Plans to build hotel on Huddersfield's iconic Castle Hill split opinions of councillors

As the clock counts down to a fresh debate on a new proposal for a low-lying cafe/restaurant with bedrooms and interpretation facilities for visitors plus a 77-space car park, members of Kirklees Council’s Huddersfield Planning Sub-Committee were contacted for their views.

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 on Wednesday (Oct 28) with a recommendation to approve.

Unlike previously it has not come before the Huddersfield Planning Sub-Committee as meetings were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and only resumed earlier this month.

One, Coun Mohammed Sarwar (Lab, Crosland Moor and Netherton), could not be contacted, and Couns Donna Bellamy (Con, Colne Valley) and Mohan Sokhal (Lab, Greenhead) could not comment as both sit on the committee which will make a decision this week.

Coun Terry Lyons (Ind, Holme Valley North) chairs the sub-committee. He said the Castle Hill proposal 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 sub-committee 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 vocal critic of plans to build on the land, which, 4,000 years ago, was the site of a Neolithic hill fort.

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.

“Instead that’s to do with making profits. The benefits are financial and will be for a few people. That does not outweight the harm [to the hill]. They are not thinking of the history and culture of the town. It’s all there in black-and-white that nothing should be built there.

“English Heritage are against it – and they are the keepers of that national monument. Why has their view been overturned? It bemuses me. There has been horse-trading going on behind closed doors that does not involve ward councillors. I am against the plan.”

Coun Anthony Smith (Lib Dem, Lindley) said he was “not in favour” of the plan.

He added: “I don’t think commercialisation of the site is the way forward. I would prefer that the site be maintained as it is for everyone to enjoy without being commercialised.”

Coun Sheikh Ullah (Lab, Greenhead) said he was “principally in favour” and called on colleagues to demonstrate what he called “a leap of faith” to move Castle Hill away from negative uses involving crime and late-night anti-social behaviour.

He said: “For an iconic site like Castle Hill there needs to be a little more up there than what there is now. There was cross-party support for that in the past. We need to look at the long-term view. In years to come it will be vibrant.”

Coun Harpreet Uppal (Lab, Ashbrow) said the plans “look of interest” but she had not scrutinised the details of the latest application.

She added: “I am not against the plans in principle.”

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