Opinion split over hotel at landmark
PLANNING: Councillors appear to be split over plans to build a new hotel on a landmark site in West Yorkshire.
Members of Kirklees Council planning committee are divided on plans for a low- lying cafe/ restaurant with bedrooms and facilities for visitors plus a 77- space car park at Castle Hill above Huddersfield.
COUNCILLORS APPEAR to be split over plans to build a new hotel on a landmark site in West Yorkshire.
Members of Kirklees Council planning committee are divided on plans for a low- lying cafe/ restaurant with bedrooms and facilities for visitors plus a 77- space car park at Castle Hill above Huddersfield.
Three years ago the committee indicated support for a scheme presented by developers Mick and Barry Thandi for a new facility, including a visitor centre, on the site, which is designated as a “scheduled monument”.
The Thandis’ latest proposal will be discussed at the council’s Strategic Planning Committee today with a recommendation to approve.
Coun Terry Lyons ( Ind, Holme Valley North) chairs the sub- committee. HesaidtheCastleHillproposal was “very controversial” but that he would want to listen to all views – in opposition and in support – before deciding. He added: “I have an open mind on this.”
Coun Paul Davies ( Lab, Holme Valley South) said: “I have not seen the latest application on that [ site]. It would be wrong of me to say anything.”
Coun Donald Firth ( Con, Holme Valley South) said: “When the Thandis pulled it down the site went back to Green Belt. People in that area [ Almondbury] do not want it. If it was sent to the subcommittee now it would not get my seal of approval at all.”
Coun James Homewood ( Lab, Ashbrow) said he had not seen the latest plan but that he was “broadly in favour” of something being built on Castle Hill. He added: “It’s something that we should be looking at as long as there is improvement to access. I am not against it in principle.”
Coun Andrew Marchington
( Lib Dem, Golcar) said he had not looked at the detail of the new plans but added: “We just need to make sure that any development up there [ on Castle Hill] is appropriate to the site. It’s a scheduled ancient monument. We need to be very careful.”
Coun Bernard McGuin ( Con, Almondbury) represents the ward in which the hill is located. He has been a vocalcritic of plans.
He said: “It all comes down to what is classed as a public benefit. The report to Wednesday’s meeting is nearly all against development.
“We are going to get a viewing room [ in the new proposal] but the public benefits are very little to do with Castle Hill.”
He added: “English Heritage are against it – and they are the keepers of that national monument.”
Coun Anthony Smith ( Lib Dem, Lindley) said he was “not in favour” of the plan.