Castle Hill, Huddersfield: Thousands oppose plan to create restaurant at landmark Yorkshire hill

A petition against £3.75m plans for a visitor centre and restaurant on Castle Hill, Huddersfield has been signed by 5,329 people.

In February, councillors approved plans for a scheme to be built on the prominent landmark, including a cafe, bar, six guest rooms and exhibition rooms, toilets and terrace.

However, developers the Thandi Partnership still need Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England, which is decided by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, with the process administered by Historic England.

The Grade II-listed Victoria Tower on the summit of Castle Hill is the most conspicuous landmark in Huddersfield.

The hill has over 4,000 years of human history, with the remains of Bronze Age and Iron Age hillforts, a 12th-century motte-and-bailey castle, and the site of a deserted medieval village.

A petition set up by Robert McGuin, Conservative candidate in yesterday's Almondbury by-election, and reactions to it on social media, show public opinion is divided.

Many have fond memories of going up the hill for a drink at the original Castle Hill Hotel, before it was pulled down, and want to see some facilities on the iconic landmark.

The council owns the freehold of the land formerly occupied by the 1850s hotel and the developers are tenants on a 999-year lease.

The latest proposal is one of a number that have been put forward by developers.

Indy Thandi told the Local Democracy Reporters Service last year he had secured Historic England's support describing the process as "relentless, forensic, and often unforgiving".

He added: "Every element of our proposal was interrogated for its impact on heritage, public value, and long-term sustainability."

However the petition says Kirklees Council’s planning policies “should not allow a hotel/restaurant to be built on a national monument, in the Green Belt, in the proximity of the listed Victoria Tower” which was built to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria's reign.

Mr McGuin said: "The current application looks nothing like the original pub and nobody what happened to the Yorkshire stone of the pub.

"I feel there’s a need for something up there, there’s a lack of toilets, maybe (somewhere for) a drink.

"The plan is oversized. It’s too much.”

Many believe there should be facilities on the hill.

One commentator said he grew up in Almondbury and spent many a happy hour enjoying the view with a cold drink and a bag of crisps at the pub “that stood there for donkeys years”.

He said: “I don’t see a problem developing the site.”

Another said it was all good and well having costly discussions but "the majority I talk to want to see something there sooner rather than later”.