Valley Mills, Drighlington
Industrial campus to be cleared for a new suburb:
Not the grandest of Yorkshire’s mills, this dark red brick complex of north-light buildings, houses, and mills is to be cleared for a very dull volume house build in this rural location in between the cities of Leeds and Bradford.
A heritage-led masterplan would see the terraced houses retained, and all the two-story elements utilised as a nucleus from which to design the rest of the site. No such vision from the architects that have put together this layout, which suffers from the usual standardised highway widths, corner radii, and housing types.
Even the retention of the road layout would at least leave a token allsuion to the site’s history. And always worth a mention is the incredble waste of embedded carbon which could be saved if the buildings were rennovated and not demolished.
Former Huddersfield Technical College
Application from 2018 finally determined:
Thankfully the main portico building will not be lost to this development (which looks to be predominantly surface carparking). However the latter elements of the stone building are to be lost, including the linking tower from 1876. The entire building benefits from a Grade II* listing, however this has tacitly only applied to what was the 1831 Infirmary building.
The original Infirmary building, shown with the 1876 extension to the right, including the linking tower which will be demolished
The bulk of the campus to be lost dates from 1932, and hints towards an art deco character. The building fronting Halifax Road is from earlier (circa 1901), and boasts an excellent mansard roof, the loss of which will be regrettable for Huddersfield.
It is a shame that the towers and the 1901 block couldn’t be negotiated for, as they are stunning buildings that establish a strong urban grain in this part of the Town Centre.
The new supermarket will be a stark contrast with the ornate civic character of the college. The apartments to the north laudably address the street frontage. However, the contrasting architecture of the buildings my result in the Old Infirmary appearing as an awkward relic.
It is also frustrating that this approval has suddenly appeared 4 years after the original application. It will be quite a shock to the people of Huddersfield to see this quarter being suddenly torn up.
The art deco (ish) elevation facing Portland Street, which will be lost
Terraced High Street in Bradford
A row of Victorian commercial buildings to be demolished for a retail park:
This Victorian Terrace has lost much of its character thanks to the relaxed approach to signage and box dormers in Bradford, but a keen eye can still see the original detailing of the frontage and rhythm of the building line.
However, what is lamentable here is the proposed replacement – the curiously named ‘Jinnah Park’:
Quite an intensification of land, and a significant departure in character. Still, I’m sure Jinnah Park will be a commercial success, and if it makes one of Bradford’s newest communities feel they have made a their mark on the city, then maybe its the right move.
The Demolition Register 