A MASSIVE £100m leisure complex which would create 900 jobs goes before planners this week.
Kirklees councillors will decide on Thursday if the HD One development at the Galpharm can go ahead.
Council officers have recommended approving the plan, which includes dozens of bars and restaurants, two nightclubs, a hotel, shops and 140 flats.
The proposal has been submitted by Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd (KSDL) and they hope to have the scheme in place by 2015.
Managing director Ralph Rimmer told the Examiner yesterday: “This development will put Huddersfield on the map – just as the stadium did more than 15 years ago.”
HD One would create 900 full-time jobs and cost £100m to develop.
But Mr Rimmer is confident the funds can be raised, even during the recession.
He said: “We’ve been speaking to investors throughout this difficult period and they are very much interested in this project. This is a good scheme and there are people waiting to put their money in.”
HD One would be built on 11 hectares of land around the Galpharm which is currently used for car parking and a golf driving range.
KSDL is asking the council’s Huddersfield Planning Sub-committee to grant outline planing permission on Thursday.
HD One would create 2,283sq m of retail space, including a sports shop of 931sq m and a 782sq m convenience store.
There would also be an 8,004sq m hotel employing 101 people and 8,138sq m of office space for 377 staff.
HD One would also include two nightclubs on 2,960sq m and 140 flats. There would be 4,405sq m of bars and 6,322sq m of restaurants and cafes.
Mr Rimmer believes the development would attract people into the town. He said: “We recognise that a high percentage of people who live in Huddersfield work and spend money outside the town. We want to bring that spend back within the boundaries of Huddersfield.
“On top of that we want to build a unique site which attracts people from outside Huddersfield.”
Newsome Green councillor Julie Stewart-Turner has objected to the plan, saying it would harm the town centre.
But Mr Rimmer said: “We’re looking to have 22 bars, restaurants and cafes, but there are 150 of those type of establishments within the town centre. HD One should benefit the town centre rather than detract from it.”
Clr Stewart-Turner also believes the development would increase congestion on Leeds Road.
But Mr Rimmer said: “This is a leisure development so much of the traffic will be off-peak at weekends and evenings. I don’t think it will have much impact at all on Leeds Road.”
The council’s Huddersfield Planning Sub-committee will decide on the proposal at its monthly meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall on Thursday afternoon. If the plan goes ahead, HD One will be complete by 2015.
KSDL is 40% owned by Kirklees Council, with the Huddersfield Giants holding 20%.
The remaining 40% is currently held by Huddersfield Sporting Pride, owned by Giants chairman Ken Davy. Last month he agreed to pass these shares to Huddersfield Town.
However, he needs the council’s consent to go ahead with the transfer.
Yesterday a Kirklees spokeswoman said yesterday: “We are drawing together information for councillors and would hope that the matter could be dealt with shortly.”
