HCS gives feedback on supplementary Blueprint planning document

The Society is very supportive of the approach, vision and ambition incorporated in the Huddersfield Town Centre Blueprint Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
 
The types of change, areas of focus and sites identified for re-purposing represent a cogent strategy, with an appropriate mix of deliverable and aspirational elements, to give focus and direction for the town centre for the next 10 years.

As a policy document we assume the SPD should assist a Council planning lawyer refuting an ‘off message’ application by a developer. To achieve this for each of the SPD’s six key areas, there needs to be a succinct set of objectives, e.g. “mainly conversion to residential with limited new build plus new, high quality public realm...” followed by a bullet point list of the types of deliverables to be expected in any plan submitted for the area concerned. 

Here is a summary of the key additions and changes the Society believes should be made before the SPD is confirmed:

• An objective and related policy to enhance and better use the existing town centre yards,
• The Museum, Library/Art Gallery and Archive should remain focused in the Cultural Quarter,
• Simple provision of recycling bins, on town centre streets, is not enough. A strategy is required for working with local vendors to manage takeaway packaging and its’ disposal.
• Greater emphasis on ‘Family Friendly’ activities, both indoors and outdoors, with relatively low-cost provision being a ‘quick win’, eg in all plans for the piazza,
• Emphasis on a major increase in town-centre living for people of all ages, not just students,
• A clearer statement on the dependency with the TransPennine Rail Upgrade Project, given that the latter is currently incompatible with the SPD’s proposals for the station’s west side,
• A far better – safe & step-free pedestrian route – between bus and railway station platform level,
• A clear statement on plans for the George Hotel, now that it is in Council ownership,
• A framework for action to improve property frontages, of both heritage properties and High St outlets
• Inclusion of the Town Hall, as a concert and events venue, in the overall strategy for the Cultural Quarter
• Consideration of the threat to viability of the Open Market, particularly its retail element, given its distance from other retail areas and the bus station, even if a free town bus were offered,
• A clear statement on how personal safety and security is to be addressed by changes in policy to deliver the ‘safe’ environment necessary for the success of the project.
• Address the relationship between this SPD and, potentially conflicting plans, to enhance facilities at HD One around the Stadium,
• A statement of how the SPD will be owned, reviewed and updated over the next 10 years.

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