to be used for homes.

She said: “If it’s going to be a care home then I am all for it. We need them, especially after several have closed recently.”

If the care home plan did not go ahead she said other residential property would be better than new businesses and would encourage people in to the town centre.

She said the site had become a troublesome spot for rats, weeds and antisocial behaviour.

Coun Peter McBride (Lab, Dalton), cabinet member for transport, skills, jobs and regional affairs, said the sell-off showed Kirklees Council’s commitment to regenerating Dewsbury town centre.