Anger as building on landmark hill site is approved

A NEW building has been approved for the top of Castle Hill in Huddersfield.

But the 15- year wrangle over the landmark site will not end there, as campaigners have already made a request to the Government to formally “call in” the plan for review.

That means Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick will make the final decision.

It was a close vote when the contentious scheme was debated at a meeting of Kirklees Council’s Strategic Planning Committee.

But by the end of the discussion four Labour councillors – Carole Pattison, Cathy Scott, Mohan Sokhal and Steve Hall – voted in favour.

Voting against were Conservatives Donna Bellamy and Nigel Patrick as well as Lib Dem Andrew Pinnock.

The Labour quartet voted for a low- lying cafe/ restaurant with bedrooms and interpretation facilities for visitors plus a car park.

Three members argued that there was a public benefit to having facilities such as toilets on the site, and that there was “positive weight” attached to the development presented by the Thandi Partnership.

Martin Kilburn, of Huddersfield Civic Society, described the development as “wholly inappropriate” and said the site should be preserved, not turned into a commercial hospitality venue.

Coun Donald Firth ( Con, Holme Valley South) said the proposed new building was “totally featureless” and a “21st century eyesore”.

Speaking after the decision Coun McGuin, who has been a vocal critic of plans for the Castle Hill site, said: “Shame on those who voted for this.”