Huddersfield Civic Society Chairman’s Update August 2022

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Events

Heritage Open Days 2022

Kirklees Heritage Open Days run from September 9 -18 as part of the national festival organised by the National Trust. In Kirklees 77 locations will feature in this year’s programme and all are free to visit.

Details of all events and the booking process can be found in the Kirklees Heritage Open Days brochure (website link: https://bit.ly/3BFthcW), which is being distributed to information points and libraries across Kirklees in the last week of August. Although all venues and events are free, because of limited capacity, some have to be booked (see brochure/website for details).

‘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, a joint event organised by Huddersfield Civic Society and Huddersfield Local History Society during Heritage Open Days.
No booking is required so make sure it’s on your calendar.

Discover Huddersfield Trails and Walks’ Programme 2022
The next walk will be led by local historian and author of HCS books on Edgerton and Highfields, David Griffiths, who will be exploring ‘Power in the Land – the Ramsden Heritage’ on Sunday, August 21.

Bookings for each walk will be available via Eventbrite no more than 14 days before each one. 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 last 1.5 to 2 hours.

Town Centre Blueprint

Members of the HCS Executive Committee recently met consultants Feilden, Clegg, Bradley Studios, providing a further insight into the next stage of the Cultural Heart proposals. James Sibson from FCB gave a thorough overview of current proposals providing an opportunity for some constructive and thoughtful dialogue regarding specific matters. We have been encouraged by the proactive approach by the design team to engage with us.

The society has previously raised a number of concerns and queries regarding the proposals including the viability of the events arena, parking capacity of the multi storey car park (which HCS feels is inadequate to meet existing and new attractions), active travel and accessibility issues and the demolition of key retail premises on King Street, particularly Boots which remains an anchor store; although it accepts that some of these issues fall outside the consultant’s remit. FCB is meeting HCS committee members again in September to discuss these matters further.

Further public consultation is being conducted until September 14 from 25 Princess Alexandra Walk on the Piazza and by a virtual exhibition and feedback form at www.kirkleesculturalheart.co.uk.

Growing Concern Over Failure to Improve Shopfronts

HCS members and other groups have indicated their disappointment at the response and failure to upgrade shops in the town centre, especially along John William Street and Cross Church Street. HCS has long argued for enforcement in relation to illegal signs and other abuses to these important and predominantly listed buildings within the Town Centre Conservation Area and the need for specific design guidance.

It has now been indicated that expressions of interest have been received and it is expected a number of grant applications will be submitted this autumn. The success of these grant applications will clearly depend on the quality and detailing of these improvements but let us hope that some activity will be visible without waiting for another year to pass.

Planning and Enforcement Issues

In my last update, referring to the Grade 2* former Infirmary I said: “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.”

I don’t like to tempt fate but since writing of our concerns two further fires have been reported, one of which was in a wing of the infirmary building.

As a result of these, a further email was sent to key Kirklees officers asking what measures were being taken and an update was subsequently received. Although Kirklees members approved the planning application for the site in February 2022, it was only on August 3 that the approval notice was formally issued. This includes the requirement for urgent works to be carried out. There is a clear need to ensure this work and the necessary protection is given to one of our most precious buildings.

Similar issues have previously been raised in relation to other historic and architecturally important buildings such as the former Oakes school and St Andrew’s Church on Leeds Road. Not only are we seeing these buildings deteriorate rapidly but they also pose a great danger in terms of health and safety. Action must be taken to demonstrate we value and cherish our local heritage.

Transport Update

We welcome the government’s recent decision to proceed with spending £1.4billion between now and 2029 on rebuilding the Huddersfield to Westtown, Dewsbury section of the Trans-Pennine rail route. Work is expected to begin shortly, including construction of a temporary Huddersfield station for Leeds-bound services nearly a mile away at Alder Street for operation from spring 2024.

HSC President Bernard Ainsworth said: “This project will transform our town. It is the biggest construction project in Huddersfield since the town centre ring road was built 50 years ago. Although the construction period will bring disruption to train services and along the Leeds Road corridor, the end result will benefit our town by bringing faster, more frequent and more reliable rail services.”
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While HCS  is disappointed that its proposals for additional car parking, more cycle storage and a second entrance to Huddersfield station have been ruled beyond the scope of Network Rail’s responsibilities for this current project, it hopes that local government organisations will rise to the challenge of providing the full set of facilities Huddersfield’s future rail users deserve