Critics hit out at bus gates as a trade blow

A FORMER police station used as a location in the BBC TV drama Happy Valley could become a house of multiple occupation.

More than 200 objections have been received to plans to convert the former Sowerby Bridge Police Station.

The building has often been used as the fictional base for police sergeant Catherine Cawood, played by Sarah Lancashire, and her colleagues in the gritty Calder Valley-based ratings hit police drama Happy Valley.

Calderdale Council’s Planning Committee will consider the application on Tuesday, October 16, when it meets at Halifax Town Hall (2pm).

The description of the development is described in the application as “amended” and in the report compiled by council officers – who are recommending it should be permitted – they say the majority of objections are in response to the original description of the development as a hostel.

The amended plans are for a 28-bedroom house in multiple occupation. some of those buses.

“We looked at the idea of people coming in on buses. They were dependent on them and tried to ease the way through for the bus. That has been a success.”

But his Conservative colleague Richard Smith said there was a direct correlation between the introduction of bus gates and the reduction in footfall during the same period.

“Whilst I accept this is not all down to bus gates they have undoubtedly made people fearful of driving into town, because they are worried about how to access the limited poor parking we have without driving through a camera.

“The well-known decline of the high street is not just common to Huddersfield.

“The internet and growth of larger out-of-town centres has all contributed, but this just illustrates how important it is for us to have a welcoming town with easy to access, cheap, or free car parking.”

Mr Wood said some prime town centre streets and shopping areas had seen footfall reduced by between 30% and 45%.

Phil Barden, operator of Huddersfield’s Wimpy restaurant, also lashed out at the council’s “lack of investment and poor strategy” after closing his town centre premises last week.

He described bus gates as “the worst thing to happen to the town centre” and that their impact had been “irreparable.”

He added: “It is the town centre that is paying the price.”

Objectors claim the building is unsuitable for a hostel as it is too small and raise issues about crime, parking, the character of the building, increase in traffic and potential noise pollution. Others say it will have a negative impact on the town.

Sowerby Bridge ward councillor Mike Payne (Con) has requested the application be put before the committee because the recommendation is to permit.

He says: “There appears to be a lot of secrecy about this application and it is not clear what the intended use will be.

“In the circumstances if officers are mindful to allow then I would request that this is heard by the full planning committee.

“This will enable the full facts of the application to be discussed in public.”