HISTORIANS say plans to upgrade an historic hall linked to the Brontës will “tarnish the purity” of the building. Gomersal’s Red House, formerly a museum, is to get a new lease of life as a short-term holiday destination and intimate wedding venue. Kirklees Council says the scheme will safeguard the site for the future. But opposition is growing to scheme from historians who believe “comprehensive refurbishment and some sympathetic remodelling” earmarked for the house could mean intrusive modern additions. They are now marshalling support to fight what they suspect will be unwelcome improvements. And they have threatened to mount a legal challenge.
THERE have been calls for Kirklees Council to suspend and re-visit a decision to post objectors’ addresses on its planning applications. The move follows fears that the public may be deterred from objecting to contentious planning developments if their personal details are displayed, leading to concerns about potential intimidation. The change to policy came into effect on December 14. It is understood a decision was made by council staff without consulting councillors or the public. At the first virtual full council meeting of 2021 Clr Steve Hall (Lab, Heckmondwike), who chairs the authority’s Strategic Planning Committee, said he had not been informed of the change.
A SENIOR Tory has attacked Kirklees Council for its perennial policy of cancelling bin collections over Christmas. Clr David Hall, who leads the Conservative group, said of West Yorkshire’s five local authorities only Kirklees was not planning to empty household bins between Christmas and New Year. The council announced on December 11 that bin collections will continue as normal up to and including Christmas Eve but will then cease before resuming as normal from January 4. The break means most households will have the equivalent of one fewer bin collection over the festive period, which may be grey or green depending on their collection schedule.