Tesco plan to turn Golcar's Rising Sun pub into store is rejected

Tesco has been refused permission to convert a popular, historic pub, the Rising Sun in Golcar into a Tesco Express.

There was a huge outcry from residents when the plans for the pub in Leymoor Road were revealed in November 2014.

And when a public meeting was held in December passions ran high with dozens of residents telling Tesco representative Mark Thomas it was not wanted.

Now the plan has been turned down by Kirklees Council and Tesco spokesman, Mr Thomas, said: “We’re naturally disappointed with this decision, but we respect the verdict of the local authority.”

Both the listed building and planning applications for the Tesco site were refused.

And the Examiner understands the supermarket giant will not be re-applying or pursuing an appeal. If the development had gone ahead it would have meant around 20 jobs being created.

Rob Clay, who has been running the pub since for several months and who has been a regular there for years, said: “That is fantastic news. I have been in a bit of limbo waiting to find out.

“I need to sit down now with owners Enterprise Inns and discuss where we go from here.

“They have not spent any money on it for 30 years and I think it will be very difficult to strike a deal in terms of investment and a reasonable rent.”

In its decision, council planners said: “The proposed development would result in the loss of original architectural and historic interest of this building, leading to less than substantial harm to the significance of this heritage asset and failing to preserve the character and appearance of this building.

“It has not been demonstrated that this harm would be outweighed by any accrued public benefits.

“Furthermore, in the absence of any supporting information, it has not been justified that the use as a supermarket along with the extension and alterations provides the optimum viable use for the building.

“It has not been demonstrated that the intensified use of the site, resulting from the proposed A1 retail use and its associated servicing operations, can be undertaken without creating a detrimental impact on the highway safety of those using the site and surrounding highway infrastructure.”

Kirklees councillor, Hilary Richards, who represents Golcar, said: “It means that we have to really nurture and cherish this pub that we almost lost.

“I opposed it from the start on highways grounds. It was very close to a junction and it was not a good site.”