Huddersfield Civic Society welcomes 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 Transpennine rail route.

This involves constructing two new rail tracks to the east of the current tracks, full electrification of all lines plus rebuilding stations and bridges along the route. Huddersfield station will itself be transformed behind its listed façade onto St George’s Square.

Work is expected to begin shortly, including construction of a temporary Huddersfield station for Leeds-bound services to be built nearly a mile away at Alder Street for operation from spring 2024.

Huddersfield Civic Society 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.”

While Huddersfield Civic Society 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.

HCS is also actively working with other local organisations in calling for good facilities at Huddersfield’s temporary Alder Street station and for a proper connecting bus service to and from points all around the town centre.

The full Transport Works Order Act issued by the Department of Transport addresses all points raised at the public inquiry into the scheme held in Huddersfield last year. It authorises Network Rail to proceed now with all aspects of the scheme, including compulsory acquisition of land. It can be read at  https://gat04-live-1517c8a4486c41609369c68f30c8-aa81074.divio-media.org/filer_public/73/45/7345c628-ab3e-433a-8adb-32a42742de9a/huddersfield-to-westtown-dewsbury-improvements-order-application-decision-letter.pdf

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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

​We’ve had a great response for our evening visit to Halifax but below are details of other opportunities and consultations that are emerging from various organisations and from progress in relation to Kirklees Council’s town centre blueprint.

Events

Evening visit to Halifax town centre, Thursday, July 14
 
At the time of writing there were only a couple of places left for our evening visit to Halifax.
 
Evening stroll around Kirkburton, Wednesday, August 3, 6.30pm
 
Invitations for our stroll around Kirkburton, led by members of Kirkburton History Group, will be circulated in early July.
 
'The George Hotel: Understand… Interpret… Enhance!’, Tuesday, September 13 at 7pm

Please note the change of date for this free presentation by Helen Walker, Head of Heritage, Bowman Riley Architects which has been organised by HCS and Huddersfield Local History Society as part of the Heritage Open Days festival. Booking details will be sent out a few weeks before the event.
 
Discover Huddersfield Trails and Walks Programme 2022

Two walks are scheduled for June.

On Sunday, June 19, Jeff Keenlyside will lead a walk along the banks of the River Colne and canal to reveal proposals to develop the Huddersfield Riverside Nature Park. On Sunday, June 26, Stan Sagan explores the history and places associated with eastern European communities who came to Huddersfield following wars and geopolitical changes.

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 last between 90 minutes and 2 hours.

Memories of Our Square

As one of a range of initiatives under the High Streets/Heritage Action Zone Cultural Programme, the Memories of Our Square project provides an opportunity for people to share memories and images of activities relating to St. George’s Square.

Huddersfield Local History Society, which is leading the project, has now launched a photo competition with cash prizes for category winners and a closing date of October 3, 2022. To find out more go to https://oursquare.huddersfieldhistory.org.uk/
 
 
Holme Valley Riverside Way

From the moorlands above Holmfirth to its junction with the River Holme some of you will have walked the Riverside Way but found that sections require improved surfacing and waymarking. River Holme Connections (www.riverholmeconnections.org) whose volunteers do so much to improve the river and its surroundings has launched a crowdfunder to enable this work to be undertaken. You can support the project by going to: www.spacehive.com/riverside-way-revamp.
 
Town Centre Blueprint

In my last update I summarised a meeting myself and colleagues had with Kirklees Executive Director David Shepherd regarding progress and issues relating to the town centre blueprint.

As you may have seen the council has now launched a consultation relating to the ambitious proposals developed by Fielden, Clegg, Bradley Studios (FCB) for the town’s ‘Cultural Heart’. These were initially estimated to cost around £250million. HCS members will have differing views about the various elements of the proposals. I would, therefore, urge all members to take the time to visit the exhibition and submit comments.

Ahead of the submission of a planning application in the autumn there will be two phases of consultation - the first on early-stage design proposals and the second on more detailed design proposals.

This is the first period of public consultation which will run for four weeks until Sunday, June 19. You can meet the council and its delivery partners on Wednesday, June 8 between 2.30pm at 6.30pm and Thursday, June 9 between 12noon and 4pm at The Piazza, 25 Princess Alexandra Walk, HD1 2RS. If you can’t make those dates, the same unit will be open five days a week for three hours per day until Friday, June 17. See the website: www.kirkleesculturalheart.co.uk  for the opening times and also for an online link to ‘Have Your Say’ on the proposals.
 
Committee colleagues Martin Kilburn, Gideon Richards and Geoff Hughes were fortunate in having a direct meeting with James Sibson from FCB Studios on 26 May regarding the next stage of developing plans for the ‘Cultural Heart’ and are now making a further response building upon comments made after an initial meeting in early March which can be found in the HCS website ‘News’ section.

Planning Issues
Following my last update, recording our urgent need to recruit someone to help identify and respond to key planning applications affecting listed buildings, conservation areas and major developments, I am delighted that HCS member Cid Jackson has taken on the role.

Any relevant applications will be reviewed by Cid, myself and committee colleagues who live close to specific proposals and developments but we still need your help in ensuring any issues are brought to our attention.
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One example of this is the illegal signage on the face of 11 Greenhead Road, a grade 2 listed building. I have now written to Kirklees Conservation and Enforcement officers requesting the signage be removed.

It has, perhaps, been a relatively quiet month as we await news from many areas of interest, for example the outcome of the trans-Pennine rail upgrade enquiry.

Nevertheless, here’s a brief update outlining some of the work we have been involved with in the past month.

Discover Huddersfield Trails and Walks’ Programme 2022

Two walks are scheduled for May.

The Changing Face of Birkby on Sunday, May 8, will follow Birkby’s development from a green hamlet to a densely populated multicultural community, including the site of a medieval motte and bailey fortification.

On Thursday evening, May 19, Discover Huddersfield has, for the first time, teamed up with Marsden History Group to offer an evening’s exploration of the village.

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 last between 90 minutes and 2 hours.

Town Centre Blueprint
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On Thursday, April 21, myself and a number of Executive Committee colleagues benefited from a very useful meeting with David Shepherd, Kirklees Executive Director of Growth and Regeneration and Simon Taylor, Head of Town Centre Programmes.

David provided an update on progress regarding various components of the town centre blueprint and addressed some of the issues and concerns that we have articulated, particularly in relation to the ‘Cultural Heart’ proposals being developed by consultants Fielden, Clegg, Bradley Studios (see more about this in the news section on the HCS website).

Key issues included concerns regarding visitor perception, particularly the maintenance of streetscape and flower beds; the need to focus on visual improvements and car parking over the several years during which key projects will be developed; revenue budgets – the ability of Kirklees Council to manage and maintain these facilities, active travel links and energy efficiency/climate change.

Although we recognise the disappointment of some members that the Rugby League museum will no longer be accommodated within the restored George Hotel, the current proposal to extend the rear of the property (subject to careful articulation of the design and materials) in order to attract a hotel operator of national significance, can only benefit the regeneration of the town centre as well as retaining the historic use of the building as a hotel.

We were pleased to hear that Ove Arup and Partners has been awarded the consultancy contract to undertake master planning work for an area of land from the railway station to the A62 Leeds Road transport corridor, St Andrews Road, Gas Works Street, as far as the stadium. This includes the area to be developed by Huddersfield University as a Health Innovation Campus, about which we benefited from a presentation by Prof Liz Towns-Andrews at our annual joint lecture with the university on March 1 (see Report of Events section on the HCS website for more).
 
St Peter’s Gardens

HCS committee colleague Sylvia Johnson and I recently attended an on-site meeting with representatives from Kirklees, the Diocese and St Peter’s Church.

The gardens are the town’s only green ‘lung’ and the meeting was to explore initial ideas, thoughts and concerns for this important space (the gardens are a key initiative within the Blueprint). Permissions have already been obtained to provide level access into the church and provision of parking spaces with connected landscaping including relocation of memorials in the area. These works have yet to be done.

The PCC, local authority and HCS are now working together to explore how improvements could be made across the wider churchyard, knitted in with the already-approved works.

There are key concerns regarding the moving of gravestones which form the majority of pathways and the current poor standards of maintenance but we are very keen to work jointly and, above all, ensure the area remains a predominantly green, safe, quiet and well managed oasis for rest and relaxation. However, this will be a lengthy process and subject to recording gravestone inscriptions, applications submitted by the Parochial Church Council and faculty approval.

In addition to this, the Parish Church has been awarded a £48,456 funding boost from the SUEZ Communities Trust for its new kitchen in the crypt as part of a phased plan to improve access to the church and crypt. The space had many community users before the pandemic and the church now hopes to rebuild this area with enhanced facilities.

Planning Issues

Unfortunately, because of ill health we no longer have a Planning Officer to check on weekly planning lists and forewarn us of key applications affecting listed buildings, conservation areas and major developments.
Members will see from the website that over the years we have submitted constructive but sometimes critical responses to a range of applications. Without monitoring such proposals HCS is failing in one of its most important tasks.

Although individuals from the Executive Committee are doing their best in spotting schemes of interest we are desperate to identify an HCS member who will be able to check the lists. It only involves an hour or two each month and guidelines have been prepared to help anyone able to undertake the task. Please let me know if you are able to help out.
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David Wyles

​Huddersfield Unlimited and Huddersfield Civic Society have voiced concerns about the temporary railway station needed when major renovation work is carried out at the main station in Huddersfield town centre.

The work is part of the mammoth £1.56bn four-year revamp of the line between Huddersfield and Dewsbury.

Huddersfield Railway Station will be shut for two 32-day periods in 2024 and 2025.
 
Here is the letter that HCS members Chas Ball and Geoff Hughes helped write sent to Network Rail, Kirklees Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and local MPs by Huddersfield Unlimited.
 
Huddersfield Unlimited is an organisation that champions Huddersfield, its businesses, investors and diverse communities.
 
Here is the letter in full.
 
As a business-led organisation championing the interests of the Huddersfield area and acting on behalf of a number of other organisations and residents of Huddersfield we would like to offer some comments on the plan for a temporary location for Huddersfield Railway Station during the TRU works from March to April 2024 and April to May 2025.
 
Recent news coverage highlights that during the two periods when the normal station location will be closed, a temporary facility will be made available on the former Hillhouses Yard in Alder Street, Huddersfield. During this time, and any other periods of disruption, there will be a need for alternative transport arrangements and there will be a linking bus service provided.
 
We offer the following comments and request that these points are taken into account when defining the detail of the service, well ahead of the required dates.
 
Facilities that need to be provided at the temporary location:

1. A bus running only every 30 minutes outside peak hours does not provide much of a service to those using the rail network. This should be increased to provide a frequency of service into the centre.
2. The buses provided should be considered holistically and operate to a route that serves multiple destinations in the town centre, easing the already disrupted journeys being made by those travelling.
3. Significant and well thought through communication needs to be made so passengers are able to plan their journeys accordingly and are not discouraged from using rail during the affected periods.
4. Signposting for traffic to move most effectively to and from the temporary station needs to be in place to minimise road disruption as well as providing suitable car parking at or near the temporary location.
5. The most appropriate cycle and walking routes to and from the temporary station, both along the route to/from Huddersfield town centre and to the nearby Leeds and Bradford Roads, must be well signposted and, where necessary, enhanced by changes to traffic crossing point priorities. Additional lighting for the later evening and early morning periods may be necessary too.

 
Bus operator issues:

1. One solution is to amend the route of the existing Free Town Bus (FTB) service which serves the central business district and is currently operated by Transdev or to develop a second FTB that complements the existing service.
2. If an FTB service linked the railway station to other stops in the town centre it would make rail travel more attractive. For example, the bus could make stops on the railway station forecourt, the nearby bus station, a central location for university students to access the main campus, Kirklees College main riverside campus, Greenhead College, the theatre.
3. If this service was initiated before the period of station closure it could continue to operate as an expanded FTB service from the temporary station with clear recognition from regular travellers of the service arrangements.
4. Such a service needs to have adequate frequency. At off-peak times, frequencies should be possible to adjust by up to 5 minutes (i.e. when buses are less frequent) so as to coordinate with train arrivals
5. Rail replacement bus services are often minimalist and unattractive. The funds that would be available for this need to be allocated to an attractive service run by competent bus operators with facilities for luggage, pushchairs and wheelchairs.
6. The chosen operator should be contracted to guarantee sufficient vehicles being available, taking into account any potential breakdowns or other related issues. Passengers missing trains or other appointments caused by the lack of service will create significant dissatisfaction.

 
Delivery concerns:

1. How are people with disabilities being catered for within these arrangements, particularly when considering those with sight defects or the need to use wheelchairs?
2. How are people with pushchairs and luggage to be catered for?
3. As the temporary location is away from the bustle of the town centre, how is the security of the travelling passengers to be maintained. It is essential there be dedicated transport staff on the temporary site throughout at least the full operating time for the trains and buses each day. Also, that there be a dedicated taxi rank.
4. What will be the secure bicycle parking arrangements at the temporary station location? There is significant value in today’s electric bicycles and people need not to be discouraged from using them during the disturbed period.

 
While making the above comments we recognise there are constraints on public resources when it comes to designing and delivering these schemes, especially temporary ones. However, the provision of a quality service during these and any other necessary periods of disruption will show the commitment to the future provision of a continuing quality integrated transport service. The organisations we work alongside in Huddersfield are committed to supporting the planning and delivery of effective arrangements that benefit the traveling public and the economy, as well as the social and cultural life of the town.
 
Our objective here is to obtain a better service for Huddersfield during the periods of disruption around the railway station. If we can help facilitate this through constructive engagement with Network Rail or any of the other relevant organisations we will do all we can to assist and communicate the outcome accordingly. Therefore, we offer to facilitate a meeting between the appropriate parties allowing for meaningful debate to take place with the aim of delivering a service which matches the needs of the people of Huddersfield and the wider region during the affected periods.

Reminder: HCS AGM on Tuesday, March 29 at 7pm

I hope you will be able to join us at the Yorkshire Children’s Centre, New North Parade, Huddersfield for our AGM which will be followed by a presentation by Acumen Architects focussing on town centre residential developments, proposals and opportunities.

The AGM will last for around 30 minutes after which there will be a short break when coffee and tea will be available before the presentation by Acumen.
 
Discover Huddersfield Trails and Walks Programme 2022

There are two walks are scheduled for April and both start at 2.30pm.
Once again, former HCS chairman Chris Marsden will be leading a Lion Hunt, exploring some of the 200 lions to be found around the town centre on Sunday, April 3.

Then on Sunday, April 24, Dave Verguson will lead a walk-through Lindley’s story – one of Discover Huddersfield’s most popular walks.

Bookings for each walk will be available via Eventbrite no more than 14 days before each walk but hurry as the two walks in March were booked out within days of being made available. 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 - 2 hours.
 
Other event dates for your diaries

Evening visit to Halifax town centre on Thursday, July 14.

We last visited Halifax in 2016 before the renovated Piece Hall was reopened. Our July walk will be led by Halifax Civic Trust Chairman Alan Goodrum and will last between 90 minutes and 2 hours, finishing at a local hostelry for supper.

Evening stroll around Kirkburton, 6.30pm on Wednesday, August 3.
Meet at Kirkburton Library for a stroll around one of Kirklees’ most interesting villages, led by members of Kirkburton History Group with supper back at the library at around 8pm.

Saving Our Heritage: Conservation of the former George Hotel and Estate Buildings. Monday, September 12.

This will be by Helen Walker, Head of Heritage, Bowman Riley Architects. It’s a joint presentation with Huddersfield Local History Society as part of the Heritage Open Days festival.
 
Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust, Thursday, October 13, Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Street, Huddersfield.

Presentation about the work of the Trust and the buildings it helps to protect.

Note: Invitations for all the above will be sent out a few weeks before the event.
 
Town Centre Blueprint

In my last update I mentioned that our early thoughts and concerns regarding the Cultural Heart proposals had been submitted to the consultants. These comments have now been posted in the HCS website ‘News’ section.
 
In addition, I have also been invited to participate in a new Huddersfield Partnership Group, to be chaired by Kirklees Service Director for Development, Joanne Bartholomew. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend the first meeting on the afternoon of March 29 but committee colleague Martin Kilburn will be attending in my absence. We will report outcomes from these meetings in future updates.
 
Planning Issues

Former Kirklees College and Infirmary Site
 
Despite our efforts and against the advice of their own officers, Kirklees Strategic Planning Committee approved proposals for the redevelopment of the former college site and Grade 2* Infirmary on February 24.
 
The officers’ report was damning about the deteriorating state of the Grade 2* Infirmary and ancillary buildings and their recommendation to refuse the application follows the deferment on November 18, 2021, which gave time for the applicants to prepare a plan to make emergency repairs to the old infirmary and a timescale as to when it will be fully renovated.
 
This is what the committee decided:
'Delegate to the Head of Planning and Development to approve, contrary to the officers’ recommendation to refuse, to include completion of the draft conditions and S106 agreement contained within the considered report.'
 
In a statement to the press, which you can also read in the HCS website’s News section, I said: “It is very disturbing to see the officers’ recommendation rejected. The Infirmary is a building of regional importance and, while we hope an Urgent Works Notice will be implemented without delay, this does not bring about full restoration and the listed structures remain at risk without any timescale or plan for their full restoration. 
“We are likely to see a supermarket of little architectural merit being completed with the remainder of the site left vacant, unloved and possibly sold off. Is this really the best we can achieve for a site so prominent and important to the town’s history and heritage?”
 
Transport Matters

We still await updates on Kirklees Council’s various proposed road and cycle schemes which went to public consultation last year. We will publicise comments on the Huddersfield Civic Society website when there is news.
While we also await publication of last year’s public enquiry on the Transpennine Rail Upgrade, there has been a recent announcement by Network Rail of plans for a temporary station in March/April 2024 and again in April/May 2025 while major building work is undertaken at Huddersfield station.
 
The site chosen is nearly a mile away on the former Hillhouse Yard off Alder Street, a congested area on the opposite side of the railway from the waste management site.
 
Currently, committee colleagues Geoff Hughes and Chas Ball, working closely with Huddersfield Unlimited, are asking Network Rail and the West Yorkshire transport organisation to design safe and secure facilities at the temporary station and to provide better connections to and around town than just the currently proposed bus service, usually at 30 minute-intervals, to St George’s Square.
 
The Civic Society will continue to campaign for a quality, and properly connected, transport service during the period when the town’s station and main through rail service are rebuilt.

​Report by David Wyles, March 2022

​HCS Members are invited to attend the society’s annual general meeting which will also feature a presentation from a well-known Huddersfield designers and architects.
 
The AGM will be held at the Yorkshire Children's Centre, Brian Jackson House, New North Parade, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, starting at 7.00pm.
 
Following the AGM, we will be treated to a presentation by Jeremy Childs and James Fearnley from Acumen Architects, an HCS Corporate Member and winner of the Best Residential category in our Design Awards 2020.
 
Acumen has been involved in a number of notable town and edge of centre developments over the years, including 1535 Melting Point on Queen Street South/Firth Street and, currently, two high quality residential developments on King Street and off Albert Yard.
 
Jeremy and James will also provide an overview of the opportunities they see for future residential development within the town centre and its immediate surroundings and how the market can be stimulated in order to influence local developers and key property owners, including Kirklees Council. 
 
​Non-members of the society are welcome to attend. The Acumen presentation will start at 8pm.
 
Coffee and tea will be served.

Kirklees Council has revealed more details about its plans for the new £210 million Cultural Heart in Huddersfield town centre.

Here is Huddersfield Civic Society’s reaction to it.

The council plans to demolish the Piazza Centre and create a new events/live music venue, a food hall, a museum and art gallery, a new library and a new multi-storey car park, all centred around a new Town Park.

The new events venue is proposed to accommodate up to 2,200 people; the new museum and art gallery could be located within the existing library building although an extension could provide additional gallery space; a new Town Park will include an outdoor events space for around 3,000 people which will be ‘green’ and family-friendly; the new multi-storey car park to replace the one demolished will include electric vehicle charging points.

All the plans are subject to change and this is Huddersfield Civic Society’s submission to the consultants.
 
General

• The ambition is unrealistic, particularly in respect of revenue costs in maintaining and running a large events/music venue and possible new build gallery. Huddersfield has a history of failed cultural venues. Options need to consider dropping these over-ambitious elements.
• Block diagrams of what building goes where suggest little flexibility in where each element is placed, creating potential issues if elements are abandoned.
• There is a worrying lack of a business plan,
• The apparent lack of a town wide masterplan which ensures this works with (and does not conflict with) other elements of the blueprint
• Disappointment that Kirklees Council is looking to do it alone rather than introduce one or more partners
• The significant long-term interest commitment. One would hope this was a fixed rate given the current inflationary pressures
• There need to be more emphasis on the relationship of these proposals with other elements of the plan eg future retailing, other key ambitions, development of other ‘quarters’ and other economic elements eg town centre residential development.

 
      Transport Issues 

• The car park proposal is too small. When the 1,200 seat Huddersfield Town Hall concert hall was sold out concert the former 588 space car park was near capacity.  When this coincided with other events at the theatre, university or Christmas shopping etc it was heavily oversubscribed. The introduction of further event venues will introduce parking volumes way beyond the proposed specification.  If it doesn’t, then it could endanger the commercial viability of the whole quarter.
• Options need to include how people enter, circulate and pass through the site, particularly in relation to other parts of the blueprint area and especially as the cultural quarter ought to be where a vastly enhanced pedestrian flow occurs between town and university.
• Need to consider links to likely future cycle routes across the town centre with provision for large-scale secure cycle/e-cycle parking for all major venues. Access to these locations must be from future cycle routes (ie not from ring-road into the multistorey car park!).

• Attention must be paid to efficient access and egress of all forms of transport if the benefits of the Cultural Quarter are to be realised. This includes:

o   for the car park directly to and from the ring road
o   efficient routes for public transport
o    taxis
o    secure bike storage
 Where possible each mode needs to use different access routes possibly:
o    Zetland Street with taxi queuing and a collection/drop off turning circle outside what is planned to be the new cinema (junction of King Street and Zetland Street)
o   Bikes could potentially access along Queen Street and use secure storage in the undercroft (or possibly under a raised section of the open events space on the junction of King Street and Queen Street).

• Buses/coaches routed down Ramsden Street and along Peel Street with identified coach parking off-site following drop-off.
• Support for the reinstatement of Ramsden Street and creation of the perpendicular through-way in order to improve footfall from transport hubs and the university. 

      
        Design Issues

• More consideration needs to be given to reconciling the retention of heritage features in the listed buildings and very poor insulation/heating issues, especially the market.
• Given the concerns over the viability of a large new events area, consideration should be given to relocating the indoor event space into the ‘new building’ introduced to create a ‘positive edge’ along Queen Street.  With careful design this building could open onto (or have views over) the outdoor event area and offer the opportunity of a combined indoor/outdoor event area with potential retractable cover for events, given the uncertainty of Pennine weather. 
• The demolition of retail units and arcade adjoining the market hall off Princess Alexandra Walk is supported in order to provide better access into the re-purposed building and highlight its architectural qualities.
• Greater consideration should be given to children's play within the re-purposed market to complement the food court and provide a focus for families and increase dwell time.
• The relationship between maintaining the existing main entrance (and enhancing its heritage features) in the current library with the proposed rear extension and access require further consideration in relation to pedestrian movement and gallery space.
• The rear extension should incorporate ground floor retail space offering design/craft objects to compliment the gallery.
• Demolition which opens up the whole frontage to King Street is questioned. This street retains the highest footfall and many people do and will focus on the retail offer, not on cultural facilities. Boots provides an important anchor in this respect.
• Any new structures facing on to Queen Street should be articulated (but not pastiche) to respect of the late Georgian character of the street.
• Given the Peel Street elevation to the market is considered 'inactive' more thought ought to be given to the relationship between Huddersfield Town Hall and the redeveloped Cultural Heart as well as provision of improved facilities in the town hall ie cafe/bar (of critical importance in assuring the continued use/popularity of the concert hall).

Huddersfield Civic Society have sent this out to the media 

Kirklees councillors have agreed to allow a new Lidl supermarket on Huddersfield ring road against advice from their own planning officials.

The decision for the development of the old Kirklees College site had been deferred amid concerns the developers were doing very little to protect or enhance derelict and decaying listed buildings on the high profile plot.

Huddersfield Civic Society has long voiced concerns that the Grade II-listed former Huddersfield Infirmary has been allowed to go to rack and ruin and has swiftly condemned the controversial decision by Kirklees Strategic Planning Committee.

It is understood developers Trinity One LLP now want to demolish the old college and some of the infirmary buildings to make way for the supermarket and then market the rest of the site in the hope another development company will buy it.

The application was initially submitted in 2018 but was deferred in November 2021 following concerns raised by Huddersfield Civic Society and others to give time for the applicants to prepare a plan to make emergency repairs to the old infirmary and a timescale as to when it will be fully renovated.  

The former infirmary is on Historic England’s Buildings at Risk register and failure to properly re-use the listed buildings would be in breach of Kirklees Council’s own policies regarding its Local Plan for developments across the area.

Huddersfield Civic Society chairman David Wyles said: ‘It is very disturbing to see the officers’ recommendation rejected. This is a building of regional importance and, while we hope an Urgent Works Notice will be implemented without delay, this does not bring about full restoration and the listed structures remain at risk without any timescale or plan for their full restoration.

“We are likely to see a supermarket of little architectural merit being completed with the remainder of the site left vacant, unloved and possibly sold off. Is this really the best we can achieve for a site so prominent and important to the town’s history and heritage?”

The Kirklees Strategic Planning Committee report states: “Officers are of the opinion that the changes since the committee in November 2021 do not improve the public benefits in any demonstrable way from that previously set out in the November 2021 report.”

The developers will be able to demolish some listed buildings and make the old infirmary watertight, but officers say this doesn’t go far enough and these properties should be fully redeveloped for housing, retail or leisure.

They add in their report to the committee: “Once demolition takes places and the urgent works have been completed the site does not have any further planning requirements for any construction works to take place. Overall, this is a disappointing outcome for this application which should result in the reuse of a brownfield site and protect and reuse an important listed building at the expense of demolition of a number of listed buildings. Therefore, in officers’ opinion, the public benefits do not justify the demolition of listed buildings proposed in this application.”

Huddersfield Civic Society has previously brought to Kirklees Council’s attention poor security around the listed buildings with clear signs of vandalism and theft.
​
Surveys by Kirklees officers identify a growing number of problems including all visible lead missing from the roof, external damp suggesting parapet gutter lead has also been stripped, portico roof leaking badly, vegetation growth on roof, open and broken windows.  

​Planning and Town Centre Management

Enforcement and Planning Conditions

As outlined in my last update we have increasing concerns about the inadequate protection to some of the town’s key listed buildings and the need for better enforcement action by Kirklees Council.

While understanding there are resource/staffing issues in some areas, we continue to press for both the statutory responsibilities of the council to be maintained and for better monitoring on conditions imposed on developers.

Currently, we are investigating why, having placed numerous conditions upon certain developments as part of the approval process, some conditions are being ignored and not being implemented.

Maintenance of Street Furniture

While Kirklees has embarked on a number of very ambitious initiatives as part of the Huddersfield Blueprint I am increasingly concerned about the lack of maintenance of street furniture, flower beds and other structures. Many fixtures require repainting, graffiti removal, weeding or simply replacement.

Why, for example, does the council persist in using powder coated metal bins that peel and rust and often fail to close properly? Why has the ‘Welcome to Huddersfield’ map outside the bus station had graffiti on it for the past three months or more? Why do many of the directions on the finger posts point in the wrong direction?

Surely, the bigger picture cannot be successfully achieved without attention to detail. Proper maintenance is essential if perceptions are to be improved.
 
Working with Huddersfield Business Improvement District (BID)

Not only am I very pleased that the Huddersfield BID (https://huddersfieldbid.co.uk), under the direction of manager, Samantha Sharp, has taken on the cleaning of graffiti and removal of chewing gum and cigarette butts, but also I am delighted to announce that the BID and HCS will be jointly launching a Tidy Trader Competition in the next couple of months to encourage retailers and commercial premises to both maintain and ensure a welcoming presence to their customers. Further details in future updates.
 
Annual Joint HCS/University Lecture. 7pm, Tuesday, March 1, University of Huddersfield

Only a few days to go before Professor Liz Towns-Andrews OBE, outlines the University of Huddersfield’s research and innovation activities targeted towards helping improve people’s health and wellbeing. Liz will also outline the vision and plans for the university’s new Health Innovation Campus located off Southgate/Leeds Road. There is no charge for this event.

Booking via Eventbrite is essential by going to: http://hud.ac/lgt
 
Please note: the event will not now be held in the Oastler Building.  Details of the lecture room will be on the Eventbrite reminder email on Monday for those booked to attend.
 
Discover Huddersfield Trails and Walks Programme 2022

The DH Walks Programme 2022 leaflet is now being distributed to information points and libraries around the area and can be viewed by going to www.discoverhuddersfield.uk

The first of this season’s walks ‘The Irish in Huddersfield’ on Saturday, March 19 will be followed by a free showing of the first ever St Patrick’s Day event in the town. To go in this event click here. 

This will be followed by The Villas of Edgerton on March 27 led by David Griffiths. To attend click here. 

Bookings for each walk will be available via Eventbrite no more than 14 days before each walk. To view all the year’s walks click here. 

Walks cost £4 per person and usually last 1.5 to 2 hours.
 
HCS AGM: Tuesday, March 29 at 7pm

Not only are we able to return to a ‘live’ AGM but following the formal necessities we are excited to welcome a presentation by one of our corporate members, Acumen Designers and Architects, winner of the Best Residential category in our Design Awards 2020.
 
Acumen has been involved in a number of major residential developments in and around the town centre and are currently awaiting decisions on two schemes on King Street and Albert Yard in the town centre.
 
As I have intimated before we would welcome nominations to our Executive Committee and currently are particularly interested in gaining help from members who are au fait with Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Please contact me as we really could do with more support.

Invitations to the AGM and the presentation will follow.

Other Events

We are now finalising a range of events through the year. Here’s an update for your diaries. Specific details to follow before each event.

Evening visit to Halifax town centre, Thursday, July 14.

We last visited Halifax in 2016 before the Piece Hall was re-opened. Our July walk will provide an update on current activities and initiatives and will be led by the Chair of Halifax Civic Trust, Alan Goodrum.

Evening stroll around Kirkburton late July – mid August (date to be confirmed).

Repeating the success of our walk around Marsden last year we are finalising this walk around the village and historic church led by members of Kirkburton History Group.

Saving Our Heritage: Conservation of the former George Hotel and Estate Buildings: mid-September.
 
Helen Walker, Head of Heritage, Bowman Riley Architects.
Joint presentation with Huddersfield Local History Society as part of the Heritage Open Days festival.

Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust, Thursday, October 13, Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Street, Huddersfield.

Presentation about the work of the Trust and the buildings it helps to protect.
 
Town Centre Blueprint

Martin Kilburn, Geoff Hughes and I recently met Fielden Clegg Bradley (FCB) Studios, the architect consultant who will put meat on the bones of the component elements of the cultural heart in terms of future uses, including the market hall, library/art gallery and the Piazza itself.
 
We have submitted to the consultants our early thoughts and concerns regarding some of the initial ideas emerging and we hope to share more with our members in the near future once Kirklees Council has had sight of these initial proposals.
 
Society Submits Biodiversity Concerns to Kirklees

Following the summary in my last update, committee colleague Mike Prior and I presented our findings and concerns to Kirklees Cabinet on February 22. We hope our recommendations and concerns will be taken on board by Kirklees and that further consideration can be given by Kirklees Scrutiny Panel.

Should anyone wish to view the Cabinet item and the response we received go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjeuejkv9wU. We are on quite early so no need to view the whole thing although our item was followed by some equally interesting deputations regarding environmental issues.

​A group dedicated to improving Huddersfield has started a project to clean up the town.
 
The move by Huddersfield Bid is called Tarting up the Town and the project aims to enhance the appearance.
 
This is through:  
 

• Deep street cleans in essential locations improving first impressions by removing grime, chewing gum and graffiti.
• Street art in key locations brightening up the town giving reason and promotion to visit Huddersfield.
• Window vinyls to make empty shops look attractive making the town look vibrant and cared for.
• Greenery and floral displays adding colour and life.
• Creative lighting making the gateways into Huddersfield look more attractive.
• Working groups collaborating making Huddersfield a welcoming and attractive place to be.

 
Huddersfield Bid is a not-for-profit company set up by Huddersfield businesses to develop Huddersfield into an accessible, safe, vibrant and attractive destination which celebrates its culture and heritage, serves its local business, university and residential community and is recognised nationally and internationally as a great place to be.

​With Covid in recession (we hope!) and a new year ahead, there has been quite a lot bubbling up over the Christmas period. Here’s a taste of some of the activities your Executive Committee are currently engaged with.

2022 Events Programme

Annual Joint HCS/ University Lecture. Tuesday, March 1, University of Huddersfield Oastler Building at 7pm.

Professor Liz Towns-Andrews OBE, Professor of Innovation and Director of External Engagement at Huddersfield Business School, will describe the university’s strategic priority – Health Innovation - research and innovation activities targeted towards helping improve people’s health and wellbeing. Liz will also outline the vision and plans for the university’s new Health Innovation Campus located off Southgate/Leeds Road. There will be opportunities for audience members to ask questions at the end.
Anyone can attend and there is no charge. 

Booking via Eventbrite is essential by going to: http://hud.ac/lgt
 
Discover Huddersfield Trails and Walks’ Programme 2022

Two new trails have been produced by the Discover Huddersfield partnership. The Textile and Greasepaint and Limelight (Act 1) trails add to the 16 free leaflets already available.

In addition, the Discover Huddersfield Walks’ Programme 2022 is about to go to the printers with a record 20 walks, starting with the Irish in Huddersfield walk on Saturday, March 19, which will be followed by a free showing of the first ever St. Patrick’s Day event in the town. Bookings for each walk will be available via Eventbrite 14 days before each walk. To view all the year’s walks go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/discover-huddersfield-guided-trails-programme-2022-120689. Walks cost £4 per person and usually last 1.5 to 2 hours.

Further information at www.discoverhuddersfield.uk

Other Events

A range of other talks and walks are currently being finalised, including a visit to Halifax, an evening stroll around Kirkburton and talks by Yorkshire Churches Preservation Trust and by Helen Walker, Conservation Architect working on the George Hotel and Estate Buildings (the latter as part of the Heritage Open Days Festival in September).

And if you’d like to find out how the Romans seized the Huddersfield area there is a talk entitled ‘Roman Eagle v Yorkshire Grit’ by John Cross, President of Huddersfield Archaeological Society at Brockholes Village Hall, HD9 7EB, at 7.30pm, on Thursday, March 10. Entry is £5.

Specific details to follow in future updates.

Town Centre Blueprint

HCS has been fortunate in having regular updates from key Kirklees officers regarding progress on town centre initiatives, often in advance of formal public consultations. This provides our members with regular news from ‘the horse’s mouth.’

We recently met consultants Pegasus who have been tasked with carrying out the complex Environmental Impact Assessment of the ‘Cultural Heart’. In the next fortnight we will be meeting Fielden Clegg Bradley (FCB) Studios, the architects who will put meat on the bones of the component elements of the cultural heart in terms of future uses, including the market hall, library/art gallery and Piazza itself. FCB were introduced to the town a couple of years ago when they presented some of their award-winning work at the annual joint HCS/University lecture.

Society Submits Biodiversity Concerns to Kirklees Scrutiny Panel

Introduced by Natural England in 2016, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is developing into a critical component of our local authorities’ planning and approval processes, bolstered by councils’ declarations of Climate Emergency during 2019.  Put simply, BNG involves the use of a metric as a proxy for recognising the negative impacts on habitats from a development and calculating how much new or restored habitat, and of what types is required to deliver sufficient net gain.

Following HCS analysis of 5 significant planning applications in Kirklees, Huddersfield Civic Society identified a gap between the Council’s Biodiversity Strategy and its deployment within the planning application process. Subsequently, we have posed questions for Kirklees Council’s Scrutiny Panel and suggested one recommendation as part of the current DEFRA consultation: that Natural England radically simplifies its BNG process to enable all stakeholders to focus on essentials and to make BNG reporting accessible to the public.

Planning Issues

Buildings at Risk

We continue to press for adequate protection on a number of key listed buildings that have been left vacant and subject to deterioration, water ingress and vandalism. Concern has specifically been raised regarding the grade 2* former Huddersfield Infirmary on the Trinity development site, Oakes School, St. Andrew’s Church on Leeds Road and Newsome Mills. A strong voice through HCS may help ensure these valuable heritage assets are restored and re-used.​

Planning Applications

There has been a surge in the number of applications for conversion of upper floors of commercial property in the town centre. While HCS is, in principle supportive of residential use – and there have been a handful of decent proposals - the majority have provided minimal space requirements and limited consideration of related factors such as refuse disposal and heritage issues (see recent comments regarding specific proposals in the ‘Planning’ section on our website).
 
Our Executive Committee Needs You!
​
As with many voluntary organisations, the main activities of HCS are organised through our Executive Committee with the help of our website manager, Andy Hirst, and membership secretary Laura West. We really could do with more help with our initiatives, whether it’s in consultation with Kirklees, lobbying on conservation, active travel and environmental issues, planning events and visits, working on partner programmes such as Discover Huddersfield and Heritage Open Days etc.

It’s also difficult to follow everything that may be happening across the whole borough area. If there are issues in the area where you live that you feel we should pay some attention to, please let me know.
I’d love to hear from you.

David Wyles

Following limited sampling and analysis in autumn 2021, Huddersfield Civic Society identified a gap between Kirklees Council’s biodiversity strategy and its deployment within the planning application process - particularly in relation to requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain.

As a result of the findings a request has been made to Kirklees Council’s Scrutiny Panel for consideration of the following questions:

1. Is resourcing adequate with the right levels of ecological expertise in the right places? 

2. Is there adequate understanding and prioritisation of BNG by political decision makers in the council? 

3. What assurances are there that the follow-up and tracking of applicant (developer) compliance with post-approval BNG conditions will be made by the council? 

We make one wider recommendation which could be submitted - along with any additional feedback from Kirklees Council - as part of the current DEFRA consultation.

This is that Natural England radically simplifies its BNG process, including metrics/ calculation tools and documentation to enable all stakeholders to focus on essentials and to make BNG reporting (including calculations) accessible to the public.

To read the full report that has been submitted to the council please see the document below.

​

As we head towards Christmas we are again under the shadow of renewed restrictions resulting from the most recent Covid mutation.

However, the HCS committee has been working very hard in relation to a number of initiatives and in ensuring our voice is heard. We remain one of the few organisations that have regular contact with key council officers, especially with regard to the town centre, heritage and transport issues. None of this would be possible without the support of our members who I thank.
​​



Transpennine Rail Improvements

HCS along with partners Huddersfield Unlimited (HU) gave evidence at the recent Network Rail enquiry. Following the detailed submission mentioned in my last update, prepared primarily by HCS committee member Geoff Hughes, Hugh Goulbourne of HU presented our case, complemented by Chas Ball, also an HCS committee member, who spoke on behalf of Kirklees Cycling Campaign.

There has been much controversy following recent announcements concerning the scrapping of the HS2 extension to Leeds and much of the Northern Powerhouse Rail proposal. What the government did agree, however, is ‘the Transpennine route upgrade between Manchester and Leeds will receive “significant upgrades” including electrification of the whole route.’ Perhaps our efforts over the past couple of years are bearing fruit.

Former Kirklees College site

Back in February Kirklees gave conditional approval for the development by Trinity One LLP for the former Kirklees College site which includes the Grade 2* former infirmary.

HCS had raised serious concerns about these proposals and it has been clear that over the past few years since Trinity became owners of the site no protection has been given to the listed infirmary and related buildings which have deteriorated through water ingress and vandalism.

In November, having failed to enter into an agreement with Kirklees which would have seen some urgent works carried out and a clear idea of when the listed buildings would be fully refurbished, officers recommended refusal of the application. Following a presentation by agents acting on behalf of Trinity, members of the Strategic Planning Committee decided to defer the application to provide more time for officers and the developer to reach a compromise.

I have serious concerns about how this can be achieved and my comments have been clearly expressed in a statement on the HCS website news section and in local media news website, Huddersfield Hub.

The developers state that it is not currently viable to restore the infirmary. I do wonder how a further winter of deterioration and vandalism by neglect will help to make the building more viable. Planners and members based their original approval on ‘public benefit’.

At present it is difficult to see this as being no more than a new Lidl supermarket to replace the one a few hundred metres along the ring road.

Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register

Recently Historic England published its annual Heritage at Risk Register for 2021. The Register is the yearly health-check of England’s most valued historic places and those most at risk of being lost forever as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development. Sadly, two local conservation areas – Birkby and Huddersfield town centre - appear on this list as does the infirmary building referred to above.

While it is accepted that much is being undertaken in relation to major Blueprint initiatives, eg, the George Hotel, Estate Buildings, markets and Cultural Heart, I remain concerned that little progress has been made in relation to the improvement of shopfronts, particularly those along John William Street and Cross Church Street, despite the potential of significant grants from the council.

HCS has raised the need for both enforcement action and clear guidance for many years and I have, once again, written to officers involved in these issues to express concerns on behalf of the society. In commenting I have said: ‘The low perception many people have of the town centre will not be helped if these shopfronts remain as they are. This in turn could affect footfall which will itself determine rental values and investment.’

The register’s assessment states the condition of both areas as ‘poor’ and the trend as ‘deteriorating’.

New Street Pedestrianisation Improvements

Kirklees landscape architects have submitted a reserved matters application for the erection of three 12m high sculptural features along New Street (application number 2021/94515). 

The society objected to these when concept proposals were originally submitted (see the planning section of website) and we have since voiced our reservations to officers dealing with the proposals. One of our key concerns is the ability of the council to maintain these structures given the poor maintenance level of street furniture within the town centre.

We will be seeking further assurances regarding the sustainability and upkeep of these very tall structures and the public is being consulted on these as part of the overall proposals by January 7, 2022. 

Events

The recent HCS presentation by Professor Peter Roberts: Kirklees Climate Commission will soon be available to listen to via a link on the HCS website. Those who attended Peter’s presentation would have been struck by the enormity of the challenge, paralleled by the recognition that action is required by all of us in helping meet targets to prevent catastrophic change.

Peter’s presentation indicated that at a local level attribution of emissions generated by sector is as follows: Transport 47%, Domestic Buildings 32%, Public & Commercial Buildings 12% and Industry 9%. The analysis then identified sectors with the greatest potential for reductions in emissions between 2020-2050: Domestic 44%, Transport 31%, Public & Commercial Buildings 18%, Industry 7%.

Such estimates have a significant bearing on our future work, especially in relation to spatial/local plans, active travel, regeneration, reuse of heritage buildings and tree planting/landscaping. We have been strong advocates for improved ‘city’ living, use of brownfield sites, integrated active travel plans, environmental enhancement as well as the repurposing of historic buildings. The Climate Commission’s work will hopefully re-enforce our efforts in these areas.

Joint HCS/University Annual Lecture 2022

Our prestigious annual lecture will take place early in March 2022 and focus on plans for the University of Huddersfield’s £250m Health Innovation Campus which will have a dramatic influence on regeneration proposals for the town centre. Colleague Geoff Hughes is currently liaising with Prof Liz Towns-Andrews, OBE, of Huddersfield Business School and further details should be announced early in 2022.

Discover Huddersfield

Following a sell-out season of walks the DH committee will soon begin preparing the programme for 2022.

Walks will again be bookable through Eventbrite and it is likely the first walk of the new season will be an Irish heritage walk to coincide with events in conjunction with St. Patrick’s Day in mid-March.

Two new trail leaflets, Textile Heritage and Limelight and Greasepaint Act 1, are currently being printed and should be available in the next few weeks from local information points. 
 
Design Awards 2021 

Only 3 weeks remain for nominations to be submitted for this year’s Design Awards. I hope you will help by nominating developments you feel have contributed towards the built environment and heritage of Huddersfield.

You can find details of how to nominate projects on the HCS website or send details of projects to the Design Awards email: hcsdesignawards@gmail.com. The closing date for nominations is December 31, 2021 for the following categories: Best New Build, Best Shop Front, Best Refurbishment, Best Residential Development, Best Commercial Development and Best Community Project.
 
Members’ Subscriptions

As mentioned in my last update subscriptions will be increasing to £12.50 for individual members and £30 for Corporate Members in January 2022. Emails/letters will be sent out in the next week or two and I hope we shall, once again, benefit from healthy membership levels to enable us to continue with our event and work programmes.

If you pay by Standing Order would you please amend your bank instructions and advise us accordingly or, alternatively, forward the SO form to us asap.

Christmas Stocking Fillers

There’s still time to visit our website Publications page and purchase one of our highly praised publications: The Villas of Edgerton, Highfields: A Most Handsome Suburb, the Buildings of Huddersfield and the Old Yards of Huddersfield. Alternatively, copies of most of these publications are available from Waterstones, Huddersfield; the Children’s Bookshop, Lindley or Read in Holmfirth. 

Best wishes for an enjoyable Christmas.
​
David Wyles

​Huddersfield Civic Society has put this news release out after the controversial Trinity development site on the old Kirklees College site came up before the Kirklees Strategic Planning Committee.

A grade II listed building should be at the heart of the redevelopment of one of Huddersfield’s premier sites - but it’s feared developers are prioritising the building of a supermarket with little intention to fully restore the building.

Huddersfield Civic Society has always said the former Huddersfield Infirmary should be the central part of any plan to redevelop the former Kirklees College site which borders Huddersfield ring road and the bottom of Trinity Street.

Developers Trinity One LLP originally planned a £43m scheme to build more than 200 apartments and offices on the site – including a redevelopment of the old infirmary buildings into offices - and build a supermarket.

Kirklees Strategic Planning Committee heard on Thursday (Nov 18) that the developers now want to demolish the eyesore college buildings, build a Lidl supermarket while claiming full restoration of the infirmary and adjacent buildings is currently not viable.

​When the supermarket plan was conditionally approved in February as part of a wider scheme, approval was subject to an agreement to ensure urgent repairs to the listed building, which is on a national list of ‘buildings at risk’, to ensure it was made watertight. No work to protect the building has yet been carried out.

Now councillors have deferred a decision on the revised plan until next spring in the hope that the developers and council official come up with a plan to make emergency repairs to the old infirmary and a timescale as to when it will be fully renovated.

But Huddersfield Civic Society fears that as no agreement has been reached since the original approval was given, the landmark infirmary building will deteriorate further over the winter months to the point where the viability of a full restoration is even less likely.

HCS chairman David Wyles said: “The developers knew full well on acquiring the site that it centred around the grade II former infirmary building.

“There are holes in the roof and broken windows with water getting in. Nothing has happened over the last eight months so it seems to us that the developers and Kirklees officials have reached an impasse.

“It’s highly disappointing that the developers have shown no intention to protect this important part of Huddersfield’s heritage. The old infirmary is the most important building on the site yet the developers have made little attempt to rectify serious structural problems brought about by neglect and vandalism.

“We don’t just want the emergency repairs to protect the building, we need to know when it will be renovated. The developers seem to be implying full restoration of the infirmary building is not viable now and if it continues to deteriorate how can it become viable in the future? This is a real worry.

“What will stop the developers from simply selling the site on once the supermarket is built and what condition will the old infirmary be in by then? There is no clarity or certainty that this building will ever be saved and renovated.”

The old infirmary buildings which were part of the former technical college have been deteriorating rapidly since the college relocated to the new Kirklees College site next to Chapel Hill in 2013.

The old college site forms an important part of the Huddersfield Blueprint, a visionary plan by Kirklees to enhance the town centre over the next few years. 

Huddersfield Civic Society members and the public have until Tuesday, November 23 to have their say on proposals that will affect people walking, cycling or driving from Huddersfield to Ainley Top and then right through to Halifax.
 
Public consultation is now underway on two proposed new cycle routes between Huddersfield town centre and Ainley Top, then on to Elland and Halifax. One route is from Trinity Street through Marsh, Edgerton, Lindley and Birchencliffe. The other route passes through Highfields and Birkby then up the Grimescar valley.
 
One of the proposals includes an on-road cycle route for Lidget Street in Lindley with the road reduced to 20mph and traffic calming with road humps.
 
Proposals include:
 
New cycle route sections up to 3 metres wide, some within existing road space, some by widening pavements and some by widening footpaths or bridleways.
 
Several new sections of pavement shared between pedestrians and cyclists, including some 2-way cycling on pavements.
 
Many new, or changed, road crossings for walkers and cyclists.
 
Potential removal of parking alongside some houses and businesses.
 
Changes to several road junctions.

News website Huddersfield Hub did a comprehensive story on it which you can read by clicking here.
 
The intention is to encourage cycling, both for work and leisure. This obviously requires compromises between all categories of road and pavement users, making it important that all who live, work or travel through this area have their say on the proposals.
 
Householders in the areas concerned should have received an A5 sheet mentioning the scheme and there are notices at some locations in the area. Unfortunately, these simply describe ‘proposals for improved walking and cycling around the A629’ and do not indicate the full extent of the proposals.
 
Please go onto the scheme website at https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/a629-halifax-hudds, look at the plans and take the option to give your feedback by Tuesday, November 23.

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​There have been a number of initiatives to report on especially, I am
pleased to say, regarding consultation between Kirklees officers, myself and colleagues on the Executive Committee about developing projects within the Town Centre Blueprint area. Some of these have since been posted on the HCS website (www.huddersfieldcivicsociety.org.uk) but I’ll briefly summarise some of these consultations as well as other news.
 

Huddersfield Cultural Heart

Kirklees has commissioned two very experienced consultants to look anew at proposals covering the piazza, library/art gallery, Queensgate Market and related areas including the Town Hall and LBT.

A recent meeting with consultant IPW which has an extensive portfolio in advising on the development of stadia, music and cultural venues, provided us with an opportunity to input into their early thoughts.

Topics covered ranged from replacement of car parking facilities, improvements and possible extension to library/art gallery to provide improved visitor access and facilities, especially to the gallery, future use of market incorporating possible music venue (not of arena proportions), museum/display facilities (to compliment Tolson Museum) and children’s play facilities.


Street Improvement Programme

A meeting with highway and regeneration officers provided an update to future phases of street improvements, including New Street, Dundas Street and Macaulay Steet and, more recently, proposals for the Station Gateway, primarily Northumberland Street and John William Street. The latter proposals have now been put out for public consultation (see HCS website for details).

Work carried out to date has been of a high quality though we have queried some of the details regarding New Street, especially the sculptural pillars for climbing plants which HCS had previously raised objections to, particularly relating to future maintenance and revenue costs.

We also highlighted the poor level of upkeep and cleanliness of litter bins, utility boxes and other street furniture, in contrast to the overall standard of paving materials and the need for a clear policy for waste and disposal facilities given the increase in residential conversion proposals in the town centre.
 

Open Market

Earlier in the week myself, Martin Kilburn and Sylvia Johnson had an equally useful meeting with Nigel Hunston, Kirklees Council’s Team Leader (Town Centre Conservation & Design). Nigel provided an insight into preparatory work to look at the future of this Grade 2 listed building and its immediate surrounds.

It was gratifying to know that Kirklees is working with two architectural practises with extensive experience in both reviving markets, including Leeds and Preston markets, and in projects which recognise the importance of preserving and enhancing the heritage elements of the building.

The meetings above demonstrate that, as a society, we are fortunate in participating at an early stage in the evolution of these projects. We may not always achieve all the suggestions we make but thank those officers who recognise the positive input that HCS can offer.


Discover Huddersfield

The last walk of the season on Sunday, October 24, is now fully booked. It indicates the popularity of these walks which this year were promoted through Eventbrite and limited to around 20 people. 
 
The Discover Huddersfield team is now looking towards 2022 and the hope of working more closely with the Huddersfield BID (Business Improvement District) manager Sam Sharp.
 
Two new trail leaflets are in production – Textile Heritage and Limelight and Greasepaint Act 1, the latter written by the late Brian Haigh, vice-chair of Huddersfield Local History Society. These should be available by Christmas. 
 
As mentioned in my last update you can also follow the trails or views them from the comfort of home by visiting the new web app: https://huddersfield.onfoot.guide/
 

Transpennine Rail Improvements

As mentioned previously, colleague Geoff Hughes has been working closely with Huddersfield Unlimited (HU) ahead of the public enquiry in November. 
 
The HU/HCS Transport Group’s submission to the forthcoming public enquiry, scheduled at the Stadium from November 2 to about December 10 has now been submitted. It is effectively a reworking of July’s ‘Statement of Case’ recast as an oral statement, formally called a ‘Proof of Evidence’.

By Friday, October 29, we aim to make our formal request to take the Enquiry Inspector on a walk to show our points in person. In the meantime, HCS/HU’s goal is to catalyse constructive working between Network Rail, Kirklees Council and HD1, the owner of the railway warehouse.
 
There would be huge advantages in the three bodies working together on a formal basis. HCS/HU is also closely coordinating with Kirklees Cycling on station access issues, the Chair of which, Chas Ball, is also an HCS trustee.
 

Design Awards 2021 
 
The time of year has come when I’d ask all our members to keep their eyes open for any project that they feel deserves to be nominated in the HCS annual Design Awards. You can find details of how to nominate projects on the HCS website (see news item below or go to the Design Awards page).

The closing date for nominations is December 31, 2021 for the following categories: Best New Build, Best Shop Front, Best Refurbishment, Best Residential Development, Best Commercial Development and Best Community Project. 

There is no restriction on the number of nominations you enter and we are keen to help raise the profile of projects that have contributed to Huddersfield’s heritage and built environment.
 

Memories of our Square
 
A special website celebrating the history of St George’s Square is now up and running and people are urged to add their own memories to it ... and they could also feature in a book. Huddersfield Local History Society’s website Our Square (https://oursquare.huddersfieldhistory.org.uk/) is building up a history of the square, including photos.

For more information about the project see the HCS website ‘News’, email:  email@oursquare.org, or visit the Memories of Our Square Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3063308933946811
 
Planning Issues
Comments have recently been submitted objecting to a proposal at King James’ School, Almondbury, to discharge a condition for the use of natural York stone facings on a proposed development which received permission some months ago. The building lies within Almondbury Conservation Area and within the curtilage of a listed building.

We feel that it is vital that Kirklees sets high standards for its own developments and this attempt to use artificial stone as a substitute undermines the council’s own policy ‘to preserve and enhance the quality and character of a conservation area.’
Submissions regarding other planning applications can be found on the HCS website.


Events

Thursday, November 25 at 7pm: Professor Peter Roberts: Kirklees Climate Commission.  

Peter was recently appointed chair of Kirklees Climate Commission and is Professor Emeritus of Sustainable Spatial Development at the School of Earth & Environment, University of Leeds. 

Professor Roberts has vast experience of housing and regeneration, including the Board of the Housing Executive, the NHS Confederation Sustainable Development Group  (Co-chair) and the Academy for Sustainable Communities (Chair). 

His research and knowledge of climate change and the issues facing local authorities will provide the perfect forum for understanding what is undoubtably the most important issue facing our future.

Further details on venue and booking will be circulated soon.


Members’ Subscriptions

From January 2022 membership subscriptions will be increasing from £10 for individual members and £25 for Corporate Members to £12.50 and £30 respectively. In checking with HCS Treasurer Michael Barron when subs were last increased he revealed it was in 2008!

Our costs have, unsurprisingly, increased since then, including payment for speakers, hall hire, membership of regional and national civic bodies, Design Award trophies, management of the HCS web site etc.

I hope this small increase will not come as a shock and hope that, not only will we be able to maintain our current membership levels but, in the next year, attract new individual and corporate members at a time when so much about the town is changing and our input, as you can read above, is having a direct influence on the shape of things to come.

Members will be formally contacted about these increases in coming weeks.

That’s all for now.
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Best wishes

David Wyles

It’s the time of year when we invite Huddersfield Civic Society members and the general public to nominate their favourite buildings in our annual Design Awards.
 
Established in 2012, these prestigious awards have been presented to the very best developments within Huddersfield that have been completed over the past couple of years.
 
Nominations for the 2020 awards were perhaps limited by a slowing of new development and restoration projects as a result of the pandemic and other factors. 
 
However, we received a range of outstanding projects, including two projects involving local community groups, namely friends of Greenhead Park (Examiner Readers’ Award) and Windrush Garden, Springwood, planned by the Developing African Caribbean Communities group.
 
The outright winner’s trophy was presented to the University of Huddersfield for its conversion of the former Broadbent’s Bath House, now the Sovereign Design House and Toast House Café at the University of Huddersfield, designed by AHR architects.           
 
Between now and the end of December we hope you will be on the lookout for exemplar projects within the following categories:  Best New Build, Best Shop Front, Best Refurbishment, Best Residential Development, Best Commercial Development and Best Community Project.
 
There is no restriction on the number of nominations you enter and these can easily be submitted to the society by completing a simple form on our website or emailing us the relevant details (see below).
 
In addition, HCS will again be teaming up with the Huddersfield Examiner so its readers have a chance to vote for the development which they feel has contributed most towards helping improve the quality and image of the town.
 
Nominated buildings should fall within the former Huddersfield borough boundary, that is between Outlane and Fixby in the north, Berry Brow and Almondbury in the south, Milnsbridge in the west and Cooper Bridge and Waterloo in the east. Projects must have been completed between July 1, 2019 and December 31, 2021.
 
Members have until the December 31 2021 to submit their choices. From nominations submitted, judges will choose the winners from each category. The winners will be presented with specially designed slate trophies with an additional trophy awarded to the outright winner in springtime 2022 (the presentation event will be dependent on the situation regarding Covid-19).
 
Consideration will be given to the following in determining the winning categories:
 
Quality of design and materials
Appropriateness to street setting and adjacent property
Functionality
Accessibility
Contribution to environmental sustainability
Quality of landscaping
Contribution to community enhancement
 
Not only will the awards raise the profile of Huddersfield Civic Society but of the town itself, something that we, as Members of the Society, the Examiner and all its readers are keen to do. We also hope that category winners will be submitted for consideration in the national design awards organised by Civic Voice.
 
Keep your eyes open for projects that have contributed to Huddersfield’s built environment and let us help raise the profile of those who developed and designed them.
 
We look forward to receiving your nominations.
  
Simply download the attached form, fill it in on screen and email it back to hcsdesignawards@gmail.com

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People have been urged to have their say on a major improvement scheme involving Huddersfield Railway Station and its surrounding area such as John William Street, Northumberland Street and Trinity Street.

The detailed proposals for the scheme called Huddersfield Rail Station Connections can be read by clicking here.  

Huddersfield Civic Society will be formulating a response to the proposals but would also like to hear what HCS members and members of the public think so please email your thoughts to us at members.info.civicsocietyhd@gmail.com

The project is a joint venture between Kirklees Council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and their partners and aims to make it easier for everyone to make their way between the railway station and the places where they live, learn, work or visit in Huddersfield town centre.

It’s being funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, a major new programme of investment to improve access to public transport, cycling and walking while helping to reduce car journeys and tackle the climate emergency.

The public consultation is now live and will be open for 4 weeks until Monday, November 8.

You can view the proposals, read supporting information and have your say by completing the consultation survey here https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/hudds-access