News In The Hebden Bridge List

Garden Street Objectors' Death Threats To Supporters

West Yorkshire Police are reported to be investigating claims that individuals and business, either involved or publicly supporting the controversial development proposal for Garden Street, have been the victims of vandalism and death threats. Broken windows, vehicles tampered with, and threatening letters are just some of the disturbing incidents which have taken place.

Tim Downs, of Brahm PR, a public relations company engaged by the developers of the scheme, is reported as having received an anonymous threatening phone call, and architects of the scheme Studio Baad had a brick thrown at one of their office windows. The many businesses and local residents of Hebden Bridge who are in favour of the Garden Street development, must now have serious misgivings about revealing their opinions in public.

One of the key aims of the Garden Street scheme is to help alleviate the significant lack of available car parking in the town. The proposal by Hebden Royd Development LLP seeks to achieve this by building a mixed use development over a larger capacity underground car park, which will double the current capacity available. Other features of the proposal include 48 new apartments and houses 8 new retail units, and 8 premises for new local businesses.

The revised planning application for the scheme is expected to be addressed by Calderdale Council’s Planning Committee towards the end of September.