Objection to the Garden Street Development August 2nd 2008

Press release from the Garden Street Action Group: 1st September 2008 Hebden Bridge businesses overwhelmingly reject Garden Street development In a devastating reversal for the developers of the controversial Garden Street scheme, and also for its promoters Calderdale Council – who own the site - retailers and businesses in Hebden Bridge have rejected the development in overwhelming numbers. The Garden Street Action Group has published the results of its survey of business opinion, presenting the views of well over 100 businesses in the town. Because the Council had failed to consult the businesses on whose behalf it had stated it was promoting the scheme, the Action Group decided to undertake its own survey, and has tried to speak to as many of the owners or managers of businesses in Hebden Bridge. Said Anthony Rae, spokesperson for the Action Group: “In justifying their promotion of the development, the Council has previously stated that: 'Local shopkeepers have raised their concern regarding the lack of car parking spaces in Hebden Bridge and the impact this has on the viability of businesses in the town centre.' [1] So we thought it was essential that those same businesses now had the opportunity to express their opinion about what is being proposed; and since the Council has never consulted them, we have done this survey ourselves.” The Action Group obtained a definite opinion, for or against the development, from 122 businesses. 95% (116 businesses) were „against‟; and 5% (6 businesses) were „for‟ including two firms associated directly with the scheme. And the Group have now published, and sent to the Council, the individual comments it has collected from nearly 100 businesses expressing their deep opposition to the scheme, and their fears about the economic damage it will cause to trading in the town and to their businesses. [2] The survey confirms that the decision of the Hebden Bridge Business Association to object to the scheme is in line with business sentiment in the town. The sample of 122 businesses represents 60% of the 202 businesses in Hebden Bridge the Action Group was able to identify. Anthony Rae said about the results of the survey: “What Hebden Bridge businesses are telling Calderdale Council, in their own words, is: 'Thanks very much, but we don't want this solution to any parking problem you thought the town might have, because we believe the medicine will kill the patient'. The big question now is: Will the Council pay any intention to what all these businesses are saying, or just carry on trying to ignore them?” Last week, the Action Group also published its special report on parking in the town 'Just like that!' - making the parking problems of Hebden Bridge disappear! [3] which revealed a number of extremely simple and immediate solutions to any parking shortfall the town might have. Anthony Rae concluded: “The Action Group has now tackled the parking problem, and taken the trouble to speak to businesses in the town to find out what they want, something Calderdale Council has never bothered to do. The objections from members of the public – residents and visitors alike – are continuing to pour in. What else does Hebden Bridge have to do to make Calderdale Council understand: We don't want this development! You can't impose it on us.” [ends] Further information from Anthony Rae 01422 845061 [1] Letter from Council to Action Group 14th May 2008 [2] All 93 comments recorded by the survey are appended to this press release; and can be downloaded from the Action Group website: www.notogardenstreet.org.uk [3] Also available on the website Retailer comments about Garden Street Development - August 2008 Calderdale Council say they are only promoting the scheme because: “Local shopkeepers have raised their concern regarding the lack of car parking spaces in Hebden Bridge and the impact this has on the viability of businesses in the town centre." But what do the traders themselves say? The Council have never bothered to ask them, so the Action Group has conducted a survey of as many businesses in the town we can reach. These comments are not attributed to individual businesses but each one can be referenced if required. Here are all the comments we have recorded: Albert Street The disruption would put me out of business People will stop coming to Hebden Bridge Would create even more demand for parking space We do not need any more shops; there are nine empty shops at present People will stop coming to Hebden Bridge while the work takes place, and once out of the habit and used to somewhere else, will probably never return Extremely worried about the stability of the hillside and flooding/drainage problems behind my premises Traders in this part of town would be severely affected; loss of trade would mean relocation or closure for me Why doesn’t Calderdale Council listen to our concerns. This could ruin Hebden Bridge. I am worried sick Absolute madness; horrendous, unsympathetic development Please concentrate on the positives Hebden Bridge has to offer local people and many visitors, otherwise people will stop seeing the town as a great little destination A lot of businesses would suffer during massive construction work lasting for years Disruption of Commercial Street would have severe repercussions for deliveries I am extremely worried about flooding and drainage problems in relation to the underground car park and car stacker The wall is not unsafe; it could be renovated and cleaned to make it an attractive feature of the town, with some landscaping on the ledge I believe there are alternative ways of providing more car parking for Hebden Bridge, including a visitors/long stay car park on the Walkleys site, with park and ride to the town; short stay parking on Valley Road at the fire - - - - - - - - - station site; reconfiguration of existing car parks by angled markings to increase capacity Ridiculous and foolhardy proposal that has not been thought through in my opinion The concept and design are not in keeping with our town Additional retail outlets not required, many currently vacant and others struggling Access of heavy machinery via Croft Mill Yard would made it difficult, perhaps impossible, for us to function The prospect of several years demolition, excavation and construction does not augur well for my employees or my clients. I would seriously consider moving I will support any scheme that provides more car parking for my customers There must be a better way. I work here and I foresee real problems for years ahead if this were to go ahead We are very worried about drainage from our property which runs under Garden Street I am against this development in relation to my business - - - - - Someone should contact ‘Treesponsibility’ about saving the trees on Commercial Street Market Street Need car parking but no more shops because many are empty already. If it goes ahead, I would have to close as soon as work starts. Existing car park would be redundant for two years with loss of 55 parking spaces Disruption will cause loss of business. No need for more shops while many are struggling. Would cause upheaval for no benefit to the town. We do not need any more flats or shops especially; there are empty ones already Disruption will close businesses. Appalled at closure of Commercial Street and no parking for years. Hebden Bridge is no different to any other small town with parking issues and people need to stop saying that there is no parking, otherwise visitors will stop coming. No housing or shops needed, some more car parking ONLY Please concentrate on the positives of Hebden bridge for local people and visitors, otherwise people will stop seeing us as a great little destination Don’t even get me started! This is a disgraceful situation. It is completely ludicrous and inappropriate, for all the reasons on the objection letter - - - - - - - It’s joke. But I don’t trust Calderdale Council to listen to us Hebden Bridge needs more parking but there are many more suitable suggestions that have been made. The town doesn’t need more business space/flats; there are plenty of empty properties We are small town; we don’t need high rise buildings Ridiculous scheme. It would ruin the town. Completely inappropriate. The town has flooded three times and there is a serious risk of flooding if major excavation takes place at Garden Street I do not support this scheme. It is obvious that the site is not appropriate for this development but the Council will not take any notice – they never have and they never will. This is all about favours for favours Shops are closing already; this development can only makes things worse Market Street is neglected and there is too much emphasis on the centre of town; in particular, parking restrictions on Market Street are punitive. I was not aware of the scale of construction proposed here and it is unacceptable I think the scheme is outrageous I am totally opposed to this scheme Totally opposed No housing or shops required, any empty already, car parking only needed It’s a joke! I feel there is a need for more parking and am not totally against the design. However, the scale and impact of the development is totally disproportionate to the benefit of the extra spaces provided I am very against this scheme. I understand that Clarence House, on behalf of the Prince of Wales, will be writing to Calderdale Council on this matter - - - - - Valley Road/Hangingroyd Lane We don’t need any more shops in competition with existing shops. Parking is irrelevant. The development proposed is ugly. It doesn’t fit in with the area. The closure of Albert and Commercial streets will force the closure of businesses. Nobody can find us as it is. If it happens it will close us down with the loss of jobs. Why not use the Old Clog Mill as a park and ride? The disruption to the roads would cause havoc with the only access into Hebden Bridge being in via Cheetham Street and out via Crown Street I don’t think we need more development of flats and shops; I don’t think there is the demand for either. Since the last upheaval, Hebden is just getting back on its feet and I would like to see it left alone for a while. I don’t think the proposed development is I keeping with the area. The stacking car park will not solve the parking problem. - - - - I don’t think it is in keeping with the town and I don’t think it will solve the parking problem. No beneficial parking spaces will be created by this development. We need more parking but I am not convinced this is the answer. I would like the development to be in keeping with the character of Hebden Bridge. I am not happy with the disruption to traffic coming in. There has been a saturation of development in Hebden Bridge What will the disruption cause? And it will not create many new parking spaces. The disruption will put off people visiting; businesses have just recovered from the George Square disruption. It will kill off businesses in Hebden Bridge that are already struggling - - - Crown Street Need parking but development not in keeping with the town A horrendous carbuncle Businesses in the town are dying anyway. This would just put an end to them More parking need but not more residential development. We need more car parking but long stay for business owners. This development would cause huge disruption While Commercial Street is closed, all the traffic in and out of the town – buses, lorries, cars – would be forced to use Albert Street, probably causing parking on that street to be stopped for that time There’ll be no car parking while it’s happening. It might bring in more businesses in the long term but by then the town would be destroyed There is a need for long stay parking for shopkeepers and train users. Sort out the parking situation rather than build more businesses If this development goes ahead, I will sell my business. Provide proper parking at the station before any development, otherwise it will close Hebden down. - - - - - St. George’s Square There does need to be parking for coach parties. Many coach tours come through the town en route to Haworth and the Dales but there is nowhere for them to stop at present The car parking doesn’t add up. Extra demand created by the development would use up all the extra provided I object to being harassed by [developer’s representative] and being accused of “being brainwashed’ by the objectors. I have a mind of my own and I say no - - - We are new to the area but would not have wanted a development like this even in California where we came from. This project is massively overwhelming to the town and community I believe there is a risk of landslides by excavating so far below ground on this site. We are in a high risk flood area and there has been an increase I rainfall in the last two years. Also, there would be huge costs - Bridgegate Does not provide any more parking, too costly and doesn’t fit in with the town I’m against this development I’m against because of loss of trade, increased traffic congestion and the disruption it will cause Unsure as know the town needs parking but now convinced to be against because of the automated car stacker. Very opposed Totally opposed- too many things spoiling the town. Council should consider community view Very opposed. I think that building this will start making people move out of Hebden Bridge. I think it’s terrible and I’m very upset about it! Definitely against and I have signed the objection letter Totally opposed to it and I am taking extra letters to encourage others to object Not happy with the disruption it will cause. The scale is too large, but I think something should be done. I am against because it will cause more problems than solutions No need for more development and building Size is too big. It’s a visual intrusion Totally opposed here and know the manager has sent his objections. Unsure for the moment but probably against! All my staff and myself are totally opposed. It’s pathetic! I am very opposed to this - - - - - - - New Road I am opposed; I have already sent a letter explaining why Opposed to this, do not think the disruption is worth all the trouble. It’s difficult enough already and it doesn’t offer the town anything new and worthwhile - I am already opposed to it and have sent a personal objection to the council