The major decisions on Kirklees' horizon and what's been said about them this week

An aerial view in Kirklees
-Credit: (Image: Kirklees Council)


Big decisions are on the horizon for Kirklees - from the future of a major regeneration project to the fate of a local sports centre.

Against a backdrop of economic turmoil, Kirklees Council has been making some tough choices. Car parking fees have been increased and rolled out in free car parks, a tip will be closing in two weeks’ time and buildings have been mothballed.

Despite the challenges, the local authority is ploughing ahead with major regeneration schemes, not least the mammoth Huddersfield Blueprint and Cultural Heart scheme which is gradually transforming the town centre.

Read more: Birstall tip closing as council confirms exact date for unpopular plans

Below is a roundup of some of the decisions in the pipeline.

George Hotel

A decision on the ‘way forward’ for the George Hotel project is set to be made by Cabinet next month.

The Grade II listed building in the heart of Huddersfield town centre is set to be transformed into a 91-bedroom Radisson RED hotel, complete with a 70-seat restaurant and bar, conference facilities and a banqueting hall.

Huddersfield's iconic George Hotel, built in the 1850s and which in 1895 was the birthplace of rugby league. (Image: Kirklees Council)
Huddersfield's iconic George Hotel, built in the 1850s and which in 1895 was the birthplace of rugby league. (Image: Kirklees Council)

Under the original plans, the hotel would have been up and running this year but delays struck amid soaring construction costs, with the council unable to commit to a timeline for when the scheme is expected to be complete.

A report detailing the proposed way forward for the scheme is due to be published next week, and sent to Cabinet on November 5. While very little detail has been shared on what this will look like, the council’s website says “detailed designs” will be subject to formal consultation.

Cleckheaton Town Hall

In September 2023, the historic hall dating back to 1892 was mothballed by the local authority in a bid to save some cash. A report revealed that the hall was in need of £5m worth of maintenance work and cost £175k to run.

-Credit:Huddersfield Examiner
-Credit:Huddersfield Examiner

A full council debate on the matter was triggered by a petition of over 3,000 signatures, organised by ward councillor Andrew Pinnock (Lib Dems). Here, the meeting heard of the ongoing neglect of the hall and that a recent report had shown the building was “generally structurally sound”.

The hall was originally closed in part due to some falling plaster above the stage, but aside from that, the issues were said to stem from a lack of regular maintenance, with this impacting things like the electrics and fire doors.

Councillor Pinnock urged Cabinet to make a decision to carry out the necessary repairs as soon as possible.

A date for a decision to be made on the future of the town hall has not been confirmed but Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Finance, Cllr Graham Turner, said earlier this month that a “very detailed” report on the hall and other Kirklees assets would be going to Cabinet when it’s ready.

Dewsbury Sports Centre

The Dewsbury Sports Centre saga has been rumbling on for more than 12 months, with last month marking one year since the site was closed after collapse-prone RAAC was found there.

When financial challenges took hold at both Kirklees Council and centre-operator Kirklees Active Leisure, the sports facility was earmarked for permanent closure, along with sites at Colne Valley and Batley Sports and Tennis Centre, with these two sites since given a reprieve.

Campaigners from Save Dewsbury Sports Centre have continued in their fight to save their much-loved leisure centre, describing it as the “beating heart” of the community which has provided a “lifeline”, particularly to young people. The group says the closure has left a “profound void” in the town, and accelerated decline in the area.

A decision on the future of the centre will be made by Cabinet on November 5, with details around what is being proposed to be published next week.

Dementia Care Homes

Kirklees Council’s plans to transfer two dementia care homes to the private sector have been gathering pace recently, but a further decision is required before a new operator can take over.

Kirklees care home Castle Grange, Newsome -Credit:Google
Kirklees care home Castle Grange, Newsome -Credit:Google

Earlier this year, the council announced plans to permanently close its two dementia care homes at Castle Grange in Newsome and Claremont House in Heckmondwike. This was met with masses of objection from families of loved ones who resided in the homes, with the council ultimately backing down.

However, Cabinet agreed that the local authority could explore transferring the homes to the private sector.

When we last reported, three operators were interested in running the care homes, with Cabinet agreeing earlier this month that negotiations could be progressed to the point where the council can enter into a contract with one of the parties interested in operating the homes.

Once the talks have got to this stage, the issue will be taken back to Cabinet where a final decision has been made.

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