Objectors claim new pub would ‘ruin’ site of old fort

MORE than 70 people and organisations are opposing a controversial scheme to build a pub-cum-hotel at an historic Yorkshire landmark.

Three professors are among those objecting to plans to build at Castle Hill, the site of an Iron Age hill fort at Almondbury, Huddersfield.

The hill lies within green belt and has been declared a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

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The tally of objections stands at 73, with 16 letters in favour.

The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) has added its name to the growing number of critics.

Jon Wright, the CBA’s head of conservation, said that allowing the development would be “nothing short of disastrous”.

In a letter to Kirklees Council’s planning department, Mr Wright describes the site as hugely important because of its history.

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“Castle Hill and its surrounding landscape constitute a hugely important national heritage asset.

“Designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument the site has a time-depth of around 4,000 years, with specific features, both above and below ground that are indicative of a range of human activities from the Iron Age onwards.”

The most distinctive feature of the hill, he says, is the Victoria Tower, a grade II listed building completed in 1899 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s jubilee.

“A handsome piece of architecture and a prominent local landmark, the tower is a focal point for the overall importance of the historic landscape around it.”

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The site, he says, has “immense communal value” and attracts visitor numbers which are comparable with many destinations in Yorkshire.

Development on a Scheduled Ancient Monument with an area of green belt must be well justified, he says.

“It is the firm view of the CBA that the current proposals are not justified, do not take into account the findings and recommendations of the (site) management plan and are not aligned with national or local policy. The proposals would be detrimental to one of the most significant historic sites in Kirklees. The subsequent effects of allowing this kind of development and the precedent it would set would be nothing short of disastrous.”

Other objectors include Huddersfield and District Archaeology Society, Yorkshire Archaeology Society and Huddersfield Local History Society.

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Two professors of archaeology and a professor whose expertise is planning have also written to the council.

Supporters of the pub plan have pointed out that the site was only recently home to a hotel and pub.

The previous pub was being developed by the owners but had to be pulled down when it became clear its dimensions did not match the plans that were submitted.

Last year the Thandi Partnership saw a similar pub-hotel scheme rejected by Kirklees planners by eight votes to seven.

Council officers had called for the scheme to be rejected.

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Local Lib Dem councillor Phil Scott has received several letters backing the pub scheme.

He says the site would benefit from refreshment and toilet facilities. A decision on the application is expected later this year.