2008/92938

Undecided

Kirkgate Tenements
Chantry House & Lancaster House
Oldgate
Huddersfield
HD1 6HQ

Outline application for erection of 8 storey student accommodation building and demolition of tenements.

Objection
Whilst we appreciate that the two tenement blocks proposed for demolition are not listed, we feel that they should be preserved as they are contiguous with the three listed tenement blocks which are proposed for refurbishment into student accommodation under a separate planning permission.

We also object to the proposed replacement of the two blocks for the following reasons:

1. The proposed eight storey block is far too tall in scale and fails to observe the surrounding development, especially the listed tenements, contrary to policy BE2 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan.

2. The proposed design is very poor, lacking any attempt to retain a sense of local identity; it is not appropriate to its site and does not respect the surrounding buildings, especially the listed tenement blocks, contrary to policy BE1 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan and 2.16 of PPG15.

3. The roof should be pitched to match those of the listed tenements.

4. The materials proposed for the new accommodation are totally out of keeping with its site. Only a very small proportion is to be faced in natural local stone; most external surfaces are to be concrete resin rainscreen and zinc cladding contrary to policy BE11 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan which states that new developments should be in natural stone where stone is the prevailing material of construction. This is true of the Oldgate area where the buildings being replaced are stone, as are the listed tenements, the sections of the Kingsgate Development facing the road and the Sainsbury’s supermarket.

2008/92951

Undecided

2008/92952

Undecided

Spring Lodge

27 Woodthorpe Terrace
Longroyd Bridge
Huddersfield
HD1 3HY

Conversion of unused lodge into student accommodation (12 bedrooms) and erection of 5 town houses.

Listed building consent for demolition of derelict out buildings and portal extension.

Objection
The proposed materials (white render) will detract from the adjacent ashlar stone listed building and be inappropriate in an area predominantly constructed of stone contrary to policy BE11 of Kirklees Unitary Development Plan. The whole development should be faced with local stone.

2008/92132

Undecided

Lower Car Park
Birkby Grange
Birkby Hall Road
Birkby
Huddersfield
HD2 2YA

Erection of residential development (within a conservation area).

Objection
Some of the materials proposed (render) will detract from the adjacent listed building and be inappropriate in an area predominantly constructed of stone. The whole development should be faced in local stone.

2008/92596

Refused

30 Daisy Lea Lane
Lindley
Huddersfield
HD3 3LP

Outline application for erection of detached dwelling with a garage (within a conservation area).

Objection
It is an example of “in-fill” in Edgerton Conservation Area which has as one of its defining characteristics “mature landscapes within private garden areas”.

The proposed development would detract from the character and appearance of the Edgerton Conservation Area, contrary to policies BE2, BE5 and BE6 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan.

It would constitute a cramped form of development that would be out of keeping with the nature of the surrounding development pattern contrary to policies D2 and BE2 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan.

2008/92564

Refused
- Invalid

2008/92565

Refused
- Invalid

Spring Lodge

Land off Woodthorpe Terrace
Longroyd Bridge
Huddersfield
HD1 3HY

Conversion of unused lodge into student accommodation (12 bedrooms) and erection of 5 town houses.

Listed building consent for demolition of derelict out buildings and portal extension.

Objection
The proposed materials (white render) will detract from the adjacent ashlar stone listed building and be inappropriate in an area predominantly constructed of stone. The whole development should be faced with local stone.

2008/92115

Approved

The Deals
2 Leeches Hill
Outlane
Huddersfield
HD3 3XX

Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 1 dwelling with integral garage.

Objection
1. The proposed new building is inside the green belt and is materially larger, by any definition, than that which is proposed for demolition, in contravention of PPG2 (Green Belts) 2005.
The original house was on one floor, a single storey on brick pillars, with no garage and a flat roof. The proposed replacement has four floors, a double garage and a pitched roof.

2. The scale and design of this four storey building, in a prominent hill top position, would have a detrimental impact upon the green belt, contrary to PPG2. The unbalanced and confused design would not preserve the openness, character and visual amenity of the green belt, and would not be in keeping with the dramatic topography of the site when viewed from the expansive southern direction, contrary to policy BE2 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan.

3. Vehicular access is poor, via an unmade track. The frontage is very narrow, leaving little room to manoeuvre a vehicle to enable exiting the site using forward gears, without obstructing a bridle path which is well used by pedestrians as well as riders.

2008/91902

Undecided

Queensgate Revival
Huddersfield
HD1 2UJ

Queensgate Revival: an outline planning application for a new residential development (C3); retail and leisure (approximately 350,00 sq ft gross, encompassing A1 to A5 uses, including anchor department store and new market hall); hotel (C1); new library, art gallery and information centre (D1); a new car park (900 spaces) and for the change of use of the Court House to form café/restaurant (A3, A4) and enhancement/ improvement to public realm, bridge link and highways improvements.

Objection
Whilst the Society welcomed some aspects of the scheme: the retention of the frontages of the whole of the former Co-op building; the reuse of the former Crown Court building; the better pedestrian links from the University and the replacement of the Alfred Street Car Park, there was a great deal of concern and dissatisfaction with many aspects of the proposals, viz:

1. Whilst we appreciate that government guidelines now require outline planning applications to be more detailed than heretofore, this appears to be a full application which has been rushed through,prematurely, under the misleading guise of an outline application with all major matters reserved.

2. Proposed facing materials are shown on some of the elevations. The Society has grave reservations when “reconstituted stone”, white render and decorative concrete blocks are proposed for such a prominent site. Only local stone should be used on key elevations.

3. The demolition and rebuilding of the distinctive parabolic roof shells at the west end of the market hall site was considered to be totally unacceptable: they are grade 2 listed and should be retained at their current heights.

4. The dismantling and removal of some of the Fritz Steller ceramic sculptures was considered inappropriate and insensitive for these listed structures.

5. The height of the proposed frontages onto Peel Street was seen as overweening, diminishing the listed Town Hall and its setting.

6. The views of the ceramic sculptures would be restricted from both directions on Queensgate, by the bulk of the proposed store on the current car park site from the south east, and the necessary height of the proposed foot bridge from the University from the north east.

7. The loss of the green margins to the southern end of the current car park and below the ceramic sculptures is to be regretted as they do not seem to be compensated for elsewhere.

8. It was felt that the anchor store at the extreme margin of the site would be isolated from the mainretail area of the town.

2008/91481

Approved

Destiny
44/48 Westgate
Huddersfield
HD1 1NX

Variation of conditions 11 and 14 relating to materials used for exterior walls and roof on previous permission 2005/62/90510/W1 for demolition of existing shop and erection of new shop (Within a conservation area).

Approval
The Society sent a letter of approval of this application.

2008/91179

Refused

70 John William Street
Huddersfield
HD1 1EC

Installation of replacement windows and doors to shop front (listed building in a conservation area).

Objection
The application proposes to remove the ground floor frontage of a listed building which would not preserve the listed building in its setting and would destroy features of special architectural and historic interest (original hooded windows and door) contrary to policy BE3 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan.

The existing facade is not a shop front and should be preserved in its original form.

2008/91101

Withdrawn

80 New North Road
Edgerton
Huddersfield
HD1 5NE

Listed Building consent for the demolition of former coach house and garages and formation of site entrance and parking (within a conservation area).

Objection
The proposal would cause the demolition of a listed building which the application fails to demonstrate to have no beneficial or potential viable use.

There is no proof in the application that the building cannot be made sound contrary to policy BE4 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan.

2007/91058

Not decided

The Gables
Thornhill Road
Edgerton
Huddersfield
HD

Conversion of residential care home to 2 no dwellings, erection of 5 no mews houses and 2 no detached dwellings with integral garages (Within a conservation area).

Objection
1. The proposal is an example of “in-fill” in Edgerton Conservation Area which has as one of its defining characteristics “mature landscapes contained within private garden areas”. The proposed development would involve the loss of important space which makes a valuable contribution to the character and appearance of Edgerton Conservation Area, contrary to policies BE2, BE5, and BE6 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan and PPG15 Planning and the Historic Environment (1994).

2. Map 2 in Appendix A of the Edgerton Conservation Area Designation shows that the proposed development is at a “key gateway” into the Conservation Area. A development at this sensitive location would erode the special character of the area.

3. Whilst the Society recognises the need to refurbish The Gables (perhaps as proposed into two dwellings), it agrees with the overwhelming view of residents who attended the meeting with developers on February 25th 2008, that the mews and additional dwellings proposals would detract from this important Conservation area in terms of their bulk and overweening form.

2007/95081

Refused

The Deals,
2 Leeches Hill
Outlane
Huddersfield
HD3 3XX

Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 1 no. Dwelling with integral garage.

Objection
Despite the existing building having been destroyed by fire, the Society feels that its proposed replacement is out of keeping with its Green Belt site and has inadequate vehicle access.

The proposed replacement building is 24% larger that its predecessor and therefore conflicts with the regulations for replacing buildings inside the Green Belt. This is a very prominent site which can be seen from a considerable distance.

The site is very cramped with a narrow access lane and a well used bridle path to its side. The only way that vehicles can exit the site using forward gears is to obstruct the entrance to the bridle path which has a lot of pedestrian and equine usage.

2007/94934

Conditional Outline Permission

Gledholt Mills,
Allen Road
Paddock
Huddersfield
HD1 4SB

Outline application for b1 business development.

Objection
The outline application for b1 business development permission is much more than it appears. The Design and Access Statement states in point 2 that the development proposes the demolition of the existing buildings: i.e. Gledholt Mills.

Gledholt Mills should not be demolished as they represent an important part of the industrial history of Huddersfield, warranting five and a half pages in Teasdale’s book “Huddersfield Mills” (Wharncliffe Books 2004). The mills date from 1818 when Thomas Allen set up business there (hence Allen Street). According to Teasdale the oldest surviving building has the original roofing beams and floor boarding (page 26).

The Society feels that in the spirit of heritage conservation and sustainable development the town would be better served if this building were to be preserved and refurbished rather than be demolished and replaced with modern anonymous commercial units.

2007/94652

Refused

Site Of Old Huddersfield University
Riverside Studios
Wakefield Road / Kings Mill Lane
Huddersfield
HD1

Erection of student accommodation comprising studios and bedrooms with associated living accommodation and ancillary management facilities and parking.

Objection
Whilst we welcome the retention of some of the existing properties which make up Somerset Crescent, we consider that the materials proposed for the elevations onto Somerset Road, Wakefield Road, Kings Mill Lane and Maple Street contradict policies BE1 and BE2 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan, which state that developments should retain a sense of local identity (BE1) and be in keeping with surrounding developments in respect of materials (BE2).

Whilst the properties at this key gateway into Huddersfield are largely built of stone (including the new Lidl Store and Wakefield Road Retail Park) the proposed development has very little stone in its elevations (if “masonry block work” is indeed stone). Most of the proposed elevations are to be faced with render, metal panels and rainscreen panels. These are not in keeping with the surrounding buildings, nor do they support our local identity as a “stone town”.

As the proposed blocks are not of a landmark or iconic design they do not require non-traditional materials. They should therefore be faced largely with stone. The interior elevations could still be built and faced as proposed.

2007/93687

Conditional Full Permission

Poplar Gelder Estate
Wakefield Road/Smithy Lane
Moldgreen
Huddersfield
HD5

Demolition of existing dwellings and erection of 74 two bedded apartments (social housing) with secure access and enclosed courtyard.

Objection
In the opinion of the Society the design of the proposed replacement dwellings is totally inappropriate to the site and its surroundings. All the buildings being replaced are of stone construction and recent developments adjacent to the site have been constructed of stone with pitched roofs (the Wakefield Road Retail Park being an example). The proposed development has only a very small amount of stone in its elevation, the vast majority of which is to be render and hanging tiles. The plans also indicate flat roofs.

The design and access statement published on the Kirklees planning web site does not mention the building materials nor provide any justification for their use (apart from the use of mesh for security reasons).

The proposed design is reminiscent of a 1960s municipal housing development and is totally incongruous in the 21st century on such a prominent site.

If the existing buildings are not capable of being refurbished then their replacements should be more sympathetic to the location and built of stone.

Regret was also expressed at the meeting that the elevation on the corner of Wakefield Road and Smithy Lane was not to be preserved in the development as it is of significant architectural merit.

2007/94746

Conditional Full Permission

2007/94759

Consent Granted

Acre Mills and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary
Acre Street Lindley Huddersfield
HD3 3EA

Demolition of curtilage buildings, erection of 2 no. Multi-storey car parks, change of use, extensions and alterations to principle listed building to form office accommodation and outline application with siting and means of access for health related facilities, 17 hospital worker accommodation units, surface car parking and associated landscaping and highway works (Within the curtilage of a listed building) (Modified proposal)

Listed building consent for demolition of curtilage buildings and erection of extensions and alterations to the existing principle building to form offices (Modified proposal)

Approval
The Society sent a letter of approval of this application.

2007/95239

Application
Approved

Huddersfield Parish Church
Byram Street
Huddersfield
HD1 1BU

Erection of joint entrance structure (Listed building within a conservation area).

Approval
The Society sent a letter of approval of this application.

2007/95191

Consent Granted

2007/95192

Consent Granted

6-10 Railway Street
Huddersfield
HD1 1JP

Change of use of part of ground floor from a3 cafe to b1 office and installation of roof windows (Listed building within a conservation area)

Listed building consent for alterations to convert former offices and cafe to 11 no. Residential units, offices and restaurant (Modified proposal) (Within a conservation area)

Approval
The Society sent a letter of approval of this application.

2007/94251

Application
Approved

The Grange
4 Halifax Road
Edgerton
Huddersfield
HD3 3AW

Listed building consent for new site entrance with automatic gate and blocking up existing entrance (Within a conservation area).

Objection
The original gate piers to 4 Halifax Road are themselves separately Grade II listed on their own merits. (Edgerton Conservation Area; Appendix B, Listed Buildings Descriptions, page 6.).

Any blocking up of the existing entrance should in no way detract from the setting of the gate piers (Kirklees Unitary Development Plan Policy BE3) . Any permanently locked gate should be sympathetic with the design of the gate piers (mid C19th, ashlar, chamfered pyramidal caps). The entrance should remain in appearance as at present: be kept clear of vegetation and with a maintained drive way visible beyond the gates (at least as far as its present fork).

Any new entrance requirement is presumably dependent upon the proposed new dwellings being granted planning permission. No prior decision should be made on the entrance, as this permission may well not be forthcoming.

2007/94108

Application
Refused

11/13 Ramsden Street/42 Victoria Lane
Huddersfield
HD1 2QF

Erection of illuminated and non-illuminated shop signs (Within a conservation area).

Objection
This building is in a sensitive site in a conservation area and the illustrative “Get Cash” signage accompanying the application is garish, tasteless and totally inappropriate to the building and its site. A much more understated and dignified colour palette and lettering is required.

2007/93585

Withdrawn

The Grange
4, Halifax Road
Huddersfiel
HD3 3AN

Erection of 4 no. dwellings and garages (listed building in a conservation area).

Objection
The proposal is an example of “infill” in Edgerton Conservation Area which has as one of its defining characteristics “mature landscapes within private garden areas”.

The proposed development would involve a loss of some of this important space which makes a valuable contribution to the character and appearance of Edgerton Conservation Area, contrary to policies BE2, BE5 and BE6 of Kirklees Unitary Development Plan.

The proposal would be out of keeping with the surrounding development pattern contrary to policies D2 and BE2 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan.

It would also remove an area of open space and the physical separation between listed building 4, Halifax Road and the proposed dwellings, leading to an erosion of the special character of the area.

2007/93478

Folly Hall Mills
Chapel Hill/St. Thomas Road
Huddersfield
HD1 3LT

Listed building consent for erection of single storey link extension, 2 storey car park and alterations to mills.

Objection
Although we have no objection to the change of use of the ground, first and second floors to car parking or the single storey glazed link between the two mills, we do have considerable reservations about the nature and appearance of the proposed two storey car parking deck which the application proposes to be built of steel and be “starkly utilitarian” having “shied away from the use of natural stone”.

As this is one of the most important grade II* listed buildings in Huddersfield we believe if the additional parking spaces are deemed desirable by the planning authority, that any structure facilitating this should be built of stone and of a design sympathetic to the buildings of which they will form a part.

As the proposal stands the car parking deck contravenes policy BE3 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan, in failing to preserve the existing listed building and its setting.

2007/93004

Application
Refused

The Deals
2 Leeches Hill
Outlane
Huddersfield
HD3 3XX

Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 1 no. Dwelling with integral garage

Objection
As an application for listing of the building has been made earlier in the year and not yet decided, the decision on demolition should be held in abeyance until the result of the listing request is known.

2007/92716

Application
Approved

3 Northumberland Street
Huddersfield
HD1 1DT

Erection of 3 no. Illuminated signs and 2 no. Glass canopies (Listed building within a conservation area)

Objection
Whilst we support the refurbishment of the building, we object to both proposed canopies as they would be garish and inappropriate, compromising the appearance of this important listed building in a conservation area, in contravention of policies BE3 and BE5 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan.

We also object for the same reasons to two of the proposed illuminated signs: those sited high on each corner of the building. We do not object to the third sign which is at the normal height and does not compromise the fenestration.

2007/92988

Application
Refused

Merrie England Coffee Shop
54 New Street
Huddersfield
HD1 1DT

Erection of giant umbrella (Listed building within a conservation area).

Objection
Object to the permanent nature of the pole to which the umbrella will be fixed. We do not object to a temporary, retractable umbrella, but feel that a permanent post would clutter the pedestrian precinct and create a precedent within this conservation area.

2007/92588

Withdrawn

2007/94315

Application
Approved

2007/94316

Application
Conditionally Approved

6,8,10,12,14,16,18 and 20 Chapel Hill,
Huddersfield
HD1 3EB

Listed building consent for re-roofing and improvements to facade

Listed building consent for re-roofing and alterations to facade

Alterations to facade (Listed building)

Objection
Work on the above properties apparently having been started before planning consent had been granted. Members felt that the windows which had already been removed should have replicated the originals, rather than all being of a uniform design. Chimney pots should be replaced and chimney stacks re-built rather than rendered.

2007/93217

Application
Refused

Adjacent
2 Queens Road
Edgerton
Huddersfield
HD2 2AG

Erection of 1 detached dwelling with integral garage (Within a conservation area).

Objection
The proposal is an example of “in-fill” in Edgerton Conservation Area which has as one of its defining characteristics “mature landscapes contained within private garden areas”.

The proposed development would involve the loss of important space which makes a valuable contribution to the character and appearance of Edgerton Conservation Area, contrary to policies BE2, BE5 and BE6 of Kirklees Unitary Development Plan.

The proposal would constitute a cramped form of development that would be out of keeping with the nature of the surrounding development pattern contrary to policies D2 and BE2 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan.

It would also remove an area of open space and the physical separation between listed building, 2 Queens Road, and the proposed dwelling leading to the erosion of the special character of the area.

2007/92316

Application
Approved

Cotton Factory
50 King Street
Huddersfield
HD1 2QT

Installation of retractable awnings (Listed building within a conservation area).

Objection
1. The awnings would spoil the appearance of the attractive facade of a listed building in contravention of policy BE3 of the Kirklees Unitary Development Plan.

2. They would compromise the continuity and integrity of King Street and the conservation area of which it forms a key part.

3. There are currently no awnings on the relevant part of King Street or Zetland Street. If permission were granted in this case it would set a precedent and could lead to the spoiling of the facades of other listed buildings in an attempt to create smokers’ retreats.

4. The Justification for Works submitted by the applicants, Ultimate Leisure, states : ...“we believe it better to have smokers supervised in a safe place than have them constantly ‘popping’ in and out of the pavement effecting (sic) passers by.”

As the proposed awnings overhang the pavement by two metres on King Street and Zetland Street they would, ironically, increase the use of the pavement and the nuisance to pedestrians who would have to walk in the road to avoid the customers, presenting a health and safety risk; in effect extending the premises onto the pedestrian pathway.

2007/91696

Withdrawn

9 Bath Street
Huddersfield
HD1 5BQ

Listed building consent for change of use and conversion of office and storage premises to residential use 12 dwellings (Within a conservation area).

Approval
The Society sent a letter of approval of this application.