Council’s plans for multi-million pound transformation of centre

Members of Calderdale Council’s cabinet want to see better shopping facilities in the centre of Halifax and a new library and archive for the town.

After years of deliberation it seems certain that Northgate House, the council’s administrative HQ, built only 30 years ago, will be reduced to rubble and sold to developers on the open market with Primark a prime contender to be based on the site.

The Gregory group which is behind the £45m redevelopment of nearby Broad Street, opposite the town hall, offered several million pounds for the site months ago and took part in exploratory discussions with Primark about its redevelopment.

In addition the council wants to create a new central library and archive next to the Square Spire and linking into the historic Piece Hall - itself the subject of a £16m redevelopment if Lottery funds allow.·

To pay for the proposed works, the council has revealed it has a three-pronged approach. Northgate House site sale will net it millions while the council will no longer have to pay the substantial costs of running the building.

It is also hoping to sell its Heath site on Free School Lane - which it used for many years for training purposes and which is expected to fetch a major sum.

Council services based at present at Heath will move into the town centre, which will make them more accessible to the public.

Council staff currently working in Northgate House will relocate to other council-owned or rented offices in the town.

The new library and archive would remain within walking distance of the bus and railway stations and would be accessible for all.

New up-to-date facilities are expected to encourage greater use both of library and archive services.

Council leader Janet Battye said: “These proposals represent a major investment in the area, the latest step in creating a vibrant town centre.

There is also the possibility that in the fullness of time Halifax could end up with a new bus station.

“We know that investors are seeking to come into Halifax, and that local people want better shopping and leisure facilities.

“For years, people have shopped in nearby towns and cities which have offered more choice. Bringing bigger and better shops to Halifax is long overdue and will provide a fantastic boost to the local economy.

“Northgate House and the central library and archive are costly to maintain and are there is a real chance for us to provide a better library and archive and better shopping facilities in the town.”

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Environment, Coun Barry Collins, says the new central library and archive will support the redevelopment of the Piece Hall, creating a vibrant cultural quarter incorporating the Orange Box development and the Square Chapel.

“This is a marvellous opportunity to improve the cultural offer of the town.

“While local authorities across the land are struggling to keep their libraries and archives open, Calderdale is about to embark on an exciting development which will see a completely new and purpose-built library and archive.

“It is more cost effective to dispose of the present site and build a new facility.

“To refurbish Northgate House would cost up to £15m and to refurbish the central library and archive would cost up to £6million.”

Coun Ian Cooper, (Con, Todmorden), and a former portfolio holder in the previous administration, said: “I am completely in agreement with the demolition of Northgate House.

“We desperately need regeneration.”

The proposals will be discussed at a full Council meeting on Wednesday 7 December.