21/08/03 - Press Release
Huddersfield Civic Society's View of Kirklees MC's Feasibility Proposals.

At its August meeting Huddersfield Civic Society's Committee gave careful consideration to the information released by Kirklees MC on possible plans for the Library and Art Gallery, Market, Albert Street Car Park and the Piazza shops. It came to the following conclusions:

Alfred Street Car Park

It is accepted that the car park is reaching the end of its useful life and will have to be demolished sooner or later. It should be replaced by another car park of similar or greater capacity.

Market Hall

There is no apparent justification for spending money on demolishing the market hall and then building a replacement. The costs involved would have to be recouped by increasing market rents, probably to an extent which would be uneconomic. It is a distinctive building and is well used. It suffers from a lack of air-conditioning (which should have been incorporated when it was built) and a general air of shabbiness but both of these could be remedied for a fraction of the cost of complete replacement.

Piazza Shops

It is accepted that some of the Piazza shops will have to be demolished if a better link between the Town Centre and the University is to be provided. The Civic Society has been campaigning for this for years and it is now widely accepted as being essential.

Library and Art Gallery

A considerable majority shared the affection for this building which has been widely expressed elsewhere and therefore considered that it should be renovated and an extension built at the back to give the extra accommodation which is needed. This could incorporate a level access. This is what was proposed some 10 years ago and the various alternative plans for such a scheme are thought to be still available.

Conclusion

In the light of these conclusions reached by the Committee it was decided to write to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to support the Twentieth Century Society's request for the Library and Market Hall to be spotlisted. Listing will ensure that any decisions on the future of these two buildings will not be taken by Kirklees alone but will involve English Heritage.

These views were reached on the information currently available to the public. Kirklees' decision to publicise at an early stage its intention to carry out this study was welcomed and thought to be justified by the high level of interest which has already been shown. The Civic Society looks forward to being fully involved as the alternative courses of action evolve and decisions are taken. It provides a forum where local citizens can come together to discuss issues such as these and new members who have the towns interest at heart are welcomed. Information about the society can be found on its web site www.huddersfieldcivicsociety.org.uk which will also record the progress of our involvement in this feasibility study.