Thandi Partnership in new talks over Castle Hill

Oct 29 2009 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

NEW proposals for Huddersfield’s most famous landmark could see a return to the past.

The Thandi Partnership, run by brothers Mick and Barry Thandi, wants to resurrect plans for a pub and restaurant on Castle Hill, based on the former Castle Hill Hotel.

The brothers, who own the leasehold to the landmark site, had plans for a 14-bedroom boutique hotel rejected in July.

Kirklees Council, which owns the freehold, gave the Thandis until the end of this month to come up with new ideas.

Council bosses said if they failed to do so they would seek to compulsorily purchase the site, which includes the Grade II listed Victoria Tower.

Now One17, the Huddersfield architecture firm which represents the Thandi Partnership, has said the Thandis want to work with the council on a plan similar to the former Castle Hill Hotel demolished four years ago.

Mark Lee, from the firm, said: “The partnership have now reverted to the council with proposals to work jointly to achieve a development of a replacement Castle Hill Hotel in association with the provision of new visitor facilities.

“Subject to the co-operation of the Council these proposals could result in the provision of a replacement pub-restaurant and letting rooms on the site of the former Castle Hill Hotel.”

The Thandi brothers acquired the former pub and hotel, in 1998, but then had plans to redevelop it rejected.

In 2002 planners agreed to extensions to the hotel, including 10 bedrooms.

Demolition work started on part of the hotel the following year, but complaints that too much of the old hotel was being ripped down led to work being halted in 2004.

Planners had insisted much of the old building should be kept but it was virtually all demolished, and the new building was on a bigger scale than that approved.

The entire building was eventually pulled down the following year.

Since then various ideas have been put forward for the site.

Mr Lee said the new plans included accommodation for education and recreational use and toilet facilities for visitors.