Former Kirklees College building current plans Revealed

By Greg Dawson
Owners of the old Kirklees College building have revealed a plan to transform the dilapidated buildings near New North Road.
The original plans for the site were for a Lidl supermarket and then a hotel to be built in 2017 after previous plans caved in 2016.
Planning permission for a mixed-use scheme which was submitted last August hasn’t been approved or refused by the council. This plan would have demolished almost all of the site except the original 1833 infirmary building and statue of King Edward VII.
In February, the developer said these plans where still set to go forward, but a few weeks after Historic England submitted objections to that plan due to the impact it could have on Grade 2 listed infirmary and statue.
The sites’ owners have now submitted a second set revised proposals to convert the 60s classrooms which overlook the ring road.
The buildings have suffered from vandalism since the site was abandoned nearly six years ago for the new £75m campus on Chapel Hill.
Historic England’s four-page submission says: The site has high levels of architectural and social historic value and played a key role in the life of the town over 100 years.
“This development offers a once in a generation opportunity to enhance the site and the conservation area, to contribute to the regeneration of the area and safeguard an important part of Huddersfield’s heritage.
“…it is with regret that we conclude the overall approach adopted in the current application does not achieve these aims…
“Historic England recommends permission is refused as the proposals would cause serious harm to the listed buildings and the conservation area without bringing forward public benefits which would outweigh this harm.”