JAKE the Rake's Castle Hill dreams have been thwarted - for now.

The famous Lindley Moor eccentric once again squared up to his old foe Kirklees Council over the disappearance of the beacon from Castle Hill.

So Jake built a new one to commemorate the monumental planning battle over the Castle Hill hotel. It is currently on show on Lindley Moor and has been wowing crowds.

The 66-year-old wanted his 20ft beacon on Castle Hill. But council planning bosses have ruled no proposals can be agreed until after a conservation management plan is completed on the historic site.

Jake said: "I am disappointed but I suppose for the time being I will wait.

"At some point I do want to have the beacon on the hill where it belongs.

"There had been a beacon on Castle Hill for many years and then it just went. I want to give the people of Huddersfield a new one.

"And if I do say so myself mine is a brilliant piece of craftsmanship. I put my whole life and soul into building it and I am very proud."

Community history manager Brian Haigh said: "Castle Hill is currently the subject of a study which has involved extensive consultation.

"The study has been commissioned by the council and English Heritage who would advise on any planning application requiring scheduled monument consent.

"This proposal would need to go through such a procedure and could not be considered until the conservation management plan is adopted."

But the beacon is not the only Castle Hill woe Jake has suffered recently.

In the spring he was walking his dog near the Jubilee Tower. Then across the rubble of what was supposed to have been the new Castle Hill hotel their eyes met.

Jake had found love with Carole Thornton, 40, from Barnsley. And the couple wanted to get hitched on the spot they first met next summer. Once again the council said no.

"Basically it was going to cost them a fortune. I was hoping the council might see what a goldmine it would have been," he said.

"I am sure many people from this town and many who have moved away would love to be married on Castle Hill.

"Anyway we have decided to get married somewhere else. Maybe in a wood."