The sale of a council building rests on a developer getting planning permission to restore it.
A potential future use for Fieldhead in Lindley was revealed in yesterday’s Examiner with a firm wanting to convert it into a wedding venue and restaurant.
The Examiner reported yesterday that developers Bankgate want to restore the former children’s home – dashing the hopes of a community group that wanted an asset transfer of the Lidget Street venue for wider community use. It also beat off five other bids.
Joanne Bartholomew, Assistant Director Place at Kirklees Council, said: “Fieldhead has been sold subject to contract – conditional upon planning permission being granted and the full restoration and renovation of the listed building in accordance with that application.
“The sale value is confidential at this stage, but on completion of the works and transfer of the title that information will become public knowledge.
“The purchasing company was selected through a formal tender process where tenders were scored against a pre-determined matrix.
“The tender was divided into two main sectors – financial offer and technical experience and ability to deliver the project with in place funding.”
She confirmed that seven tenders were received overall for the Grade II listed building.
She added: “A community group submitted a tender but were unsuccessful when scored against the tender matrix.
“The community group were advised that as this building had no history of community involvement it was not suitable for community asset transfer consideration.
“The company selected scored highest on the matrix and having worked with them in consultation for the planning application since the tender was submitted we are confident in their ability to meet the renovation criteria and have the necessary skills and experience to undertake what is a very specialised and comprehensive restoration.”
Fieldhead is run down and the planning application admits the historic building will need to be sensitively restored in line with its listed status.
