Council grants itself permission for three tall sculptures in town centre

Kirklees Council has approved its own plan for three tall sculptures to be built on New Street, in spite of objections submitted by HCS.

Details of appearance or landscaping remain undisclosed but the council says approval of those matters must be obtained before development is begun.

All we know of the 'sculptural features' is that they will have a maximum height of 12 metres and be made of metal 'with an open structure to give a feeling of lightness'.

​This was the text of our objection sent to the council:

'The society recognises that improvements along this section of New Street are proposed in the Town Centre Blueprint and has broadly supported an initiative which would upgrade and replace dated and anachronistic street furniture, paving and other poorly maintained features.

​'​However, this application provides neither illustrations nor specific details of what these sculptures would look like, only that, and I quote, 'tall sculptural features designed to allow planting to go over and through ....The sculptures are yet to be designed .....The structures will be metal in construction with an open structure to give a feeling of lightness.'

'This is unacceptable. The application has not been placed in context with an overall plan for New Street, so there is no clue as to how it will fit in with other elements of the street's enhancement. It is purely a concept without any rationale in relation to how the street will function, be maintained or complement adjacent buildings, including the setting of 14 listed buildings. 

'The Heritage Impact Assessment states,’ They will not have any physical impact on the listed buildings and will only have a positive visual impact within the conservation area streetscape.’ These are made-made structures up to 12 metres in height so without any designs having been prepared how can anyone assess whether these structures will be acceptable or not?

'This application should not and cannot be considered in isolation to the whole. This application is, therefore, premature and should be withdrawn and only re-submitted when designs, not only for the sculptures but for the comprehensive enhancement of New Street are prepared and publicised.'