THE University of Huddersfield’s planning application (Examiner, July 25) for a learning and leisure centre is flawed, damaging and has misled Kirklees Council’s planners.

The applicant claims that John Ramsden Court, the former C18 canal warehouse is listed grade II. The building is actually listed at the higher level; grade II* and it has been since 1978.

Grade II* buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest.

Grade II buildings are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them. This means that John Ramsden Court is a very rare heritage asset that needs sympathetic handling.

The existing university sports hall is over 70 metres from the warehouse building.

The proposed much bigger, six storey building is only 22 metres from the listed building. Rather than being in the background its blue-meshed bulk will dominate the warehouse.

In consultation Kirklees Council accepted the applicant’s description of the former warehouse as grade II. These unfortunate events have been challenged by Huddersfield Civic Society.

The timing of the application is also worrying. The application was submitted on July 4; public consultation started on July 11.

Making and consulting on this application during Huddersfield’s holidays in the absence of university students and staff and residents of John Ramsden Court can be seen as cynical.

Only on July 31 was the applicant’s conservation and heritage assessment made available.

More planning application documents were published on August 1 and 3. Incredibly public consultation ended on August 3.

Should we be concerned that this application is not receiving the attention and scrutiny required?

Chris Marsden

Chair, Huddersfield Civic Society

Parking poser

YOUR story about the disabled man renewing his blue badge parking permit (Examiner, August 3) reminded me of my brother in law’s plight.

After recently having some of his foot amputated and not being able to walk very far he applied for a disabled badge.

You have to have your photo on it nowadays which meant going in person.

How ridiculous is it that the building (the old job centre building) where you get these disabled badges has inadequate parking facilities!

My sister was told to park in the nearby Sainsbury's or the civic centre. Ermmh, slight problem. Her husband is disabled and can’t walk that far!

A disabled badge centre without parking makes little sense.

CONCERNED

Huddersfield

A taste for fun and food

CAN we say a big thank you to all of the restaurants that opened their doors for the taste trail on Saturday.

What a lovely atmosphere there was in all of the four that we visited and some fabulous food on offer. There will certainly be some return visits.

This is the first time we have participated in this event and we had a really fun afternoon which ended with the wine tasting at Hoults which was extremely enjoyable.

Lynne, Tony, Jack and Jackie

Identities, please

IN THE article about the Lottery grant and Keep Holmfirth Special (Examiner July 30 ), Margaret Dale mentioned ‘senior and influential people’ to do with priorities which can be acted on immediately.

I wonder what criteria she used to enable her to describe a person, in the context of improving Holmfirth, as Senior.

Quaint and smacking of bureaucracy as this mantle may be, the more worrying question is when will the identities of the anointed be revealed?

After all, it must be reasonable to presume that Margaret Dale is hoping that the deliberations of these senior people will eventually change the lives of all of us who reside in Holmfirth and its environs.

We should be told who they are.

C R Atkinson

Honley

Helmets crucial

OUR local boy Ed Clancy is bound to cause an upsurge in cycling after his superb Olympic team win and individual success.

Of course helmets should be compulsory to lessen head injury. Many novices will take to the roads which are a very dangerous arena. Two wheels have very much difficulty on competing with cars and lorries on our busy congested roads.

Cyclists do it for fitness and competitiveness and many ride as professionals.

Many of our local roads have pot holes and are poorly surfaced, all the more reason for wearing a helmet.

Sports can never eliminate all the risks, but the macho bravado image of riding without a helmet is fool hardy.

T Horner

Honley

Weighty concern

I WOULD like to raise a point of concern through your letters column hoping it reaches those who may be able to do something about it.

As a car driver I frequently have to travel to Barnsley at least three times a week.

On August 1, I was nearly involved in an accident with a heavy goods vehicle of at least 30-40 ton.

I always thought that there was a 7.5weight limit on that road from Grange Moor through Flockton.

If this is correct, is it not time something was done about it and fines and points issued to those drivers ignoring the road signs?

In my view, some drivers are deliberately flouting the diversions to Horbury Bridge and Netherton.

I think people in Flockton would agree with my thoughts on this matter.

I know businesses in Flockton take stock deliveries every week, however there is ample room to reverse into Parkside to return to the detour.

J P Robinson

Dalton

Costly mistake

A WARNING to all elderly disabled people please do not have a “senior moment” and forget to leave your blue badge in your car when parking in town.

This recently happened to me. I needed to go to my bank and had a “senior moment”.

I forgot to display my blue badge. I was less than one hour away from my car but when I got back to the car there was a parking ticket for £70 (but £35 if I paid within 14 days), so I thought I had better pay it at once as I rarely go to town.

I went to the civic centre and explained the situation but a very nice person seemed to think I should appeal, which I have done.

I sent a photo copy of my up to date blue badge plus a full explanation and an apology.

But our council does not know a thing about compassion, they will have their pounds of flesh (or my £35, a third of my weekly pension) no matter what so I have had to pay the fine and my little trip to my bank cost me almost £1 per minute for parking and for what most people in their 80s have now and again “a senior moment.”

Silly me for forgetting and silly me for being daft enough to even think our council would be compassionate or understanding.

These people will be old themselves one day, may even disabled and realise just how I feel.

A very disgusted, disabled pensioner