Shoppers back centre’s plans

Mar 20 2008 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

NEARLY nine out of 10 shoppers have backed the Kingsgate Centre’s expansion plans.

On the day that Kirklees Council’s planning committee decides the fate of a proposed 120,000 sq ft extension, centre bosses have revealed 87% of 117 people questioned said they wanted it.

Peter Everest, managing director of WD Huddersfield Ltd, which owns the centre, said: “We are delighted with the high levels of public support for extending Kingsgate.”

The extension would include a big new department store and units for a number of other shops.

But, as revealed in the Examiner on Saturday, planning officers have recommended that the planning application is refused.

They say it would undermine the council-backed Queensgate development scheme.

Under the so-called ‘Queensgate Revival’ plan the Piazza and the surrounding area would be regenerated with a new department store, shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, flats and a hotel.

WD Huddersfield says there are no grounds for turning down the Kingsgate application on the basis that it rivals the Queensgate scheme.