HCS Members’ Update December 2025
Welcome to our newsletter which this month covers:
- Details of how to be part of our January Social Event
- A review of the saga of Clayton Fields
- An update on planning applications
- An update on our dialogue with Kirklees Council
- A summary of the issues facing our national body Civic Voice
- Details of new book releases … just in time for Christmas
- And finally, a reminder that subscriptions become due on January 1, 2026
HCS New Year Social Event
Due to the popularity of previous events we are again planning a social event on Thursday, January 22, 2026, arrivals between 6.30pm and 7pm.
We are again grateful to our Deputy Chairman John Eastwood who has kindly offered to host the event in the magnificence and splendour of his rather classy private function room (pictured above) on the 4th floor of Westins Mill, St Andrew’s Road, Huddersfield, HD1 6NA.
Food and drink will be provided as well as the chance to win a prize by taking part in our famously challenging annual quiz (it wouldn’t be the same without it) prepared by our past Chair David Wyles and recently our published committee member Ann Denham, based on the Heritage of Huddersfield.
The main event, of course, is the opportunity to meet and chat with other members of Huddersfield Civic Society and share thoughts on how the town is shaping up.
On offer is a Bolster Moor hot beef sandwich with gravy and wedges/coleslaw, or a chickpea and tomato curry with rice/wedges (vegetarian, vegan and gluten free) along with a free alcoholic or soft drink (cash donations can be exchanged for further drink tokens).
Places are limited on a first-come basis, so If you (your guests are welcome too) would like to join us at £10-a-head (cash on the night please), email , with subject heading of ‘Social Event’ and let us know your name and how many places you would like to reserve.
If you don’t have access to email please text your name and above details to Laura West on 07730 598542.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Howard Smith – Membership Officer
Clayton Fields, a Supreme Court ‘curiosity’
From Village Green to Housing Estate
Clayton Fields comprises 6.5 acres of open land just a mile or so from Huddersfield town centre. It slopes downwards from Edgerton Road towards Birkby. Clayton Dike, a stream at the lower end of the field, is bordered by dense, mature woodland. It provides habitats for invertebrates, owls, woodpeckers, bats and foxes. This is one of the last undeveloped areas in an otherwise densely populated neighborhood. When snow falls the field used to be a popular destination for sledging, but that’s no longer the case.
At present the site is home to heavy, earth-moving equipment. The ground is being prepared and trees felled for ‘an exclusive development of 4 and 5 bedroom detached homes. One tree has been felled illegally. The first of 40 new homes should be ready in 2026. Clayton Fields is now re-named Clayton Manor.
In 1997 Kirklees Council registered the site as Edgerton and Birkby Village Green. At the time, local residents also applied for paths across the field to be recognised as public rights of way. They were persuaded by the council to put their application into abeyance. The council’s view was that it wasn’t necessary to formally recognise the paths. After all, wasn’t the land now a village green? Surely the footpaths were safe?
So, given this, how did it come to pass that, within a few short years, the entire site was made available for housing?
A company named Paddico bought the land in 2004 paying a price of just £20,000 reflecting the fact that Clayton Fields now had village green status. It became evident why Paddico had bought the site when they opted to challenge the registration. The case went to the High Court in 2011. In taking this action Paddico must have been significantly encouraged by the fact that Kirklees Council included the site in the 1999 Unitary Development Plan with a suggestion that 55 dwellings could be built here.
At the High Court the debate focused on the understanding of the term ‘locality’ in the relevant legislation. And was it correct for a village green to be registered in the name of two localities? Significantly, Kirklees Council declined to take any part in the court proceedings, choosing not to attend nor to be represented. The court found in favour of Paddico, ruling that the registration was unlawful as it had not been made in the name of a single, specific locality as required by law. This was just the first of three court cases.
Local residents appealed the decision. Their case was heard in the Court of Appeal in 2012. Once again, Kirklees Council chose not to be represented. The appeal was upheld, not because of any change to the understanding of the term ‘locality’ but rather because the landowner was judged to have delayed too long in seeking to challenge the registration.
This time Paddico appealed. That case was heard in The Supreme Court in 2014. Again, Kirklees Council declined to be represented. Lady Hale provided the Supreme Court judgement. This is the same Lady Hale who in 2019 made headlines when overruling Boris Johnson’s attempt to prorogue parliament and for wearing a spider brooch). The Court of Appeal decision was reversed. It was decided that a delay of 14 years in challenging the village green registration was acceptable. Paddico’s appeal was upheld. The land could be sold for development.
A footnote. The Planning Inspectorate issued an order in 2018 directing Kirklees Council to make a ruling about the claimed public rights of way. In 2020 the council did formally recognise six new PROWs over Clayton Fields but it also simultaneously issued a stopping up order, temporarily closing the newly recognised paths so as to enable the impending development.
What can we take from all of this? Surely the most striking fact is the contradictory position taken by Kirklees Council. Why register the site as a village green in 1997 only to include it as a prospective site for housing less than two years later?
Lady Hales referred to this fact as ‘a curiosity’. At the very least it suggests that the council wasn’t committed to the village green registration. In the years following 1997 councillors and officers were always reluctant to engage in any questions about Clayton Fields.
At one point three local councillors attended a meeting of the Clayton Fields Action Group. The council’s Legal Services Department subsequently advised them not to attend any future planning meetings where Clayton Fields was discussed. A consistent line from the council was to shut down any discussion about the matter.
Perhaps it isn’t really surprising that Kirklees Council chose not to appear in any of the three court cases. After all, an appearance in court would have required the council to explain itself. And, as everyone knows, that isn’t always easy.
We have lived in Edgerton for almost 30 years. This year, and for the first time, a family of foxes created a den in our back garden. I wonder where they came from?
Mike Woodward – Committee Member
Update on current projects and planning applications
As we approach another year end here is a summary of some of the major applications and developments currently underway in Huddersfield.
Turnbridge Mills
On December 4, after many delays and controversy, Kirklees Council finally approved the proposals which will see John L Brierley redeveloping Hirsts Mill into a state-of-the-art facility which will house the expanding business of Paxman Coolers.
The Society has been faced with somewhat of a dilemma regarding this development. However, on balance we are supportive of the final outcome which secured grant funding for the renovation of the four storey building on the site. A report on the proposal can be found here.
The George Hotel
On October 11, 2022 Cabinet approved £20.2million for the refurbishment and redevelopment of the George Hotel in Huddersfield town centre. This is a key part of the Huddersfield Blueprint. The revised budget is now estimated at £30 million, following the recent re profiling of £9.8million from future phases of the Our Cultural Heart budget. The most recent modified application gained final approval in October 2025.
The renovation and creation of a quality hotel will be a mark of the positive progress being made to change the town centre. The George’s famous façade, which looks out onto St George’s Square will remain. Much of the existing internal structures will be replaced, making the building safe and sturdy. A later three-storey block, which faces towards the train station, is to be replaced with a much more suitable building
Once the hotel is open the creation of new jobs and increased visitor spend is estimated to deliver between £7.5million and £17m of net additional GVA contribution to the local Kirklees economy. In addition, it’s estimated there will be business rates income of between £0.5million and £1.1million. The George Hotel remains a catalytic project with the potential to transform both visitor and investor perceptions of Huddersfield town centre. Without council investment the building would remain unoccupied and deteriorate over time.
The former Royal Bank of Scotland in Market Place
This was the subject of a successful application last year to convert it into an adult gaming centre (planning application 2023/93615).
Huddersfield Civic Society objected to a particular detail in the latest application to install a false ceiling on the ground floor level that would obscure a grand, possibly Victorian, moulded ceiling, The application was submitted retrospectively with the false ceiling already in place.
The planning and heritage statement concedes that the ceiling in question has: “A coffered structure sectioned into eight squares. Six of these divisions feature highly decorative coving in several layers with floral patterns to the recesses. In each coffer there is a central ceiling rose decorated in blue. Where the divisional lines of each coffer converge there is a circular extrusion detail.”
It would seem more appropriate to leave this feature visible and, in fact, a feature that could be highlighted by the tenant.
Paragraph 208 of the NPPF sets out that ‘local planning authorities should identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset that may be affected by a proposal. They should take this into account when considering the impact of a proposal on a heritage asset to avoid or minimise any conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the proposal.’
Former HSBC
With planning permission now secured, Huddersfield’s old HSBC premises at Cloth Hall Street will be transformed to house 28 flats across five of its six floors. According to supporting documents, the properties are ‘likely’ to be marketed to students. The ground floor of the building is set to take on a commercial use. During the planning process the applicant – HD Central – said the conversion would not require any “major” external changes, with each unit to benefit from ‘good levels’ of natural light thanks to the existing design of the windows. While the property does not have any space for parking, it is envisaged that there will be cycle storage facilities at basement level.
Prudential Assurance Building
New apartments will be developed in the Grade-II Prudential Assurance Building on the corner of New Street and Ramsden Street. Under the plans, also from HD Central, the upper floors of the building will be converted into five residential units. The ground floor of the building is already occupied by a utility company.
Phase Two of the Cultural Heart Project
The second phase of the cultural heart scheme will see the four-storey Grade II listed former library building on Princess Alexandra Walk transformed into a museum and art gallery.
The council agreed to release funding of about £5.4m in January for work on the building which is now due to start in spring 2026 after being granted approval at a Cabinet meeting. The new expanded gallery will allow exhibitions from around the world. Longer term, it will be promoted as a major arts centre for the north.
HCS have expressed concerns that the amount of floor space is still insufficient, particularly given the requirements for museum exhibits.
Huddersfield Open Market
In November 2023 the government announced £16.5million of funding to regenerate Huddersfield Market. Kirklees Council wants to secure the future of the market, protect and enhance its heritage, create brand new commercial opportunities and make it a nicer, more enjoyable place for everyone.
The much-admired market was built in 1887 and is a Grade II* Listed building. Many people know and love its decorative cast iron frame, huge glass roof and outer walls, but this beautiful structure is currently in need of repair. The council plans to restore the original paint colours, which were reds, pinks and creams – typical for Huddersfield at the time the market was built.
All of these plans are currently subject to planning approval. It is noted that a large number of objections have been raised, particularly from existing traders, in part because the application requires complete closure for up to 18 months.
Robert Taylor –Committee Member
Working with Kirklees Council
In last month’s HCS newsletter I reported that, at a September meeting with David Shepherd, Kirklees Council’s Executive Director for Place, we had been offered regular meetings by David Wildman, now his Service Director for Skills and Regeneration, with the council’s group of managers responsible for town centre and regeneration issues and with the council’s managers responsible for planning, conservation and related enforcement.
The good news is that we now have the names of both sets of managers and also that we have a meeting booked with David Sheperd in September 2026 to review progress. Unfortunately, it has proved surprisingly difficult to get an offer of possible initial meeting dates from those managers. The good news is that, at the time of writing, we are now arranging dates in January to meet managers in Kirklees Council to cover our concerns regarding a range of planning, conservation, enforcement and town centre issues.
In the meantime, we have also taken David Wildman up on an offer to answer some long-standing questions from the Society. We sent the following questions on a sample of outstanding subjects:
1) What is the status of the Huddersfield Town Centre Conservation Area Management Plan please?
– When we met on this in December 2024 we learned that much of the work had been undertaken by Historic England staff some time previously, understood that our suggestions and documents supplied were well received and were led to believe that the Management Plan’s release was imminent. Its publication ought help make our town centre more attractive to visitors and support council initiatives such as the recent John William Street shopfront improvements.
2) Please may we have an update on the Biodiversity Net Gain commitments made in developments underway or completed (Greenhead College extension is but one example).
– Where BNG units were promised to be made on the site of the developments, is it known how many commitments have been confirmed as delivered?
– Where BNG unit deficits were to be ameliorated by contributions offsite, whether by Kirklees Council or by another body, is it known how many have yet been confirmed as delivered?
3) Also, in October 2024 we had a constructive meeting with consultants from Arup working on the Huddersfield Station Gateway Masterplan. Again, based upon our knowledge of the town, we fed back several suggestions as we know did a number of other local organisations, including Huddersfield Unlimited. Is there any news yet on when the outcome of this work will be made public?
In the last few days we been informed that it is hoped work on the Town Centre Conservation Area Management will resume in the new year and that documents relating to the Huddersfield Station Gateway Masterplan will be released in January when the draft masterplan is submitted to Kirklees Council’s Cabinet for approval. We are still awaiting information on what our council has achieved, and is monitoring, in terms of Biodiversity Net Gain.
We hope to be able to bring you much more information on these and on other items of interest in an HCS Members Newsletter following our intended January meetings with council officers.
Geoff Hughes, HCS Secretary
Civic Voice and Future Plans
Civic Voice is the national body for locally-led civic societies in England and Huddersfield Civic Society is a member.
Civic Voice is a charitable organisation established in 2010 following the closure of the Civic Trust which had been founded in 1957 before going into administration in 2009. The existence of Civic Voice, and before it the Civic Trust, marks a recognition that civic societies want to have their voice heard at a national level. One aim is to ensure that government is made aware of the importance of local participation in planning matters.
But Civic Voice is facing challenges. Within the past few months the trustees were told that it wasn’t financially viable in its present form. The chief executive announced that he would be standing down with effect from November 2025. His departure has reduced the salary bill and hence risk of insolvency in the very near future but trustees and members are left to face some awkward questions. Should the organisation continue and, if so, in what form? Or should it simply opt to close down in an orderly manner?
The matter was discussed at length on November 1 in York at a regional meeting of YHACS – the Yorkshire and Humberside Association of Civic Societies (attended by Mike Woodward from HCS). Subsequently, a statement has been issued stating that there is: “Clear support for Civic Voice to continue for another year while we rebuild and find a new model for funding. This means we need to run the organisation on a voluntary basis over the next few months and also undertake a strategic review. We’ll be forming working groups for both those streams of activity and seeking volunteers to lead and help with those.”
We are promised further updates and an Extraordinary General Meeting will be held in January.
Mike Woodward – Committee Member
Books for Christmas
Two books have been published in recent weeks. Both would make excellent gifts for anyone interested in Huddersfield.
Tolson Memorial Museum by Ann Denham describes how Ravensknowle House came to be built on the edge of Huddersfield and the circumstances that lead to the estate being given to the people of Huddersfield. It subsequently became a highly regarded local museum.
Huddersfield’s Art & Crafts Houses: from Edgar Wood to the 1930s is by David Griffiths and is published by Huddersfield Local History Society with the support of Huddersfield Civic Society. It highlights the work of Edgar Wood in Lindley and Birkby and also looks at Arts and Crafts buildings in Almondbury, Birkby, Edgerton, Fartown, Fixby and elsewhere in the town.
Both can be purchased directly from the HCS website via this link or from local booksellers.
Robert Taylor – Committee Member
Memberships
Membership renewal notices were sent at the beginning of December to all members as subscriptions fall due on January 1. Many thanks to those who have already renewed their membership and congratulations to M Blake who was fastest off the mark on December 1 and first to renew his subs ).
For those who haven’t yet, please check your inbox, spam and junk folder for this email and help to make this busy period for your Membership Officer and Treasurer run smoothly by renewing your membership in a timely manner and by following the instructions we have in the email.
For those who continue to pay by standing order, please, please, ensure it is updated to our current subscription rates before the 1 January.
Many thanks for your continued support.
Howard Smith – HCS Membership Officer
Newsletter content prepared by Huddersfield Civic Society Committee Members, collated by Mike Woodward and edited by Howard Smith
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