Hi folks
Since Huddlesfield is the largest Town in the UK
I thought its time to start this thread going.
Has anyone any info on the Concerning the press release of the £200 million Waterfront Quarter development?

Hi folks
Since Huddlesfield is the largest Town in the UK
I thought its time to start this thread going.
Has anyone any info on the Concerning the press release of the £200 million Waterfront Quarter development?

Big piece in the Examiner last night. Sounds like a really impressive development around the Chapel Hill/Manchester Road/River Colne area taking in the Sellers site. Sellers plan to relocate to a new factory elsewhere in town. Plans drawn up by Leeds architects (can't remember which) and the development is being marketed by Knight Frank. Some 500 apartments, offices, bars and restaurants with two new spectacular bridges over the river.Claims that it will be as big as Clarence Dock. Planning application expected later this year with start on site next year (but one report said 2006). Great news. Just hope they can make it happen.

Hi folks
Since Huddlesfield is the largest Town in the UK


Isn't that a bit of a dubious claim to fame - along the lines of being the oldest virgin? :D

I thought Wigan was the largest town in the UK...

No I must admint I heard Huddersfield is the largest too. I thimk once I heard that Bolton was, but I think I'll go with Huddersfield, it seems to have a bigger feel. It has alot of improving to do though.

No I must admint I heard Huddersfield is the largest too. I thimk once I heard that Bolton was, but I think I'll go with Huddersfield, it seems to have a bigger feel. It has alot of improving to do though.

Yeah a lot to be done. But some good things already achieved with much more in the pipeline. And it seems there is a real appetite for apartment living, with loads of mill conversions in and around the town centre, so plenty of scope for more regeneration.

Lived there for a while; also lived in Bradford and Wakefield and believe me Hudders wins hands down, even before all the great projects now planned or underway.

Town economy report 'paints bright future'
Andrew Robinson
BETTER office space, more restaurants and improved fitness facilities are on the way in Huddersfield – but the growth in mill conversions and 'city living' may not be sustainable, according to a report.
Property consultants Knight Frank have predicted the town's renaissance will continue apace but have warned of the need for more affordable housing and homes suitable for families.
Future housing market problems are likely because 70 per cent of land in Kirklees is Green Belt so developers will need to look towards urban regeneration to satisfy rising demand pressures, a report claims.
Mill conversions and city living apartments in good locations, which are reasonably priced, have sold well in recent years but Knight Frank questions whether enough people will want to buy them in the future.
The report warns: "Some local agents are concerned about the long-term sustainability of this market. To counter these fears, developers need to design properties that will appeal to a broad range of purchasers across all sectors of the market."
Economic growth is set to stabilise and show steady improvement, with growth for the next 10 years forecast to be an average 2.5 per cent annually in the borough.
Employment will continue to grow in Huddersfield, although it will shift from poorer performing areas such as manufacturing.
Knight Frank's report says public sector employment will also continue to grow, both in terms of health and education but also office-based services.
Entitled the Huddersfield Demand Assessment, the report was prepared for Kirklees Council and was launched today at a breakfast seminar at the town's Galpharm Stadium.
The council's deputy leader, Lib Dem Coun John Smithson, said the report confirmed that the town was buzzing with activity and opportunity and he added: "Over the past few years we have seen a number of developments which have transformed the town, breathing new life into some of our most beautiful buildings and introducing stylish town-centre apartments as well as state-of-the-art technical facilities for the University.
"Quality business parks are springing up to meet demand from businesses attracted by our proximity to nearby cities and our prime position along the North-South/East-West distribution axis.
"A new shopping centre and a well-thought out strategy for improving public space and streetscapes means our retail offer is now second only to Leeds and, with a host of nationally and internationally recognised creative talent based here, we were recently named sixth most creative town in the UK. Huddersfield's future looks bright indeed."
Ken Gillespie, Kirklees Council's director of regeneration, said: "Knight Frank have analysed the economic case for investing here and now we are keen to talk to developers and investors about ambitious schemes which can take the town well into the 21st century.
"It is a mark of the interest and confidence the industry has in Huddersfield that we are able to welcome over 80 property professionals to the launch event."
The report says economic growth will be supported by a continuing and a typical trend towards a growing population of younger residents.
Demand for new office space is also predicted to be extremely strong.
And demand for health and fitness and gym facilities is very strong and could mean operators will open more facilities. The same may also be true for bingo and snooker.
andrew.robinson@ypn.co.uk

Key points of the study:
n Plans by Kirklees Council to move to a single or a number of larger new buildings could provide the catalyst for the development of a much-needed office quarter.
n There is an inadequate supply of quality industrial sites and premises and an over-supply of obsolete stock. The council is seeking to address this by increasing the supply of employment land.
n A key opportunity for new industrial development in greater Huddersfield is along the Leeds Road corridor.
n Although the town is still of interest to the fast food chains, many mid-market operators are now ranking Huddersfield high on their target lists.
n Developers of the Brittania Buildings are in talks with national restaurant operators and a mixed-use development on St John's Road will feature restaurant accommodation.
n Dreamloft Ltd's residential development on Chancery Lane, in the town centre, is expected to offer up to three bar and restaurant units.
n Planning permission has been submitted for an office and residential scheme on Gasworks Street that will include two restaurant units.
n There is a large development opportunity next to the Galpharm Stadium. De Vere may consider it for their 'village' concept for leisure, dining and conference use.
n Racket club operators such as David Lloyd and Esporta are searching for sites in Huddersfield. JJB is also after a site of up to 10 acres for a soccerdome (indoor pitches, a health club and retail unit)
n Several hotel operators are looking to move into Huddersfield, providing rooms, restaurants and conference facilities.
n Huddersfield is experiencing a mushrooming of single person households. Increasing numbers of people will be priced out of the property market.
30 November 2005

BUMP

Hi guys,

Im new ere n jus thought id let u guyz knw about wots goin on in hudds! Some mega schemes in the pipeline like the waterfront quarter, st georges quarter, new media centre etc! Ill av sum renderings 4 u guys soon

http://www.thedesignexchange.co.uk/hosting/waterfront/images/large_versions/2.jpg

http://www.thedesignexchange.co.uk/hosting/waterfront/images/large_versions/4.jpg

nice!!
love the buildings colours, awesome development

Welcome to the forums Matty interesting plans for Huddersfield which has some quite nice and underated areas. Is there any plans for refurbishing a large empty former mill next to Huddersfield railway station as that really could be a nice development if done properly? Also is there any plans perhaps to improve the appeareance of the inner ring road perhaps by sinking that underground and to allow the suburbs to link easily with the town centre?

ii

http://www.huddersfield.f9.co.uk/localpics/railway.jpg

http://www.tonyhartley.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/huddersfield/chill1.jpg

Hey guys thnx 4 the warm welcome! Yeh there is a mega scheme 4 the old st georges warehouse at the bak of the railway station. I think theyre guna build new office space, apartments n recreational area etc. The project is estimated to cost approx £50m n luks the business.

Mandale are reported to be working on a 500 unit student accomodation block in huddersfield, which is likely to be tall. No other information or location I'm affraid.

Hey guys i need sum help plz! I want a section wer i can post all huddersfield pictures, how do i do this or can sum1 do this 4 me?

Hey guys i need sum help plz! I want a section wer i can post all huddersfield pictures, how do i do this or can sum1 do this 4 me?

Just post them here, it'll be good to have all Huddersfield stuff at one place.

pic 1

http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/transport/stgeorge/images/StGeorgesSquare2.jpg

http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/transport/stgeorge/images/StGeorgesSquare1.jpg

http://www.ramsdenandcolne.co.uk/largerimage.htm

http://www.ramsdenandcolne.co.uk/new%20images%2020%2012%202005.htm

http://www.ramsdenandcolne.co.uk/new%20images%2020%2012%202005.htm

Matty
Some great images there - thanks. Good to see some major projects going ahead in Hudders. There's also the massive derelict railway warehouse, the library/art gallery area and a very futuristic apartment scheme at Aspley (I think it's called the armadillo?) so any images would be much appreciated. Keep them coming!

Mike

Matty
There's also the massive derelict railway warehouse, the library/art gallery area and a very futuristic apartment scheme at Aspley (I think it's called the armadillo?) so any images would be much appreciated. Keep them coming!

Mike

Yeh there r afew other schemes but i dont av ne images jus yet but chek ou these images of the new creative arts building under construction.

http://www.hud.ac.uk/news/06_06/gallery_arts_building.html

Hi guys,

Jus thought id let u knw bout another scheme that has been approved by the council. Plans are to convert two old mills into flagship office space, also there will be a new steel and glass tower built to join the two existing buildings. Should hav sum pics 4 u soon

where abouts in hudds is the ramsden and colne development happening matty? is it going to be behind sainsburys near the aspley pub, or is it going to be along firth street near 1535?
the site that has been aquired near to 1535 has been undergoing a lot of development recently, as has a new site behind aspley hall student flats next to kings bridge.
i study at huddersfield university, and the new media and creative arts building is well under construction now.

where abouts in hudds is the ramsden and colne development happening matty? is it going to be behind sainsburys near the aspley pub, or is it going to be along firth street near 1535?
the site that has been aquired near to 1535 has been undergoing a lot of development recently, as has a new site behind aspley hall student flats next to kings bridge.
i study at huddersfield university, and the new media and creative arts building is well under construction now.

Hope you're enjoying your course....the waterfront development by Ramsden and Colne will be at the bottom of Chapel Hill - across the river from the Grosvenor Casino, on land currently occupied by Sellers engineers. Not sure what the start date is but looks like the Technical College and Kirklees Council are interested in taking the office space.

Mike

Hey guys. Didn't expect there to be a huddersfield thread on here - thats cool. Took a pic of the new media centre a couple of months ago, which IMO is by far the nicest building in Huddersfield now, and decided to share it on here. I deliberately took it at night cos i love how it looks with the lit up logo at night. What are your thoughts?
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/jonny35/TheMediaCentre-Huddersfield.jpg

Cant see it very well unfortunately but I like the logo :)

Hey guys. Didn't expect there to be a huddersfield thread on here - thats cool. Took a pic of the new media centre a couple of months ago, which IMO is by far the nicest building in Huddersfield now, and decided to share it on here. I deliberately took it at night cos i love how it looks with the lit up logo at night. What are your thoughts?
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/jonny35/TheMediaCentre-Huddersfield.jpg

Hi Jonny

Thanks for the pic...looks great. How about more photos of other things happening in town, like the University development and the railway warehouse?

Thanks again

Mike

Cant see it very well unfortunately but I like the logo :)

Yeah sorry its off my phone camera - i need higher res and longer exposure, i'll try steal my bros camera someday and get a better one.
But yeah the logo was the main reason for this pic, i think it looks great at night - stands out really well.

Hi Jonny

Thanks for the pic...looks great. How about more photos of other things happening in town, like the University development and the railway warehouse?

Thanks again

Mike

Hi Mike.

Yeah i'll try and get pics of both of them - i wasn't aware there was redevelopment going on at the railway warehouse? I have been saying for years now that my ambition in life is to transform that place into a prime piece of real estate. I mean, 1) Its directly next to the railway station - so attracts people from very big area. So in theory you would get tenants AND planning permission with ease. 2) You could begin work straight away because you don't need to wait for current tenants to vacate. 3) You could have a public car park which could also provide for people using the station going outwards, as well as people driving to work - bringing in more revenue. etc.

Anyway i'm ranting, but basically i had/have? big ideas for that place lol. So whats going on there? Please inform.

Also is there any visualisations of the new uni building online? Otherwise i'll try take some pics of the visualisations outside and post them up.

cheers.
Jonny

try this site for the St. Georges Warehouse scheme;

http://www.stgeorgesquarter.co.uk/

It's about time this building was used again.

Hi Mike.

Yeah i'll try and get pics of both of them - i wasn't aware there was redevelopment going on at the railway warehouse? I have been saying for years now that my ambition in life is to transform that place into a prime piece of real estate. I mean, 1) Its directly next to the railway station - so attracts people from very big area. So in theory you would get tenants AND planning permission with ease. 2) You could begin work straight away because you don't need to wait for current tenants to vacate. 3) You could have a public car park which could also provide for people using the station going outwards, as well as people driving to work - bringing in more revenue. etc.

Anyway i'm ranting, but basically i had/have? big ideas for that place lol. So whats going on there? Please inform.

Also is there any visualisations of the new uni building online? Otherwise i'll try take some pics of the visualisations outside and post them up.

cheers.
Jonny

Hi Jonny

I'm sure you're right about the warehouse. But it's been derelict for so long now I can only assume the renovation costs were considered prohibitive. Circumstances must have changed now, given that work is underway, thankfully! Looks like mainly offices and apartments with the possibility of a hotel in the next phase. Any photos would be much appreciated!!

If you are wandering around town with your camera (I only get there for the footie these days so don't go into the centre) keep an eye out for other major developments in the pipeline: the waterfront; planned demolition and replacement of the former YMCA building; apartment buildings at the Wakefield Road end of St Andrews Road and also further down Wakefield Road; and the planned retail developments at Kingsgate and the Piazza (I guess these are a bit more long term). Work is also due to start soon on conversion of the disused mill buildings at the bottom of Chapel Hill. Plenty to keep us busy!

Mike

Hi Jonny

I'm sure you're right about the warehouse. But it's been derelict for so long now I can only assume the renovation costs were considered prohibitive. Circumstances must have changed now, given that work is underway, thankfully! Looks like mainly offices and apartments with the possibility of a hotel in the next phase. Any photos would be much appreciated!!

If you are wandering around town with your camera (I only get there for the footie these days so don't go into the centre) keep an eye out for other major developments in the pipeline: the waterfront; planned demolition and replacement of the former YMCA building; apartment buildings at the Wakefield Road end of St Andrews Road and also further down Wakefield Road; and the planned retail developments at Kingsgate and the Piazza (I guess these are a bit more long term). Work is also due to start soon on conversion of the disused mill buildings at the bottom of Chapel Hill. Plenty to keep us busy!

Mike

I was at the train station yesterday going to leeds but i didn't see much activity at the old warehouse..

As for the new uni building, i took these pics last week of the development:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/jonny35/NewUniBuilding.jpg

As you can see, we had to drive into oncoming traffic to get this one - but it was worth it!
Lol, only joking - it does look like it though, i had to ponder for a few minutes to realise it was the rear window and not the front dashboard + steering wheel!


http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/jonny35/NewUniBuilding2.jpg

-Jonny

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/jonny35/NewUniBuilding-1.jpg

Cladding is now underway and it looks like it will be really nice.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/jonny35/NewUniBuildingCladding.jpg

N e more fresh piks of the sight lads?

The aspley apart blocks should get the green light tommorow! I have afew renderings of the new building but dont know how to upload them! Sum1 plz help. thnks.

The aspley apart blocks should get the green light tommorow! I have afew renderings of the new building but dont know how to upload them! Sum1 plz help. thnks.

Use a picture hosting site such as Imageshack: http://imageshack.us/ or Photobucket: http://photobucket.com/. Following that when you view the picture in full size right click on it, select properties and highlight all of the file name and select copy for the picture file and put it in between the two brackets as follows: name of picture name. Hope that helps.

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/6698/waterfronthudderfield20yv7.jpg

Use a picture hosting site such as Imageshack: http://imageshack.us/ or Photobucket: http://photobucket.com/. Following that when you view the picture in full size right click on it, select properties and highlight all of the file name and select copy for the picture file and put it in between the two brackets as follows: name of picture name. Hope that helps.


Hey thks alot 4 ur help! much apreciated mate.

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/6698/waterfronthudderfield20yv7.jpg


Waterfront quarter in central huddersfield.

Looks to be a good scheme that.

Waterfront quarter pic 2

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/358/waterfronthuddersfieldis7.jpg

Waterfront quarter pic 3

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/4407/waterfrontquarterlt9.jpg

Work on this project should start in jan 08.
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/5240/follyhallposter001sr6.jpg

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/7328/aspleyapartmentsda0.jpg

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9756/newcreativeartsbuildingoi5.jpg

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/7343/4849283334927c632ffdy4.jpg

Isn't that already built?

Isn't that already built?

yh tht has but the owners of the shopping centre are planning a big extension, n this is the only pik I found! I should av sum piks of the proposed extension plan soon

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9756/newcreativeartsbuildingoi5.jpg

Matty

These are great pictures...thanks...keep them coming. But what/where is this one? Is it part of the University? And have you heard anything more about the "armadillo" development further down Wakefield Road? Images were released a couple of years ago and looked fantastic. But nothing seen since, other than a comment in the press from the developer saying they were going ahead.


Mike

Matty

These are great pictures...thanks...keep them coming. But what/where is this one? Is it part of the University? And have you heard anything more about the "armadillo" development further down Wakefield Road? Images were released a couple of years ago and looked fantastic. But nothing seen since, other than a comment in the press from the developer saying they were going ahead.


Mike

Yes this is part of the uni! Yes I have heard about the armadillo project, i think they r guna start wrk on tht sumtym nxt year. I will post a pic of tht lata 2nyt

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/666/armdilloaspleybl5.jpg

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/8717/2001qi8.jpg

This is the £200m town centre scheme. Plans are to build new stores, a hotel and mayb a department store. A new bridge will also be built connect the town centre to the uni.

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/3897/page1image2ld5.jpg

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/5646/unibridgesu4.jpg

This is part of the waterfront development.

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/3928/huddersfieldspikeoo8.jpg

Plans have been submitted to the council on the extension of kingsgate shopping centre. The developers are looking to expand shopping space by 120,000 sq ft. net via a new mall leading out towards st peters church and gardens, anchored by a 50,000 sq ft major store.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/1084/phaseiiue4.jpg

There was some details about this project in todays examiner, plans are to build new apartments offices, bars and restaurants.

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/2954/09112007009001va7.jpg

STADIUM chiefs today unveiled a major development expected to create more than 720 jobs and turn Huddersfield into a top tourist destination.

They have announced plans for a £100m-plus scheme to put the Galpharm at the hub of a major leisure and commercial complex designed to attract visitors to Huddersfield and help it compete with attractions in Leeds and Manchester.

The ambitious scheme will include building an outdoor ski slope, two nightclubs, a casino and bingo hall, a music venue, a pool hall, a 10-pin bowling alley and an outdoor ski slope.

A ski slope was initially proposed as part of the Galpharm Stadium plan, but then withdrawn.

The new proposals also include 144 flats, 21 restaurants, cafés and bars, a 150-bedroom hotel, a convenience store and sports shop, an estate and travel agency, office space and a multi-storey car park with 1,754 spaces.

The ski slope would be built against the slope of Kilner Bank, avoiding the need for a towering, free-standing structure.

But the scheme would mean the loss of the golf driving range.

The multi-storey car park would be built on the site of the current Town Avenue car park across the river from the stadium.

The other new buildings would mainly occupy land to the south of the stadium between the Pink Link Stand and the river.

Stadium managing director Ralph Rimmer said a planning application for the scheme would be submitted this month.in July

If the plans are approved work would begin by the end of next year and be carried out over 40 months in four phases.

But Mr Rimmer stressed: "The stadium operates 12 months of the year and remains the heartbeat of the complex. The work will be done in phases, to avoid disrupting the work of the stadium."

The stadium, the Odeon cinema and the health and fitness centre would all remain in operation throughout the work.

Mr Rimmer said the development scheme, named HD One, aimed to turn Huddersfield into a leisure destination for people living outside the town and surrounding districts.

He said: "Kirklees Council want people who live here to spend their money here rather than in Leeds or Manchester and we have looked at a variety of different leisure opportunities.

"This is an attempt to bring in new and interesting things to the town. We have tried to be innovative and make it an attractive proposition for everyone."

He said: "The leisure markets in Leeds and Manchester are becoming more and more sophisticated and more and more skilled at taking money from consumers. Kirklees has to compete or disappear and become a suburb of Leeds.

"This scheme also goes some way to helping the local authority meet its targets for jobs and investment in the Kirklees Strategic Economic Zone, which centres on the Leeds Road corridor."

Mr Rimmer said the scheme had its origins four years ago when the Kirklees Stadium Development Company Limited (KSDL) began considering ways to upgrade the stadium and make greater use of the 54-acre site.

He said: "The stadium was ground- breaking when it was built in 1994 and it has added massively to the Kirklees area in general. The KSDL board are keen to do something ground-breaking once again."

He said the new development would complement existing attractions, including the Stadium Health and Fitness Centre and the neighbouring Odeon multiplex cinema.

Mr Rimmer said the scheme presented major challenges, including the need for improved public transport to the stadium complex, action to tackle contaminated land due to its former use as a chemicals dump and flood defence measures.

Stadium chiefs had also commissioned an independent survey to assess the possible impact on town centre traders. They were also consulting local residents.

The development was welcomed by Clr Robert Light, leader of Kirklees Council, which has a 40% stake in KSDL and sits alongside Huddersfield Town and Huddersfield Giants on its board.

He said: "This is a great proposal which will further enhance the position of Huddersfield in the region and link the Leeds Road stadium complex to the town.

"The development will offer facilities not presently in Huddersfield and help to widen the appeal of the area beyond the traditional area.

"This will help develop Leeds Road and the stadium as a key leisure facility."

An manned exhibition of the scheme runs from 1pm to 3pm today,(Tues) tomorrow (Wed) and Thursday in the community house at 3/5 Town Avenue.

It also runs from 6.30am to 10.30pm from Monday, July 7, to Friday, July 11, in the foyer of the health and fitness centre.

Would be magnificent for Huddersfield and Kirklees in general, but what about the horrendous accessibility issues in this area? Leeds Road is an absolute nightmare at the best of times. What plans are proposed to address the traffic congestion in order to ensure this scheme would function in the most efficient way?

I'm aware of the KSEZ (in fact very familiar with it), I'm aware of the Stadium axis guidelines (improving pedestrian connectivity from Huddersfield centre to the stadium) but there's little being put forward to ease traffic problems; or at least little that I'm aware of.

Would be magnificent for Huddersfield and Kirklees in general, but what about the horrendous accessibility issues in this area? Leeds Road is an absolute nightmare at the best of times. What plans are proposed to address the traffic congestion in order to ensure this scheme would function in the most efficient way?

I'm aware of the KSEZ (in fact very familiar with it), I'm aware of the Stadium axis guidelines (improving pedestrian connectivity from Huddersfield centre to the stadium) but there's little being put forward to ease traffic problems; or at least little that I'm aware of.

I take it that this would be something like Kirkstall Road in Leeds or XScape in Castleford of an out of town entertainment complex?

Wouldn't it be so much better to have a more urban style of development that would expand Huddersfield Town Centre eastwards to encompass the Galphram stadium and these planned developments so that there is no risk say of these new entertainment facilties resulting in the loss of existing amenties facilities to the established town centre (as what had occured for example when the Odeon which was originally I think known as a UCI had opened by the Galphram stadium resulting in the loss of town centre cinemas in Huddersfield)?

They should expand the Free Town Bus in Huddersfield Town Centre to allow direct access from Huddersfield Railway station to the Galphram stadium. Are there any renders of how this scheme will look?

I take it that this would be something like Kirkstall Road in Leeds or XScape in Castleford of an out of town entertainment complex?

Wouldn't it be so much better to have a more urban style of development that would expand Huddersfield Town Centre eastwards to encompass the Galphram stadium and these planned developments so that there is no risk say of these new entertainment facilties resulting in the loss of existing amenties facilities to the established town centre (as what had occured for example when the Odeon which was originally I think known as a UCI had opened by the Galphram stadium resulting in the loss of town centre cinemas in Huddersfield)?

They should expand the Free Town Bus in Huddersfield Town Centre to allow direct access from Huddersfield Railway station to the Galphram stadium. Are there any renders of how this scheme will look?

Are there any renders of how this scheme will look?[/QUOTE]

Some impressions here...http://www.thehdone.com/?hd=main

Are there any renders of how this scheme will look?

Some impressions here...http://www.thehdone.com/?hd=main[/QUOTE]

Thanks. Does look better than I expect as it does seem to give a denser atmosphere as opposed to the retail park style atmosphere I had expected. I guess the main thing which would determine how successful this development will be will be how much it gets integrated with the rest of Huddersfield Town Centre and whether decent attractive materials will be used or would it be just grey plastic especially as painted as opposed to computer generated renders would always be less accurate to predict the end result?

Also I presume Huddersfield Town FC and Huddersfield Giants RLFC will obviously see a substantial benefit from this scheme considering the large number of amenities on their doorstep which they could easily profit from? When is this scheme due to commence construction?

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/8144/hd1pic1hi0.jpg

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/8367/hd1pic2lt7.jpg

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/759/hd1pic3hx8.jpg

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/544/hd1pic4ea0.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3521/hd1pic5pm1.jpg

It looks the mutts nutts as far as these schemes go to be honest.

I must confess that I'm impressed with the artist impressions. There are one or two buildings that I'm not too keen on, however the general idea and draft proposals look good. There are two slightly significant issues with this scheme though!!

Firstly; this development falls within flood zone 3a therefore the developer has some significant flooding issues to address before they can pass the sequential test. I'm not sure what flood alleviation measures they have, or are going to, incorporate into the design but it would be interesting to know.

Second issue I have is with the town centre sequential test. Strictly speaking shops are not to be developed out of town centre; this scheme makes provision for shops and is out of town centre. Obviously we don't know what types of shops are proposed but again this could be a big stumbling block for the scheme.

If the development comes to fruition (and let’s hope it does) I would imagine there would be significant changes to its design before implementation.

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1951/54456289yp5.png[url]

Work on this project began afw months ago & the smaller building is complete. Afw law firms and developer Jay T are moving here soon. Ill post more pics soon.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/472/squarelayoutds8.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/2907/k21vb4.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3739/5ryytjhytjytj001vb3.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/71/jgrghtrht001hm0.jpg

picture was taken afw months ago, the new layout is nearing completion nw n luks brilliant

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4508/30908012400f59364aa5bxw7.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/755/hjhffh001km8.jpg

Work on the warehouse has been going on for some time now, they have cleaned up most of the exterior and have started work on the interior too. Ill have more shots soon!

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Council give the scheme thumbs up sum time last year and finally afw bulldozers are on sight now. This development will def put HD1 Oone the map

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The new campus is going to be located on chapel hill, near thw town centre

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Well done Matty.

My memories of Huddersfield are fond indeed. I was there when it was still a Poly! A few of us occasionally head back to reminisce over a few jars at the Rat & Ratchet and the old Zetland Arms

I think the University is having - like in Leeds - a really positive effect on the whole area. Good on them.

Looking forward to getting back there sometime and checking it out.

Well done Matty.

My memories of Huddersfield are fond indeed. I was there when it was still a Poly! A few of us occasionally head back to reminisce over a few jars at the Rat & Ratchet and the old Zetland Arms

I think the University is having - like in Leeds - a really positive effect on the whole area. Good on them.

Looking forward to getting back there sometime and checking it out.

Thanks pal!

Well yeah the uni is def having a positive effect on the whole area, theres no doubt. The uni is planning a new business school too, its another huge project cost approx £16m n afnk the work is due to start later this year.

Developer Park crescent submitted plans to build on a huge 30 acre site on the outskirt of hudds near leeds road & they shud get the green light soon, im really looking forward to that too. Ill keep u posted wiv everything goin on in hudds

Thanks pal!

Well yeah the uni is def having a positive effect on the whole area, theres no doubt. The uni is planning a new business school too, its another huge project cost approx £16m n afnk the work is due to start later this year.

Developer Park crescent submitted plans to build on a huge 30 acre site on the outskirt of hudds near leeds road & they shud get the green light soon, im really looking forward to that too. Ill keep u posted wiv everything goin on in hudds

Matty, these pics are much appreciated - do keep the updates coming! I don't get into Hudders very often these days (apart from the Galpharm - how about 4-1 on Saturday?) but like Magic I have happy memories and its great to see so much in the pipeline.

Thanks again

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Got hold of afw more pics which i thought id share.

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This scheme got the go ahead from council afew weeks ago.

Do you have any more images of the Creative Arts Centre? I saw it when it was being built and it has turned out well.

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Could Huddersfield become home to the Rugby Football League? http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2009/06/16/huddersfield-bids-to-host-rugby-football-league-hq-in-huddersfield-86081-23886761/

Huddersfield bids to host Rugby Football League HQ in Huddersfield
Jun 16 2009 By Neil Atkinson

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/13/RFLlogo.jpg
A BID to bring Rugby League "home" has been launched by Kirklees Council.

They are trying to tempt the sport’s ruling body to set up a new home in Huddersfield – birthplace of the game.

The Rugby Football League are currently based in Leeds but have expanded in recent years and are now looking for larger premises for their 200 staff.

The sport was founded in 1895 after an historic meeting at The George Hotel in Huddersfield.

Now, 114 years later, Kirklees Council and the national body of Rugby Football League are working to bring the game home.

The Rugby Football League is outgrowing its current office space at Red Hall in North Leeds and is currently searching for more premises. Officials have contacted Kirklees Council to see if it is possible to bring the headquarters of the game home to its birthplace.

Martyn Sadler, of the RFL, said: "The RFL is the national governing body of a sport that is growing rapidly all over the British Isles.

"I can’t think of a better location than Huddersfield, both geographically and historically, for the RFL.

"It was formed as the Northern Union there in 1895 at the George Hotel, and a return to Huddersfield would therefore be a return to its spiritual home.

"The town lies at the geographical centre of the game. The council has invested heavily in a superb stadium, the Giants are one of the leading clubs and the game’s Heritage Centre is located at the George Hotel. And of course Huddersfield was found to be the happiest town or city in northern England in a survey published in 2007." Huddersfield of course is already home to BARLA – the governing body of the amateur game, founded here in 1973.

Clr Mehboob Khan, Leader of the Council, said: "The council would be absolutely delighted to help the Rugby Football League find a new home for its headquarters and where better than the birthplace of the sport, Huddersfield?

"Huddersfield and the wider Kirklees has so much to offer in terms of its location and excellent transport links to all points both sides of the Pennines".

Clr Khan is working with Clr Christine Stanfield, Cabinet member for Culture and Leisure, on the proposals which are at an early stage.

She said: "We are very proud of our heritage and long association with the sport.

"The area boasts three professional Rugby League Clubs in Huddersfield Giants, who are currently enjoying life in the Super League, Dewsbury Rams and Batley Bulldogs.

"Our ambition is to nurture the development of the sport at all levels and view this as a great opportunity for the authority."

RUGBY League has its roots very much in Huddersfield and West Yorkshire.

1864 - The first rugby clubs formed in Leeds and Huddersfield, followed by Hull (1865), York (1868) then hundreds more in Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire in the 1870s and 1880s.

1876 - Yorkshire Cup competition started for Yorkshire rugby clubs. Soon it attracts bigger crowds than the FA Cup Final.

1886 - Concerned at the growing dominance of the largely working-class northern clubs, the Rugby Football Union introduces strict amateur rules.

1893 - Yorkshire clubs propose players to be paid six shillings ‘broken-time’ payments when they miss work due to matches. RFU vote down proposal. Widespread suspensions of northern clubs and players begin.

1895 - Threatened with expulsion from the RFU in the amateur row, 21 leading Lancashire and Yorkshire clubs meet at the George Hotel on August 29, 1895. They vote unanimously to form the Northern Rugby Football Union (NU) and allow payments.

1906 - Modern rugby league is born when the number of players is reduced from 15 to 13-a-side. Rucks and mauls after a tackle replaced by the play-the-ball.


I thought Manchester was in the running to become the new HQ for the RFL? Anyway it would certainly be a coup for Huddersfield to have the HQ for the RFL but where exactly in Huddersfield could they locate and is there anywhere else in the running where the RFL could locate? Surely there must be many suitable sites in and around Leeds where the RFL are based at present (and I believe have always been based)?

Also I noticed that in a bit of old news that Huddersfield local radio station Pennine FM 107.9 has been bought into new ownership after going under a few months back. http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.4733.2

Pennine FM returns.. again

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Huddersfield radio station Pennine FM will return to full programming on Monday morning, following weeks of non-stop music after the company behind it experienced money troubles.

The station has changed hands, and is now owned by former Home 107.9 presenter Adam Smith, and former Pulse and Galaxy presenter Steve Buck.

Adam Smith told the Huddersfield Examiner: "Our team all have connections to Huddersfield. This is a station for Huddersfield and we want to focus on that area.

“Radio stations are struggling like everyone now. But we hope people in the area will get behind us.”

Adam will host the breakfast show, whilst Steve takes over on drivetime, with Paul Clark on mid-mornings.

Quick history: Pennine Radio, which is not connected to the station from Huddersfield, launched in 1975 and re-branded as The Pulse of West Yorkshire in 1991. In 2008, The New Pennine FM was born from the former TLRC station Home 107.9, which originally launched as Huddersfield FM in 1999.

I used to study architecture at Huddersfield University and after visiting the Alumni section of their website, I noticed that work has begun on a new business school.

WORK BEGINS ON THE NEW BUSINESS SCHOOL

The University has started work on the refurbishment of the new Business School, due for completion in 2010. This follows the opening of the £14m Creative Arts Building on campus last September.

The improved facilities which will result from the refurbishment are further evidence of the University’s commitment to offering a first class learning environment for its students. The University has invested nearly £80m over the last decade and a further £100m investment is planned.

The start of the academic year 2010/11 will see the opening of the impressive state-of-the-art building, which will include teaching and learning accommodation, computing facilities, offices and social space.

Colin Blair, who is the University’s Director of Estates & Facilities, said “there are not many finer campuses now; certainly not in this region. And it’s not just about modern buildings. We’ve got the complete range. The Chief Executive of English Heritage has said we are one of the top heritage universities in the country, with the renovation work to the Canalside Mills, the two churches and historic Ramsden Building.”

Among the many business courses on offer at the University of Huddersfield are MBA, Management and Marketing, Finance, Law, Entrepreneurship and Global Politics.

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If anyone has any recent photos of construction then please do post them up :)

Webcam available here: http://www2.hud.ac.uk/uhbs/news/web_cam.php

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/localnews/First-step-to-revitalised-Waterfront.6052457.jp
First step to revitalised Waterfront

08 February 2010
Fiona Evans

A major project to redevelop the Waterfront Quarter in Huddersfield is set to take a step forward. A £950,000 package of highways works in Manchester Road is due to begin in June.

The scheme will help to prepare the infrastructure for the £175m Waterfront development, which will provide a new base for Kirklees College and, it is hoped, create hundreds of jobs in Huddersfield.

Included in the scheme are new traffic lights to reduce congestion and closed circuit TV (CCTV) to increase security and monitor traffic.

The work will also include a 600 metre bus and cycle lane; "real time" information in bus shelters to tell people when they can expect their buses to arrive, and £250,000 of road resurfacing throughout the length of the scheme.

Kirklees Council cabinet member for regeneration (south) Coun Peter McBride said that as well as improving public transport, the measures were strongly linked to the flagship development.

"This project is about far more than creating a bus lane. It's a whole package of improvements and it also boosts regeneration. We are helping to improve public transport, but the measures are also about long-term planning and are strongly linked to the huge, flagship redevelopment of the Waterfront Quarter.

"The Waterfront development is on a site between Manchester Road, Chapel Hill and the River Colne, so we need to have access in place and be prepared for the extra traffic this important scheme will generate."

He said that acting early to provide the right infrastructure ensures a problem does not develop further down the line. Coun McBride added: "It is common sense to prepare in advance because the Waterfront development is a £175m scheme and the single biggest regeneration project currently ongoing in Kirklees."

The site will include a new building for Kirklees College, 300 new homes, 190,000 sq ft of offices, plus cafes, bars and leisure space.

"It will also provide hundreds of local jobs and create a brilliant community for people from far and wide."

He said that the highways works that were recently approved were "part of the council ensuring that the Waterfront regeneration can run as smoothly as possible".

He added: "Of course there will be shorter-term benefits for road users in a place that has suffered congestion for years, but I hope people also bear in mind the bigger picture – and the need to show potential investors in Huddersfield that we really mean business."

The councillor also moved to answer concerns about funding for repairing potholes. "There have been questions about why the council doesn't spend this money on fixing potholes, but the simple answer is this – we can't.

"The funding comes from a Government pot which pays for changes and improvements to the transport network in West Yorkshire. Councils aren't allowed to use it for running repairs."

The Manchester Road scheme has been developed in partnership with Metro and local bus operator First. It applies to the section of Manchester Road between Huddersfield Ring Road and Longroyd Bridge.

Kirklees has announced it was releasing an extra £600,000 of funding to deal with road damage caused by the most extreme winter weather for 30 years.

The council says it is also working to upgrade the road network across the district by cutting journey times, reducing pollution from cars and improving the reliability of public transport.

Apparently, Huddersfield University is ranked much higher than Leeds Met in The Times uni rankings.

Apparently, Huddersfield University is ranked much higher than Leeds Met in The Times uni rankings.

That's Patrick Stewart for you, boldly going where no university has gone before :nuts:

work has begun on the waterfont quarter. Ill be uploading a few pics as oon as i can!

work has begun on the waterfont quarter. Ill be uploading a few pics as oon as i can!

Thanks, looking forward to seeing them. Anything else happening around town? Has the Spindlegate development resumed on Leeds Road? And the tesco proposals seem dramatic for three separate areas of the town centre; are there any images available?

I think Huddersfield is a much underrated town that has a pretty good town centre and shopping provision considering that Leeds and Manchester are so close and the Trafford Centre and Meadowhall also not too far away.

It has some absolutely gorgeous architecture, public spaces, good bars and big town feel and compares very well compared to similar sized places (like Preston, Warrington, Middlesbrough etc).

The new square outside the station is fantastic and the town as a whole has a great feel. I would definitely aim to improve some of the paving on the high street though which looks like 1980s multicoloured crazy brickwork and lets the rest of the town down.

What are everyone elses thoughts on Huddersfield? It definitely seems to be punching above it's weight somewhat as the second centre of W.Yorks.

I like Huddersfield a lot. It seems to have quite a dodgy reputation, but is actually a great little down with a lot of nice buildings.

Oh, and the best part is, people from Bradford shop in Huddersfield, not the other way round, kind of embarrassing for Bradford. :nuts:

I used to live in Huddersfield and briefly worked at the Kingsgate Centre when it opened in 2002. That centre was the biggest thing to happen to Huddersfield centre for quite some time. I can see since I left in 2002 a lot has happened. Anyone shed any light as to whats happening with the new pool and lesuire centre? When I lived over there the talk was the old pool site was to be torn down to make way for the new Tesco.

Huddersfield is a great place, with good shopping, ok nightlife and a city feel to the place. Having worked in the town for 2 years, my big gripe about Hudds is the horrendous traffic problems. I have worked in cities and numerous towns across the North, and Hudds is by far the worst for traffic congestion, a poor road network, and an unbeleivable love for traffic lights at every junction in the town causing bad traffic flows.

Due to the hilly nature of the town, roads are narrow and very congested. Hudds is desperate for a dual carriageway outer ring road which has never happened, so traffic has to go around the centre or through built up areas.

I used to live in Huddersfield and briefly worked at the Kingsgate Centre when it opened in 2002. That centre was the biggest thing to happen to Huddersfield centre for quite some time. I can see since I left in 2002 a lot has happened. Anyone shed any light as to whats happening with the new pool and lesuire centre? When I lived over there the talk was the old pool site was to be torn down to make way for the new Tesco.

Tesco was approved by the local authority, but was called in by the secretary of state. Public Inquiry was last week.

I like Huddersfield a lot. It seems to have quite a dodgy reputation, but is actually a great little down with a lot of nice buildings.

Oh, and the best part is, people from Bradford shop in Huddersfield, not the other way round, kind of embarrassing for Bradford. :nuts:
There's a lot of top retailers missing from Huddersfield, but it has stores like House of Fraser and now H&M which aren't in Bradford. There's also a burgeoning independent retail sector in the town with the Cook & Bakeware Store and Pink Cadillac. The restaurant / bar offer is a real plus for Huddersfield, a great range of restaurants and loads of real ale places.

Huddersfield has got areas like Denby Dale and Holmfirth within its catchment area which are quite affluent and Huddersfield is a lot easier to get to than Leeds. This differs from Bradford, where the affluent customers of the Aire and Wharfe valleys can get to Leeds just as easy as Bradford. I think the University feels like its more of a part of the town in Huddersfield than it does in Bradford. Its only over the road from the Kingsgate and the few bars at the bottom, the town is full of students during the day.

I used to live in Huddersfield and briefly worked at the Kingsgate Centre when it opened in 2002. That centre was the biggest thing to happen to Huddersfield centre for quite some time. I can see since I left in 2002 a lot has happened. Anyone shed any light as to whats happening with the new pool and lesuire centre? When I lived over there the talk was the old pool site was to be torn down to make way for the new Tesco.

The Tesco plans were called in by the Secretary of State with the hearing having taken place a week or two ago so the entire sequence of developments is on hold (new leisure centre on open land outside ring road; new Tesco on site of existing sports centre; hotel and offices on existing Tesco site). Also on hold due to traffic impact assessment is the plan by Asda for a new store just outside the ring road at Chapel Hill.
The Waterfront Quarter is forging ahead though, with the new college due for completion next year and the infrastructure works for the rest of the site (including opening up the canal) also to be finished soon.
Kingsgate phase 2 is delayed and the developer has just been given an extension of time. And unfortunately there is no hint of progress on the massive HD One scheme adjacent to the stadium.
The Spindlegate development on Leeds Road near the town centre has progressed though, with a hotel and drive through Costa Coffee under construction and a new pub already open. And the huge warehouse (now called St George's) near the railway station is being gradually brought into use after decades of being empty - there are already some occupiers in the refurbished office areas). And the University continues to bring interesting projects forward, the latest, which is underway, being the multi million pound enterprise centre adjacent to the canal.
The town centre has quite a few empty shops but nowhere near as bad as many places and there is quite a thriving cafe scene. Not sure how well it could survive other major closures though - for example either of the two Waterstones or HMV.
Overall assessment - has survived the recession quite well so far but needs a new surge in confidence, which perhaps the Waterfront Quarter can bring.
Hope that helps...

Sounds great if it all comes off. I look forward to supping a few pints in Huddersfield again soon.

Hello,

You may be interested in the following review of Huddersfield's architecture and planning:

Article
http://www.jonestheplanner.co.uk/2011/11/huddersfield-town.html

Flickr Set
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61413702@N07/sets/72157628097281307/

Hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed Huddersfield

Best,

Chris Matthews

Hello,

You may be interested in the following review of Huddersfield's architecture and planning:

Article
http://www.jonestheplanner.co.uk/2011/11/huddersfield-town.html

Flickr Set
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61413702@N07/sets/72157628097281307/

Hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed Huddersfield

Best,

Chris Matthews

Love it!

Tesco developments get go ahead


http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2012/02/09/tesco-gets-green-light-for-massive-new-supermarket-in-huddersfield-86081-30294558/