News In The Hebden Bridge List

Garden Street Recommended For Planning Approval

After much careful consideration and consultation with many other public bodies, planning officers from Calderdale MBC have recommended that the outline planning application for the controversial scheme to redevelop Garden Street car park in Hebden Bridge be accepted. The application made by Hebden Royd Development LLP, is for a scheme which aims to dramatically improve the provision of available car parking in Hebden Bridge, whilst also creating new homes, retail units and offices.

The forthcoming special meeting of Calderdale Planning Committee on Monday 29th September will ultimately decide the outcome of the outline planning application, however the planning department has clearly recognised the value and merits of the Garden Street scheme, and see no reason that the development should be prevented.

Those campaigning against the scheme claim that over 3,000 objections have been made, although there does not appear to be any verification of this, and the further suggestion that 95% of business in Hebden Bridge do not want to see the scheme implemented also remains unsubstantiated. The Garden Street Action Group appear to be of the opinion that the scheme will “rip the heart and soul out of Hebden Bridge if David Fletcher gets his way.” The action groups’ campaign slogan “No Means No” has been heavily criticised by some, since it copies the slogan of the anti-date rape campaign started ten years ago to raise awareness and to reduce the occurrence of date rape and dating violence.

At a recent public meeting, David Fletcher of Hebden Royd Development LLP, sought to reassure those attending that the scheme represented a positive step forward for the town, and would become another example of everything that makes Hebden Bridge such a wonderful place to live in and visit.

The Planning Committe meeting to decide whether the scheme is accepted, rejected, or deferrred, is being held at 6 pm on Monday 29th September at the Kings Centre, Park Road Halifax HX1 2TS.

Click here to find out more about the project

Click here to download the planning officers’ report in PDF format