Council rejects residents' bid to own village hall

Residents say the derelict hall, which was previously used by community groups, has become an "eyesore" since its closure

A plan by Huddersfield residents to take over a local "eyesore" and turn it into a community asset looks set to fail, after the council said it was "preparing to sell" Netherton Village Hall.

The boarded-up hall, on Meltham Road, has been out of use for several years, and was previously earmarked for disposal when Kirklees Council was grappling with a £47m black hole in its budget in 2023/24.

At the time, the council had indicated, for some sites, it was open to the idea of a Community Asset Transfer - effectively handing a building over to local residents.

Locals have raised a petition calling for the hall to be transferred to the community, but the council say it will be sold later this year.

A petition, currently being circulated, calls on the council to restore the derelict hall and hand its ownership and management over to the community, so it can become a place "to be proud of".

The petition outlines how the hall could "empower" residents, setting out eight benefits of a community-owned village hall, including increased usage and providing an economic boost to the wider area, by attracting visitors.

If the petition receives 3,000 signatures, it will be debated by full council, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

One signatory wrote: "The place is currently an eyesore.

"It is slap-bang in the middle of the shops and right next to the bus stop, drawing people's attention to it.

"I remember the days when it was used by various groups based in the community.

"I hope those days return before the building gets any worse."

Future reinvestment

However, asked whether the council would be open to the idea of a Community Asset Transfer in the case of Netherton Village Hall, the local authority made it clear its intention is to auction the property.

Joanne Bartholomew, service director for development at Kirklees Council, said: "While a Community Asset Transfer has been explored for Netherton Village Hall in the past, this was not taken forward - and we are now preparing to sell the building later this year.

"We hope that this auction will be successful, and this money can be reinvested into positive schemes for Kirklees' future."

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