Children’s centre to be built by this autumn

Mar 14 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A COUNCILLOR has welcomed money for a new children’s centre.

Last week Kirklees Council’s Cabinet agreed to look into funding a centre at the Fussey’s Allotment site in Almondbury.

Clr Ann Denham, who represents the area, said: “I am extremely happy that the new stand-alone children’s centre will be built by this autumn.”

Clr Denham and her two Lib Dem ward colleagues proposed opening a new children’s centre and library at the Fussey’s site last April.

The plan would have meant the village’s existing library on Stocks Walk – an architectural treasure which dates back to 1904 – would have had to close.

But the council agreed to reconsider the plan after more than 1,000 people signed a petition demanding that the historic library remain open.

The council’s Conservative Cabinet last week agreed to carry out a feasibility study into building a children’s centre at the Fussey’s site and expanding the existing library in Stocks Walk.

This would cost £400,000 more than the original plan.

Clr Denham said: “During the public consultation period it became obvious that the residents wanted the library to stay where it is but were equally keen on having the children’s centre on the Fussey’s site.

“Ensuring enough money was added to this year’s budget was one of my top priorities.”

The library was built with money from Scottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie 104 years ago.