Huddersfield Civic Society Members’ Update October 2022
Here’s the latest round-up of Huddersfield Civic Society news and events from chairman David Wyles
Kirklees Council Reports
If you find the time to read Kirklees Council reports here are two that are of particular interest to the Society which were discussed at Kirklees Ad Hoc Regeneration Scrutiny Panel on September 22, 2022.
Huddersfield Station Gateway Update
This reveals that the council has made a submission to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and has included in the programme an allocation of £10 million for Huddersfield Station Gateway.
This could help maximise the benefits of Transpennine Route Upgrade to Huddersfield by contributing towards the costs of a subway or footbridge extension from the new station platform to the St George’s warehouse site; a lift/stair tower from the warehouse site to the town centre for non-rail users; and park and ride on the warehouse site for cars, motorcycles and cycles – to serve users of the station, town centre, and a re-developed warehouse and ancillary buildings.
HCS welcomes this bid which supports a critical link in the development of the Station Gateway and is one initiative long advocated by the society.
Huddersfield Town Centre Living Plan
I find myself sadly underwhelmed by this report, which, although makes all the right gestures in supporting the need for a range of residential opportunities in the town centre, is full of generic statements that any decent agent/developer would already be well aware of.
Crucially, it provides virtually no incentive or recommendations for working with local developers, their agents and architects in identifying and liaising with private property owners for developing high quality schemes.
This follows on from my last update in which I articulated the frustrations and challenges faced by local developers in dealing with and receiving responses from Kirklees Planning Department.
Ironically, the Kirklees report makes reference to some of the most successful developments to date, the majority of which have been built by local developers!
Events
Afternoon Visit to Woodsome Hall, Sunday, October 30 at 2pm.
A few places remain for this afternoon visit to Woodsome Hall. Philip Sands, will walk through 800 years of history at one of the area’s most historic houses, Woodsome Hall, a Grade 1 listed building. The tour is free to HCS Members and one guest but numbers will be limited to 30.
To book, contact Michael Barron by email at or phone 01484 537080.
The address is Woodsome Hall Golf Club, Woodsome Road, Fenay Bridge, Huddersfield HD8 OL.
Improving Walking and Cycling Networks in Huddersfield, Saturday, November 5 from 10am until lunchtime, New North Road Baptist Church, New North Parade, Huddersfield HD1 5JU.
A free conference organised by Huddersfield Civic Society and Cycle Kirklees. There are currently several potential road and cycling improvement schemes being proposed around Huddersfield and, with the recent formation of a new government organisation called Active Travel England, there is now substantial funding available to local authorities wishing to improve walking and cycling in their areas.
The objective of this event is to discuss Active Travel initiatives that are applicable to all of us in and around Huddersfield and how these can best be delivered over the next few years. There will be speakers from West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Sustrans, Kirklees Council and Huddersfield Ramblers, among others.
Kirklees needs more accessible, dedicated walking and cycling routes. Join us and help debate about how to make a better place to live and work.
The event is free to attend but must be booked via Eventbrite at:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/improving-your-local-walking-cycling-networks-tickets-435631855607
Discover Huddersfield Trails and Walks’ Programme 2022
As a fitting end to the season, the popular Shuddersfield Halloween Walk on Sunday, October 30 led by Rebecca Winwood uncovers ghost stories and horrible happenings and is suitable for families and children aged 9+. Book via Eventbrite up to 14 days before the walk. Go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/discover-huddersfield-guided-walks-programme-2022-120689.
The walk costs £4 per person and will last between 90 minutes and 2 hours.
Discover Huddersfield is managed by a small committee, largely comprising volunteers from local societies and organisations. If you feel you would like to help organising and supporting the walks programme and publication of trails please let me know. It’s always useful to have additional support and, over the years, the programme and trails have proved very successful and stimulating for both organisers and participants.
Town Centre Cultural Heart
As indicated in my last update an application has now been submitted for what must be the most ambitious part of the town centre blueprint.
The application number is 2022/93248 but you may find the 150 documents a far too onerous task to wade through. It has been suggested that to get a readable and well- illustrated explanation of the proposals look at the Heritage Assessment, prepared by Feilden, Clegg Bradley Studios, the consultants for the development proposals.
To view this go to: https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/planning-applications/search-for-planning-applications/filedownload.aspx?application_number=2022/93248&file_reference=954705
As previously mentioned, the HCS Committee Executive has a number of concerns regarding the proposals and will be co-ordinating a formal response to the application which will be posted on the HCS website. However, I urge as many HCS members as possible to take the time to consider these proposals and submit your own views.
Planning and Enforcement Issues
Following on from concerns listed in my last update there has been some further news plus additional issues:
114 Trinity Street: This listed building within a Conservation Area has acquired huge and inappropriate signage. The Council’s Conservation and Enforcement officers have been asked to investigate, not only in relation to the building’s architectural importance but the impact of such signage on a road that provides a visually important gateway into the town.
Former Neaversons shop, 4 Byram Street: The sans serif lettering of this listed shop front has now been restored (albeit in MDF) following removal by the new tenant.
11 Greenhead Road: I am awaiting a report on the large and inappropriate signage to this building following understanding that an Enforcement Notice had been served on the owner.
Fell Greave Marquee and groundworks: It is understood an Enforcement Notice will be served for the removal of the marquee and restoration of the site by the end of October. The HCS has expressed deep concern over this unlawful development, particularly as the land is believed to be owned by the council.
News of other planning issues can be found on the HCS website.
New Publication: Briarcourt – The Story of a House with a Heart
A Huddersfield house, designed by Edgar Wood, recognised as one of the country’s finest Arts and Crafts architects, is the subject of a new book published by Huddersfield Local History Society for the Edgar Wood Heritage Group (Yorkshire) with the support of the present owners. The book celebrates both the art and architecture of the house while touching on the lives of past residents.
Briarcourt – The Story of a House with a Heart (ISBN 978-0-9929841-4-4), can be bought through the Huddersfield Local History Society’s website for £2.25 p&p (https://www.huddersfieldhistory.org.uk/publications/) and is also available in local bookshops.