Historic Yorkshire pub which served its community for 150 years to be turned into homes

The Rose and Crown Inn at Knowl Road, Golcar, in West Yorkshire, has served the community for over 150 years. The pub closed its doors towards the beginning of the Covid pandemic and has been empty for the past three years. After the pandemic, the pub was unable to re-open and the site was sold to the current applicant.

Yorkshire-based company L’Arche Developments previously wanted to bring 14 homes to the site, but the number of proposed homes has been halved from 14 to seven as “significant concerns” regarding layout, demolition and access were raised by the council.

This means the pub’s frontage can now be retained, a nearby area of open space that features in the council’s Local Plan can be safeguarded and suitable access provided for the site. The reduction in the number of homes also means that the developer is not liable to pay any section 106 contribution as the council no longer regards the site to be a major development.

Of the proposed properties, four will be semi-detached and three detached. Garages could be provided for the three detached homes and a new access point would be formed onto Church Street.

The land sits within the Golcar conservation area and is surrounded by residential properties. Golcar Conservative Club and bowling green is to the South East and the Liberal Club to the North.

On April 13, the application will be decided by Kirklees Council’s Planning Sub-Committee for the Huddersfield area. It is required to go before the committee due to the substantial number of objections received, though council officers are recommending approval.

Thirty-six objections have been received to the development with some wanting to protect the historic site. However, the council doesn’t regard the loss of the pub as detrimental as there are several other pubs in the area as well as the Conservative Club, Liberal Club and restaurants,

Others objectors are concerned for the impact on the conservation area, that the homes will be cramped within the plot and there won’t be enough parking. As an ‘outline application,’ details relating to appearance, scale and landscaping will come at a later date.