I HOPE the MP for Huddersfield Barry Sheerman will raise the entire Castle Hill issue in Westminster.

That a ‘no’ vote rejecting each of the Thandi brothers proposals has still not been accepted by certain councillors is unacceptable in view of the fact that the entire concept has now been rejected by their planning officers, English Heritage, the Castle Hill Management Advisory Group and local civic societies.

In your article on lobbying you report that Clr Phil Scott said he had been gathering opinions both for and against the pub plan in Almondbury and the rest of Huddersfield.

He appears to be highly proactive in continuing this issue and is clearly not prepared to accept rejections of the latest bids.

In so doing he is also prepared to ignore the advice of the agencies and organisations mentioned above, as well as the hill’s green belt status.

In my opinion it is wrong that certain councillors will not accept a ‘no’ vote, but continue to undermine that decision, presumably in the hope that at some future date the resolve of others will be weakened or the proposal is passed by default through their persistence.

Indeed, I would like to know exactly why this issue has been pursued by certain councillors.

Also I remain totally unconvinced by the suggestion that “because Castle Hill is such a popular landmark we need to have some facilities up there be it a pub or something else.’’

I know of no other hill fort in Britain having a pub built on its summit.

Indeed, our next nearest at Mam Tor is visited by thousands yet the pubs, restaurants and hotels remain down in the valley floor at Castleton.

Nor do I find Clr Khan’s response to Mr Sherman’s intervention edifying.

No statement from him in your article as to why the proposals have been rejected and should be on the advice provided by the planning officers and English Heritage, but instead a statement whose purpose appears to be an attempt at discrediting the Huddersfield MP.

That this issue continues and ‘no’ has not finally been accepted could be regarded as evidence of weak leadership by this councillor or as partisan behaviour.

Perhaps the time has come when guardianship of this ancient monument should be taken out of councillors’ control.

Disillusioned

Brockholes

Cool it on the hill

IT beggars belief another application has been made by the Thandi brothers to build a modern hotel at Castle Hill, the most prestigious historical site in Huddersfield.

Castle Hill should be protected from commercial exploitation and ruination as it is the only historical pearl left.

In the past I took photographs of Castle Hill for foreign visitors, mostly archeologists from as far away as the USA and Australia.

They revered it as a very rare historical site in existence and they called the pub a gimmick.

The hill and surroundings are not suitable for heavy traffic, whatever you do to it. Also it will be costly for the council to maintain the road.

Cooling time should be introduced and let the hill be surveyed for further discovery. It waited 4,000 years so why the hurry?

TONY SOSNA

Huddersfield

Unease in workplaces

I HAVE worked all my life but I’m currently very disillusioned on how many companies run their daily businesses.

Protocols and procedures are put in place and are there for a reason to be adhered to and followed at all times – or at least that is how it should be.

Companies in this day and age don’t like employees to voice their opinion and I have been witness to this when a work colleague was sticking up for himself. He was told to put up with it or shut up or he would be out – be thankful you have got a job!

I was appalled at their reply and so was my colleague. I appreciate the economic climate is tough and jobs are very sparse but this does not give employers the right to treat employees in such a demeaning manner.

What happened to the old fashioned practice of treating people like people and not like numbers and appreciating them for being themselves and for what they do?

This is not good working practice when the goal posts are always moving to suit the business and not the individuals who work there.

It appears that working with double standards is how things are at the moment and this isn’t good and does not create a happy work environment. Many employees are working in fear, scared to voice their opinion.

I would appreciate any views and comments from anyone who is suffering or is being a victim.

ANONYMOUS

Huddersfield

Primrose Hill parkers

TWO recent letters in separate Examiners about parking problems at Primrose Hill.

On Monday the bus couldn’t get on from Newsome Road which led to a half-an-hour wait.

On Friday there was a road block again further on at the top of Malvern Road on to the bottom of Cross Lane.

Most of these car owners do not even live here and both sides of the road had cars parked (mostly students).

So please, all you councillors, take a look from 8am in a morning to 5.45pm teatime, Monday to Friday.

LOCAL RESIDENT

Primrose Hill

A brilliant building

I WOULD like to thank Mr Ghulam Rasool for bringing back to this town a wonderful traditional building at Westgate with Department Forty Four.

It’s a real piece of art and fantastic workmanship.

But, on the other hand, if you can bear it, have a look at the leaning matchbox monstrosity on your left as you enter town up Chapel Hill.

I’m sure it has devalued the popular Rat and Ratchet pub.

Why not award Mr Rasool with a cap and gown for his great pride in our town’s new local stone masterpiece.

And will all the good people of Huddersfield please support this new store in gratitude to the big financial outlay and risk that Mr Rasool has taken.

Victor

Kirkburton

Remembering a hero

COLOUR Sgt Major Stanley E Hollis was the only serviceman to be awarded the Victoria Cross on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Sadly, his achievements have almost gone unrecognised in his home town of Middlesbrough. Consequently the Stanley E Hollis VC Memorial fund has been established to rectify this oversight.

Stanley was a slightly shy, self-effacing family man, but nevertheless a man’s man and most definitely a soldier’s soldier.

He is still a legend in the history of the Green Howards Regiment. This memorial will ensure his everlasting stature and also that of his famous regiment.

Donations can be made by bank transfer to Yorkshire Bank plc, Guisborough 05-04-46 The Stanley E Hollis VC Memorial Fund Account No 44681498.

A BRIAN BAGE (CHAIR)

The Stanley E Hollis VC Memorial Fund

Power of the press

TWO conversations with the Examiner and, hey presto, it looks as if repairs are being done on New Hey Road in Outlane at its junction with Gosport Lane where leaking water was turning the road into an ice slick.

Thanks again for making it happen. Much appreciated.

David Union

Outlane

Avoiding paying taxes

PEOPLE who publicly vilify multinationals for tax avoidance clearly do not understand the concept of state revenue raising.

It is the duty of joint stock companies to reduce their tax bill in the interests of shareholders and customers.

There is no ‘moral’ dynamic in either the raising or paying of taxation. We cannot have some sort of committee making subjective decisions on what they feel a company should pay. There is either tax law or not. Avoidance is both legal and moral. Evasion is illegal.

Godfrey Bloom

UKIP MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire