Residents are up in arms over council’s pub lighting removal
A BID by Kirklees Council to explain why it removed “illegally sited” lighting columns outside the Plumbers Arms backfired when it resulted in a storm of criticism from residents.
Commenters said Kirklees was “losing the PR battle” in more than 170 comments posted on the authority’s Facebook page, Kirklees Together.
Last Thursday, a 10-man team of contractors turned up in the early hours outside the Huddersfield town centre pub to remove the cast-iron lights which had been there for two years, with the council saying they were structurally and electrically unsound.
But there has been a huge outcry with residents complaining that the council has robbed the area of attractive lighting which made people, especially women, feel safer at night.
One man wrote: “You appear to be losing the PR battle, however much you feel to be in the right.
“The approach of turning up at 5.30 in the morning to covertly remove something as you stated was structurally unsafe, yet your team of 10 people were unable to physically remove them as they were so solidly embedded, does nothing for your case.
“Sour grapes are all you are tasting in this instance.”
A woman added: “The lights made it safer as its dimly lit by street lighting. The area is unused and a waste of space.
“The pub has put good quality seating out which anyone can use. It makes the entrance to Huddersfield from the Bus Station look much nicer and busier.
“There are a lot of ‘undesirables’ hanging around the bus station and it feels unsafe, with the extra seating and more people about, it feels safer to walk.
“It’s nice to hear folk chatting and laughing and they always leave the wide unseated ‘pavement’ area clear for passing pedestrians.
“It’s good for Huddersfield town centre and makes it inviting. There are little shops to entice folk so good on The Plumbers! They pay the exorbitant rates so the council should be happy.”
While another woman wrote: “Nicest looking area of Huddersfield, proved it was structurally and electrically safe.
“I’m positive that they could have come to an agreement but it seems like nothing but a petty reaction to a disagreement that’s been ongoing. What a waste of money. There are better things that could be done with that money than destroy the best-looking part of town.”
And Stephen Knight, a community leader in the Netherton area, said: “Kirklees Council should be helping local businesses bounce back.”
But one woman wrote: “Has anyone actually read the bulletin before complaining? The lights were found to be structurally and electrically unsafe, plus bollards were removed illegally to put them in place.
“I’m not sure why Kirklees is getting such a roasting. There would be plenty of complaints to the council if one of them fell on someone or electrocuted someone and then it would be the council’s fault for not removing them!
“Why can’t the landlord of the Plumbers just follow procedures? Is he above the law?”
Plumbers owner Mark Robertson has gone on the offensive since the council’s action and has refused to back down.
Writing on the Plumbers Facebook page said: “I would rather not own a business in Huddersfield town than keep quiet.”
You appear to be losing the PR battle, however much you feel to be in
the right
Kirklees Council has approached for comment.
In a previous statement, the council said they removed the columns to ‘prevent accident or injury.’
The statement said: “Planning and licensing legislation is in place to protect everyone.
“It provides a level playing field for landowners and businesses to make improvements and provides the opportunity for residents and officials to object to things that will negatively impact on the environment, public safety and quality of life.
“”Anyone acting outside of these rules could be seen as showing a lack of respect for both public opinion and safety.
“We will consider any applications for retrospective planning permission through the usual process, however retrospective applications do not legitimise what has been done and it is right that these items should be removed for public safety.”
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