Welcome to the Outlane Action Group website
The Outlane Action Group (OAG) stands united against the unsanctioned use of The Old Golf House Hotel (OGH) in our serene village of Outlane, nestled in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. The current conversion of this once charming 3-star hotel into a halfway house/hostel has raised grave concerns among our community.
“Our mission is to put an end to this ill-fated transformation, one that has taken place without due consultation with the residents of Outlane and its neighbouring areas.”
The utilization of the Old Golf House Hotel as a halfway house/hostel has been shrouded in secrecy by both the local authorities of Kirklees and Calderdale. Numerous documented incidents have brought to light the glaring deficiencies that render the OGH wholly unsuitable for such a purpose. Astonishingly, over the past 18 months, or possibly longer, these issues remained concealed until Outlane residents noticed a surge in criminal activities and police interventions at the OGH.
Driven by the lack of satisfactory responses from the local authorities to our inquiries dating back to July 2023, the OAG was formed. Despite reaching out to Kirklees and Calderdale Councils, local councillors, and our MPs, the responses received have been sporadic, often deflecting blame between parties and failing to address the core concerns.
The consequences of this unchecked situation have been dire for Outlane. Escalating crime rates, burglaries affecting homes and businesses, soaring insurance premiums above national averages, and the placement of vulnerable individuals—ranging from those experiencing hardships to known sex offenders and individuals battling substance abuse and mental health issues—without adequate support or security measures, have plagued our community.
While we empathize with the plight of homelessness and recognize the need for assistance, Outlane, a small village, lacks essential amenities and infrastructure crucial to support those housed at the OGH. With no nearby chemists, zero healthcare access, no social services, a deficient support network, and scant public transportation options, Outlane finds itself isolated, situated 4.2 miles from Huddersfield Town Centre and 8.1 miles from Halifax Town Centre.
The Hotel is currently reportedly owned by Vijay Sharma the Principle of New World Hospitality, a London based independent hotel operator who are paid a sofar undisclosed figure but thought to be tens of thousands of pounds per week (FOI has been requested and will be published once the figure is known.)
For a deeper understanding of the reported incidents at the OGH and to engage with our community, we invite you to explore our Reported Incidents page and join our OAG Facebook Group.
Together, let’s safeguard the integrity of Outlane and uphold the well-being of our community.