Row over sign plans for listed club

Almondbury Conservative Club has applied to erect a swinging sign at Wormald’s Hall on Westgate, Almondbury.

The Grade II* listed Tudor building is well-known for its exposed timber framing and is one of only six of its kind in Kirklees.

The new sign, to be fixed to the building with a wrought iron bracket, would replace a flat wooden sign that was removed around 10 years ago.

Phil Scott (Lib Dem, Almondbury), has asked for the application to be brought before the Huddersfield Planning Sub Committee as he is concerned a swinging sign would be out of keeping with the building’s history and architecture.

Coun Scott said: “Wormald’s Hall is a very special building in Almondbury with huge historic value, not only to people living in the village but to Kirklees as a whole.

“People who I have spoken to about this – some of whom were unaware of the application and as such failed to object formally – expressed reservations so I have asked that it to come to committee so that an open debate about the decision can take place.

“If a change to a historic public asset it to be agreed, I think it is right that elected members take responsibility for overseeing it.”

He said he was in favour of a discreet flat wooden sign similar to the previous one instead.

“This conservation area must be protected and I’m afraid to say that some of the mock ups of the swinging sign I have seen would not help achieve this,” he added.