End is near for notorious ‘den’

Jun 20 2009 by nick lavigueur, Hudd Sat

A STONE shelter that became a hotspot for wild teenage parties looks set to be pulled down.

The structure known as Cliff Rec above Holmfirth has long been at the centre of residents’ complaints about underage drinking and littering.

Reports of drug use and drug dealing at the shelter have also been circulating although local police officers have not made any arrests.

Now following a meeting of councillors, officials and police, the controversial shelter looks likely to be demolished.

A Kirklees Council spokesman said the final decision had not yet been made but confirmed they would knock it down if the majority agreed it should go.

But with all three ward councillors thought to be in favour of its demolition and a large number of residents regularly complaining about anti-social behaviour it would seem the shelter’s partying days are over.

Chairman of the Holme Valley South Area Committee, Clr Donald Firth, said he backed the bid to get rid of the shelter.

He said: “We’ve had a couple of goes at it but when I found out there was all this trouble and that they were having boozy parties that was it.

“People don’t need that kind of thing, as far as I’m concerned it needs to come down because it’s been more bother than it’s worth.

“I talk to the locals and (they say) there has been as many as 100 people up there, they’ve really been creating a nuisance.”

And Clr Firth said he had little sympathy with the argument that there was no where for young people to go in Holmfirth.

He added: “We’ve spent £400,000 down at Sands. There’s a shelter and a Muga.

“They have no excuse that they have no where to go.

“There’s play areas everywhere and there’s things for kids to do, a lot more than when I was a kid when we had to entertain ourselves.

“I just don’t know what more we can do for these children?”

Inspector Mark Trueman from the Valleys Neighbourhood Policing Team denied claims that his officers were in favour of the shelter being removed, or were struggling to cope with its remote location.

He also said the police had not been shown any substantive evidence of drug use at the site.

He said: “(Following the complaints) I increased patrols but the police aren’t against or for it (being demolished).

“But if it goes we won’t object.”

But John Fletcher, Kirklees Council’s parks chief, said the decision was not yet final.

Mr Fletcher said demolition would be discussed at the Holme Valley South Area Committee on Tuesday June 30 and the council would then take a view on whether to take it down or not.

He also confirmed the decision would not need Cabinet approval.

“We don’t do these things lightly,” he said. It’s been in place for the thick part of 80 years we think.

“It’s not the greatest to look at but it does hold some sentimental value to some people.”