Eyesore buildings to be pulled down as site awaits bus station

Kirklees Council and Metro, the passenger transport authority, have been working for several years on joint plans for a bus station with five covered stands in Heckmondwike.

The new bus facility would be adjacent to a new library and information centre for Northgate, in the heart of Heckmondwike town centre.

A report to Kirklees Council’s cabinet committee, which meets on Tuesday next week, is to ask councillors for the go-ahead to demolish the final remaining buildings to create a clear and safe site for the proposed developments.

The council has used Compulsory Purchase Order powers to acquire land and buildings to make way for the scheme.

The remaining two buildings on the site – 4-6 Northgate and 1,3,5 Royle Fold – are located to the front of the site, which is in the heart of the shopping area of the town.

The buildings are empty, but continue to be broken into and vandalised.

The boundary fence to the site is also continuously made insecure by vandals.

Councillors are keen for the buildings to be demolished. Council officers say that demolition will make the area safe and reduce the liability for the council. Delaying demolition could result in higher costs at a later date.

The estimated costs for demolition work, and to secure the site, are £25,000.

The report to the cabinet says: “The financial implications of not undertaking the works means a continued commitment from the council for ongoing resources to manage and maintain the site. The buildings are being broken into and the boundary fence to the site continues to be made insecure through vandalism.

“It is important that the council secures its interest and protects the land from unauthorised access.”

Ward councillors have backed the demolition plans.

Coun Viv Kendrick said: “I am in complete agreement with the report and fully support the recommendation for the demolition of buildings on the site, not only to make the area safe but also to remove an eyesore from the centre of the town.

“This has long been awaited by the residents of Heckmondwike and it is hoped that the resulting space will be used as a bus station to relieve congestion on roads in the town centre and also to accommodate a library and information centre.”

Coun Steve Hall added: “It has been a long time in getting to this stage. The sooner the demolition is complete the better. A bus station is what we need to stop the town getting clogged up with buses.”

And Coun David Sheard said locals and businesses were keen to see the site made safe and secure as soon as possible.

The demolition could begin in July and be complete by September.

Council officers said they will return to a future cabinet meeting to report on development proposals for the site.

Discussions are continuing with Metro regarding the public transport solution for Heckmondwike.

Kirklees Council is still reviewing its public spending plans in relation to customer information points across the district, including the one proposed at Heckmondwike.

The cabinet report says: “The corporate spending review has required robust consideration of the council’s budget, which includes the review of customer information points across Kirklees.

“Thus review is still ongoing. Discussions are continuing with Metro regarding the public transport solution for Heckmondwike.”

Members of the cabinet committee will discuss the report at a meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall on Tuesday next week from 4pm.