HD One plan at Galpharm Stadium goes before Kirklees Council planners

Jan 19 2010 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A MASSIVE £100m leisure complex which would create 900 jobs goes before planners this week.

Kirklees councillors will decide on Thursday if the HD One development at the Galpharm can go ahead.

Council officers have recommended approving the plan, which includes dozens of bars and restaurants, two nightclubs, a hotel, shops and 140 flats.

The proposal has been submitted by Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd (KSDL) and they hope to have the scheme in place by 2015.

Managing director Ralph Rimmer told the Examiner yesterday: “This development will put Huddersfield on the map – just as the stadium did more than 15 years ago.”

HD One would create 900 full-time jobs and cost £100m to develop.

But Mr Rimmer is confident the funds can be raised, even during the recession.

He said: “We’ve been speaking to investors throughout this difficult period and they are very much interested in this project. This is a good scheme and there are people waiting to put their money in.”

HD One would be built on 11 hectares of land around the Galpharm which is currently used for car parking and a golf driving range.

KSDL is asking the council’s Huddersfield Planning Sub-committee to grant outline planing permission on Thursday.

HD One would create 2,283sq m of retail space, including a sports shop of 931sq m and a 782sq m convenience store.

There would also be an 8,004sq m hotel employing 101 people and 8,138sq m of office space for 377 staff.