Kirklees Council has submitted a planning application for the £20 million George Hotel.

The council has signed a deal with Radisson Hotel Group for the grade II*-listed building to become a Radisson Red.

The plans, drawn up by architects Bowman Riley, will see the demolition and reconstruction of the two ‘newer’ sides of the hotel building. The historic frontage of the building – and the main entrance facing into St George’s Square – will remain.

When the hotel closed in 2013 it had 60 bedrooms and that will be increased to 91. There will also be a 100-cover banqueting suite at basement level with a 70-cover restaurant and bar on the ground floor.

There will be two conference rooms, one accommodating 30 people and the other 24.

The new-look hotel will also have external lighting to illuminate historic features. All lighting will also include colour change LED so that lighting can change colour to celebrate special events such as Remembrance Sunday.

The hotel won’t have a car park of its own and the planning application says there are “opportunities for car parking in a number of car parks within a short walk.”

It is also hoped to encourage staff and visitors to arrive by public transport or on bikes and the planning application adds: “Those wishing to park cycles will be able to utilise the secure cycle hub within Huddersfield Train Station which has 54 spaces.”

Scroll through the latest external and internal images above

Radisson Red hotels elsewhere take local inspiration for the design of rooms and internal decoration. Radisson Red hotels don’t all look the same and there could be themed bedrooms.

Internal images published with the planning application show a red (or orange) ram in the main entrance lobby. The ram is a symbol of Huddersfield which features heavily on the town’s coat of arms. Orange is also one of the town’s historic colours.

The library also features a picture of a red Victoria Tower over a fireplace.

The internal images, however, are just for illustration purposes and the final design is likely to be different.

The planning application says the design strategy is to create a “bold, striking and sophisticated interior scheme that represents the Radisson Red brand.

“The interior design will enhance the interior spaces uncovering some of the original features that have been masked over the years.

“The bedrooms have been designed to retain decorative elements such as the cornicing, picture rails and skirtings where possible.”

Kirklees Council carried out a pre-application public consultation late last year. Subject to planning permission, work could start later this year with an opening date by Christmas 2024.

How you can have your say on £20 million plans for the new George Hotel