The 1970s Kirklees College buildings will be torn down to make way for German supermarket Lidl.

The discount retailer got its plan to build a new store on the Trinity Street side of the college’s former premises approved at a second attempt.

The £1m scheme will see 30 jobs created and looks set to be the catalyst for the redevelopment of the historic side of the mothballed campus.

In May the first attempt to pass the plan was snubbed amid concerns about the materials and lack of detail about what would happen to the old buildings.

But now councillors on the Strategic Planning Committee have agreed a modified plan for Lidl’s build to include more natural stone.

Details about the re-use of the listed buildings was also revealed.

Former Kirklees College buildings, hit by a recent arson attack
Former Kirklees College buildings, hit by a recent arson attack

The developers have said they hope to create a care facility in the old Huddersfield Infirmary and build a new NHS medical centre.

A deal to construct retirement flats on the so-called Trinity Central site has been done.

Prior to giving the green light councillors were urged to approve it by Kirklees College’s chair of governors, Geoff Alvy.

Mr Alvy said the sale of the site would be a boost to the college’s financial stability and provide funding for their recently announced project to transform Pioneer House in Dewsbury into a “learning village”.

He said the site was “sadly becoming an eyesore with graffiti, vandalism and theft”, adding that the college “hadn’t exactly been inundated with offers from other developers”.

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Last week, fire chiefs appealed for vigilance after the latest in a series of arson attacks.

Chris Marsden of Huddersfield Civic Society, whose group raised the concerns about the lack of stone on the building, said there was “much to celebrate” about the latest design.

But he highlighted that stone was still absent on the western side, that would be seen from Trinity Street.

Chris Marsden, Chairman of the Huddersfield Civic Society.
Chris Marsden, Chairman of the Huddersfield Civic Society.

Clr Carole Pattison said she was worried that an “important gateway” into Huddersfield was being “marred” by the view of Lidl’s car park.

But she said she had to accept that the design was the best that could be mustered.

Councillors Paul Kane and Andrew Pinnock both agreed that natural stone should be insisted on all the way round the building.

Two councillors, Clr Donald Firth and Clr Bill Armer, were asked to leave the meeting as they had not completed the necessary training update.

The remaining three plus chairman, Clr Mohan Sohkal, all voted to let the plan proceed.

The new store will see some changes to the road layout on Trinity Street.

A right-hand turn lane will be created going out of town, to allow cars to turn across the road into the site.

The inbound and outbound lanes will be narrowed to make space for it and a segregated cycle lane will be created that will link with the subway under the ring road.

Cars leaving Lidl will only be allowed to turn left on Trinity Street, back towards the ring road.

An alternative exit for vehicles going towards Marsh or Edgerton will be created on Portland Street.