Castle Hill barrier to stop yobs running riot at night
LANDMARK PLAGUED BY ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
SUPPORTERS of Huddersfield’s iconic Castle Hill are celebrating after the council agreed to install a barrier ‘immediately’ to prevent late-night access to the site.
The 4,000-year-old neolithic hill fort overlooking Almondbury has been plagued by anti-social behaviour.
In recent weeks police have been called to reports of people letting off fireworks on the hill.
Now Kirklees Council has agreed to set up a barrier on Castle Hill Side, with West Yorkshire Police monitoring and safeguarding the area until work is complete.
Every year volunteers are faced with a sizeable clean-up operation following Bonfire Night even though Castle Hill is the subject of a public space protection order (PSPO) imposed by Kirklees Council after a campaign by residents.
It bans fireworks, barbecues and flying lanterns on the site.
There have also been grassfires on the hill and drug-dealing is said to go on, which for some make the hill a no-go area after dark.
After announcing news of the barrier online Clr Alison Munro (Lib Dem, Almondbury)
said it followed concerns expressed at a meeting of a multiagency team.
She said: “All attendees at the meeting agreed the access road needs restricting at night in order to put a stop to all the issues as quickly as possible.
“A plan has been actioned and I hope this problem will be resolved as soon as possible.”
Her ward colleague Clr Bernard McGuin (Con, Almondbury) said: “This is something that should have happened a long time ago. I am glad that the councillors around the area have been able to work together for this positive
This is something that should have happened a
long time ago.
result. The future of the building plans are a separate matter. We wait on the Secretary of State.”
Clr McGuin was referring to the recent council decision to approve a plan by the Thandi Partnership for a low-lying cafe/restaurant on the site.
That is currently the subject of call-in requests to Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, who has been asked to review the decision.
Call-in requests have been made by both Huddersfield Civic Society and members of the Green Party, who represent Newsome ward.
Mr Jenrick will consider the application and determine whether the matters should be the subject of a Call-in Inquiry.
A decision on that is expected before Christmas.