Restaurant, café and guest rooms at Victoria Tower, Castle Hill, Almondbury, Huddersfield

What was proposed

The application proposed a three-level restaurant, café and bar with six guest rooms, interpretation facilities, toilets, terraces, parking and ancillary accommodation.

“This is an application for planning permission for the erection of restaurant/café/bar, six guest rooms, exhibition/interpretation room, WCs, terrace, car parking and ancillary accommodation (amended plans).”

“Planning permission for the erection of a restaurant/café/bar, six guest rooms, exhibition/interpretation room, WCs, and ancillary accommodation, along with the provision of outdoor terraces, and car parking, was granted in February 2022 under application 2018/93591. Whilst this permission has now expired, it will form a material planning consideration for this current planning application.”

Officer report

The site

The site covers 0.5 hectares on Castle Hill, includes informal parking, and lies within Green Belt, a Scheduled Ancient Monument and the setting of Victoria Tower.

“The application site is 0.5 hectares is size and includes part of Castle Hill, a prominent flat-topped hill location to the southeast of Huddersfield. The site is of an irregular shape and includes the lane that runs to the southeast side of Castle Hill. The site is currently used for informal parking.”

“The area surrounding the site is predominantly greenfield (in agricultural use) with the nearest residential dwellings located downhill from the application site, on Ashes Lane, Castle Hill Side and Lumb Lane. The site is also a Local Wildlife Site, a Local Geological Site, and an SSSI Impact Risk Zone. There are no trees close to the site are the subjects of Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Historic England and several council services raised no objection subject to safeguards, while the Lead Local Flood Authority and Victorian Society objected.

“Historic England has previously provided advice on the original development proposal on 27th November 2018. At that time we objected to the proposal on heritage grounds. In the intervening period we have been consulted on modifications to the scheme and several Discharge of Condition notifications, and most recently a resubmission of the original scheme with additional supporting information on 7th March 2025.”

“We maintain our objection to these plans. Our previous objection was dated 4th February 2025, and this letter follows the upload of amended plans to the Kirklees Council Planning Portal... This amended proposal appears to be substantially unchanged to the previous scheme with no obvious revisions being made, despite our advice and recommendations to reduce the impact on the setting of the listed building” The Society have raised a number of concerns in regard to design,…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Local residents, the applicant and the applicant’s agent addressed the committee, alongside Councillors Munro and Cooper.

How the committee voted

The vote was tied at three votes for and three against, after which the Chair used a casting vote in favour.

“A Recorded Vote was taken in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 42 (5) as follows; For: Councillors Homewood, Scott and Sokhal (3 votes) Against: Councillors Armer, Lee Richards and A Pinnock (3 votes)”

“In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 42(2), the Chair applied their entitlement to a casting vote, and voted in favour of approving the application.”

Minutes

The decision

Authority was delegated to approve the application, issue the decision notice, complete conditions and secure obligations for transport, public benefits and management.

“1) That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development to approve the application, issue the decision notice and complete the list of conditions. 2) That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development to secure a S106 Agreement to cover (i) sustainable transport - measures to encourage the use of sustainable modes of transport, including the submission, approval…”

Minutes