A former children’s home could become a wedding venue.
Plans have been submitted to convert Fieldhead in Lindley into a facility for weddings and a restaurant.
And it seems to have ruled out an asset transfer bid by a community group to turn the derelict building off Lidget Street into a community centre.
A planning application by a firm called Bankgate shows that Kirklees Council still owns the site, which had been listed for sale.
The Examiner has asked Kirklees Council whether a sale agreement has been reached, how much for and why they backed the bid against an asset transfer to the community, but it has not yet responded.
The planning application shows that Bankgate wants to restore much of the Grade II listed building but demolish a 1990s extension and extend the main building elsewhere.
The application says: “It is considered that the proposals represent a proper balance allowing an economic use of the site which will allow this historic building to be sensitively restored and re-used.
“Clearly the use will require more car parking and manoeuvring space than is presently provided. Its provision is considered a very small price to pay given the economic, social and environmental benefits which this scheme will achieve.”
Fieldhead dates back to 1820 and was once owned by the Sykes family who owned local textile mills and who commissioned Lindley Clock Tower.
In recent times, Fieldhead was a children’s home but has been vacant and is in need of repairs and restoration.
When it was put up for sale a number of business cases were submitted, some for purchase and some for an asset transfer to the community for a centre for education, enterprise, community involvement, weddings, business conferences and dance schools.
A neighbouring building, Oakmead, is set to be razed to make way for houses.
The latest application is open to public consultation until November 23 at Kirklees Council.
