Friday, December 3, 2004

Historical building and valued community workspace under threat.

As reported on HebWeb earlier this week, the 'tin tab' on Unity Street is under threat of demolition to make way for 3 houses.

However, Calderdale Council have informed an interested party that the submitted planning application makes no reference to obtaining Conservation Area Consent to demolish the building, required as the building stands in the Hebden Bridge Conservation Area.

As a result, the period for the public to make their comments on the plans has been extended until the new year.

If you haven't had time to write a letter of comment/objection there is now time to do so.

Jill Liddington, a local historian said "The more letters that are received against the proposals, the more likely it is we'll save this building of special value".

You can comment on the application by writing to the Chief Planning Officer at:

Planning Services,
2nd Floor, Northgate House
Halifax, HX1 1UN.

Please include the application reference (04/02164/FUL) and your name and address with all comments.

Alternatively, comments can be made on-line on Calderdales planning comments page.

To give the building additional protection, there has also been an application to have the building "spot listed" by the Department of Media, Culture and Sport. If you have any reasons to argue for this building'sİlisting (e.g. details of its architectural distinctiveness, its history re technological innovation, its group value as a building in a well-preservedİlate-Victorian urban setting, its role within Methodist heritage, etc) you can write to the Department including any supporting material (photos, maps, etc.) to:

Department of Media, Culture and Sport,
Listing Team,
Designation Branch,
Architecture & Historic Environment Division,
2-4 Cockspur St,
London, SW1Y 5DH

The application is still due to be discussed at the next Hebden Royd Town Council meeting at 7:30pm, Wednesday 8 December, held in the Town Council Chambers, Hebden Bridge.

See the Tin Tab near the centre of the photo
- before Unity Street was built
Below: an enlarged section from this photo

Many thanks to Frank Woolrych and the Hebden Bridge Lit and Sci for the older photos of the Tin Tab

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