Retired civil engineer Colin Anderson has made a last-ditch plea for support to save a Victorian landmark.
Mr Anderson, 66, of Golcar, is taking on the might of Yorkshire Water in a court battle to save Butterley Spillway near Marsden.
The grade II listed reservoir overflow feature – reputedly the only one of its kind left in its original condition – could be repaired with concrete which campaigners say will ruin it forever.
Mr Anderson will go before a judge at the High Court in Leeds on Wednesday and needs to raise £12,000 to cover his legal fees.
“Quite frankly this is the last opportunity now or we lose Butterley Spillway and it’s gone,” he said.
“People have a simple choice. If they care about the spillway and want to help they should do it now or we lose it forever.”
Kirklees Council refused Yorkshire Water permission for a concrete reconstruction but the firm appealed.
The decision went before planning inspector Jennifer Vyse who overturned the refusal and sided with the company.
Mr Anderson launched what he described as a “David v Goliath” fight to quash the Secretary of State’s decision.
He claims the inspector broke inquiry rules when she refused to allow him to outline alternative restoration plans at the hearing.
Mr Anderson has secured a court order to limit costs if he loses the case but needs to raise £12,000 for his own solicitor and barrister.
“We have a judicial system to challenge these decisions but it’s a tough one if you aren’t wealthy or don’t have the physical, mental or intellectual means to see it through.”
Mr Anderson said he couldn’t understand why the wider public would make big donation to prevent a piece of artwork from being sold abroad but wouldn’t donate to save a piece of engineering heritage like Butterley.
“The spillway is important to the area and the economy of the Wessenden Valley,” he said.
“It is iconic and one of our greatest Victorian features and if the spillway doesn’t deserve a fight I don’t know what does.”
In September 2012 the Victorian Society announced the spillway as one of the 10 most endangered Victorian structures in the country.
More than £4,000 has been raised so far. To donate go to www.crowdjustice.co.uk/case/beautiful-butterley/
