Store does not complement heritage

Jul 4 2008 by Val Javin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

I THANK Mr Skitt of Tesco for his response to my previous letter (Examiner June 5) and his statement that the company has made a firm commitment to use local stone for their proposed Southgate store, although he is careful to avoid referring to the root of my letter.

In the words of the old saying, “The proof of the Pudding is in the Eating”.

Most Kirklees ratepayers will assume that the most reliable commitment to excellence is a fully detailed planning application, legally approved by the Kirklees Planning Authority, and closely monitored for compliance during erection and at completion by a team of competent and qualified Planning Authority Inspectors.

Unfortunately Application No. 2007/93954 for a “building incorporating stone cladding in recognition of the prevailing building material within the wider area” and “a superior design more in keeping with the predominant and traditional characteristics of the wider area”, has resulted in what must be described as “a badly finished, cheap, brick and plastic covered prefab”, at the side of Wakefield Road, one of the premier routes into Huddersfield.

This can hardly be “built to complement Huddersfield’s fine heritage”

Perhaps Mr. Skitt and the Kirklees Chief Executive Officer can explain to us what happened to the high sounding phrases and aspirations of the original application, why it was permitted to be built, and why action has not been taken to ensure compliance with the original specification.

I hesitate to draw a comparison with the notorious Castle Hill fiasco.

Trevor Elam

Dalton