Huddersfield Castle Hill new application prompts fears for excavation

A view over Castle Hill.
-Credit: (Image: Kirklees Council)


There’s been another twist in the Castle Hill planning saga, as new plans have been submitted, leading local councillors to question the intentions of the developer for one of Kirklees’ “Crown Jewels”.

Planning permission allowing a restaurant and six-bedroom hotel to be built atop the Scheduled Ancient Monument, Castle Hill, was granted to the applicants - the Thandi Partnership - back in February 2022. This came complete with 30 conditions and was met with widespread objection from the community and ward councillors.

Despite there being less than five months until planning permission expires, the applicants are yet to apply for Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England which is required before spades can go in the ground. This is necessary due to the site’s status and archaeological significance.

Read more: Inside abandoned Storthes Hall student village as demolition looms

Now, an application to vary one of the conditions attached to the already-approved plans has been submitted to Kirklees Council, with this relating to drainage.

This has been a cause of concern for the local Lib Dems - Cllr Alison Munro, Cllr Paola Davies, and Cllr David Longstaff - who fear its approval would allow the developer to prepare foundations and carry out excavations for surface water drainage, without providing detailed plans.

Even if the latest application is approved - with a decision due by December 5 - it is understood that Scheduled Monument Consent would still have to be sought by the developer.

Cllr Davies said: “After two years and seven months, Scheduled Ancient Monument consent, which is required from the Secretary of State, is still outstanding! The applicants need that approval before they can begin any works on the site.

“I question the intentions of this current application and whether this is simply a stalling tactic to put off development of the site for another three years?”

Cllr Longstaff said: “Castle Hill is an iconic symbol for the whole of Kirklees. It is part of our identity and is one of our Crown Jewels. I believe it is wrong for these applicants to delay and delay and not do the right thing with our historic treasure. Their approach undermines confidence and trust.”

Cllr Munro said: “It’s not clear why the applicants have failed to apply for consent from the Secretary of State to enable them to commence works on the hill. I understand an application for consent takes approximately six weeks maximum. Is there a hidden agenda?

“Their current application does not contain the details needed to understand the type of preliminary works they plan or the extent of the excavations. This is very concerning.”

The planning statement on behalf of the applicant, from Malcolm Sizer Planning Ltd, explains: “The application site is an Ancient Monument. Accordingly, the overall proposals including, new drainage works, require Scheduled Monument Consent.

“At this stage, it has not been possible to undertake the necessary site investigation works to establish proposed drainage details within the car park. These details can only be drawn up following the grant of Scheduled Monument Consent for the necessary site investigation works.

“Accordingly, approval for variation of Condition 17 is sought for a small delay in the timing of the requirement for approval of the drainage scheme.”

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