Aim to give new life to town's historic gem
ONE of Hebden Bridge's most important historic buildings could have new life breathed into it by an ambitious community-led project.
The council offices complex, beside St George’s Bridge in the centre of the town, was originally built in 1897 for the former Hebden Bridge Urban District Council and is one of the town’s architectural gems. In recent years, however, the building has been underutilised and in poor repair.
This could change if initial plans led by a partnership of local organisations is successful in persuading Calderdale to hand back ownership to the community. The proposal, which comes from the community umbrella organisation Hebden Bridge Partnership, follows more than a year of detailed preparatory work undertaken by a working party from Hebden Royd Town Council and the four neighbouring rural parish councils - Blackshaw, Erringden, Heptonstall and Wadsworth - who access facilities in the premises.
“We want to make this landmark building once again the heart of local life. With the Hebden Bridge community directly responsible for looking after it, we’re sure that we can maximise its use, both for voluntary groups and for public services,” said Mr Andrew Bibby, one of the members of the project team.
The civic offices complex with is first floor council chamber is listed as being of particular architectural merit. However, the building has lost in recent years both the housing office and the births and deaths registration service. Wheelchair users are also excluded from most of the building.
“We’re convinced that it’s possible to make the council offices once more the hub of local life,” said Coun Janet Battye, chairman of the town and parish councils working group on the building and local Calderdale councillor. “We envisage the building being transformed, and used for delivering a full range of public and community services. There’s the chance to make proper meeting space too, accessible by all..”
Mayor of Hebden Royd, Coun Nader Fakri said: “We are delighted that a well-loved and vital community resource will be developed further for the benefit of all in the community.
“For far too long we have been losing valuable public buildings and services in Hebden Bridge. This is the tide turning back in favour of greater local control of local resources and assets.”
The government has recently produced a green paper encouraging local authorities to consider passing ownership of community assets across to direct community ownership and as a consequence there are new grant funding possibilities available.
“So this is an ideal time to make a move,” said Mr Bibby. “We have made initial approaches to Calderdale, who of course are key partners in any future plans. We think what we’re proposing could help the council too, in providing a long-term sustainable solution to what is at present something of a millstone for them.”
The council offices site is one of the priority projects identified by Hebden Bridge Partnership as key to the next phase of the town’s regeneration, and the project group is now undertaking work towards a detailed feasibility study. Calderdale will respond formally shortly, though the group says that members are hopeful of a successful outcome to the negotiations. The group will be working closely with existing users of the building and will also call a meeting open to all local people within the next few weeks.
“This building has been a part of local life for 110 years, and what we have to do is to put in place the framework for the next century. We’re enormously excited about the potential, though we also know that it will take time to sort out the legal and financial arrangements,” said Coun Battye. “But with local goodwill and support, what we’re proposing has to be the right way forward. This could be a key community resource for the town for generations to come.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Halifax
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
