Plans revealed for town’s old court

Plans have been submitted to convert Dewsbury County Court in Eightlands Road into 12 flats for rent.

A mezzanine floor and second floor across the court room are proposed, but the bulk of the room’s wall panelling, picture rail and cornice detailing will be kept.

The building was used as a county court from 1860 until March last year when it was shut as part of a Ministry of Justice cost-cutting programme.

It was put on the market at the same time as Batley and Dewsbury Magistrates, which also closed in March.

The application to turn the county court into one and two bedroom flats was made by Fox Architecture and Design on behalf of John and Sheelagh Robinson, of West Park Street, Dewsbury.

It said: “Proposals for the conversion do not affect any of the external appearance other than the formation of a window opening from a former door opening.”

It said there were few internal features of note, but most of those would be preserved.

The number of parking spaces would be reduced from 24 to 14 as part of the redevelopment.

Public consultation on the plans ends on Friday June 14.

A buyer is still to be found for the former magistrates’ court in Grove Street.

The building, which was opened in 1989, had been the main magistrates’ court for North Kirklees for 23 years.

It is being sold by GVA on behalf of HM Courts and Tribunals Service.