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The decision by Kirklees Council to approve the planning application for the former Kirklees College site (Strategic Planning Committee, February 24, 2021) reflects badly on a council that aspires to make Huddersfield a great place to live by creating high quality spaces and breathing life back into our historic buildings.

Framing one of Huddersfield’s most important listed buildings, the Grade 2* former infirmary occupying one of the most conspicuous gateway sites around the ring road, the application comprised a single storey supermarket facing the ring road, conversion of the infirmary and adjacent listed buildings and large-scale residential blocks at the northern end of the site.

Committee members were, in fairness, placed in an invidious position, dealing with an application that one member said was ‘far too complicated for such an important site’. The application was part detailed, part outline, with an extensive number of plans and alterations since being submitted in 2018, making it almost impossible to determine how to deal with the complexity of a hybrid application. In truth, the application should not have been accepted in the first place.

Understandably, concerns were also voiced regarding the increasingly vandalised and deteriorating state of existing buildings, including the listed structures.

However, these issues should not have been an excuse for an outcome that does little to enhance the image of the town nor protect buildings of significant architectural merit, which are included on Historic England’s national register of buildings at risk.

Despite a lengthy debate and calls for the application either to be refused or deferred, the outcome was to approve the application.
So, what has been achieved?

The most likely element of the application to be constructed is the supermarket. Described by one member as ‘looking like a cowshed’, it was agreed that improvements to the elevational details and use of natural stone should be made conditional.

Other than that, the building is a poor reflection on the council’s ability to promote high quality architecture, especially for such a visible gateway site. Recent years have seen a number of high quality developments around the ring road – on the university campus and the sports centre, which have received awards in the Civic Society’s annual Design Awards. As one councillor remarked about the supermarket design: “I am totally underwhelmed by it.” 

As for the new build residential blocks, officers explained why they were unable to separate these outline proposals from the overall application and parameters had been set, even though both Historic England and the Civic Society have voiced grave concerns with regard to their height, position and impact on houses along Portland Street, within a designated Conservation Area.

Perhaps, though, the greatest concern is that no priority or timescale has been given for the restoration and re-use of the Infirmary and adjoining listed buildings. The applicant has purely indicated a sum for ‘patching up’ the Infirmary and measures to protect it from vandalism.

In other words, apart from the supermarket development, nothing else is likely to progress, if at all, for some years to come. Ironically, should Lidl move to this new site it will presumably, vacate its present site on Castlegate, leaving the building and impressive frontage of the former Grand Picture Theatre/Ivanhoes on Manchester Road, vacant and at risk of vandalism.

Officers, indicating that they have worked closely with the asset management company that owns the site and submitted the application, made much of the problem of viability and emphasised the need to balance the protection of the listed buildings with the ‘substantial public benefit’ from development of the site.

It appears that, apart from demolishing vacant and vandalised buildings (hint to developers – a useful tactic for gaining planning permission is to ensure anything on site becomes a public eyesore), the only ‘public benefit’ gained from a site, vacant since 2014, is a supermarket of little architectural merit.

From the time this site was sold to Wednesday’s committee decision there’s a lesson to be learned by the council in delivering high standards of development, protecting the town’s heritage and promoting the image of the town for its long-term economic health. As it stands, the current outcome is a sad reflection on Kirklees’ ability to achieve any of these objectives.
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David Wyles
Chairman, Huddersfield Civic Society

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​Events

7.00pm Tuesday, March 2: Joint HCS/University of Huddersfield Annual Lecture.

‘How do we regenerate and attract people to towns like Huddersfield?’ will be the theme of an online presentation by Nathan Cornish, Group Board Director of the award-winning regeneration company Urban Splash.

​Full details including how to book to join this event for free via Zoom on the story below this news update.


7.00pm Tuesday, March 30: Huddersfield Civic Society AGM.

If you would be interested in becoming an HCS Trustee and joining our committee please contact me. We are always keen to have new blood to support our many initiatives.
Agenda, minutes of the 2020 AGM, Annual Accounts and Chairman’s Report will be sent out in mid-March.

7.00pm Tuesday, April 20: New Manchester Buildings – the good, the average and the ugly.

A zoom tour with Jonathan Schofield.

Booking details to follow.

 
Mid May: HCS Workshop: Residential Development.

​Details to follow.

Planning Matters

Castle Hill

Further to the HCS request for the application to be called in no decision has yet been made by the Secretary of State and we understand the application is ‘stuck in the system’. This is of concern since the lack of momentum may imply limited recognition of the considerable opposition to the proposals.

Following extensive pressure and consultation, Kirklees Council is to install a night barrier at the base of the Castle Hill access road. Thanks to our Committee Secretary, Martin Kilburn, who also chairs Castle Hill Civic Associates, for co-ordinating both the call in of the application development and pressing for the urgent installation of the barrier.

Former Kirklees College site

An application for the re-development of this site, which includes the grade 2* former Huddersfield Infirmary and other listed buildings was submitted in 2018. Major concerns were voiced by HCS (see HCS web site ‘Planning’) and many others raised concerns about aspects of the development, including the Georgian Society and Historic England, the public body charged with the responsibility for protecting historic buildings. Major amendments have been made to the initial application and, importantly, listed buildings adjacent to the Infirmary are now to be retained.

The application is now to be considered by Kirklees Council’s Strategic Planning Committee on 24 February.

There remain a number of concerns. Firstly, the impact of new buildings adjoining the Conservation Area along the northern site boundary. The officer’s report states: “The outline part of the site to the north does not include details of appearance. The visual material submitted with the application is for indicative purposes only.” It is to be hoped that there will be careful consideration of these concerns when details are submitted. 

Secondly, it is critical that any approval includes conditions with regard to the phasing of development. It is imperative that, given the length of time these historic building have been left to deteriorate, they are dealt with as a matter of priority. It would be unacceptable to discover that elements of the new build are prioritised, delaying restoration of the listed structures or that they are left vacant and abandoned should the developer be unable to complete the whole redevelopment. 
 
Without knowing how this development may proceed if approved, Kirklees Council must ensure that every effort is made to prevent further deterioration and vandalism to the Infirmary and other listed buildings on the site. 

High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) Cultural Programme

The bid to Historic England for financial support towards cultural activities around the HAZ and town centre has now been submitted. Those elements relating to the Discover Huddersfield programme include new trails covering Irish and South Asian heritage, textiles and a major revision of the University Campus Trail.

Streetscape Improvements - St Peter’s Gardens

As a further element of the town centre Blueprint, initial ideas are being developed regarding the upgrading of St Peter’s Gardens. Although the society supported the restoration and improvement work to St Peter’s Parish Church (winning the HCS Design Award in 2014), concern had been voiced about the creation of a car parking area for church use. This received planning permission in autumn 2020.

I have liaised with the recently appointed vicar of Huddersfield, the Revd Canon Rachel Firth, and myself and colleague Sylvia Johnson were pleased to discuss initial thoughts with KC landscape architect Isabel Whitworth. A steering committee of interested parties is now being established.
 
Transport Matters

Collaborative working between HCS and Huddersfield Unlimited, chaired by Sir John Harman, has developed further through a “transport and connectivity working group” which will consider and promote the case for improved transport and broader connectivity to help underpin the future success of the town, seeking to work with other like-minded groups in and around Huddersfield and, where there is shared interest, in the wider sub region and the north.

The working group will focus on a number of themes led by an overview: Long term connectivity and transport needs of the town. The themes are: rail strategy; cycling and walking strategy; roads, parking and policy; bus and mass transit strategy.

Website (www.huddersfieldcivicsociety.org.uk)

As mentioned in previous updates, Robert Cockroft, who has developed the HCS web site into an outstanding example of its kind, is soon to step down.

However, I am delighted to announce that Andy Hirst, former Head of Content at the Examiner will be replacing Robert as our Website Editor on March 1. Andy, a corporate member of the society, now has his own PR business (https://ah-pr.com/) and has recently supported the launch of a Huddersfield news website - http://www.huddersfieldhub.co.uk/.
 
Membership Renewals

Thanks to all those who have paid their annual subs. For those who have still to pay please forward your cheque (payable to Huddersfield Civic Society) to our Treasurer:
Michael Barron – 11 Prestwich Drive, Fixby Park, Huddersfield, HD2 2NU;    
Or: Bank Payment- Sort Code: 20-43-04, Account no. 50525022 (Please use your surname and postcode as reference.)
 
Should you wish to comment on any of the above matters please let us know.
 
Best Wishes
 
David Wyles, Chairman

An expert in urban regeneration is to reveal how Huddersfield can make itself more attractive as a place for people to live and work.

Nathan Cornish is group board director of Manchester-based regeneration company Urban Splash which has created more than 5,000 new homes and 1.5 million sq ft of workspace in over 60 regeneration projects in towns and cities across England.

The company’s motto is Rethinking Our Cities so it’ll be great to hear Nathan’s thoughts on Huddersfield. He will talk about what drives successful regeneration and regrowth in old industrial buildings and towns such as Huddersfield but also reveal why some towns and cities are far more successful at this than others.
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The talk will be the annual lecture organised by Huddersfield Civic Society and the University of Huddersfield on Tuesday, March 2, at 7pm and members will be able to see it on Zoom which can be booked by going to: 
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/huddersfield-civic-society-annual-lecture-tickets-139652411121.
 
Please click here for more information about the talk and visit Urban Splash for more on its residential, commercial and regeneration projects.

The many recent announcements on transport in the North were discussed by the executive committee of  the Yorkshire and Humber Association of Civic Societies. 

The discussion, prompted by concerns of the Huddersfield Civic Society, is reported in the winter edition of Civic Voice, which may be downloaded, below.

Other issues covered in the newsletter include a view on Yorkshire devolution, an update on Dales development and the revamp of Ossett Civic Trust.

​Castle Hill
Following the HCS’s request for the application be called in by the Secretary of State we are still awaiting news. A number of serious accidents have occurred on the access road to the hill in recent weeks and we feel that these dangers will be exacerbated if development is allowed to go ahead and traffic volumes increase.

High Streets heritage action zone cultural programme
Positive news has been received from Kirklees team leader, Town Centre Conservation and Design. The owner of most of the shop fronts on the section of John William Street has appointed an architect to submit a grant application for shopfront improvements. Those shops not participating are now subject to enforcement action. We have long been advocating for improvement

Work on the George Hotel is progressing with the removal of asbestos. A conservation architect and structural engineer are expected to be appointed soon to prepare schedules for external and internal repairs to the fabric.

A further report calling for the full electrification of the trans-Pennine railway line has been welcomed by Huddersfield Civic Society.

The report, ‘Rail Needs Assessment for the North and the Midlands' (December 2020) produced by the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), has suggested that by prioritising regional links the government can maximise its return on rail investment.

It follows the ‘unambiguous support’ of the Secretary of State for Transport, reported in our news item Government acknowledges the case for TransPennine rail electrification.

Kirklees Council has published proposals for rejuvenating New Street and Cloth Hall Street, key elements within the Council's Blueprint for the town centre.

The links at the foot of this story provide an opportunity to view images of the intended improvements, including details about street furniture, lighting and paving, plus a chance to join public consultations on December 16 and 17.

HCS chairman David Wyles with HCS Executive Committee colleagues, Chas Ball and Martin Kilburn welcomed the opportunity to view the proposals a few weeks ago.

The story behind the development of Huddersfield first suburb is told in a new book by a local historian, David Griffiths. 

Highfields: a Most Handsome Suburb, published today by Huddersfield Civic Society, has been written as a companion to his book The Villas of Edgerton. Once again he paints a picture of a distinctive and architecturally significant area, acknowledged today by its Conservation Area designation.

The text is complemented by the pictures of Andrew Caveney, of Creative Digital Photography, and a variety of images, maps and photographs, sourced from local and national archives.

A planning application for ' improvements' to the Halifax Road (A629) in Edgerton, Lindley and Birchencliffe is due for approval in the New Year. This film illustrates the shortcomings of the council’s plan. 

The background to the story: In 2018 Kirklees Council revealed proposals for improvements to the A629 from its junction with Blacker Road at Edgerton to the M62 junction. The scheme is to be funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

We welcome the opportunity to comment on four guidance documents published by Kirklees Council in October as Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD), which it hopes 'will encourage a higher standard of design of residential developments in the area'. The are: 

• Open Space SPD
• Housebuilders Design Guide SPD
• House Extensions and Alterations SPD
• Biodiversity Net Gain in Kirklees Technical Advice Note

We note a government summary of the purpose of SPDs:
'Supplementary planning documents (SPDs) should build upon and provide more detailed advice or guidance on policies in an adopted local plan. As they do not form part of the development plan, they cannot introduce new planning policies into the development plan. 

The Transport Secretary's unambiguous recognition of the benefits of full electrification of the trans-Pennine rail route (TRU) has been welcomed by Huddersfield Unlimited (HU) and Huddersfield Civic Society (HCS).

In particular, we welcome the confirmation of the contribution full electrification would make to decarbonisation of the railway as well as delivering improvements to reliability, freight and passenger capacity, regional connectivity and journey times. 

We are disappointed that government will not take a decision until mid- 2021 to support the full TRU upgrade as part of the rolling programme of electrification, proposed by Network Rail. 

The Yorkshire Post has published the following story:
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​Campaign groups have said Government backing for the full electrification of the Transpennine rail route between York and Manchester would signal that it is serious about levelling up the North. 

Huddersfield Unlimited and Huddersfield Civic Society say electrification, which has been twice postponed, represents “an immediate and tangible opportunity” to help drive the economy of towns like Huddersfield in the right direction.

A decision made by Kirklees Strategic Planning Committee suggests the Council places little value on the heritage assets under its protection.

This is despite its commitment in LP35 of the Local Development Plan to ‘preserve and enhance the significance of heritage assets’.

The Civic Society believes that last Wednesday’s decision to approve the proposed development on Castle Hill, is indefensible and the proposal cannot be justified.

Huddersfield Civic Society and Huddersfield Unlimited are concerned that the case for full electrification of the trans-Pennine route from York to Manchester needs to be made more effectively at this time. It has twice been postponed by government, with national decisions on rail investment imminent.

We are working with others that support the case for full electrification and see the clear benefits of its being a priority for investment. They include Kirklees Council, Zero Carbon Yorkshire, Railfuture (Yorkshire) and Action on Yorkshire Transport.

Civic Society members and the public are invited to nominate their favourite buildings in our 2020 Design Awards.

Established in 2012, the awards have been presented to the best developments within Huddersfield completed over the past couple of years.
                                    
You can nominate projects in the following categories:

• Best new build
• Best shop front
• Best refurbishment
• Best residential development
• Best commercial development
• Best community project.

There is no restriction on the number of nominations. 

A virtual heritage walk organised by Kirklees Libraries in partnership with Discover Huddersfield has received plaudits from as far afield as Seattle. 

The walk, devised by Frank Grombir and Lorna Brooks, was based on the Birkby Trail leaflet, one of 17 produced by the Discover Huddersfield partnership.

The trail was broadcast live on September 17 as an event held as part of the annual Heritage Open Days Festival. 

Huddersfield Civic Society has announced the winners of its 2019  Design Awards. Chairman David Wyles and former Chairman Chris Marsden judged an impressive range of projects nominated by HCS members and the public in early February 2020. 

Above, President Bernard Ainsworth presents the overall winner award to hotel manager Mark Ayre of the Manor House, Lindley. Full story on our Design Awards page.

Sixteen venues or locations in Kirklees will open or offer events as part of the national Heritage Open Days festival, which runs for ten consecutive days from September 11.

This year’s selection offers an insight into places not always open to the public. Venues include John Greenwood, Dewsbury’s oldest shop and now a local history museum, High Flatts Quaker Meeting House and several Anglican churches. 

A biography to be published this month explores the 'mysterious and elusive' Huddersfield architect William Henry Crossland.

Crossland was born in 1835, the son of stone mason Henry Crossland, and baptised in Elland. By 1841, the family was living in Longwood House, Fartown.

He became a pupil of the London architect Sir George Gilbert Scott in the 1850s and went on to set up his own practice in Halifax.