A COUNCILLOR plans to seek answers over the future of Castle Hill.

Almondbury councillor Phil Scott said he was “disappointed” that plans for a pub on the hill had again been rejected.

And he vowed to seek answers from Kirklees Council over what their plans are for the historic landmark.

Members of the Huddersfield Planning Sub-Committee met on Thursday and backed officers’ calls for the Castle Hill pub planning application to be refused.

They did so by a margin of 8 votes to 7.

Several people had spoken in favour of the proposals by the Huddersfield-based Thandi brothers for a new pub, but several others spoke against the plans.

One of the main concerns was that any development on the hill would detract from the natural beauty of the site, which is currently the subject of a major archaeological survey.

Clr Scott, a Lib Dem councillor for Almondbury, said: “I am deeply disappointed that more than half the sub-committee has voted against this application.

“As I have said before, there needs to be refreshment and toilet facilities on the mound for visitors.

“I would have welcomed the creation of a facility like a pub that would have provided these as long as guarantees could be reached with regard to its appearance and design.

“Re-establishing a pub would also have brought more tourists up to the ‘castle’ which would have been really important for the local economy.

“This has all gone on far too long now and I am sad that committee members couldn’t see the bigger picture.