HCS Members’ Update October 2026 – HUDDERSFIELD CIVIC SOCIETY

Dates for your diary. Upcoming talks and events.

Wednesday, November 4, 7pm to 8.15pm. Beyond the Blueprint – A talk by David Shepherd, Kirklees Council’s Executive Director for Place.

This will be at Brian Jackson House, 2 New North Parade, Huddersfield HD1 5JP. David has overall responsibility for a wide range of Kirklees Council’s services including housing, planning, transport and regeneration.

In 2019 the Huddersfield Blueprint stated a 10-year vision for the dramatic improvement of Huddersfield town centre and construction is now well underway at multiple regeneration projects.

These include council, university, rail and private sector initiatives, both in and around the town centre and along the Leeds Road corridor to the Accu Stadium. The new library has opened. Work continues on other projects due to complete in the next few years.

But what will come next ‘Beyond the Blueprint?’ Come and hear David give his views on the future of Huddersfield. There will be time for questions.

Members of Huddersfield Civic Society do NOT need to book to attend. However, non-members are requested to book a place via this link to Eventbrite. A donation of £5 at the door is suggested for non-members to cover room hire costs.

Tuesday, November 24 at 6.30pm. 150 years of Byram Arcade, Westgate’s Jewel.

Chris Marsden from HCS, along with people with businesses based in the arcade, will talk about the history of this interesting building. There will also be an opportunity to tour the arcade and perhaps visit some rarely seen nooks and crannies. Byrams Café will remain open for purchasing refreshments. Meet ay Byrams for a 6.30pm start.

Wednesday, January 20, 2027, at 7pm. TransPennine Rail Upgrade. A talk by Paul Sumner, Senior Sponsor of the Huddersfield Section of the TRU project.

To be held downstairs in the ‘Engaging Space’ area of Brian Jackson House on New North Parade, HD1 5JP.

Paul gave an insightful and fascinating talk about this huge project in 2024. We welcome him back for an update about achievements to date and with details of further planned work at a time when Huddersfield Station is scheduled for a 38-day closure or ‘blockade’ to use the rail terminology. Paul’s previous talk generated a lot of interest and was very well attended. Free to members. Non-members are welcome with a suggested donation of £5.

Vacancies for volunteers

• Treasurer at Huddersfield Civic Society

We are looking for a volunteer to take over the important role of treasurer at HCS.

Our current treasurer, Gideon Richards, has ensured that everything is in good order and there are no black holes in our finances. Gideon is still very much a part of HCS and will be on hand to assist with the handover. So, if this is a role that appeals to you, or if you know someone who may be interested, please get in touch to find out more.

Please contact:

• Heritage Open Days – help organise future Open Days

Can you help with organising Heritage Open Days, England’s biggest festival of history and culture?

Every year, in September, thousands of sites across the country invite you in to explore local treasures of every age, style and function, and many special events are held. It offers chances to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all free.

In our area in 2026 it offered 90 free events from September 11 to 20, including two Discover Huddersfield guided walks. See https://discoverhuddersfield.uk/heritage-open-days/ for more.

The Kirklees Heritage Open Days Committee is seeking volunteers to assist with organising future events. It is seeking passionate and enthusiastic people who have an interest in their local area, love connecting with people and have a sense of pride in all they do.

Please contact:

Updates on local issues of interest

Cultural Heart takes shape – Library Hub and Queensgate Square now open.

The first stage of the council’s ‘Our Cultural Heart’ initiative opened on September 21, 2026. The new Library Hub and Queensgate Square are now in use.

Queensgate Square and the new Library Hub. (Huddersfield Hub)

The remaining part of Phase 1 is the delayed food hall in the former Queensgate Market building with its spectacular architectural features. The external build is complete and it awaits an internal fit-out ahead of opening in 2027.

New Food Hall is due to open in 2027. Formerly Queensgate Market. Note the asymmetrical inverted hyperbolic paraboloid mushroom shells. (Huddersfield Hub)

Plans for Our Cultural Heart were first unveiled in 2019 as part of Kirklees Council’s Huddersfield Blueprint regeneration plan with a budget of £210million. More on Huddersfield Hub here.

Work will continue through 2027 on Phase 2. It includes demolishing the Piazza shopping centre along with partial demolition of the old library. It will be remodelled as a combined museum and art gallery. The original plans for Our Cultural Heart also included a 2,200-capacity live entertainment venue but recent media reports say this element will now be dropped because of a funding shortfall.

Latest proposals to redevelop Newsome Mills. Application submitted.

New plans were recently submitted for the development of the derelict Newsome Mills site (2026/62/91838/W).

TrueNorth Partnerships, together with Connect Housing of Dewsbury, propose to build 44 flats and 24 houses – all for affordable social rent and shared ownership. The plans have been welcomed by the three Netherton and Newsome ward councillors.

In particular, they are positive about the proposals to retain many features of the Grade 2 listed site including Newsome Mill Clock Tower, the entrance arch to the mill and the Timekeeper’s Cottage. A mill was built at this site in 1827 and was rebuilt in the 1870s following a fire. Kirklees Council has yet to decide on the application.

Proposed development. Picture taken from the planning application.

New planning regulations come into effect on October 31, 2026

The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) directs that routine planning applications will be decided directly by unelected planning officers rather than elected councillors.

Regional Mayors will gain new powers to overrule local councils on certain major developments. Additionally, the NPPF enables default approvals for housing projects near well-connected railway and tram stations (even on green belt land) provided they meet specific rules for affordable housing and green spaces. Some media reports highlight concerns about a lack of democratic scrutiny.

Mike Woodward, October 2026.

We’d love to know what our members think about our activities, the newsletter, our events … and, in particular, your views on what is happening to your town … good and bad.

Let us know what you think at:

Visit us at www.huddersfieldcivicsociety.org.uk

We also have presence on: Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter).