David Storrie spoke at a public meeting last week held to discuss the controversial plans for Slipper Lane.

Developers Park Crescent Ltd want to build a retirement village on the 33-acre site, and give some space over for business use.

Mr Storrie explained the land had been given over for development by Kirklees Council 10 years ago, meaning it must be built on.

But he said campaigners should focus on making representations to the council about how the scheme might affect Mirfield's infrastructure.

He said: "You have got to focus your attention on major issues.

"You can produce anecdotal evidence but it would be useful if you could produce factual evidence such as traffic surveys. Doing nothing is not an option for you." Mr Storrie said the Park Crescent Ltd's plans needed to fit in with the development plan for the site, but currently did not – and people could object to the council on those grounds too.

The meeting was called by Action Group Mirfield 25 (AGM25) and Mirfield town councillors to give people worried about the development the chance to air their views and ask questions in a formal setting.

Kirklees officers Steve Hopwood, planning and building control services team leader, Steven Sampson, highways and transportation group engineer, and Peter Firth, highways and transportation consultant engineer, were on the panel to answer questions.

AGM25 chairman Rick Webzell and Mirfield town councillors Martyn Bolt, Vivien Lees and Stephen Grant were also sitting on the panel at Wednesday night's meeting.

Mr Webzell warned members of the public they should be prepared for major upheavals in their day-to-day lives if the Mirfield 25 development went ahead.

He said traffic numbers would rise sharply, affecting most of Mirfield and spill over into surrounding areas.

And he said extra people moving into Mirfield and the retirement village would have an adverse effect.

He said: "This site is going to put our health centre under pressure. What's that going to mean to us? It's serious."