News In The Hebden Bridge List

Conservation Consultation For Hebden Bridge Area

Calderdale Councillors have given their backing to plans to designate and review conservation areas in Calderdale. At last night’s Cabinet meeting (Monday 8th December), it was decided that Clifton and Northowram should be considered for Conservation status. Existing Conservation areas Hebden Bridge and Elland may also benefit, as the areas are to be reviewed, and may be extended.

Consultation work will be carried out in Elland and Clifton this financial year and in Northowram and Hebden Bridge the following year.

Councillor Amanda Byrne, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Development, is delighted that the consultations will go ahead:

“I’m pleased that we may be seeing more Conservation Areas in Calderdale.

“While this is exciting progress, I feel it’s important that we see more conservation areas added to the borough year on year. Calderdale deserves to be recognised for its heritage, and this would ensure that our beautiful surroundings are preserved for years to come.

“Granting Conservations Area status is a great way to encourage economic progress, whilst ensuring the history and character of our borough remains intact.”

There are currently 19 conservation areas in Calderdale, the most recent additions being Savile Park, Skircoat Green and Huddersfield Road East, all designated in October 2005. Extensions to existing conservation areas were granted in March 2008, namely Todmorden and Lumbutts and Mankinholes.

A conservation area Character Appraisal aims to define the qualities that make the area one of ‘special architectural or historic interest’ by looking at the history and physical development of the area. The Council has a statutory duty to consider new conservation areas and review those that already exist.