Protesters objecting to the proposed demolition of Dalton Grange have launched an online petition.

The news sparked outrage when the Examiner revealed the plans in March.

The handsome Gothic building is owned by Syngenta who say they have no further use for it and wish to use the site either for community allotments or match day parking at the John Smith’s Stadium on Leeds Road.

By yesterday, more than 300 people had signed the petition with organisers hoping to reach at least 1,000.

Objector Peter Nixon said: “The building off Bradley Mills Road was a well-served wedding venue until recently and so holds a sentimental value to many residents of Huddersfield, not to mention the important historic worth of the building.”

“We are going to try and get the building spot listed, and press Kirklees Council for a building preservation order, but this would probably need extensive local support.

“We need all the local support we can get from the people of Huddersfield now before its too late.

“Once it’s gone it’s gone. Please sign this petition in order to help prevent this dreadful proposition.”

Heritage group, The Victorian Society, have also complained about the plans saying they amount to nothing more than “a corporate whim.”

Officials of the Society have visited Huddersfield to trace more history of Dalton Grange.

They scoured archives in the Huddersfield Library and documents from the Huddersfield History Society.

The building was created by the architects John Kirk and Sons.

Dalton Grange was built for Henry Brooke in 1871. He was president of the local Chamber of Commerce and became Mayor of Huddersfield in 1873. He later helped found Huddersfield Technical College.

Henry Brooke had inherited his fathers woollen cloth business which transferred from Holmfirth to Bradley Mills, a few hundred yards from Dalton Grange, in 1856.

The building served as a company club for the local firm British Dyes - a predecessor of the Syngenta company - during the First World War.

Anyone wishing to join the fight should go to: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/against-the-demolition-of-dalton-grange