Dear All
We are delighted to announce that a major breakthrough has been made in the campaign to Save Island Lodge.
We can announce that after a series of consultations, reports and meetings that £500,000 has now been budgeted by the council over the next two years to contribute to the essential repairs.
A brief history, Christine Taylor and the Tottington Civic Society raised grave concerns over the future of the well-loved local landmark and beauty spot after several structural defects were discovered on the dam wall which has developed leaks. Coupled with a misconnected drain problem and lack of water throughflow this was having a detrimental effect both on the lodge itself and its wildlife.
A ‘Save Island Lodge’ group was formed consisting of several local groups, and a feasibility study completed by Stillwater Associates. Representatives from the Island Lodge group met with council officials in November 2022 and again in January 2023. As a result of these meetings the council have now agreed to develop a masterplan for the Kirklees Valley Local Nature Reserve, including Island Lodge. The masterplan will be created by Proffitts and funded using Section 106 money which has been allocated to the Kirklees Valley. The £500k will be used to contribute to the repairs on Island Lodge over the next 1-2 years.
More detail on the progress of this project and the associated consultation for the whole valley will follow.
Best wishes
Julie Southworth