Huddersfield Civic Society Chairman’s Update July 2022

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Sometimes as chairman of Huddersfield Civic Society I’m reminded of those words from Dickens’ novel, A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times’.

My update this month will hopefully reveal what lies behind these thoughts. First, though, our forthcoming events.

Events

Evening stroll around Kirkburton, Wednesday, August 3, 6.30pm.

Like our evening visit to Halifax this has now been fully booked, though you may wish to add your name to a reserve list in case we receive any cancellations.

‘The George Hotel: Understand… Interpret… Enhance!’
Tuesday, September 13, 7pm at Yorkshire Children’s Centre, Brian Jackson House, New North Parade.

A presentation by Helen Walker, Head of Heritage, Bowman Riley Architects and conservation architect for the renovation of the George Hotel.

As mentioned previously, this joint event organised by Huddersfield Civic Society and Huddersfield Local History Society, during Heritage Open Days, will celebrate the architecture of the Huddersfield High Street Heritage Action Zone featuring a key HAZ building, the George Hotel. Designed by William Wallen and opened in 1850, the hotel has been empty for several years and is now undergoing a thorough renovation.

Discover Huddersfield Trails and Walks’ Programme 2022

Two walks are scheduled over the next few weeks.

On Sunday, July 17, Cyril Pearce, one of the country’s leading experts on radical movements, will explore ‘Sites from Slaithwaite’s Radical Past’, while, stating in the Colne Valley there is a second chance for ‘Exploring Marsden – The Growth of a Pennine Village’ led by Nicholas Pollett.

Bookings for each walk will be available via Eventbrite no more than 14 days before each walk. To view all the year’s walks, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/discover-huddersfield-guided-walks-programme-2022-120689.

Walks cost £4 per person and usually between 90 minutes and 2 hours.

Town Centre Blueprint

I hope HCS members took the opportunity to visit the consultation exhibition regarding the early stage design proposals for the town’s ‘Cultural Heart’ in June and submit comments.

As mentioned previously, HCS committee colleagues Martin Kilburn, Gideon Richards and Geoff Hughes were fortunate in having a direct meeting with consultants FCB Studios in May and we now have a further meeting scheduled for late July when we will be offered a chance to consider the next stage in the development of these exciting proposals. We will ensure that, subject to agreement with FCB and Kirklees, we will be updating members as thoroughly as possible in readiness for the next stage of public consultation.

Town Centre Maintenance Issues​

We have previously raised issues about the poor maintenance of street furniture, planters , landscaped areas and vandalism which is exacerbating the increasingly negative image many people have of the town.

I recently noted some shocking evidence of this growing problem and sent an email to senior managers within the council responsible for town centres and the High Streets/Heritage Action Zone. Here’s what I wrote:

“I was dismayed to see dead and dying trees in the planters in St George’s Square and weeds filling the planters opposite Huddersfield Town Hall. Yesterday evening we hosted a visit by Halifax Civic Trust and one of the first things they noted was the state of the trees.

“I am not sure which service is responsible for their upkeep but failure to water and adequately maintain these relatively expensive features does not reflect well on the council’s ability to adequately maintain existing landscaped/planted areas. In contrast to the efforts being put in to the Huddersfield High Street Heritage Action Zone, specific buildings and related programmes it can only exacerbate the poor image many have of the town.

“It also reflects the considerable concerns articulated by the society in relation to ambitious improvement programmes, such as New Street. If revenue resources are limiting the proper management and maintenance of existing areas there has to be an increasing level of concern regarding certain initiatives being pursued within the Blueprint area.”

I have received a holding response from Kirklees Council, saying: “I am directing your query to the correct service within the council to deal with.”
Surely such issues should have been noted and tackled without the need for me to formally contact Kirklees?

Planning Issues and Enforcement Issues

Following my last update the illegal signage remains on the frontage of the listed 11 Greenhead Road. Furthermore, as a result of information received from the society’s planning officer, Cid Jackson, growing concerns have been raised about the number of rogue developers/property owners who are flouting their legal responsibilities in relation to signage, protection of listed buildings and illegal works.

Regarding unauthorised work at Waverley House it is understood that enforcement action is being taken by the Local Authority regarding the removal of trees and creation of a hard-surfaced area at this property.

11 Greenhead Road

“The council has served a Listed Building Enforcement Notice requiring the adverts to be removed. There is, of course, a right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate although at the time of writing no appeal has been received. In order to manage expectations, should an appeal be received the notice will be held in abeyance for approximately 6-8 months (the time it takes for the appeal to be determined).”

Cid also witnessed serious vandalism taking place on the former Kirklees College/Infirmary site. As a result of this I have written to Kirklees officers saying:

“The former Infirmary is a Grade II listed building on the National Register of Buildings at Risk. Planning Sub-Committee approved the proposals (against officer advice) in February 2022 and it was made absolutely clear that both urgent works to prevent further deterioration of the infirmary and related buildings and measures to prevent and deter crime and anti-social behaviour would be put in place.

“It appears nothing has been done by the developers and there is need for urgent action to prevent further destruction of one of Huddersfield’s key buildings. The listed buildings are not protected and are extremely vulnerable unless measures are taken without delay.”

The society has always suspected that once permission was obtained, the developer may well attempt to finalise the sale of that part of the site for the building of a new Lidl store (described by one sub-committee member as ‘looking like a cow shed’) and could then attempt to dispose of the remaining land. If this were to happen the infirmary and related buildings would be put at even greater risk.

Transport Update

Thanks to committee colleague Geoff Hughes for the following update on transport issues.

Huddersfield Transport Group

Our work continues as a participant in this group which is led by Huddersfield Unlimited and now has a new Chair, transport engineer Leah Stuart with monthly meetings now planned.

Rail Proposals

We still await the outcome of the November 21 Transpennine rail enquiry and of any government go-ahead for ‘our’ part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

Geoff has been involved in a recent virtual meeting on issues associated with the proposed temporary Huddersfield rail station with Barry Sheerman MP and his colleagues in Sustainable Huddersfield (see https://www.sustainablehuddersfield.co.uk/workinggroups).

Following approaches to Network Rail and Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney, Geoff and Leah had a meeting with Graeme Stuart, Network Rail’s senior sponsor for TRU.

Network Rail currently intends to publish by April 2023 plans for temporary timetables to be effective from May 2024 when partial or complete line closures east or west of Huddersfield are scheduled to start.

Network Rail is looking for Huddersfield town centre office accommodation for its project staff for several years and also expects many rail construction workers to need access to work on the line and to local facilities, from parking to (in some cases) accommodation. Also discussed were practical issues regarding access to, and facilities at, the proposed temporary station on Alder Street, nearly a mile east of the town centre. Transpennine Express, as local operator at Huddersfield station, will be given compensation payments for lost revenue plus an allowance for transporting passengers from the temporary station.

Unfortunately, the group has had no response from Kirklees Council to our various suggestions regarding the period of rail disruption, including excellent work by HCS member Chas Ball, on the practicalities and costs of running a true ‘town bus’ from the temporary station to useful destinations beyond St George’s Square, eg Huddersfield University, the bus station, college and shops.

Roads

Although there are now major works underway at the ring road end of the A62 Leeds Road, we still await news on other highways schemes proposed, or planned, by Kirklees Council in the last few years, such as along the A629 Halifax Road, further along the A62 Leeds Road at Bradley/Cooper Bridge and various ‘southern gateway’ main road junctions.

And so you see, a time of upbeat news and downbeat issues.
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David Wyles, chairman of Huddersfield Civic Society