Castle Hill plans recommended for refusal by Kirklees Council planners

Mar 13 2010 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Castle Hill

In the report, due to be presented to councillors next Thursday, the Almondbury (Castle Hill) Civic Associates dubbed the public facilities offered as part of the plans as a ‘token gesture’.

English Heritage said the proposal would have a ‘seriously adverse impact’ on the Grade II listed tower, saying: “These adverse effects are not outweighed by any on-site provision of facilities.”

West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service fear the proposal could ‘disturb important archaeological remains from the Prehistoric to Medieval and post Medieval periods’.

Their objection says: “It is felt that the original hotel was always an alien intrusion on the site of the Iron Age Fort and Medieval castle.”

Others say a new building would detract from the skyline view as well as the setting of the listed tower, while others said the design of the new pub is ‘pseudo Victorian’.

Three letters of support were sent to the council, one saying Castle Hill needed such an amenity, one calling for the approach road to be widened and another saying: “The scheme offers opportunities for educational/interpretive facilities; and the profile of the hill would not be spoilt as it would be to what was there for over a century.”

The Planning Sub-Committee will decide the Hill’s fate on Thursday.

The former Castle Hill Hotel was pulled down in controversial circumstances five years ago after the Thandis started work to extend it.

Council officials ordered the demolition after unapproved changes were made to the plans.